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Weekend away suggestion


daveh's picture

By daveh - Posted on 22 February 2010

I am looking for some suggestions about a good weeekend away for a couple of family groups with the emphasis (as far as the dads are concerned) with riding some good trails. We are thinking south from Sydney, around Jervis Bay or the Southern Highlands. Somewhere that has some good XC rides for us during the way and some nice accomodation for the ladies to amuse themselves with a glass of wine and perhaps a massage while the kids run riot. Retiring to the bar or in front of an open fire would top things off nicely.

I can see that there are a number of places around (Wingello, Penrose, Clyde, Mount Tianjara, etc.) but I have not ridden any of them and neither have the other participants. I would really appreciate all suggestions from anyone who has embarked on a similar weekend away with success!

Thanks in advance.

Little-Ditty's picture

Try Bermagui. I have never been there, but am dying to go. Try the local MTB club and also Google some LBS's. You will be sure to get some useful trails to ride, and places to go.

Lach's picture

For a weekend, you need to be reasonably close to Sydney (i.e. do-able on Friday night). That narrows it down a bit. Canberra has the trails and lots of stuff for the family to do, and has accommodation options from caravan parks to 5 star. Staying somewhere in the southern highlands (Bowral, Moss Vale, Bundanoon) and riding at Wingello would also be good. Some great B&B's in the area.

The other reasonably close options are Nowra / Callala and Newcastle (Awaba, Glenrock, don't know if anything is still ridable at Killingworth?).

Any further away and you're talking a long weekend or a week, especially travelling with kiddies.

Andy Bloot's picture

But is about 6 hours+ from Sydney
So a bit far for a weekender

Also Ditty, I would check the condition of the trails in Berma MTB park before you go
It was due to be logged in January (state forest)
Such a shame - it's a great XC ride with a nice tech downhill bit as well (don't need DH bike)
Might not have affected it, but I'd make sure if you're going there especially

We also visited Tathra beach and bike
And went for a ride with the people from the shop around the local trails
Great bunch of people and good bunch of XC trails

Worth a trip down south or maybe returning from/ heading to the snow

Fatboy's picture

You can get a good map of the Wingello & Penrose trails from Wild Horizons website. I think they also sell it at Ye Old Cafe at Bundanoon. You can't get lost, the map is well marked and the trails themselves are sign posted.

Jervis Bay has some good trails maintained by the local club SCUM. If you check their website you can find maps of their different trails. There would be about 5 to choose from.

The other one within a reasonable drive to the south is Canberra as you have good variety with Stromlo, Majura, Kowen and Sparrow Hill. CORC is the local club so start with their website.

Spinner's picture

is good... there is Wingello and Primrose forrest but both are a bit of a drive.

Morgan's picture

Where else has all the trails you need for a weekend's riding, budget to top end accommodation, and enough museums, parks, coffee houses, wine bars, pubs and shopping malls to keep the ladies and midgets happy for 2 days - all (including the riding) within 30 minutes of the CBD.

Plus if you time it right it's got all the politicians you can shake a fist at. And only 3 hours from Sidders. Perfect!

Check out Ride Canberra (www.ridecanberra.com.au).

[Mod. incorrect reference to 'NoBMoB on ACT' removed. FYI http://act.nobmob.com/ is what you meant!]

Check out www.visitcanberra.com.au for all your accommodation and off-bike activity options.

Yours sincerely, A Travelguide.

BT's picture

It's pretty hard to go past Batemans and surrounding towns. Beautiful seaside area with pristine beaches. Oh and not forgetting the sweet singletrack of the Angry Doctor is right on your doorstep!

herzog's picture

A personal favourite - Kangaroo Valley.

Plenty of stuff for the family to do, and the MTB guys can do some epic rides, like McPhails Downhill and Meryla Pass.

And it's only 2 hours from sydney.

Benny-B's picture

I have heard some great things about McPhails and my mums neighbour owns a property in Kangaroo Valley with some great little cabbins she lets out. I can find out more if you are interested. Just PM me if your keen.

Scottboy's picture

have some sweet tracks from sussex Inlet you can ride to Bendalong & back or drive into Nowra & do the 3 tracks on offer within a few minutes of each other . The fire trails are great around the sussex Inlet if you are after a cruisy ride or there is some single tracks down there if you are interested in them with a bit of technical on them

daveh's picture

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am pushing for Kangaroo Valley as McPhails and Meryla Pass sound very attractive. The better half is pushing for somewhere near the beach, despite the fact that we live near the beach as it is, so I am looking for fall-back position if need be. I am a fan Jervis Bay and surrounds and it looks there are a few tracks and we can always drive over the Kangaroo Valley. I have heard mention of Butterfly, Superbowl and Coondoo tracks not far from Jervis (Currambene/Nowra State Forests?).

Anyone able to shed some light on these tracks, if they are open and any good?

Lach's picture

Should probably have dried out by now. Were super-saturated the weekend before last (13/14 Feb) when the Husky 100 was cancelled. Probably some water damage in parts if the photos from the Husky organisers are any guide.

Reports prior to that were good, but given the Husky cancellation, I haven't ridden them Sad

daveh's picture

Thanks Lach, not planning to head down there for a few weeks so should be well and truly over the recent rain by then. I was more intersted in whether heading down there to ride the tracks around there was a good way to spend a weekend. I have no idea what those tracks are like, I know that they are used for the Husky but they look short so was interested in if they are challenging enough and whether you can maybe link them up to make a longer ride.

herzog's picture

You could stay at Gerringong or Kiama, and still be within a 30-45 mins of the KV tracks, and the families will be right on the beach.

Scottboy's picture

Is another track closer to Nowra if you don't like climbs & it is very quik 7km track

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