New facilities boost the You Yangs experience

Thursday 20 September, 2012

New mountain bike facilities opened today at the You Yangs Regional Park, reinforcing the park’s reputation as one of Victoria’s top biking destinations.

A new visitor shelter, barbeque, picnic facilities and bike wash down station at the Kurrajong Plantation mountain bike area add to the 50km network of dedicated bike trails at the park.

Riders can help look after native vegetation by washing their bikes to protect the spread of cinnamon fungus and new fences are in place to protect rare orchids.

“The new facilities are part of a range of improvements to infrastructure completed over the past two years as part of the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Vision for Werribee Plains Initiative,” said Parks Victoria Ranger Team Leader Mark Whyte.

The Victorian Government provided $150,000 in support for the project through the DSE’s Vision for Werribee Plains initiative, above and beyond separate flood recovery works. This was matched by in-kind support from Parks Victoria, working with local mountain bike clubs, community and school groups and local businesses who enthusiastically donated their time and building materials.

“As part of the works, we’ve installed toilets and worked with volunteers to construct a second picnic shelter and barbeque at Drysdale Rd,” said Mr Whyte.

“The improved facilities at Drysdale Road have helped drive an increase in the number of mountain bike riders from about 5,000 a year in 2003 to more than 100,000 visits a year.”

Geelong Mountain Bike Club President Richard Grant said: “The new infrastructure is such a great asset to the local community.

“It is brilliant to go for a ride and be able to have a BBQ in the new shelters afterwards.”

Other improvements include new picnic facilities, signage and car park upgrades at Big Rock, and a new toilet block at the Western Plantation for horse riders.

The You Yangs Regional Park attracts about 250,000 visitors each year. It is located 55km southwest of Melbourne CBD and 22 km north of Geelong.