Trail-blazing tourism in Collie

Collie is on track to becoming a prime trail adventure town, with the recent announcement of funding for new local tourism projects supported by the $2 million Collie Futures Small Grants Program.

Accommodation suited for trails and mountain biking is currently limited, and these projects will capitalise on the State Government’s $10 million investment to create and maintain more than 180 kilometres of high-quality trails in the Collie surrounds. Visitors will now have accommodation options right on the doorstep of the trail network.

The Collie River Trail Stay project, an exciting initiative by project director and local builder Jeff Riley, will use the funding for planning, fees and initial works to build eight new tourist cabins on the outskirts of the town.

The cabins will be built on a privately owned farm six kilometres north of Collie, within 100 metres of existing and proposed mountain bike and bushwalking trails and 400 metres from the Collie River. Rays Trail, in the Arklow mountain bike network, looks directly over the farm to the river.

The cabins will be constructed in three stages over 18 months – each unit will be big enough to cater for a family, and equipped with its own bathroom and kitchenette. The cabins will cater for trail-users by providing ramp access a secure space for bikes.

Visitors will also have access a common area with a laundry, bike cleaning facilities (washdown and compression cleaning) and a repair station with spare parts. At the end of a great day on the trails you will be able to gather around a fire pit to relax and share your adventures.

The property is a hobby farm with diverse ventures that include hazelnuts and truffles, and is home to variety of friendly farm animals, including alpacas and peacocks, which are sure to be a big hit especially with families.