Kempsey

Destination overview

The trails in Kalateenee State Forest started, as many do, built by locals who then worked with the land manager to sanction them. However, a recent cash infusion, thanks to a first-of-its-kind funding arrangement with the Kempsey Shire Council, has added some gravity into the equation.

At the end of 2022, East Coast Mountain Trails completed a suite of enduro trails in the southern end of the network that have already been wildly popular — according to the Macleay Valley Mountain Club, the Yetti jump trail had 1,200 passes in a single week! A concurrent project with the fresh trail build was a new trailhead on the southern end of the forest that provides more direct access to the network and has toilets and a rainwater tank — though the local club doesn’t recommend topping off your bottles with this H2O as it’s untreated.

Enduro MTB in Kalateenee

With a mix of brand-new trails and old alignments which have been completely refurbished, we were blown away by this little pocket of descending. The trails are deceptively speedy, and there are features to suit a range of skill levels so that everyone in your crew is champing at the bit for another lap. And with the runs being relatively short, maximum lappage is highly encouraged.

Better still, these new trails are only one corner of the network, with nearly 40km of trails to explore in the Kalateenee Forest; there is a great mix of bikepark-style shredding and old-school XC pedalling.

Country in Kempsey and waves at Crescent Head

Situated less than 20km from Crescent Head, there is spec-frickin-tacular coastline a short drive from town, and Killick Beach is known for its slow-moving right-hander that breaks off the point — so don’t forget your togs and throw the mini-mal in the car too. 

While Kempsey has long been the place to get supplies for folks heading out to one of the many beach towns, there is plenty to do in the little settlement on the banks of the Macleay River.

From beers and arcade games at Bucket Brewery to scoping out the local art scene on the Macleay Valley Art Trail and doing some boot scootin’ at The Slim Dusty Centre, you won’t be bored on your weekend away.

Have you ridden here? Tell us about it!