‘Most of the year it’s illegal’: Inside the one-of-a-kind Grasstree Beach Races

The unique North Queensland race attracts competitors from the far reaches of Oz and over the ditch from NZ to become ‘King of the Beach’. Go behind the scenes of how it happens.

Grasstree Beach Races have the most picturesque backdrop. Picture: Supplied

Plenty has changed from 1926 to 2023.

But one thing over those 97 years has remained the same – the anticipation for the annual motorcycle races on Grasstree Beach.

One of only a few beachside motorcycle races in the world, it is the only one of its kind in Australia.

Gum Valley Motorcycle Club organiser Ryan Hand said they expected more than 5000 patrons to flock to this year’s Bullet Bikes Motorcycle Beach Races.

Mr Hand said “hundreds of hours” went into organising such a mammoth event.

“(It’s) usually after already working a 12-hour day at work as well,” Mr Hand said.

His parents John and Ann also run a cane farm and business with multiple employees, yet are heavily involved.

“We just make time because we’ve got to do it … it’s something that we love and are passionate about,” Mr Hand said.

“It’s something pretty special that happens down at Grasstree Beach.

“It’s one of the most incredible feelings you’ll have is riding on the beach, doing the speed’s that they’re doing … which for most of the year is an illegal thing for people to do.

“When the races didn’t run for a few years, we just wanted to do our part for the sport to keep the race running, it has a lot of history behind it.

Grasstree Beach Races are one-of-a-kind. Picture: Supplied

Mr Hand said they typically had up to 100 volunteers on the day help out on top of the usual team.

He said it was “pretty incredible” to see the beach go from 5000 people to “not one bit of rubbish” within two hours of the event finishing.

“Queensland beaches are some of the best in the world, we pride ourselves on keeping them as good as they are, if not making them better,” he said.

Mr Hand was born into the motocross world, his father John an Australian Enduro Champion and former Grasstree Beach competitor.

He and Ann started the not-for-profit Gum Valley Motorcycle Club in the early 2000s.

All the races’ proceeds will go back into the future events, as well as community clubs and organisations.

There’s many races on offer, from junior and female categories, to quad bikes, two strokes, and four strokes, but the coveted category is the ‘King of the Beach.’

Riders come from as far south as Victoria and South Australia, and even east from New Zealand to compete.

The ‘King of the Beach’ is hotly contested this year, with renowned champion Damien Koppe returning to take on Kayden Downing – the man who dethroned him in 2022.

2022 'King of the Beach' Kayden Downing celebrates his triumph. Picture: Supplied

Unfortunately, Andy McLiesh, who came second last season, is ruled out after recently breaking his back in a horrific racing incident with a GoFundMe set up to support his recovery.

While racing underpins the day, the event has much more to offer.

“It’s just a good day at the beach,” Mr Hand said.

“We’ve got rides for the kids, face painting, a full eat street, bike stands … it’s a little bit more than just a motorbike race.

“As well as the chance to watch something pretty incredible – some of the bikes there are some of the most unique bikes in the world.”

You can get your tickets here.