The South Coast of New South Wales is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s premier mountain biking holiday destinations. Nestled in the lush, forested expanse of the Eurobodalla region, Mogo is a shining example of why. With over 70km of completed trails and more in the works to take the network up to 125km, there’s truly something for everyone – from beginners seeking scenic loops to advanced riders chasing adrenaline.
We travelled down from Canberra to check out the new developments to the Mogo network and ride the brand new 28km Burnaaga-Goanna mountain adventure trail. This trail is a backcountry-style descent starting from the peak of Wandera Mountain and descending all the way into the Mogo township. After heading out on our bikes to check it out, we can honestly say the Burnaaga-Goanna trail really makes Mogo stand out.
Out of the ashes and onto the trail
Only a few years ago, much of the South Coast was scorched in the Black Summer bushfires. Mogo was devastated by the fires and was hit hard again by the COVID-19 lockdowns and two major floods before having a chance to rebuild. The renewed sense of purpose and community is clear, though, and the whole community has come together to build this remarkable trail network that will help transform Mogo into an international travel destination. In fact, Mogo is set to host the inaugural 2025 Australian Sea Otter Classic later this year.
With the recent ten-year anniversary of the iconic trails that put mountain biking tourism on the map – Blue Derby – we could foresee a similar trajectory for Mogo. The scope, variety, and quality of Mogo’s trails are certainly on par with Derby, Tasmania, and the new Burnaaga-Goanna trail provides a similar adventure experience to the Apple Isle’s Atlas and Blue Tier, with the added perk of accessibility from being on the mainland in New South Wales.
The Jewel in the Crown
Jordan and I headed down from Canberra early Saturday morning and met up with Shane Spicer, the Mogo Trails Manager from Eurobodalla council, and Ruben White from trail build crew Next Level MTB. Talking with them it’s clear that everyone involved has put a lot of heart into the Mogo trails and there has been a major focus on accessibility and sustainability. Shane shuttled Jordan, Ruben and I to the peak of Wandera Mountain in the morning to the centrepiece of Mogo’s emerging mountain bike paradise: the brand new 28km Burnaaga-Goanna mountain adventure trail.
It’s clear that everyone involved has put a lot of heart into the Mogo trails and there has been a major focus on accessibility and sustainability.
This backcountry-style descent starts at the peak of Wandera Mountain and descends all the way into the Mogo township. After heading out on our bikes to check it out, we can honestly say the Burnaaga-Goanna trail makes Mogo stand out.
The Burnaaga-Goanna trail is pure, unadulterated mountain biking fun the whole way down. The 28km route is a masterclass in trail design, artfully integrating the natural landscape into a fast, flowy descent that offers both accessibility and excitement. With a few cruisy climbs and scenic traverses interspersed throughout to ensure you see the whole landscape around, Burnaaga-Goanna’s not just any old adventure trail – it’s an immersive experience in the region’s terrain, ecology and beauty.
From the summit, you’re welcomed with a stunning 270-degree view of the surrounding valleys and coastline. It’s the view you’d drive up to look at, but unlike a roadside viewpoint, on the Burnaaga-Goanna trail, you get to ride world-class trails on the way down! And the vistas and scenes as you continue to snake your way down the mountain don’t disappoint either.
Rated blue for its overall difficulty, the Burnaaga-Goanna trail is more than achievable for ambitious beginners to make it down while enjoying the ride and taking in all the scenery. Optional A-lines set off to the side of the main lines, take full advantage of the natural features, and allow experienced riders to have a bit of extra thrill and show off some style. You can pick up some significant trail speed the whole way down, and there is the opportunity for riders to push their limits and hit some serious pace, if that’s your jam.
The first sector descending from the peak of Wandera is the steepest part, with many fast, tight switchbacks winding rapidly through the forest and glimpses of the vistas beyond as you descend the hill. It then transitions into rainforest-like terrain for a few kilometres, threading through corridors of trees, picturesque river crossings and lots of that pinned trail speed I mentioned before.
Of course, with such picturesque landscapes on offer, there’s no need to rush on a trail like this. If you relax a little bit and flow through the descent and traverses of the rainforest, the dappled light through the trees allows you to connect with the nature around you, although you might want to watch out for leeches; they do tend to ruin the serenity.
The jewel in the crown of the Burnaaga-Goanna trail would have to be the section where you enter the granite country, where wide-open rock slabs and boulder gardens demand skill, nerve, and the occasional choice of line. Here, the terrain opens up dramatically, giving you the sensation of flying across the landscape rather than simply riding through it. The new trail finishes up coming into Mogo after 28 gorgeous kilometres. Still, if you’re up for a huge day, you can follow the existing network into Batehaven, making for around 70km of singletrack in one ride.
Ruben was the ultimate tour guide down the Burnaaga-Goanna trail, having overseen the whole project. He pointed out to us all of the rock armouring and drainage work the trail builders have done to make sure the trail is sustainable and long-lasting.
Although the trail conveniently ends in the Mogo township, getting to the peak of Wandera Mountain does require a bit of a trek. A shuttle service will be available (approximately a 40-minute trip from town to summit) from the Mogo township. If you’re really keen, you could get in two laps daily, but we recommend starting with one. Book your shuttle service here.
Head up in the morning and take your time to experience the trail, soak in the landscape and spirit of the ride before finishing up in Mogo for lunch. It’s definitely not a one-and-done ride, however, and if you’re itching to do it again, you can always shuttle up again the next day. We’re sure it will be just as magical the second (or third) time around!
