Omeo - Mountain Bike Destination Project

It’s open!

What an epic moment for Omeo – and for everyone who’s backed this wild ride from day one. When the 114-kilometre Omeo MTB Park network officially opened on Friday 5 December, it felt like we’d all just dropped into the biggest shared victory lap. After years of dreaming, planning, shovelling and fine-tuning, the ribbon was cut. Within minutes, locals and visitors were already out there sending it. Local businesses felt the buzz as riders and families explored both the trails and the town – and the stoke is still strong throughout the town.

A proud moment for the community

East Gippsland Shire Council CEO Fiona Weigall kicked things off, calling the launch “a proud moment for Omeo, made possible by the perseverance, ideas and advocacy of the community”. Cr Sonia Buckley, former mayor and Omeo local Natalie O’Connell, trail network constructor Ben Lohse, and committee member Leigh Fulton all paid tribute to the locals who shaped the project. Cr Buckley highlighted the long-term value of the investment, calling the trails “economic drivers and community builders”.

World-class riding, ready to roll

The $10 million network snakes across Sam Hill and Mount Mesley, with options for every rider – from cruisy green flow to spicy technical descents. The project was backed by the Victorian Government (Regional Development Victoria), Australian Government (Building Better Regions Fund and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program), and Council.

Strengthening Omeo’s future

Reflecting on the project, Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth described the park as a “game-changer” for the region. “Having a year-round drawcard like this is a welcome boost for the local economy. More visitors staying longer means stronger business activity and a vibrant future for the district,” Cr Ashworth said.

This is the final Omeo Mountain Bike Trails project update

Thanks to everyone who has kept up to date with the project over the past few years. See you on the trail!

This update is from East Gippsland Shire Council as the project lead.‍

The project is supported by Council, the Victorian Government (Regional Development Victoria) and Australian Government (Building Better Regions Fund).

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Let’s create a community.

About the project

East Gippsland Shire Council, with the support of the Victorian State Government and the Australian Federal Government, is aiming to construct a nationally significant mountain bike complex in Omeo to drive economic activity for the region and reimage the township as a gateway for adventure tourism.

Located at the base of the Mount Sam State Forest, Omeo is well suited for the development of a mountain bike trail network, including gravity and cross-country trails that will connect with the township and to nearby places of interest such as the Oriental Claims historic area, Dry Gully Creek and Livingstone Creek.

Initial scoping for a mountain bike trail network was carried out in 2016 with a feasibility report then developed in 2017.

Following confirmation of financial support from all levels of government, detailed design, and ground truthing was carried out in 2019-20. The final trail network and supporting infrastructure is documented in the Omeo Mountain Bike Trail Network Masterplan 2020.

The trail network has been designed with consideration of a broad range of factors including, but not limited to, land tenure, existing land use, accessibility, Aboriginal cultural heritage, historic heritage, and ecological factors and expectations of the mountain biking market.

The project has been fully designed with the construction phase segregated into Stage 1 and Stage 2 components. Funding has been secured for both sections.

Construction has now commenced.

The first stage will include:

56 km of cross-country and downhill gravity trails
Switchback climbs for over 500m up nearby Mt Mesley
A loop parallel to Great Alpine Road leading to the historical Oriental Claims area
A descending trail of over 500 vertical meters from Sam Hill summit linking to Mt Mesley and culminating in Livingstone Park

The initial stage of the Omeo MTB project provided for the Pump and Skill Track. A design and construct contract carried out by Common Ground Trails has been in use since its completion in December 2020 and is a popular spot for locals and travellers young and old.

For more information regarding project updates please subscribe or contact Council Officers at feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au.

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