SkyTrails set for lift-off in Far North Queensland

Cairns and Far North Queensland is already highly regarded for hosting the 2017 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and has become a mecca for riders across the globe.

Now, the Cairns region trail networks are set to be taken to a whole new level with the Queensland Government's funding for new concept work at Smithfield and Davies Creek Mountain Bike Trails.

$46,000 of support will go towards the design of two key projects to enhance trail opportunities and link into existing tourism infrastructure.

The SkyTrails proposal for Smithfield begins a master plan for a 95km staged expansion of mountain bike trails within the current Smithfield Mountain Bike Park.

Cairns MP Michael Healy said having a variety of locations and trails creates a critical mass of venues, transforming the area into a major mountain bike drawcard.

"When you consider the booming popularity of adventure sport and tourism, the flow-on benefits to the community and economy are exceptional," he said on his Facebook page.

"The Davies Creek component of the funding will also deliver extra trails to complement existing networks.

"These ground-breaking projects dovetail beautifully into the existing trails network and will significantly build on the region’s existing mountain biking scene.

"This is fantastic news for the Cairns region as a whole and the Cairns mountain bike community in particular, adding another world-class tourism offer for local, domestic and eventually international visitors will be simply amazing.

"This initiative has the potential to be one of the finest tourism developments that we have right on our doorstep and will cement the Cairns region as one of Australia's great biking destinations.

"We will be able to attract and hold world-class events on world-class trails. The region will be in the prime spot as a full year-round destination, that really has so much to offer, not only to the avid biker but for the whole family."

SkyTrails Cairns and Mareeba Mountain Goats are working in conjunction with contract managers Cairns Regional Council and Mareeba Shire Council.