Local government officials and community leaders will get a firsthand look at the proposed Town to Googik Link Trail this Saturday, when Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie hosts a VIP Ride Through of the route.
Participants will ride the 3.4 km proposed trail from the Port Macquarie CBD to the start of the Googik Track, getting a taste of what the finished link could look like.
The Town to Googik Link Trail, initiated by Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie, aims to boost tourism and recreation opportunities by creating a walking and cycling trail between the CBD and the Googik Track.
Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie President Felicity Forth said the ride was a chance to show decision makers and key user groups what the proposal means on the ground.
“It’s a beautiful ride to a beautiful part of the world and the great thing is 90% of the work has already been done,” she said.
“To complete this trail, we just need around 320 m of footpath to be upgraded to a shared path and of course, signage to show people the way,” Ms Forth said.
“We’re excited to be able to show everyone from Robert Dwyer MP, to local councillors, managers of tourism businesses, to user groups such as Port Pacers and disability advocates, what an awesome opportunity this trail presents.”
The ride follows a unanimous vote by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in favour of staff investigating the proposed trail further.
“It was wonderful to see not one but 5 different councillors speak in support of the Town to Googik Trail at Thursday’s council meeting. That was a real endorsement,” Ms Forth said.
“This is an important step towards getting the project off the ground,” she said.
The motion, moved by Cr Mark Hornshaw, calls on council to report back to the September 2026 Ordinary Council meeting on how the proposed route aligns with council’s adopted Walking and Cycling Plan, the funding and delivery status of each link in the proposal, and potential funding sources for the project.
Cr Hornshaw said the proposal was a relatively low-cost way to open up tourism and recreational potential while filling a vital gap in the Port Macquarie cycle network.
“I have a lot of time for people who actually want to ride bikes, and want somewhere safe and enjoyable to ride. By completing this missing link, it facilitates a vast network of cyclable paths that barely interact with the road network,” he said.
Cr Hornshaw said the trail could also bring students from four schools into the CBD, and said the proposal had broad public support and no public opposition to date.
“By providing one report that acknowledges our in-principle support, lack of funding, and high-level cost estimate all in one document, it allows community members who want to see this completed to apply their own efforts towards seeking funding from other levels of government,” he said.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan stated in a letter of support that in-principle backing from council would help his office pursue federal funding options.
“Should this receive in-principle support from Council, this would assist my office in exploring potential Federal Government funding opportunities which may support the project’s delivery,” Mr Conaghan wrote.
Ms Forth said completing the trail could open up a new walking and cycling experience for tourists and locals alike.
“People love to ride their bikes, but in Port Macquarie, there is no safe legal way to access the city centre from the suburbs.”
“The Googik Track is a fantastic but underutilised asset. Once complete, people will be able to cycle or walk 11 km from town through Lake Innes Nature Reserve to The Point Drive entirely off road,” she said.
“If the proposed NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service extension of the Googik Track to Lake Cathie goes ahead, this proposed trail would help create a 24 km walking and cycling track between the two towns.”
“What a massive tourism drawcard for the region.”
Ms Forth said the proposed trail already had widespread community support.
“We already have the support of Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, our state and federal MPs (Robert Dwyer and Pat Conaghan), National Parks and major tourism businesses like the Port Macquarie NRMA Breakwall Holiday Park. The response from social media has also been incredibly positive.”
“With the support of council, we could have a fantastic new tourism and recreational asset for our town.”
The ride starts at 9 am on Saturday from the picnic shelter at the north west end of Short Street, with participants riding to the Googik Track and back while Better By Bicycle members point out features of the proposed path along the way. The ride is expected to finish around 10.30 am, with Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie members providing morning tea for participants.
Gordon Street Cycles and Port Macquarie NRMA Breakwall Holiday Park will provide bikes and e-bikes for participants.
Those attending and available for comment include Robert Dwyer, Cr Nik Lipovac, Cr Mark Hornshaw, Cr Hamish Tubman, NRMA Breakwall Holiday Park manager Kathryn Hair, a Port Pacers representative, Gordon Street Cycles’ Darcy, wheelchair and adaptive bike user Glen Clarke, and disability advocate and wheelchair user Sarah Eade.
“With the support of council, we could have a fantastic new tourism and recreational asset for our town,” Ms Forth said.
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