Omeo Mountain Bike Park - final project update

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It’s open!

What an epic moment for Omeo – and for everyone who’s backed this wild ride from day one. When the 114-kilometre Omeo MTB Park network officially opened on Friday 5 December, it felt like we’d all just dropped into the biggest shared victory lap. After years of dreaming, planning, shovelling and fine-tuning, the ribbon was cut. Within minutes, locals and visitors were already out there sending it. Local businesses felt the buzz as riders and families explored both the trails and the town – and the stoke is still strong throughout the town.

A proud moment for the community

East Gippsland Shire Council CEO Fiona Weigall kicked things off, calling the launch “a proud moment for Omeo, made possible by the perseverance, ideas and advocacy of the community”. Cr Sonia Buckley, former mayor and Omeo local Natalie O’Connell, trail network constructor Ben Lohse, and committee member Leigh Fulton all paid tribute to the locals who shaped the project. Cr Buckley highlighted the long-term value of the investment, calling the trails “economic drivers and community builders”.

World-class riding, ready to roll

The $10 million network snakes across Sam Hill and Mount Mesley, with options for every rider – from cruisy green flow to spicy technical descents. Omeo Mountain Bike Trails Project update – December 2025 eastgippsland.vic.gov.au [feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au](mailto:feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au) (03) 5153 9500. The project was backed by the Victorian Government (Regional Development Victoria), Australian Government (Building Better Regions Fund and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program), and Council.

A weekend of trail-fuelled celebration

From the Friday morning opening right through to Sunday, Omeo came alive thanks to social rides with the trail crew, half-price shuttles on Saturday, live music at the Golden Age Hotel, and two screenings of *Out of Sight* – a mini-doc celebrating how collaboration, landscape and bold thinking have reshaped Omeo. The film follows Canadian trail builder Jordon Virgl, whose vision helped deliver a world-class network in Omeo which is set to pull riders from across Australia and beyond.

Omeo Mountain Bike Trails Project update – December 2025 eastgippsland.vic.gov.au [feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au](mailto:feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au) (03) 5153 9500.

Strengthening Omeo’s future

Reflecting on the project, Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth described the park as a “game-changer” for the region. “Having a year-round drawcard like this is a welcome boost for the local economy. More visitors staying longer means stronger business activity and a vibrant future for the district,” Cr Ashworth said.

For more info, head to rideomeo.com.au or Ride Omeo’s Facebook page: facebook.com/rideomeo

Omeo team in Derby this week

Right now, our Omeo MTB Park team is in Derby, Tasmania, taking part in the Professional TrailBuilders Association Sustainable Trails Conference. In partnership with Common Ground Trails, builders of the Omeo network, the crew is delivering a session called *Building an MTB Park with a Purpose* – diving into how the Omeo trails came to life, the thinking behind the design, what the team learned along the way, and how the project is helping shape a stronger regional tourism future.

Our crew is also on the ground to learn, share, connect and bring home fresh insights from standout MTB success stories from around the globe – all to help Omeo continue evolving as a purpose-built, community-focused mountain biking destination.

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This is the final Omeo Mountain Bike Trails project update

Thanks to everyone who has kept up to date with the project over the past few years. See you on the trails!

This update is from East Gippsland Shire Council as the project lead.
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The project is supported by Council, the Victorian Government (Regional Development Victoria) and Australian Government (Building Better Regions Fund).

To download this report head to Omeo MTB Park project update.

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