MCGAZZAFEST
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
WEATHER UPDATES
PLEASE SEE OUR SCHEDULE AND SOCIALS FOR CHANGES
MCGAZZAFEST 2026 IS ON AND
ITS A SPECIAL ONE OF REMEMBRANCE 10 YEARS!
Its been 10 years since we lost our very dear friend Kelly Mcgarry. This year we want to go extra large to remeber them big guy. McGazzfest 2026 is happening, and it’s going to be one wild weekend of biking, partying, and unforgettable memories with friends!
It’s all about living the weekend the way Kelly lived every day – full of action, energy, and riding in all his favourite spots. Let’s make it a weekend to remember and bring your positive friendly energy to make friends and be involved in a community event.
Here’s the lowdown:
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All events will have online registration, which will be available the week before the festival. Spots are limited, and it’s first come, first served – so keep an eye on our Facebook event and right here for registration links and all the event details. No exceptions and no holds will be given out.
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For the McGazza Dream Jam, athletes must be QMTBC members to ride, so be sure to grab your QMTBC membership and help support the awesome riding networks that Kelly loved so much. We encourage all riders and spectators to join us and keep the riding scene alive! Registration for this event will be strictly limited but has two categories for youth and adults allowing for more riders to participate. Online registration will be a week before and first in first served ONLY.
Get ready for a weekend that’s all about fun, high energy, and riding hard – just the way Kelly would’ve wanted it.
Let’s honour his memory with the best weekend ever!
Follow here for more on socials and event link below:
MEGA TRAIN
We’ll kick things off with a mass start group ride down Hammies and Original in the Queenstown Bike Park — a fast, flowing descent that’s all about good times and big smiles. In true McGazza style, this ride is inspired by his legendary attempts to overtake as many riders as possible on the way down, so expect plenty of laughs, banter, and friendly chaos.
This is a social ride first and foremost — ride within your limits, look out for each other, and soak up the atmosphere of sharing the trails together.
We’ll roll out at the bottom and finish at Atlas, where food, cold beers, and great conversation will be waiting. The perfect way to wind down, swap stories, and celebrate riding with the crew.
When: Friday 23rd January 2026 - 5PM UPLIFT (Get in Gondy Early)
TRAIN LEAVES AT 6PM FROM START OF HAMMIES
Where: Skyline Queenstown - meet at the top and follow the crowds!
Cost: FREE
Uplift: $15 Donation to QMTBC for non pass holders
Registration: No Rego just come along - all welcome! Main run will be
Afterparty: ride straight from Skyline to food and beer at Atlas
CHAINLESS RACE
Come find us at the bottom of McNearly Gnarly Trail in Fernhill Bike Park. Our lovely crew will be there to welcome you, along with our collies ready for pats, your timing chip, and your QBF custom number plate.
From there, pedal up to the top to get ready for your run. We’ll have chain breakers available at the start, but if you’ve got a spare, bringing one along would be hugely appreciated.
This is all about timed runs and chasing the top spot — no messing around here. Ride hard for Kelly, commit to your lines, and send it to the moon on the jumps all the way down. 🚀
When: Sunday 25th January 2026
Rego start at 9.00am
Racing from 9.30am
Where: Mcnearly Gnarly - Wynyard Bike Park
Cost: $20
Registration: Online registration
KIDS AIRBAG JAM
Kelly spent a huge amount of time giving back to the youth through volunteer coaching days, and this session is a natural extension of that legacy. In his spirit, we’ll have top riders on hand to coach and encourage the kids, helping them build confidence and skills in a supportive environment.
Coaching will take place on both the airbag and mulch jumps, giving young riders the chance to progress safely while learning from some of the best.
When: Cancelled - We may open this if Gorge Road is to wet to ride, please keep an eye out on social media.
Where: Mini Dream - Wynyard Bike Park
Meet at Mulch Area - Wynyard Bike Park
Cost: FREE
Registration: No Rego, just come along. Parents must be present for you to ride and sign waiver on child behalf.
Recommendations for safety and enjoyment:
Full Face Helmets
Mouth Guard
Long Sleeves
DREAM JAM
It’s a very special — and emotional — year as we mark the 10-year anniversary of McGazzaFest. We miss our friend dearly, and we’re proud to come together once again to honour Kelly’s life, his riding, and the way he lived. This event is about remembering him and carrying that spirit forward on the bike.
This session is for experienced riders only on Dream Jumps and will run in a Jam format.
We’ll kick things off with a Junior Jam, followed by the Adult Jam on the top half of Dream Jumps. Kelly was known for styling Dream from top to bottom with his mates, and in true McGazza fashion, this year we’re bringing that full run back into the event.
