GET READY to meet Australia’s gravity racing elite at the
gorgeous East Gippsland village of OMEO!
Known as a place of ‘proud cattlemen, rich farmland, and magnificent mountain views,’ Omeo also features a brand-new world-class MTB pump and skills track, and in 2022 will be the site of Rocky Trail’s Pumptrack Shootout race on Saturday 19th March.
Why not make it a weekend getaway with us? Come for the racing (or the skills sessions, or the autographs!) and stay for the mountain trails, the gourmet food, the horse riding, the whitewater rafting, the award-winning olive grove, the fishing, the historic holiday homes…. And that’s just in the village! The East Gippsland region is ideally situated between Melbourne and Sydney with a world-class road network offering easy access to both. With a mediterranean-like climate, pristine lakes and rivers, snow-capped mountains and far-reaching coastal wilderness, there are so many reasons to take a break and spend some time getting away from it all.
There’s no better time to visit Omeo!
Meet the Pros.
Pumptrack skills sessions from noon. Meet National Champions up close and get your skills up with Jayce Cunning.
Race the Pros.
Time trials plus head-to-head racing. $20 entry. Get multiple attempts to set your fastest time for a chance in the Pumptrack Shootout Final!
Watch the Action.
An awesome day out for everyone: free spectator entry! Be among the action all day & for the Final under lights.
This event, supported by East Gippsland Shire Council, will feature Rocky Trail’s revolutionary new chip-based pump track live timing set-up.
Check out all the rules and details on the website.
#rockytrailjourney: Omeo, East Gippsland
Scroll down for visitor information such as accommodation options and what else there is to do in the area. There are so many things that your fambam can get up to while you race, plus some fantastic experiences you can have together before or after the race.
Local and visiting riders will be able to meet the pro racers, pick up skills from them and then compete against them – a perfect opportunity for spectators to watch the the action, especially the finals under lights in the evening!
National Event Manager, Jo Parker, Rocky Trail Entertainment
Location & how to get there
Omeo is located on the Great Alpine Road, which links Bairnsdale with Bright and Wangaratta.
When traveling from Melbourne (including from Melbourne Airport):
When traveling from Melbourne (including from Melbourne Airport): The easiest way to get to Omeo is to head EAST down the Monash Freeway and drive towards Bairnsdale/Lakes Entrance. The freeway will join the Princes Highway. Good stop-off points include Yarragon, Sale and Stratford – good coffee and food available there.
Once you hit Bairnsdale, drop into Bairnsdale Bikes or Giant Bairnsdale for any last minute bike requirements, coffee, food and toilet!
Head NORTH onto the Great Alpine Road, towards Bruthen at the Lucknow roundabout (this is clearly signposted). When you get to Bruthen, turn LEFT onto the Great Alpine Road at the Service Station. There is also a great Brewery at Bruthen – Bullant, for any beer lovers 😉
Stay on this road until you get to Omeo. Turn LEFT when you come into town. The Pump Track in on the RIGHT. To access the carpark, turn RIGHT at Golden Age Hotel. This is signposted.
When travelling from Canberra:
When travelling from Canberra: Follow the Monaro Hwy to Cann River. Grab a pie from Wild Rye while you are there!
Go WEST on the Princes Highway to Nowa Nowa. Follow the signs to BRUTHEN (slight veer of the road towards the right). When you get to Bruthen, turn RIGHT onto the Great Alpine Road at the Service Station. There is also a great Brewery at Bruthen – Bullant, for any beer lovers 😉
Stay on this road until you get Omeo. Turn LEFT when you come into town. The Pump Track in on the RIGHT. To access the carpark, turn RIGHT at Golden Age Hotel. This is signposted.
When travelling from Sydney:
When travelling from Sydney: Follow the M31 from Sydney. Take the BEECHWORTH (C315) exit. Follow the signs towards Bandiana Link Rd / B400 at Baranduda, and then turn right onto Yackandadah/ Wodonga Rd.
At Yackandadah, turn left onto William St. Stay on C527. As you come into Myrtleford, turn left onto O’Donnel Ave, turn left onto Elgin St, and then turn right onto Albert st.
You are now on the Great Alpine Rd! Follow the Great Alpine Rd through Bright (good spots for Lunch and coffee here) and Harrietville. Go Over Mt Hotham and past Dinner Plain. You will arrive in Omeo. The Pump Track is on your LEFT. Turn LEFT after the Service station to access the carpark.
Attention interstate racers:
At the time of writing, there is NO permit required to enter Victoria from interstate (unless you have been overseas in the past 14 days). It always pays to stay up-to-date with current requirements however – make sure you check out all the latest information here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/travel-and-transport-information-about-coronavirus-covid-19
DID YOU KNOW??
Australia’s new MTB & Alpine Lifestyle Event for nature and outdoor experience lovers, the ALPENFLOW EPIC, is happening at Mt Buller on the weekend right before the Omeo Shootout!
