Ready to send it in the High Country? Omeo MTB Park officially opens - Friday 5 December
After nearly a decade of planning and consultation and three years of shovel work, Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens this Friday at 11.30 am at Livingstone Park.
This is more than a ribbon-cutting - it's a celebration of community collaboration and an incredible vision that is set to transform Omeo into one of Australia's premier mountain biking destinations.
The network delivers:
" 114 kilometres of world-class gravity and crosscountry trails
" Trails for every rider - from family-friendly green trails along Livingstone Creek to double-black gravity descents with up to 590 metres of vertical drop.
" 12 loops winding through Sam Hill State Forest and Mt Mesley
" Connections to the historic Oriental Claims area and Dry Gully
" Full amenities at Livingstone Park: bike wash, showers, changerooms, pump track and skills park
And the celebration continues all weekend:
Friday 5 December
" 11.30 am: Official opening ceremony - speeches, ribbon cutting and photo opportunities
" Afternoon shuttles with Blue Dirt and Gravity Dirt (pay-as-you-go)
" Ride with the Council trail crew
" Live music at the Golden Age Hotel Omeo Mountain Bike Trails
Saturday 6 December
" Come ride with the Common Ground Team, including Jordon Virgil, head trail builder.
" 50% off full-day shuttle passes (limited tickets)
" 6.30 pm: Film premiere - Out of Sight by Sam Purdie, followed by Anytime (2024) at Omeo Memorial Hall
From old mining town to MTB mecca
Omeo's shift from an old mining town to a serious mountain-biking drawcard is really a story about the town itself - how locals stuck together, backed by a good idea, and made the most of the landscape they live in.
Most people know Omeo for its gold history, the Oriental Claims and the big hills that shape the place. But the community was looking for something that would give Omeo a lift - something that would bring visitors back, create jobs and help build a stronger future.
Talk about mountain bike trails started back in 2016, followed by a proper feasibility study in 2017. The idea was simple: use the natural terrain around Sam Hill and Mt Mesley, link the trails into town and the Oriental Claims, and build the kind of trailscape that would keep people in the area longer.
Fast-forward to today and the town now has around 114 kilometres of purpose-built singletrack.
There's everything from gravity runs and tough climbs to cruisy beginner loops - all set in the hills that define Omeo.
Community at the core
Contractors, businesses and residents were involved from the start - giving feedback, shaping the design and getting stuck into the work.
Around 30 FTE jobs were created during construction.
Three projects, one vision
Friday's opening also celebrates the completion of the Omeo Streetscape Revitalisation and Livingstone Park flood remediation works.
Together, these projects have transformed Omeo into a township that's ready to support thousands of visitors each year.
The streetscape project upgraded 250 metres of Day Avenue with safer pedestrian crossings, decorative paving, street trees, new furniture and dedicated bike parking.
Livingstone Park's flood remediation works included three rock chutes, erosion control planting and improved access - ensuring the park remains a safe and functional gateway to the trails.
Omeo team heading to Derby
Later this month, our team will travel to Derby, Tasmania, to take part in the Professional TrailBuilders Association Sustainable Trails
Conference - PTBA's first international conference.
In partnership with Common Ground Trails, builders of the Omeo trail network, our crew will deliver a presentation called Building an MTB Park with a Purpose. It will be an in-depth look at how Omeo's trail network was created and the community benefits Council is working to deliver.
Our team will be sharing the thinking behind the design, the lessons learned, and how Omeo's project is contributing to a stronger regional tourism future.
Derby is the perfect place for this 9-11 December event.
Once home to the richest tin mine in the world, the town has transformed into one of the globe's premier mountain bike destinations, boasting more than 125km of purpose-built trails for every skill level.
As one of the world's standout trail-town success stories, Derby offers the ideal backdrop for exploring what makes trail communities thrive.
Over 2.5 days, trail professionals, advocates and land managers from Australia, Asia and across the world will gather to advance the trail industry.
The conference will blend technical training, collaborative education, networking, field-based learning and on-trail exploration.
Our crew will be there to share, learn, and bring home insights from one of the world's leading trail communities.
Derby's story will help guide conversations about how trail towns can grow sustainably, support their communities, and build experiences that riders travel across the world to find.
Our goal is simple: to ensure Omeo continues to evolve as a purpose-built, community-focused mountain biking destination.
