Omeo has marked a key milestone with the official opening of Stage 1 of the Omeo Mountain Bike Trails. At a ceremony held at Livingstone Park last Friday, community members, mountain bike enthusiasts and dignitaries came together to celebrate the project, which is already establishing Omeo as a nationally significant mountain biking destination.  

Stage 1 of the project includes 50km of professionally designed trails catering to riders of all abilities, as well as state-of-the-art facilities at the Livingstone Park trailhead, including showers, changerooms, a bike wash, trail maps, skills park and a pump track, offering a functional and inviting space for riders to gather and prepare for an adventure.  

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Mayor Cr John White described the opening as a momentous occasion for Omeo and the wider region.  

“This project is about so much more than trails; it’s about fostering a sense of community, promoting healthy lifestyles and boosting year-round tourism. Stage 1 is just the beginning of our vision to make Omeo a major mountain biking hub and provide economic growth and social benefits for the entire community," Cr White said.

The opening day included a barbecue hosted by the local CFA, stalls promoting mountain biking businesses, and a community ride led by Council’s trail crew and the trail construction crew, which attracted around 50 riders.

“Thanks to the dedication of our funding partners, contractors and the local community, we’ve turned a bold vision into reality. This network of trails will attract riders from across Australia and beyond, positioning Omeo on the map for adventure tourism.”  

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Omeo Primary School students also spoke about the exciting addition to their town as did trail project committee member Leigh Fulton, Deputy Mayor Cr Sonia Buckley, and Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who spoke of a second ‘gold rush’ for Omeo and praised the collaboration of all levels of government in making the project happen.

Stage 2 of the project is already well underway, with plans to expand the trail network to over 100 kilometres. Progressive openings are anticipated in 2024 and 2025, further enhancing Omeo's reputation as a premier destination for mountain biking.  

The project has been a collaborative effort involving TRC Tourism, Biosis, DEECA, Common Ground Trails, Whelcon, Parks Victoria, and the North East Catchment Management Authority, with the expertise of every contributor instrumental in delivering high-quality infrastructure. Council has also praised the emergency services and Omeo community for their vital contributions to this achievement.  

The project was also made possible through a collaborative effort involving funding from East Gippsland Shire Council, $3 million from the Australian Government, and the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund via Regional Development Victoria.  

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With the official ribbon cut and riders already exploring the trails, the opening of Stage 1 signals a bright future of adventure, community, and economic opportunity for Omeo and East Gippsland.  

Council is committed to ensuring that the trails are in top condition year-round, hiring three full-time and one casual trail maintenance staff dedicated to maintaining the trails to the highest level.

For more information about the Omeo Mountain Bike Trails project, visit facebook.com/omeomtb.

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