Project Proposal
LOCKED BAG 23 GRAFTON NSW 2460
Telephone: (02) 6643 0200
Fax: (02) 6642 7647
The Clarence Valley Bicycle Discovery Trail
An “Active and Healthy” program is being developed by the Clarence Valley Council, NSW Health and
the Grafton Community College in the North Coast region of NSW. As part of the planning for this project
a simple eco tourism option has revealed itself on the Valley’s door step. The area of ecotourism is fast
growing in popularity and a bicycle trail from Ballina to Coffs Harbour would be able to draw on the
natural beauty of the area. Although the project is large in scope the goals of the project are easily
achievable as most of the infrastructure is already in place. The concept closely mirrors the biodiversity
and visitor number aims of the NPWS review. This project would allow the Valley to tap into the tourism
hotspots north and south of the region and lend support to the businesses of the area that rely on the
tourism dollar to prosper.
1. The Clarence Valley Discovery Trail.
2. Possible Partners
Community health
Clarence Valley Council
NPWS
Local Business
Local bicycle clubs
Local aboriginal groups
NSW Health
Grafton Community College
3. Concept Overview
The aim is to tap into the popular tourist destinations
of Coffs Harbour and Ballina/Byron. The trail will
focus on ecotourism, aiming to promote the natural
beauty of the area. This would be done by
showcasing the national parks that run along the
Valley’s coast and promoting the Indigenous nations
and cultures inhabiting the area.
This project promotes ecotourism in the area and ties
to both the Clarence Valley Way project and the aims
of the NPWS review of operations. In addition to
giving the people of the Valley extra access to the
National parks of the area; the trail would also be a
huge boon to the tourism operators of the small
Clarence Valley
Discovery Trail
towns along the coast. The trail would be inline with the recently release state government statement:
The NSW Government's State Plan seeks to increase visitation to our national parks, and reserves by 20
per cent by 2016. To meet this target it is vital that we provide high quality and diverse visitor
experiences and promote these special places effectively, while ensuring the protection of their
conservation values. Submissions are invited from interested individuals and organisations on tourism
and national parks.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/commercial/tourismtaskforce.htm
4. Target Market
This project will be of benefit to all who are lucky enough to experience the North Coast of NSW; locals,
intrastate, interstate and international visitors alike. All will get the advantage of extra access to the
beautiful National Parks of the area.
 The project will draw a whole new range of tourists. A cyclist would be able to access the area
and not have to risk life and limb on the Pacific
Highway.
 As awareness of environmental issues increases
more people will turn to alternative transport. This
project will draw all sorts of visitors from nature
lovers to fitness fiends. There is a great opportunity
to promote ecologically friendly thinking and
community mindedness as the project advances.
5. Value Proposition
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The Clarence Valley currently offers very little in the
way of ecotourism. As can be seen from WA (with
their tourism award winning trail) this is a fast
growing, high demand market. (please see
examples below)
This project would offer the opportunity to not only
celebrate the beautiful geography of the area but
also the Aboriginal Heritage.
There is not any option at this point for cyclists
other than the major roads that pass north south
through the region. This project would allow an eco
alternative and would be using already existing fire
trails to access the area. This would help keep the
cost to a minimum and guarantee the maintenance
of these trails (vital to the survival of many smaller
coastal communities).
This trail could work in conjunction with the
development of the Clarence Valley Way tourism
project
Clarence Valley
Discovery Trail
6. Budget
As can be seen on the satellite pictures, there are already
extensive fire trails running the length of the National Parks
in the area. This project would simply utilise these tracks.
The fact that very little extra infrastructure would be
required, would keep the overall setup costs to a minimum.
In addition, the on going issues fall into the area of
community benefit. The fact that these roads would be
regularly being used and assessed would improve them in
general as fire access roads.
This system would be able to be run on a user pays
basis and accommodation.
As can be seen from the case study below the
possibility for growth due to this product is enormous.
The benefits as a result of the creation of a coastal track would outweigh any costs incurred.
7. Short Term Goals - To create a track from Ballina to Coffs Harbour, including welcome to
country signs and aboriginal cultural information.
8. Long Term Goals - To include tourism operators and infrastructure to create a internationally
recognise ecotourism centrepiece.
CASE STUDY:
Mountain biking 'worth millions'
A mountain biking project in southern Scotland
has been credited, generating £9m annual
visitor income and more than 200 new jobs.
The 7stanes scheme covering Dumfries and
Galloway and the Scottish Borders was first set
up six years ago. A survey commissioned by
Forestry Commission Scotland shows visitor
numbers have now hit 400,000-a-year.
7STANES MOUNTAIN BIKING SURVEY
KEY FINDINGS:

205 full time jobs created

60% increase in visitors from outside
Scotland

Rise in mountain bikers bringing children
to site

Now among top 20 visitor attractions in
Scotland
Mr Russell said the project had played a vital
role in helping to boost rural economies after the
impact of the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001.
"The trails and facilities that the 7stanes have put
in place have created an opportunity to raise
Scotland's profile on an international level," he
said. "But, of much more importance, it has
attracted many thousands of visitors to the area,
providing a much needed boost to the local
economy. This report reinforces Scotland's
reputation for great riding, but also demonstrates
the significant successes that can be achieved by
working in partnership."
The 7stanes is a series of mountain biking trails
dotted across southern Scotland. They are at
Glentrool, Kirroughtree, Dalbeattie, Mabie, Ae,
Glentress and Newcastleton. David Gass, of
Scottish Enterprise Borders, said the study
showed the importance of the project. "We are
delighted that the evaluation has shown
significant economic impacts across the south of
Scotland and investment by the private sector,"
he said. "This project demonstrates the
effectiveness of partnership working and
provides a great platform for the south of
Scotland moving forward in the adventure sports
market."
Clarence Valley
Discovery Trail
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_sco
tland/7257427.stm
In addition to this great track Australia has had some very successful forays
into the world of Bicycle Driven Tourism
The WA Munda Biddi Trail
The Tasmainian Trail
http://www.mundabiddi.org.au/
http://www.tasmaniantrail.com.au/Pages/index.html
WA TOURISM AWARDS WIN!!
The Tasmanian Trail is not a single kind of
road surface, but rather a collection of different
kinds including roads, tracks, fire trails… There
will be spots where we’ll have to lift our bikes
to our shoulders, say, to cross shallow
rivers. It’s a good idea to go to the Trail’s
website (www.tasmaniantrail.com.au) and
request the guidebook with maps to avoid
getting lost.
We are pleased to announce the Munda
Biddi Trail Foundation has been awarded
Bronze in the WA Tourism Awards as a first
time entrant. This is a great achievement
and is an acknowledgement of the hard
work and progress made by the Foundation
over the last 12 months!
Submitted by
Dan Griffin
Community and Cultural Services Officer
Clarence Valley Council
Dan.griffin@clarence.nsw.gov.au
02 66450231