The Southern Villages of Exeter, Bundanoon, Penrose and Wingello are uniquely situated on the edge of a spectacular network of gorges as far as the eye can see.
A mixed-use trail connecting the villages would provide an invaluable asset for locals and would offer tourists a multi-day experience with views and surrounds unique to our area.
Benefits for all
The Southern Villages Iconic Trail would be a playground for locals, an invitation for previous visitors and a beacon for those new to the area and the sports that bring them here.
With access points to and from each village the trail could be done in sizeable chunks or, for those looking to push their limits, the 80km+ journey could be completed in a single day.
This Iconic Trail would present new opportunities for local businesses. Cafés, pubs and accommodation providers would benefit from the increased traffic and new markets would open up, not only for bike shops and outdoor equipment retailers, but for support businesses such as tour guides and shuttle services.
By giving an immersive experience through Morton National Park, trail users would gain a greater appreciation of our natural surrounds. Information boards along the trail could mark points of interest and acknowledge locations and events in the history of the Gundangara and Tharawal people.
Feasibility Study
In 2022/2023 Highlands Trails engaged TRC Tourism to develop a feasibility study on the SVIT Project.
The study found that the Southern Villages Iconic Trail would -
Attract between 74-84k visitors per annum to the region
Inject $9-10 million into the local economy per annum
Facilitate 38.3 Full Time Equivalent jobs (FTE) during the planning and construction phase
Facilitate 41-46 FTE in the operational phase
Have a Benefit Cost Ratio of 3.7-2.6 at a 3-10% discount rate range
Read the full feasibility study for the Southern Villages Iconic Trail for more information.
The feasibility study was proudly funded by the NSW Government through the 2022 UCI Legacy Partnership Program. Without this grant, along with the help of Wingecarribee Shire Council, this study would not have been possible.
Keep up-to-date
In the coming weeks we’ll be publishing a proposed route and a plan of action, outlining how you can help turn the Southern Villages Iconic Trail into reality. Sign up below to stay informed.