A new Southern NSW trail combines over 550 kilometres of dedicated MTB trails.
What’s better than one stunning mountain bike trail through Southern New South Wales? How about one trail connecting 10 mountain biking trail networks and towns, offering over 550 kilometres of dedicated MTB trails and classic Aussie road trips in between. And that’s exactly what the new Great Southern Trails does across the South Coast, Alpine Region and Canberra.
This ultimate adventure, for lovers of mountain biking, means that you no longer have to choose just one destination; you can spend more time and explore them all. Road trip along the entire 1000 kilometres, enjoying the equivalent of more than a week’s worth of mountain biking. Sounds a bit daunting? Split it into sections and enjoy over two to three days.
“Southern NSW is home to some of Australia’s best mountain biking trail networks… From the iconic Stromlo Forest Park to Thredbo Resort and the recently opened Mogo Trails, Gravity Eden, Narooma MTB and Mt Tumbarumba, nowhere else in Australia comes close to the quality and diversity of MTB riding on offer in the region," said Juliane Wisata, Founder & Marketing Director at Rocky Trail Entertainment, Australia’s leading MTB event business.
“The Great Southern Trails tourism initiative aims to inspire visitors to choose Southern NSW for their next MTB trip. The initiative helps them plan, and encourages longer stays, higher visitor spend and stronger year-round tourism visitation – delivering real economic and social benefits to our local towns and communities," said Richard Everson, General Manager of Destination Southern NSW.
South Coast
The Great Southern Trails starts with the massive 125-kilometre trail system through Mogo State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales. There’s something for every ability level here, from super easy to cross country to super challenging – including Australia’s top gravity trail, the 28-kilometre Burnaaga Goanna. Don’t know what a gravity trail is? It’s one that uses the land’s natural slope for a downhill experience with features like jumps and banked turns.
From Mogo, head to Narooma, where 85 kilometres of thrilling descents through forest and more gravity-fed trails keep the adrenaline pumping. Next, the town of Tathra keeps it simple with 50 kilometres of singletrack taking riders through coastal bushland. Then on to the ramps at Gravity Eden MTB Park . Here, green, blue and black mountain bike trails cater to a range of abilities, with a pump track and jump park at the trailhead. Follow the trails around Nullica State Forest before plunging down to the shores of Twofold Bay/Turemulerrer.
Alpine Region
The famous slopes of NSW’s Alpine Region are not just for winter skiing. That spectacular alpine scenery is just as good in the summer thaw, atop your bike seat. Thredbo offers a lift-accessed MTB park with 42 kilometres of gravity-fed MTB trail (families, or newbies, can take it a bit easier on the family-friendly 35km Thredbo Valley Track, a scenic trail that can be enjoyed in sections for all skill levels). Nearby, find 32 kilometres of rocky alpine loops in Cooma and 45 kilometres of lakeside trails in Jindabyne.
Continue further west to Mount Tumbarumba , with more than 27 kilometres of singletrack, with another 40+ to explore in the surrounding region.
Canberra
End up in Australia’s capital, where Mt Stromlo Forest Park caters to all levels with over 60 kilometres of single track trails for all levels, from beginner green to advanced double black and pro. OR (and) head to the slightly smaller Majura Pines Trail Alliance . Here, over 25 kilometres of track purpose-built for all levels of riders are the oldest and most famous in Canberra.
