Three Capes Track. Photo Credit: Blue Sky Trails
In Kempsey Shire in NSW, natural assets on land( such as state forests) and in water( such as the Macleay River) already attract nature-based adventure sport events such as trail running, triathlons, ocean swims, and adventure orienteering. Connecting trails; mapping, signing and publishing routes; and adding infrastructure such as an accessible canoe launch would support the proactive attraction of more such events, and their economic benefit for the community.
3. Build local capacity To enhance yield from your trail, drive business development and innovation by helping local businesses learn what trail users need. If businesses offer a welcoming experience and make visiting and using the trail comfortable and easy for trail users, visitors will spend more and keep coming back.
Firstly, ensure the basics are on point: toilets, drinking water, and bike racks outside of eateries and shops. Meet the needs of your trail’ s users, such as providing a shuttle service, safe bike storage, and visitor-friendly opening hours. Many recreational trail users prefer healthier food options than might otherwise be served in country pubs and bakeries; however they often also enjoy locally-produced craft brews and wines! 20
Encourage and facilitate collaboration and partnerships amongst local businesses, such as mid-week specials, overnight packages, and events to attract midweek and overnight stays, or developing a metaphorical trail that connects local businesses, such as a map or itinerary of local producers, roadside stalls, and cafes featuring local produce along a cycling trail.
Linville Hotel on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail leverages the steady flow of rail trail cyclists through their town by ensuring their dining and accommodation offerings meet the needs of cyclists.
Recognising the opportunity the trail delivers, the owners invested $ 250,000 into renovations, including adding secure bike storage, a bike service station, a bike wash down area, and a bike charging area, and they have a selection of spare parts for bikes on hand.
Today, the trail delivers 70 % of the hotel’ s accommodation bookings in the cooler months, and the hotel sells over 500 meals per week( using local produce which benefits local producers). It has hired 8 additional staff( 5 full time) to meet this demand. 21
4. Leverage trails to develop experiences that extend length of stay When developing a trail network, consider how the visitor experience and the trail can celebrate the local environment, community and culture, and have a strong connection to place to have a point of difference from other trails.
Develop tourism products and experiences to leverage off your trail that will appeal to the trail’ s users( including the identified opportunity markets). Consider how you can convert day trip trail users to overnight visitors, such as by developing evening experiences.
Develop or attract trail-based events, as events provide a reason for people to visit a destination. Hosting a race can put your town on the map, and they are often a catalyst for community pride and buy-in as locals become volunteers, ambassadors, and hosts. Events attract participants as well as participants’ companions and supporters, and spectators. They can be especially good at attracting off-peak visitation to support cash flow for local businesses. Trail-based events can have low startup costs, especially if a local club provides the organising effort.
Where possible, invest in a dedicated human resource to focus on long-term activation and leveraging of your trail network.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 18 NO 2 2025 35