Meet Omeo MTB Maintenance Team Leader James Mills
We caught up with James Mills, the leader of the Omeo Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Team, to get an inside look at life on the trails. From cold winter mornings to planning for major events, James shares what it's like to build and maintain some 114 km of trails, test them out himself, and watch the town grow alongside the mountain biking community.
Q: What's the best part of your day on the trails?
A: The best part is planning out the day-making sure
we have all the right tools and equipment up on the hill,
and looking forward to the challenges ahead.
Q: How long have you been with the crew?
A: About 15 months, give or take.
Q: How much trail has been built since you started?
A: When I joined, we had around 30 km of trails. Now
we've expanded to 114 km, so quite a bit has gone
forward.
Q: What's the worst part of the day or the year for trail work?
A: Definitely winter - the cold starts are rough, especially during our early morning audit rides when it can be minus seven degrees. Rainy days are tough, too.
Q: How much trail work do you do each year, and how far do you ride on foot?
A: Over the season, we go through about three pairs of boots. We walk anywhere from 5 km in a day up to 15 or 20 km, depending on what's on the schedule.
Q: What kind of weather makes trail building the hardest?
A: Summer is the toughest. The ground is dry, dusty and hard in hot weather - almost like concrete - so it's difficult to shape the trails. Most of our rebuilding and new trail construction happens in winter when the ground is softer from rain.
Q: Do you ride the trails yourself?
A: Absolutely.
Q: What's your favourite run?
A: Log Slide is my favourite. It's a green-blue flow trail - twisty, fun, and not too many jumps, which is nice on the knees. It gives a great mix of what the hill has to offer.
Q: How has the town changed since you've been here?
A: The town's definitely changed. There are more people around, and even the pubs have noticed higher turnover.
Q: Big events coming up? How does your role change now that the trails are finished and thousands of riders are about to descend on them?
A: That's exactly what happens - and trails do get damaged as a result. We have to plan ahead for public holidays and school breaks. It's about presenting the trails well for riders, but also planning how we'll repair them afterward. It's fun and challenging.
Omeo MTB Park has two new trailhead markers - one in Livingstone Park, the second positioned at the top of Sam Hill - the start of multiple downhill options.
Stay safe in summer
Mountain biking in alpine terrain is exhilarating - but it requires preparation, respect for the environment and smart decision-making. Here's how to make
your Omeo experience safe and enjoyable:
" Pre-ride, re-ride, free-ride
Scope out trails fully before committing to a full send. Some of our trails are rare on the Australian mainland - don't expect to nail them on your first run.
" Download the Emergency Plus app
Know how to use it. In an emergency, always call 000.
" Wear appropriate protective gear
At a minimum: open-face helmet, glasses, gloves, knee and elbow guards. For jumps or gravity trails, consider a full-face helmet, goggles and chest/back protector.
" Set up your ICE details
Update your phone's In Case of Emergency (ICE) information with key contacts, medications and medical history. This can be lifesaving.
" Carry your medication
If you typically carry medication, bring it on your rides. Omeo has a pharmacy for prescriptions.
" Report trail hazards
Use Trailforks or call Council 24/7 on 03 5153 9500. We always have staff on call for the park.
" Ride within your limits
The trails are designed to challenge - but they're also designed to be progressive. Start on easier trails and build your confidence.
" Stay hydrated
Even Omeo gets hot in summer, so carry more water than you think you'll need. Heat and altitude can catch riders out quickly, especially on long climbs.
" Avoid the hottest part of the day
Whenever possible, plan rides for early morning or late afternoon.
" Know the signs of heat stress
Headaches, dizziness, nausea and sudden fatigue are early warnings. If you feel any of these, stop in the shade, rest and rehydrate.
" Carry a snake bite kit
With at least two compression bandages
Emergency markers - what to know before you go
Emergency markers have been strategically installed throughout the Omeo Mountain Bike Park - on bike trails and link roads - to provide crucial assistance in case of accidents or medical emergencies.
How they work:
" Distinctive green markers are positioned at key points across the trail network and on roads such as the shuttle run to Sam Hill. And there are more coming.
" Each marker features a identification code for precise location tracking
" In the event of an incident, riders can reference the marker code when calling 000, enabling rapid and accurate response from emergency services
What to do in an emergency:
" Call 000 immediately
" Provide the emergency marker code to the operator
" Stay with the injured rider until help arrives
" Use the Emergency Plus app to share your precise GPS location
To report non-urgent trail hazards:
" Use Trailforks, or
" Call Council 24/7: 03 5153 9500
The markers significantly reduce response times and help ensure rider safety across the park's network.
