The Hunter Valley town of Dungog is experiencing an unexpected tourism boom thanks to a new mountain bike trail.
The mountain biking flow track was built on the town common this year with a state government tourism infrastructure grant.
But the 'blue', intermediate-level track was only open for a couple of weeks when coronavirus restrictions shut it down.
Since reopening last month, it's attracted hordes of riders, leading to a surprise economic revival for local business.
"One café told us that their takings are up 300 per cent on the same time last year, it's just been amazing," said Kate Murphy, chair of the Dungog Common Recreation Reserve.
"The buzz in town is great, the little shops are opening longer and selling more.
"As something as a recovery from the COVID close down, it's just been magical for our town, it's been brilliant."
Ms Murphy, who is also a local councillor, said the local biking group Ride Dungog had warned her that the track would be popular, but she had no idea just how successful it would be.
"It was a real shock to us, I mean a great shock, a really happy shock," she said.
"We're sort of riding a little bit of a roller coaster at the moment trying to get the infrastructure to catch up with the popularity, but look, we just think it's wonderful."
Plans for more tracks
The administrators of the Dungog Common are now scrambling to build toilet facilities to cater for large number of visitors.
They have also fast tracked the construction of a second 'green' flow track for beginners. The first half is complete and opened just before school holidays.
There are also plans for a further two flow tracks in the long-term.
Sarah U'Brien, manager of the Dungog Community Centre, said everyone in the town was embracing the new sport and pleased by the track's impact.
"We've now got a new business that's opening up in town, a new bike shop, that's going to do custom made frames as well as have standard stock in the shop," she said.
"So we're really, really excited to have another business open up, but also that supports such a fabulous local and tourist product in our community, it's just sensational."
Ms U'Brien said the local brewery was even on board offering bikers puncture repair kits.
"So you can get a beer and a blow-out kit at the same time, which is a really nice combination," she said.
"You can fix the bike and have a drink and get back out there."
