model for trail networks, it is critical for a governance system to be in place to ensure the longevity of a trail network. Be sure to build the capability of both Council staff and community clubs to maintain your region’ s trails.
CONCLUSION We are fortunate in Australia to have incredible natural areas, central to delivering visitor experiences as well as supporting local community wellbeing. Recreational trails provide important assets through which natural areas can be experienced and these benefits are delivered, but they must be well maintained and should be proactively leveraged.
REFERENCES
1. Bike packing refers to packing equipment on a bike for long-distance bicycle touring, as well as to the adventure sport of long-distance unsupported bicycle races.
2. AusPlay, 2024, National and State Results 3. AusPlay, 2024, National and State Results
4. Tourism Australia, 2024, Future of Tourism Demand.
5. Tourism Australia, 2024, Future of Tourism Demand.
6. Gravel cycling refers to cycling on unsealed roads in rural areas.
7. Strava, 2024, Year In Sport Trend Report
8. AusCycling, 2021, Mountain Biking in Australia: An Economic and Participation Analysis
9. Tourism Australia, 2024, Future of Tourism Demand.
10. Munge, B, Sunshine Coast University, 2025, Queenland Mountain Bike Forum
11. Tourism Research Australia, 2024, Summation Options by Stopover Activity for Domestic Overnight Visitors
12. AusCycling, 2021, Mountain Biking in Australia: An Economic and Participation Analysis
13. University of Queensland, 2021, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Visitor Research Program Report
14. The $ 4.1 million paid for a 50km expansion to the trail’ s existing 38km which were homemade by Narooma Mountain Bike Club.
15. Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW, 2025, New mountain bike trail brings 63,000 riders to the Far South Coast and major economic boost.
16. Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW, 2025, New mountain bike trail brings 63,000 riders to the Far South Coast and major economic boost.
17. Breach, A, Djuwang Baring mountain bike trails, Project Manager, Hepburn Shire Council.
18. Rail Trails Australia, 2025
19. Unsanctioned trails are trails developed by users without the permission of the landowner, such as mountain biking trails handmade by mountain bikers in state forests or local-governmentowned bushland reserves.
20. University of Queensland, 2021, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Visitor Research Program Report
21. University of Queensland, 2021, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Visitor Research Program Report
22. MTB is short for mountain bike
23. Cairns Regional Council, 2024, Crankworx to return to Cairns in 2025
24. Indigo Shire Council, 2024, New trail has epic first year
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
ROWAN LAMONT Rowan Lamont is Trail Partner at Blue Sky Trail. Rowan connects people to nature, engages communities, and grows regional economies throughout Australia. He understands how trail-based visitor experiences can transform communities, local economies, and wellbeing. Rowan helps trail owners make trails a success, specialising in creating the right trails, in the right place, for the right reasons. He works extensively with Councils and other land managers to create best-practice trail governance and management frameworks, and provides training and data to deliver sustainable recreational trails for communities.
LINDA TILLMAN Linda Tillman is Managing Director of regional tourism development consultancy, Tilma Group and Co-Director of regional events capability building program, the Australian Centre for Regional Events
Linda is well known for her passionate advocacy for regional communities, and ability to harness the symbiotic relationship between tourism and events for destinations. She is a regional tourism strategist and practitioner with a holistic suite of regional tourism and event expertise to support Councils and regional tourism organisations. Linda’ s capabilities include regional tourism and event development, strategic planning, industry training and mentoring, branding and marketing, and event delivery.
KUSHLA GALE Kushla Gale is Regional Tourism Specialist at Tilma Group. Kushla supports regional, rural and remote communities across Australia to maximise the benefits they receive from the visitor economy. Her expertise lies in strategic visitor economy planning, support to implement destination management plans, new experience development, business coaching for tourism and agritourism operators, and tourism development grant writing support.