Off to Aus for a couple of weeks later in the year. Would like to get some mountain biking in.

Can anyone recommend:
somewhere to ride in/around Sydney in the evenings?
somewhere to hire a bike in Sydney?
a friendly MTB club in Sydney?

I have the weekend off so is there a mountain biking 'holy grail' in Aus I should go to?

there's a big national park about an hour by train south of sydney, a lot of locals seem to ride there. otherwise head up to the blue mountains, also an hour or so by train I think. I forget the name of the main town, but lots of shops doing bike hire up there.

you should be going to Adelaide. Loads of great riding without having to leave the 'city' ie Mount Lofty, Belair. Fox Creek if you want to drive 1/2hr from town. But where ever you ride - watch out for snakes! Also recommend that if in NSW that around Falls Creek is good and so are the victorian alps. Make sure you take loads of sun block and watch out for dehydration is going during the summer. See if you can get some maps and just to warn you all the best riding is illegal so watch for ranger danger. Aus. doesn't have the history of ancient rights of way in the same way as uk and europe.

kimbo is right i come from adelaide originally, great scene lots of rides and cheap bike shops in city centre.
must wear helmet is Aus. its law and they will fine you if you dont.
have fun

Manly Dam.  ride it damn manly.  great loop about 45mins, some rocks, roots, jumps bumps and fast blast sections! get out and ride!

Kimbo & Paul - Music to my ears! Thanks gents. I move to Adelaide in September and was wondering what the trails would be like.

Ah KATOOMBA!

I was there is 2001 and truly horrified by the fact the mullets were the standard hair cuts. I even considered growing one after only two nights there!

Blue Mountains are beautiful though.

Affectionately known as yobos.