The Burnaaga-Goanna trail is a truly unique backcountry-style descent with exciting natural features woven through the raw terrain, providing an exhilarating mountain biking experience.
If you only have a day in Mogo, we highly recommend taking a shuttle up to Wandera in the morning and taking a break for lunch in the township.
We checked out the Mossy on Gardens café in the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden for a well-earned mid-ride feed. The food was delicious, and the surrounding gardens are a stunning and tranquil spot to pause. It’s a great spot to stop with your family and is just across the road from the Botanic Garden Trailhead, where you can spend the afternoon exploring some of the other trails in the network. You can also follow the trails through to the Foxdog Distillery for some lunch and a cheeky gin before heading back out for some extra laps.
Over lunch, Shane told us all about the planning of the network and how one of the major sticking points of Mogo over a lot of other networks is how accessible it is for all levels of riders. The different trailheads and traversing trails have been designed so they are easy to navigate and you never have to ride a level of trail you’re not comfortable with in order to get back home.
This will make Mogo a far better experience for beginners and families who don’t want to accidentally get stuck on a double black trail! The team are particularly proud of the Skyrabbit Jumpline trail, which is set to have some of the best drainage of any trail in the world, making it suitable for all conditions.
The Perfect Destination for a Riding Weekend
Mogo Trails have a lot more to give than the iconic Burnaaga-Goanna trail, making it a perfect destination for a multi-day mountain biking holiday. One of the things that sets Mogo apart is its accessibility; only a 2-hour drive from Canberra and 3.5 hours from Sydney, it’s far more accessible than other premier destinations in the country and easy to take a weekend to head out on a whim.
Mogo Trails have a lot more to give than the iconic Burnaaga-Goanna trail, making it a perfect destination for a multi-day mountain biking holiday.
Dedicate a day to the Burnaaga-Goanna trail, check out one of the culinary delights the area has to offer, and then head to one of the many beautiful beaches nearby for the afternoon. There’s an extra two days to spend in the core network – with three different trailheads and 90km of singletrack on offer, you could pretty easily spend an entire week there if you so please. The amount of accommodation on offer for every budget is almost overwhelming: take your family or get a group together for a countryside or coastal Airbnb or holiday park. Or, if you like to live on the wild side, check out the NSW State Forest website for some old-school camping options.
The sheer variety of trails that Mogo offers is truly impressive. There’s something for everyone to enjoy – from beginners to jump track obsessives and tech fanatics. You can see that a massive amount of thought and planning has gone into making all the different levels of trails easy to access and navigate.
For a family cruise or longer loops, park in Mogo behind the shops, and it’s a short ride to the Mogo trailhead. The trail starts with an impressive feat of trail building: the Mogo switchbacks. If you’re staying in Batehaven, there’s a trailhead there as well that traverses into the network for a full day of riding. Stop for a lunch break in Mogo, check out the Botanic Garden to relax, and return to the trails.
If you’re looking for shorter, ‘sessionable’ loops, a whole bunch of trails branch off from the Trig Point – a short drive or climb up the fire trail out of Mogo. These trails are ideal for an extra thrill after descending Burnaaga-Goanna, with a mix of blue flow, black diamond, and double black diamond tech, and multiple jump lines.
We got to have a little peek at some of the new jump trails and tech lines in the works – holy moly, they’re exciting. There are some very cool features you’ll definitely want to check out. You could easily spend the whole day there as well, and they’ll keep the gravity fans coming back for more, day after day.
A big draw point of the Mogo network is that you can really mix it up; you don’t have to ride from dawn to dusk every day (unless that’s what you live for). Mogo’s beauty lies in the balance. You can easily spend three to four days and do a different style of ride every day, with plenty of options to chill out afterwards in a stunning area. Ride hard, rest well, and take your time exploring everything this lush corner of the world has to offer.
Go for a surf at Broulee and take a sneaky beverage with your mates at the Broulee Brewhouse. Take your kids for an afternoon at the wildlife park. Check out all of the artisan shops that Mogo has to offer. Take a day for a bushwalk in Murramarang National Park. Paddle in the Clyde River. Grab a coffee at every café or van you pass. There’s so much to ride and to experience in the area, you’ll never want to leave – and you’ll keep coming back.
What truly makes mountain biking and trail destinations special is the community spirit, and Mogo has it in abundance. From local riders and trail builders to business owners and staff, there’s a shared pride in what’s been built there, and it clearly shows.
Whether you’re chasing an epic adventure trail, the thrill of gravity trails expertly designed by some of the greatest trail builders around, building up your skills, or looking to explore with your friends and family, the Mogo trails are for you.
Olive and Jordan’s Top 5 Mogo Mo Mo’s
A few gems from our ride that might not make the promo reel, but definitely made the trip:
- Jordan’s hat, gone too soon. RIP to his brand-new cap, lost to the wind at 6:30 am when he stuck his head out of the car when the windscreen fogged up.
- Olive vs. the tiger leech. Screaming, crying, and yelling “Get it off! I can feel it’s on me!” while hopping around the forest. Dramatic. Iconic. It was just on her shoe.
- Granite slab drama. Olive slid sideways down a huge granite slab… and somehow saved it. Honestly, it looked sick.
- E-bike mayhem. Olive full-sends over the bars in the Botanic Gardens carpark by accidentally pedalling in turbo while pulling the brake all the way in. Mavens definitely work!
- Where’s Jordan? Lost in the gardens while taking photos. Turns out he was blending in with kangaroo statues. Completely invisible.
For more info on the trails, and a network map, head to mogotrails.com.au/the-trails
