CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Elie Smith taking flight on a trail near Bright, Vic
(Pic credit: Matt Rousu); dashing across an exposed peak in Falls Creek, Vic (Pic
credit: Matt Rousu); Falls Creek vista (Pic credit: Matt Rousu).
after the fires has taken its toll. Even
many unburnt areas have seen visitor
numbers plummet as holiday-makers opt
for the safety of home this year. Widely
publicised campaigns like ‘Holiday here
this year’ from Tourism Australia are
seeking to get you back into the Aussie
bush — and I couldn’t agree more!
Check it’s safe to do so, then pack the car
with the bare minimum and head to a
region affected by the fires. Buy your
lunch at the bakery, coffee at the cafe
and pay a visit to the local bike shops to
update your riding kit. These actions will
keep people in jobs and help support
areas in desperate need.If this plea for support isn’t quite
enough to win your vote for a home-
grown, Aussie MTB holiday this year,
consider this. It’s a bloody good time to
be a mountain biker in Australia! In fact,
it's been a number of years since I have
travelled overseas to ride, and I’m not
alone in this trend. MTB Meccas like
Whistler, Moab, Rotorua and The Alps
were once essential destinations for any
Aussie serious about their riding. But
these days, savvy local riders are opting
for the likes of Derby, Maydena, Alice
Springs and Cairns instead. And for good
reason — these places rock. An overseas
riding trip is no longer the essential‘rite-of-passage’ for any budding
mountain biker — we can get the same
thrills and quality, here, on home soil,
for a fraction of the price.
In May 2018, I penned the first
Singletracked article for Outdoor. In it, I
mentioned Maydena, which was still in
its infancy, having only opened the year
prior. A few years on and this Tassie
masterpiece has hit its stride. So too
have Derby, Alice Springs, Thredbo,
Greenvalleys and a host of other MTB
destinations around the country. Plus
there are plenty more riding destinations
in the pipeline, like the huge project in
Warburton, Victoria. The quality of our
trails are world-class, and the diversity of
the terrain and ecosystems they exist in
are simply astounding. To the south, we
are blessed with trails in dense, old
growth forests. The north sees us
challenged by the roots, wildlife and
tropical weather. And let's not forget the
interior, which is making a name for
itself with rocky, fast trails and epic
landscapes. Australia is a land of
contrast and extremes, and our trails are
no different. Not only is there huge
variety, the quality is on par with the
some of the best trails in the world.
This year is the perfect time to take a
mountain bike trip on home soil. Just as
the resilient Aussie bush will recover
with rain, sun and time, so too will the
tourist-dependant rural communities
with support, visitation and a helpful
cash injection. So it’s time to crack out
the maps and plan your next homegrown
MTB adventure. I can assure you, there
are epic trails, great food and friendly
locals just waiting for you to roll on
back.Outdoor \ 21