This first-of-its-kind cycling trail is NSW’s newest adventure hub

Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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Australia’s first community-owned and operated mountain bike park is transforming a bushfire-affected region into a must-visit adventure hub.

Don’t let the name fool you; the Snowy Valleys is an outdoor destination for all seasons, perfect for fishos, hikers and mountain bikers. Positioned on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range near the Snowy Mountains, the Snowy Valleys is known for its rugged beauty and pastoral landscapes.

Tumbarumba Mountain Bike Park is the country’s first community-owned bike track. (Image: Andy Hardy)

Now, the new Tumbarumba Mountain Bike Park is placing the region firmly on the radar for adventure-lovers with 22 kilometres of bike tracks and a scenic 8-kilometre hiking loop. Best of all, the park is a community-led initiative championed by a local cycling group determined to revitalise the region after it was devastated by the Black Summer bushfires in 2020. To realise the vision of the bike park, the local cycling club had to purchase the land themselves, with the local community rallying behind them to raise funds. Local farmers even donated cows that were auctioned off to help raise money. The resulting Tumbarumba Mountain Bike Park, which opens today, is now Australia’s first community-owned and operated mountain bike park.

Tumbarumba Mountain Bike Park is putting the region firmly on the radar as an adventure hub. (Image: Andy Hardy)

“This park is more than just trails—it’s a story of resilience, determination, and the power of community," says Peter Marshall, president of the local cycling club behind the initiative. “We’ve created something special here that will put Tumbarumba on the map as an adventure destination while also providing a space for locals and visitors to enjoy our incredible landscape."

Local brewhouse operator Robbie Ladbrook is one of the many program partners involved in the creation of the trail. “It’s been a real community effort and nearly everyone has supported in some way, whether that’s buying a raffle ticket or donating stuff to be auctioned off," Robbie says. “There’s been a massive amount of excitement, from the children to the oldies … Our hope is it becomes the next must-do mountain bike trail for cyclists, and that when people go to visit Thredbo or Jindabyne, they’ll come around to us, too."

The vision to create a bike park came from the local cycling club. (Image: Andy Hardy)

For those in the know, Tumbarumba has a reputation for its cross-country cycling networks, like the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail. But according to Robbie, the region is still unfairly under-the-radar, especially compared to the adjacent Snowy Mountains region.

“We’re very much a mountain community," Robbie says. “There’s apples and orchards and wineries that produce some of the best cool-climate wine in Australia. There are snow-covered peaks, great hiking trails, beautiful rivers for fishing…it really is the undiscovered side of the state".

The addition of the brand new Mountain Bike Park is just one more compelling reason to visit.

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Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

    Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

    Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

    1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

    Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

    2. There’s a booming arts scene

    Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
    Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

    Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

    3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

    three people swimming in lake macquarie
    In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

    4. The dining scene is unbeatable

    8 at Trinity lake macquarie
    Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

    Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

    5. There are hidden coves and waterways

    kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
    Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

    6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

    ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
    Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

    Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

    7. The lake has islands

    sail lake macquarie
    Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

    Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

    Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.