Wingello MTB

Overview

Wingello State Forest sits in the Southern Highlands of NSW, roughly 4 km south-east of the village of Wingello and about 90 minutes (~155 km) south of Sydney. For more than a decade it has been one of the best-known cross-country mountain biking destinations in NSW, built and maintained by volunteer trail crew working with Forestry Corporation of NSW on radiata pine plantation and native forest land.

Pre-2020 the network was best known for the Red Loop — a 22–23 km XC circuit (~500 m climbing) blending fire-trail with extended sections of singletrack. It was a regular venue for state-level XC events and the home of long-running Saturday morning club rides. The 2019–2020 Black Summer (Morton) bushfire devastated the network: roughly half of the original singletrack has been permanently closed due to ongoing falling-limb risk from fire-killed trees, and trail access was paused entirely for several years.

Highlands Trails Incorporated — the AusCycling-affiliated MTB club of the Southern Highlands — has progressively rehabilitated the network. As of 2026 there is ~6 km of restored, family-friendly singletrack forming a loop south of Forest Camp from Everglades to Princess's Revenge, accessed from a new gravel carpark trailhead off Gap Road. Two new pine-plantation trails (Radiata Runway climb + Denis' Descent flow descent) were also recently completed. The Blue Loop (7 km firetrail) and Yellow Loop (18 km firetrail) are partially closed pending reopening of the northern firetrail link. A larger Southern Villages Iconic Trail (SVIT) concept aims to link Wingello to Bundanoon, Exeter, Fitzroy Falls and Kangaroo Valley.

Location & Access

Address: Forest Road / Caoura Road, Wingello State Forest, Wingello NSW 2579
Current trailhead: Princess's Revenge carpark (gravel, off Gap Road; relocated from the historic Forest Camp / "HQ Camp" start).
Lat/Lon (DB): -34.7316857, 150.1932727
Drive from Sydney: ~155 km, ~90 minutes via Hume Hwy (M31) → Tallong/Wingello exit.
Drive from Canberra: ~145 km, ~95 minutes via Goulburn.
Public transport: Wingello has a station on the Southern Highlands line (Sydney Trains), but the trailhead is ~4 km south-east of the station — road bikes / shuttle / lift typical.
Parking: Gravel parking at the Princess's Revenge trailhead; additional parking at Wingello Forest Recreation Area / HQ Camp on Caoura Rd.

Best Season & Conditions

Year-round in general — Southern Highlands sits at ~600–700 m elevation, cool summers, cold winters (frosts but rare snow).
Wind warning: Do not ride when wind speeds exceed 30 km/h — the 2020 fire killed many trees that still drop limbs. This is the single most important safety rule for the network.
Wet weather: Native-soil sections get soft; restored network drains relatively well but riders should stay off if visibly muddy. Check Highlands Trails / Trailforks for closures.
Fire danger: State Forest closes on Total Fire Ban days; campfires are only permitted when no fire ban is in place.
Summer: Hot but rideable; shaded singletrack in pine plantation. Watch for snakes.

Managing Body & Trail Builders

Land manager: Forestry Corporation of NSW. Contact: 1300 655 687 / visit@fcnsw.com.au.
Trail management & builds: Highlands Trails Incorporated (AusCycling MTB club of the Southern Highlands; active since 2010, pioneering work from 2006). Email: hello@highlandstrails.com.au.
Working bees: monthly at Wingello (volunteer page on highlandstrails.com.au).
Partnership for Recreation Area: Forestry Corp + Wingecarribee Shire Council + local businesses.
Recent trail construction support: Wild Horizons (volunteers, partner since 2013); Keystone Trails (Sydney-based, building gravity descents at Welby as part of SVIT pipeline).

History & Background

2006: Pioneering trail-building work begins in Wingello State Forest.
2010: Highlands Trails Inc forms as the AusCycling-affiliated MTB club.
2013: Formal partnership with Forestry Corporation NSW; Wild Horizons begins volunteering.
Pre-2020: Network reaches ~50+ km combined trail (Red 23 km / Yellow 18 km / Blue 7 km plus ~10 km singletrack). Recognised as a premier XC venue, regular host of races and club rides; "best-kept secret" in the Sydney MTB scene.
Dec 2019 – Feb 2020: Morton bushfire (Black Summer) burns through Wingello State Forest. Much of the singletrack is destroyed and trees throughout are killed.
2020–2023: Recovery delayed by COVID and repeated wet-weather events.
August 2023: First stage of rebuilt singletrack opens — ~6 km loop south of Forest Camp from Everglades to Princess's Revenge; new trailhead opened. Half of the original singletrack permanently closed.
2024–2026: Two new pine-plantation trails completed (Radiata Runway climb, Denis' Descent flow). Southern Villages Iconic Trail (SVIT) concept announced — proposed multi-day route linking Wingello → Welby → Penrose → Bundanoon → Fitzroy Falls → Kangaroo Valley. Welby Tip Capping gravity-trail project progressing (two gravity descents + jump line).