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This new Southern NSW trail combines 550km of MTB tracks

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
A new Southern NSW trail combines over 550 kilometres of dedicated MTB trails.

What’s better than one stunning mountain bike trail through Southern New South Wales? How about one trail connecting 10 mountain biking trail networks and towns, offering over 550 kilometres of dedicated MTB trails and classic Aussie road trips in between. And that’s exactly what the new Great Southern Trails does across the South Coast, Alpine Region and Canberra.

This ultimate adventure, for lovers of mountain biking, means that you no longer have to choose just one destination; you can spend more time and explore them all. Road trip along the entire 1000 kilometres, enjoying the equivalent of more than a week’s worth of mountain biking. Sounds a bit daunting? Split it into sections and enjoy over two to three days.

Gravity Eden Great Southern Trails
Zoom your way through Southern NSW. (Image: Destination NSW)

“Southern NSW is home to some of Australia’s best mountain biking trail networks… 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," said Juliane Wisata, Founder & Marketing Director at Rocky Trail Entertainment, Australia’s leading MTB event business.

“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," said Richard Everson, General Manager of Destination Southern NSW.

South Coast

Mogo MTB Trails, Great Southern Trails
Start with the range of trails and lovely views at Mogo. (Image: Flow MTB)

The Great Southern Trails starts with the massive 125-kilometre trail system through Mogo State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales. There’s something for every ability level here, from super easy to cross country to super challenging – including Australia’s top gravity trail, the 28-kilometre Burnaaga Goanna. Don’t know what a gravity trail is? It’s one that uses the land’s natural slope for a downhill experience with features like jumps and banked turns.

From Mogo, head to Narooma, where 85 kilometres of thrilling descents through forest and more gravity-fed trails keep the adrenaline pumping. Next, the town of Tathra keeps it simple with 50 kilometres of singletrack taking riders through coastal bushland. Then on to the ramps at Gravity Eden MTB Park. Here, green, blue and black mountain bike trails cater to a range of abilities, with a pump track and jump park at the trailhead. Follow the trails around Nullica State Forest before plunging down to the shores of Twofold Bay/Turemulerrer.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Alpine Region

Thredbo Valley Track Great Southern Trails
Take the Thredbo Valley Track in summer. (Image: Destination NSW)

The famous slopes of NSW’s Alpine Region are not just for winter skiing. That spectacular alpine scenery is just as good in the summer thaw, atop your bike seat. Thredbo offers a lift-accessed MTB park with 42 kilometres of gravity-fed MTB trail (families, or newbies, can take it a bit easier on the family-friendly 35km Thredbo Valley Track, a scenic trail that can be enjoyed in sections for all skill levels). Nearby, find 32 kilometres of rocky alpine loops in Cooma and 45 kilometres of lakeside trails in Jindabyne.

Continue further west to Mount Tumbarumba, with more than 27 kilometres of singletrack, with another 40+ to explore in the surrounding region.

Canberra

Mt Stromlo MTB Shuttle Service
Cycle through Mt Stromlo Forest Park. (Image: Damian Breach/ VisitCanberra

End up in Australia’s capital, where Mt Stromlo Forest Park caters to all levels with over 60 kilometres of single track trails for all levels, from beginner green to advanced double black and pro. OR (and) head to the slightly smaller Majura Pines Trail Alliance. Here, over 25 kilometres of track purpose-built for all levels of riders are the oldest and most famous in Canberra.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Art, wine & fireplaces: 8 reasons Bowral is the ultimate winter getaway

(Credit: Destination NSW)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

    Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

    The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

    Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

    1. Check in

    aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter
    Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

    After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

    2. Hunt for treasure

    couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral
    Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

    Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

    3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery

    kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum
    Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

    Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

    4. A taste of France

    table spread at Lucette bowral
    Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

    For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

    Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

    5. Indulge in a tipple

    Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter
    Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

    This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

    6. Blend your own gin

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar
    Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

    7. Go for a walk at dawn

    Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

    8. Cosy up by the fireplace

    Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel
    Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.

    A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

    At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

    Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.