This is everything you love about ‘rocky trails’ in the one majestic spot – 3 epic days of Academy, Superflow, and a Gran Fondo-style marathon, not to mention the premiere of the Australian MTB Film Fest – promising an Alpine cross-country adventure like no other.
The Alpenflow Epic starts on Friday 11th March, and is located at Mt Buller Resort, which is only 4.5hrs drive from Omeo. This is your chance to capitalise on those holiday hours and be part of TWO major MTB weekends, with SO much to do and explore throughout the whole East Gippsland region in between while you rest those weary alpine legs and get ready for the crazy fun of the Shootout!
Destination Information
Following flooding impacts to the Omeo Caravan Park earlier this year, temporary free camping is available at the Omeo Recreation Reserve on Park street. No bookings are required. Unpowered sites are available and campers will have access to toilet and shower amenities on the reserve.
What else is on in town and more accommodation options are below:
Our top tips for #rockytrailracers
Fresh extra virgin olive oil from the mountains
The taste of fresh, new season’s olive oil is a revelation, with freshness and flavour that you just can’t get from supermarket offerings. Nullamunjie is a true single estate olive oil, grown, pressed and bottled on the estate.
Make sure you stay for a bite at The Pressing Shed Cafe while you’re there! With produce grown in their own vegetable garden, and showcasing the delicious Nullamunjie extra virgin olive oil, you just know that you’re in for a treat when you sit down to sample the locally-sourced dishes on offer (the menu changes from weekend to weekend, depending on what is in season). Annie Paterson, founder and owner of the Nullamunjie Olive Groves, is passionate about good food, and it definitely shows!
Go for Gold
Gold was first discovered in the Omeo district in 1851, and miners were soon heading to the area to stake a claim. The claims were worked consistently for fifty years, and its estimated total gold production was 58,000 ounces! Keep your eyes peeled as you take in the walks around the claims, such as The Pioneers Lookout, and Ah Fongs Loop and who knows – you might even get lucky!
Pump Track
Of course we can’t talk about the best of Omeo without mentioning (again) the brand spanking new world-class pump and skills track! Built by the best in the business, Common Ground Trails, this track will test beginners and experts alike. Ride through endless loops of rollers jumps and berms on the pump track or practise your jumps and downhill expertise on the skills track.
Both tracks are walking distance from the main street, so it’s easy to grab a coffee or a bite to eat and keep riding.
Come for the race on Saturday, stay and play on Sunday!
Ensay Winery
This is a family-owned small business nestled in the picturesque hills of the Tambo River Valley, and is well worth the visit! Meet your hosts David and Jenny Coy at their cellar door, offering free tastings and sales of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, which are 100% grown, made and sold on the property.
Explore the Region
There are so many cute towns and charming villages right next door to Omeo – East Gippsland truly is a region full of hidden gems and amazing stories.
Other riding experiences
Can’t get enough? You’ve dragged your bike/s all the way to Regional Victoria and now you want to make sure to get as much riding in as possible? Fear not! The High Country was made for riding.
If Cross Country is your thing, there are bush tracks, technical tracks, rugged tracks, gravel and sealed tracks – everything you need for a perfect day’s ride with a mix of beautiful scenery, challenging terrain and country roads.
Or leave the hustle and bustle of city cycling behind and meander along the country backroads for a while! Stop and enjoy the fresh mountain air or tackle a long fast descent – we assure you that this will be road cycling like you have never done before.
Accommodation
Omeo Bikehead Cottage
Address: 15-17 Creek Street, Omeo
Phone: 0417 533 656
Email: bikeheadomeo@gmail.com
Web: www.omeobikeheadcottage.com
This beautiful fully self-contained 2-bedroom cottage sits at the foothills of Mt Mesley, adjoining Livingstone Park.
Be quick! With water frontage and being just across the road from the pump track, this hidden gem will book out fast!!
The Golden Age Motel
Address: 189 Day Avenue, Omeo
Phone: (03) 5159 1455
Email: goldenageomeo@gmail.com
Web: www.goldenageomeo.com.au
Probably the best known building in Omeo, the Golden Age Motel has 15 ensuite rooms and 6 pub-style rooms, plus a fully licensed restaurant with a full a la carte menu and a well-stocked bar featuring local wines.
All rooms include cooked and continental breakfast. Get in quick to get one of the two luxury spa units (complete with complimentary chocolate and champagne)!
Snug As A Bug Motel
Address: 188 Day Avenue, Omeo
Phone: 0427 591 311
Email: bookings@motelomeo.co.au
Web: www.motelomeo.com.au
One of the few buildings in Omeo that survived the 1939 bushfires, this motel was also safe through the more recent 2003 fires!
Your hosts, Martin and Florence, will make you feel very welcome in these two fully renovated historic buildings.
There are 4 guest-rooms with ensuites, all on ground level, with shared kitchen and lounge room facilities, plus a three-bedroom apartment on road frontage, and 4 delightful motel units.
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