With the paperwork done and dusted, Rocky Trail Destination can confirm that ground-breaking work on Mogo’s new mountain-bike trails starts this January! Our team is on site and the trail builders from Next Level Mountain Bike will set up shop in the region this weekend.
The landscape of mountain biking on the NSW South Coast will be enriched with the 150km the Mogo Trails network. Trails will be built in the Mogo State Forest and the areas surrounding Deep Creek Dam as well as the Wandera State Forest. The final design has been based on the Masterplan approved by Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) in 2020 and includes bike-park style gravity trails, cross-country mountain bike trails for experienced mountain bikers and areas for young riders to develop their skills and catch the riding bug. We would like to thank the project team at ESC for the trust and support throughout the planning phase – your enthusiasm and passion for the Mogo Trails has helped shape the project. We are now excited for this next phase and to manage the construction out on the rocky trails.
As the Mogo Trails will be mostly located on State Forest land, the trail network has been designed in consultation with Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) to follow natural contour lines and avoid large trees, sensitive biodiversity and heritage features. We would like to thank the FCNSW team for their input and support throughout the last few months. This phase included aligning trail construction with forestry operations as well as ecological and aboriginal cultural heritage assessments in consultation with the Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
In the construction phase we will thrive to implement ongoing operational best practises together with the key project members for the Mogo Trails with the vision to be a leading example of a Collaborative Active Forestry and Recreational Use Model for the local community and visitors in NSW and Nationally.
Rocky Trail Destination was founded on the principles of nature care and the belief that access to nature- and trail-based activities can be our contribution to establishing a heightened awareness of sustainability. We believe that we are now experiencing a more sophisticated understanding and swing towards global conservation. We want to foster a way of life that is in line with ecological sustainability.
About the trail network final design
The Mogo Trails will be a modern mountain bike trail network bringing the some of the most expansive mountain bike riding and racing experiences to Australia! It is for seasoned mountain bikers and will also welcome new riders to help create the next generation of local and visiting riders, says Martin Wisata from Rocky Trail Destination.
“We designed the network that encourages social interaction among riders of a wide range of abilities. It will provide a new way to experience Mogo’s great outdoor experiences for locals and visitors alike. We assembled experts that bring thorough experience in national and international nature-based tourism sectors as well as off-road visitation, which will deliver recreational, social, and economic benefits to the local Eurobodalla community.”
The key construction partner is Next Level Mountain Bike Pty Ltd who over the last year has already trained and employed trail builders from the region and will relocate a crew highly experienced in big wilderness trail construction projects to Mogo.
Next Level MTB founder Marcelo Cardona said that it was a privilege to build trails in the diverse natural environment of Mogo.
“We take our responsibilities very seriously, working with environmental respect. We will deliver the latest and best international standards in trail building for the enjoyment of mountain bikers of all skill levels. Through working alongside the innovative team at Rocky Trail Destination, we will create the most progressive trail network in the country.”
Council’s director of planning Lindsay Usher said the trails would inject $12 million into the local economy in the first year alone.
“There’s an explosion of mountain biking in our region and across the world and we are lucky to have plenty of multi-use forest right on our doorstep. Research has shown that every dollar invested in cycling infrastructure returns almost $5 to the economy in health benefits,” Mr Usher said
“Mogo and nearby towns and villages can capitalise on this growing market of enthusiasts year-round, giving local accommodation providers, food outlets and retailers a boost through the colder months when traditionally things are too slow.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said once complete, the trails would be a major drawcard for locals and tourists alike.
“It’s exciting to see work get underway on the Mogo Trails. This project will see even more people travel to spend more time in the picturesque Eurobodalla Shire,” Mr Toole said.
With the Mogo Trails the Rocky Trail Destination team promises plenty of space and trail variety for local, multi-day, national and international events. The network will be a playground with endless opportunities for every type of mountain biker and offer experiences for other trail users on designated sections of the park. Together with Next Level MTB we will develop one of the most significant mountain bike network project of its kind in Australia.
For inquiries, please contact Juliane Wisata from Rocky Trail Destination (Project Manager and Destination Strategy Consultant) via email on juliane@rockytraildestination.com or via 0416 737 972.
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