University of Canberra Stromlo Forest Park (UCSFP) is a unique, premier multi-use facility, attracting both recreational and professional sporting visitors throughout the year. UCSFP attracts over 670,000 local and interstate visitors annually, including equestrian riders, runners, road cyclists, and mountain bikers.
Situated in the heart of the Molonglo Valley in the nation’s capital, Canberra, UCSFP is free to the public and open 365 days per year (conditions permitting).
Set on 1200 hectares of bushland, with pristine waterways and surrounded by spectacular views, UCSFP is located only 15 minutes from the city centre, providing easy access.
It boasts an onsite purpose-built event pavilion, a 1.2km criterium cycling circuit, a 2.5km grass cross country running track, a network of equestrian trails, pump track and over 50km of dedicated mountain bike trails suitable for riders of all abilities. Both the Centenary Trail and Bicentennial National Trail pass through UCSFP, and there are kilometres of shared trails for those wanting to explore on foot as well.
Stromlo, as we know it, was born out of the ashes of the 2003 Canberra Bushfires, however the land’s history stretches back to the Ngunnawal people, the First Nations people in the Canberra region.
Stromlo Forest has a rich sporting history and has long been home to many sporting and recreational groups, from equestrian users through to mountain bikers and international runners. In 1999, the “original“ Stromlo Forest hosted the first ever Australian 24 hour mountain bike race, and has been home to numerous national championships. A variety of large recreational and competitive events call Stromlo home. Since opening in 2007, the facility has hosted:
- A Mountain Bike World Cup,
- Mountain Bike World Championships,
- Multiple national and international level mountain bike events,
- Cross Country National Championships,
- High level cycling events,
- The Canberra Running Festival.
The site is busy all year, hosting sporting events, from School cross country days to regular club events and competitions. The recently opened Stromlo Leisure Centre attracts large visitation numbers. Today, Stromlo is also home to an award-winning shuttle bus service catering for gravity MTB riders of all abilities to the top of Mt Stromlo, as well as a popular onsite café and bar. Its future includes implementing approved plans for recreational sporting fields that will attract additional sports users and spectators onsite.
We thank the generous businesses for supporting these outstanding natural recreational facilities for the benefit of the community.