Destination Southern NSW has officially launched Great Southern Trails, a new tourism initiative that aims to position Southern NSW as Australia’s premier mountain biking destination.

Great Southern Trails connects 10 mountain biking trail (MTB) networks and towns, offering more than 550km of dedicated MTB trails across the South Coast, alpine region and Australian Capital Territory.

The initiative was launched at the inaugural Sea Otter Australia MTB Festival in Batemans Bay in October 2025, marking its debut on the national stage.

Destination Southern NSW General Manager Richard Everson said: “Mountain biking is one of the fastest-growing tourism segments in regional Australia.

"Tourism Research Australia estimates cycle tourism contributes $1.5 billion annually to the visitor economy. Every trail network brings riders to local cafes, pubs, accommodation, visitor attractions, and tours.

“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."

The Great Southern Trails brand and website have been developed by DSNSW with support from MTB clubs, tourism industry operators, local councils and government. It provides an epic 1000 km mountain biking road trip taking in 10 locations that can easily be broken into smaller segments of two, three and four-day MTB adventures.

“Southern NSW is home to some of Australia’s best mountain biking trail networks, which is the reason we brought our business and the internationally renowned Sea Otter Australia MTB Festival to Batemans Bay and Mogo Trails.

Rocky Trail Entertainment Founder and Marketing Director Juliane Wisata said: "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.

“It makes sense to collectively market the MTB trail networks in this region and ensure the MTB riders of Australia know the incredible MTB experience on offer here."

In addition to showcasing the region’s trails, Destination Southern NSW also aims to strengthen tourism industry collaboration and sustainability of the MTB tourism sector through capacity-building skills workshops, networking and advocacy.

View the Great Southern Trails website here.