Project Stages

The development of the most sought after riding experiences and segments/stages to implement was determined by a number of user engagement and planning sessions, including:

Rider focus group held in Perth ‐ each segment was discussed and requirements discovered.
Rider workshop held in Manjimup ‐ to discuss local opportunities and challenges.
Online survey attracting responses from all rider segments.
Desktop research and investigation of relevant local and international case studies.

Based on findings from the above, the 6 priority Stages of the Manjimup Trail Bike Hub project were determined, and form the 6 Stages of the MTBH Project.

Adventure Riders
Trail Bike Tourers
Private Property Facilities
Single Track Explorers
Family Explorers
ATV Tourers

This staged process will allow the Hub to grow, as new experiences and trails are added. Once completed, the Manjimup Trail Bike Hub will provide a variety of experiences targeted across the spectrum of trail bike rider segments.

With each stage comes added complexity in the development, maintenance, and management of the routes. Many of these markets are not catered for within Australia, and while there is ample opportunity, there is also additional risk which must be accounted for in planning and operational practices.

Stage 1: Adventure Bikes

The brief: Long distance day or multi-day on-road / off-road rides on larger road registered motorcycles. An adventure bike rider may cover around 300 km per day eg Manjimup to Walpole and back.
Adventure Bikes are road registered, typically between 650cc and 1200cc four stroke engines and are designed to be ridden long distances on a mix of sealed and unsealed roads.
Prefered routes would be a combination of sealed road (as little as possible), gravel road, logging trails and rail forms (good condition for the larger bikes), twin-track and minor trails. Heading predominantly towards the destination and alternative routes for each destination to provide variety.

Stage 2: Trail Bike Touring

The brief: Day or overnight point to point rides on road registered trail / enduro style motorcycles. Trail or enduro motorcycles are able to be road-registered, but are not designed for long distance road use.
Trail bike tourers enjoy the satisfaction of reaching a destination via a mix of open and technical trail sections. The nature of the bikes enables them to navigate overgrown, rough or very minor trails. Four wheel drive ‘twin-track’ tracks are popular, as is single-track, but a good destination ride is likely to include every kind of trail from the tightest single track to sealed roads. Technical challenge is provided by hill climbs and descents, river crossings and rougher terrain.

Stage 3: Private Property Facilities

The brief: Some types of vehicles and styles of riding cannot be accommodated on public land. Practice MX circuits, cross-country riding and specialised vehicles such as buggies require facilities that may be better provided by commercial operators.

The Manjimup Trail Bike Hub will help facilitate planning and applications from land owners wanting to tap into this market by developing a unique riding experience which can be promoted under the umbrella of the Hub.

Expressions of interest can be directed to: admin@manjimuptrailbikehub.com.au

Stage 4: Single Trail Explorers

The brief: Just like mountain bike riders, motorcycle trail riders enjoy the slower speed, tight, twisty experience that is single trail.

The forests of Manjimup have a long history of hosting enduro events and many old enduro trails remain, in various stages of revegetation.

Unlike public open roads, single trail involves a more complex planning and approvals process to ensure sustainability and environmentally sensitive use. While early planning for Stage 4 will commence in 2025 it is expected that the more complex approvals process will take some time to navigate.

Stage 5: Family Explorers

The brief: If you have children who ride, and you want them to be able to enjoy the same trails experience that you do, then Stage 5 is designed to achieve that.

Using the provisions of the Control of Vehicles (Off Road Areas) Act, the objective of this stage is to create a network of trails that can be ridden by people too young to hold a rider's licence and on bikes that cannot be road registered.

Preliminary planning is now underway, but there is a lot of work required to bring this vision to reality.

Stage 6: ATV Explorers

The brief: ATVs and side-by-sides offer the opportunity for non-rider passengers to be able to explore the magnificent trails and landscapes of the region.

ATV touring is a concept that is very popular in the USA but not yet available in Australia due to road traffic and vehicle registration laws.

This stage is not yet funded and will be dependent on the success of earlier stages, however some of this demand may be met by landowners in Stage 3.

Next: The Trails Development Process