The ABC reported this week that Mountain bike enthusiasts from the New South Wales Far South Coast and Snowy Monaro are joining forces to put the area on the map as a "world-class" mountain biking tourism destination.
They observe that smaller clubs are drawing inspiration from existing drawcards like Thredbo and that once such club, the Narooma Mountain Bike Club has just opened 30km of trails in the Bodalla State Forest
The good news is that clubs from Narooma, Eden, Cooma, and Tathra are collaborating to map a circuit of trails.
The Narooma project has real potential to assist the shire’s economic recovery following the bushfires and COVID-19 and there is much to be gained in capturing what is a steadily growing market of mountain bike enthusiasts, who flock to organised events and seek out adventurous trail networks.
This is a great opportunity to create a world-class mountain bike trail centre that will attract visitors from across NSW and around Australia.
Narooma Mountain Bike Club president, Georgie Staley, told The Beagle "We have been hard at work trying to get approval and funding for these trails for 4 years now and we have finally managed launch Stage 1.
"We are working with other regional mountain bike centres and developing ones so we can change the Far South Coast to a ride centre.
"Eden has also been trying to attract funding and help their economic ravaged town, we had help and inspiration from Tathra MTB and we are also working with Cooma to have this amazing circle of riding that hopefully attract tourism and our population will have the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally."
"We have had unbelievable support from Forest Corp NSW and we have been successful with grant funding from the FRRR. This has allowed us to develop a concept plan for Stages 2 and 3 to link to Dalmeny.
"Our town deserves a fair go like any of the other towns along the coast, many people have donated their time, experience, money and equipment to make what we have done so far a reality.
The Narooma Mountain Bike Club started with a group of 7 back in 2016 with no trail system. They have now grown to a solid membership of local riders and around 30km of dedicated single track.
The club's ultimate goal is to extend this trail system to around 100km to attract MTB riders both regional and National giving the town year round tourism, and offering more business and employment. These trails will benefit the local population both young and old in physical and mental health.
The Narooma Mountain Bike Club committee say "To reach this goal we need government funding, to which we are applying for grants. Local and major sponsors can still assist us with donations or coming on board as a sponsor or adopt a trail. The trails need up keep and this is a time and cost commitment for the club.
"Visit either our Donate page or Sponsors page to see how you can help.
"We want to make Narooma a significant mountain biking destination for both the Regional and National markets. Our location to Canberra gives us this easy access.
"For the Far South Coast of NSW to become a region for mountain biking each town needs to have its own set of differing trails. This has begun with Tathra leading the way and Eden in the planning process.
To learn more of the Narooma Mountain Bike project visit the following links:
To explore Stage 1:
Turn west off the highway onto Kianga Forest Road located north of Narooma. Follow signs towards the "Rainforest Walk". The parking area is located on the right about 100m past the Rainforest Walk parking area. No toilet or water available. Most trails are intermediate with nothing too technical. More TRAIL INFO HERE
