The Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy is being delivered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and includes a 70-kilometre Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network in the state conservation area as a safer and sustainable alternative to unauthorised trails.
This purpose-built network provides a diverse range of carefully crafted trails constructed by specialist trail builders in accordance with international standards and approved environmental and cultural planning requirements.
Twenty kilometres of the Kembla mountain bike trails opened in 2025. The closure and rehabilitation of unauthorised mountain bike trails commenced in the Mount Keira area in June 2026.
Why unauthorised trails need to be closed and rehabilitated
The construction, maintenance and use of unauthorised trails is not permitted in national parks and reserves.
Under the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy, we are closing and rehabilitating unauthorised trails in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area that are not being formalised as part of the approved network to protect environmental and cultural values and improve visitor safety.
These works will be completed in stages as the network is delivered.
Impact of unauthorised trails
Unauthorised mountain bike trails in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area:
- have been built and maintained without the required environmental and cultural heritage planning approvals or stakeholder consultation
- do not meet appropriate trail design, construction and safety standards
- may cause environmental impacts, such as erosion and soil disturbance, loss of native vegetation and harm to threatened species
- may impact Aboriginal cultural and historic values
- may be a safety risk to riders and other visitors.
Closing and rehabilitating these trails will help restore natural environments, protect cultural heritage, and provide a safer, more sustainable experience for all visitors.
Stages and timing of closure and rehabilitation
Stage 1 – completed
We have closed and rehabilitated unauthorised trails in the Mount Kembla area that were not formalised as part of the Kembla mountain bike trails Stage 1.
Stage 2 – from June 2026
We will start works on the closure and rehabilitation of unauthorised trails near Mount Keira in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
We have grouped the unauthorised trails into zones so that works can be done in a quick and coordinated way. The priority zones for closure and rehabilitation are mapped out on land that NPWS manage. We may update these zones as the project progresses, with works expected to continue through to 2028.
Stage 3 – ongoing works
After the works in the Mount Keira area are completed, we will close and rehabilitate the remaining unauthorised mountain bike trails in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area in stages.
Objectives of closure and rehabilitation program
The closure and rehabilitation program has the following objectives.
Protect the environment
- Prevent damage to vegetation, soils and habitats.
- Reduce erosion, sediment runoff and spread of weeds/pathogens.
- Protect sensitive or threatened species and ecosystems.
Improve visitor safety
- Remove unauthorised trails that haven’t been assessed or built to safety standards.
Protect cultural and heritage values
- Prevent damage to Aboriginal cultural sites or heritage areas.
- Ensure culturally sensitive areas are respected and managed appropriately.
Support sustainable recreation
Encourage use of the approved and maintained trail network.
Criteria for order of trail closures
National Parks and Wildlife Service is taking a measured, evidence-based approach to the closure and rehabilitation of unauthorised trails. This approach is guided by the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy and based on independent environmental and expert advice, as well as stakeholder consultation.
We are closing and rehabilitating trails that are not included in the approved network under the strategy. We are doing this in stages, with the order being decided by assessing:
- environmental and cultural impacts
- public safety risks
- alignment with delivery of the approved network
- supporting the mountain bike community to transition to approved trails
- availability of funding and resources.
We are upgrading unauthorised trails that are being included in the approved network to meet International Mountain Bicycling Association standards and relevant planning approvals.
Safety during works on unauthorised trails
To ensure safety during closure and rehabilitation activities:
- We will have signs on unauthorised trails with clear advice on closures and rehabilitation works.
- Closed trails may have physical barriers blocking entry to the trails to support the safe rehabilitation of the areas.
For safety reasons:
- Do not enter closed or restricted areas.
- Follow all signage and directions.
- Be mindful of and courteous to people doing the rehabilitation work.
Riders are reminded to only use approved, open trails. Please check current trail status on the National Parks and Wildlife Service Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network webpage or Trailforks webpage before you ride.
Find out more
The plan for rehabilitation works on unauthorised trails was guided by independent environmental and expert assessment. The plan outlines an approach to restoring impacted areas that is structured and best protects the environment. Works may include the following elements.