After an intermission, we’ll move down to the lower jumps. Only advanced riders who are fully comfortable on these features should continue into this session. To finish it all off, there will be a Top-to-Bottom full run, delivering the full Kelly thrills and a moment we know he’d be proud of.
And with that much adrenaline, we’re not calling it early — meet us at Lone Star for the ultimate after-party as we celebrate and remember our mate the best way we know how. 🍻
All riders taking part in the Mcgazza jump jam must have ridden the jumps before. You must be able to ride to a step up jump. (Straight line to mulch or sixth feature) If you are constantly cutting out of the line you will be pulled out of the jam. This posses a risk to yourself and other riders.
To ride in Adults session - you will need to be able to ride the full line to the very bottom jump comfortably. Megatrain included for all riders.
When: Changed to Sunday 25th January 2026
Juniors (Under 18)
Rego : 3.00pm
Riding : 3.30pm - 5.00pm
Your Parents MUST be present to sign the waiver on your behalf and whilst you ride. No exceptions!!!
Adults
Rego : 4.30pm
Riding : 5.15pm - 8.00pm
Big Dream - Top of Wynyard Bike Park
First Session - Upper Dream
Second Session - Lower Dream
End - Full Top to Bottom Run
Entries are strictly limited to 100 riders per age category.
No exceptions!!!! Spots are first in, first served.
Please respect this process — it is essential for rider safety, volunteer capacity, and to honour the event held in Kelly’s memory. We ask all riders to respect the integrity of the event by ensuring entry fees are paid and all required consents are completed before riding.
Anyone attempting to ride without registering or providing consent may be asked to leave the event site.
QMTBC Membership
You must be QMTBC member and have app number to show on the day.
Please respect this limit for waiver reasons, safety and enjoyment of riders on the day.
Download the QMTBC app and get your membership
You will need your ID number to get signed in on the day.
Where:
Big Dream - Top of Wynyard Bike Park
First Session - Upper Dream
Second Session - Lower Dream
End - Full Top to Bottom Run
Cost: $55 Juniors & $65 Adults
Registration: Online registration
SIGN UP HERE (Adults are Full)
Compulsory - Full Face Helmet, Waiver & Safety Briefing / Wristband for participants (These will be removed immediately if alcohol is consumed.)
Afterparty: Lone Star Party starts from 9.30pm till late Upstairs.
(You're welcome to go eat dinner before downstairs).
Please party responsibly and no drugs allowed!!!
MEMORIAL RIDE
This is a group remembrance ride to the Kelly McGarry Table at the top of the Fernhill Loop Trail. This ride is held with intention and respect, honouring the place where Kelly took his final breath. It’s a deeply special location for many in our community, a space to pause, reflect, and remember our friend.
We’ll ride Beeched As up to The Table, taking the time to enjoy the journey together. If we’re lucky, we may even be joined by native kea soaring overhead, adding to the magic of this unique spot.
From the table, riders are free to choose their own descent via the Fernhill Trails at their own pace. Walkers are very welcome, and those who prefer can walk from Fernhill up to the table to be part of the moment and the remembrance.
When: Changed to Saturday 24th January 2026 - 1pm
Get in Gondy around 12.30pm
Where: Skyline Queenstown - meet at the top terminal at 1pm
Cost: FREE
Uplift $15 Donation to QMTBC for non pass holders
Registration: Meet at the bottom of Skyline Gondola
GORGE ROAD JAM
Our iconic Gorge Road Jump Park was one of the places you’d find Kelly almost every day. Whether he was mid-session, fixing a bike, or leaning on the fence, he was always up for a good yarn and ready to shred with anyone who rolled in. It was a space where riders of all ages and abilities crossed paths — exactly the kind of community Kelly loved.
Come and join us for some air time in his honour, celebrating the joy, progression, and shared stoke that defined his riding. This will be an open session for everyone, welcoming riders to drop in, take turns, and enjoy the flow together.
The park is best suited to dirt jump bikes with smooth, fast-rolling tyres or BMX bikes, and whether you’re sending jumps, rolling through, or cheering from the sidelines, it’s an awesome event to ride in or watch unfold.
Food will be available on site, so you can stay fuelled, hang out longer, and soak up the atmosphere with your mates.
RAFFLE TIME
All week, we’ve been selling raffle tickets, with all proceeds going to QMTBC and supporting the wider biking community in Queenstown. Your contribution helps fund future events, trail maintenance, and more amazing mahi across our local riding areas.
We’ll be drawing the prizes at this event, so make sure you stick around — you could take home some incredible vouchers, gear, and epic prizes! It’s a fun way to celebrate the week, support the community, and maybe even score something awesome for yourself.
When: Changed to Saturday 24th January 2026 - 9am
Where: Gorge Road Jump Park - next to Industrial Place
Cost: FREE
Registration: Just come ride or hang open to everyone!
