Fig Tree Pocket Loop
City Loop
Type: Road Ride
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 44km
Elevation Gained: 434m
Estimated Moving Time: 1.5-3 hours
Summary
Ford Avalon Loop: Rolling Hills of Brisbane’s Southside
If you’re looking for a ride that gets you out of the city without having to venture too far, Ford Avalon Loop is one of Brisbane’s underrated southside gems.
The 62.8 km loop from Brisbane City combines bikeways, quiet country-style roads, rolling hills and a handful of punchy climbs. It’s not a massive day in the saddle, but don’t let the distance fool you, some sections throw in 17% gradients that can make the legs work.
The ride starts by heading south from the city, with much of the early section following Brisbane’s South Veloway, making it relatively easy to get out of the city without spending too much time battling traffic. There’s then around 4 km of open-road riding before reaching Ford Avalon, where the character of the ride changes completely.
Once you get into the Ford Avalon area, the roads become noticeably quieter and greener. Tree-lined roads, open spaces and rolling terrain give the ride a more rural feel, despite being relatively close to Brisbane. There’s also plenty of shade around the route, making it a surprisingly pleasant place to ride even during the warmer months.
Why ride Ford Avalon?
What makes this loop particularly good is the combination of accessibility and variety. You can leave the CBD, spend a good portion of the ride on bikeways, then find yourself riding through quiet, green roads and climbing hills, all within a 60–70 km loop.
It’s also a great option when you want something more challenging than a flat river or bayside ride, but don’t necessarily want to commit to an all-day epic. The rolling terrain keeps the ride interesting, while the shorter distance makes it easy to fit into a morning.
For riders living on Brisbane’s southside, it can also become a useful building block for longer adventures. Ford Avalon can be linked with other popular southside riding areas such as Bay Side, Mt Cotton and Seven Sisters, giving you plenty of options to extend the ride and turn a relatively short loop into a bigger day out.
When to ride
While you can ride the loop on a weekday, weekends are generally the better option. Some of the roads approaching Ford Avalon can get quite busy, particularly around peak commuting periods. If you’re riding during the week, starting after the morning peak can make for a more relaxed ride.
Ford Avalon is a good reminder that you don’t always need to drive hours out of Brisbane to find a ride that feels like an escape.
62.8 km. Rolling hills. Green roads. A few proper pinch. And a surprisingly rural feeling without leaving Brisbane’s backyard.
If you live on the southside or you’re looking to explore a different side of Brisbane by bike, put Ford Avalon on the list.
Tips:
-. weekend morning is best to do the route
-. avoid morning peak hours due to the traffic at Rochedale
-. A loop as per the route is recommended to do on weekday
Cafe Option:
-. Cache cache Cafe
-. Dabang Coffee House
-. BNE Pop up
-. Espresso Hut