Barriers and signs
- Informative signage will clearly identify unauthorised trails and communicate rehabilitation works and alternative riding options.
- High-visibility barriers, either natural (such as large fallen logs or boulders) or artificial, will be installed at trail entrances.
Removal of structures
- Constructed features will be removed, including ramps, jumps and bridges.
- Soil will be levelled and soil features (such as benching and berms) will be removed.
- Rock features and installed drainage will be removed.
Soil stabilisation and erosion control
Sedimentation and soil will be managed, including the installation of brush matting, placement of coir logs and artificial sediment fencing (if required).
Regeneration – assisted and natural
- Weeds will be removed.
- Endemic species will be planted at specific sites, using locally sourced seeds or tube stock, mulch or compost.
- Natural revegetation processes will be encouraged.
Monitoring
- Sites will be reviewed and undergo responsive maintenance.
- Site will be monitored to stop further harm.
The closure and rehabilitation of unauthorised mountain bike trails is an important outcome of the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy. This work is essential to balancing the protection of the escarpment’s natural and cultural values with support of high-quality riding experiences for the community.
Unauthorised trails place ongoing pressure on the park environment, and a lot of resources are needed to manage them. Every National Parks and Wildlife Service resource used to address these impacts means less resources to invest in the approved trail network and other important conservation work in the park.
By supporting the closure and rehabilitation program, mountain bike riders and the community are helping to:
- Protect the escarpment’s unique landscapes, ecosystems and cultural heritage.
- Improve safety and ensure trails meet recognised standards.
- Support investment in a well-designed, sustainable trail network.
- Deliver long-term, high-quality riding opportunities for all riders.
This approach supports a stronger future for mountain biking in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area – one that is environmentally responsible, culturally respectful and built to last.
National Parks and Wildlife Service has a statutory obligation to conserve natural and cultural values of the state conservation area.
Natural values
By closing and rehabilitating unauthorised trails on the escarpment, we help to protect sensitive and threatened species and ecosystems.
The closure of unauthorised trails aims to minimise further damage and give the areas a chance to recover.
Following closure, rehabilitating unauthorised trails aims to fix some of the issues that are caused by building and riding these trails, including erosion, soil compaction and fragmentation of vegetation.
Together, these actions will help:
- restore and maintain habitat
- preserve plant community structure
- reduce the spread of pests and weeds.
Cultural values
Closure and rehabilitation works will support protection of the significant Aboriginal cultural values of the escarpment area.
An Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment has been completed for the rehabilitation activities, and works will be completed in line with this assessment.
We are committed to working with the Aboriginal community to deliver the project.
Closure of unauthorised trails is essential to improving safety, an objective of the closure and rehabilitation program.
Building, maintaining or riding on unauthorised trails in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area is prohibited.
Unauthorised trails have been built and maintained without planning approval or consideration of safety standards, creating risks for riders, other visitors and emergency responders.
The new network provides carefully crafted trails that are in line with international mountain bike trail standards, including safety standards and planning approval.
As part of the rehabilitation, closed trails are being signposted, and we are providing information to educate riders on approved network trails in the state conservation area.
National Parks and Wildlife Service will conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure there is no continued construction, maintenance or use of unauthorised trails.
There are opportunities for the community to play an active role in caring for the approved trail network. If you are interested in trail building or maintenance:
- Join a volunteer trail maintenance day.
- Help promote responsible riding within the community.
National Parks and Wildlife Service is continuing to work closely with riders, clubs, stakeholders and the community to support trail closures and rehabilitation and to build long-term stewardship of the state conservation area.
Mountain bike riding is only permitted on approved trails in the state conservation area.
The Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network is being developed to provide approved, sustainable riding opportunities in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
The 20 km Kembla mountain bike trails opened in September 2025, with Balgownie mountain bike trails and Kembla mountain bike trails Stage 2 expected to be completed in 2027.
More information about the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network can be found on the National Parks and Wildlife Service Kembla mountain bike trails webpage.