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Bikepacking to Mackeys Hut after the Fires

Route on ridewithgps.com
Photos by @JonHarris_photography
Illustration by @leeleebefrank

1 minute

After the fires of summer 2020 had passed, much of the Australian landscape was left scorched and suffering. Just before winter hit, Jon pedalled into Northern Kosciuszko National Park to see the devastation and regrowth first-hand. This trip was also his first bikepacking experience – a 70km out-and-back to Mackey’s Hut.

crossing the Eucumbene river near Denisons Campground
crossing the Eucumbene river near Denisons Campground on a bikepacking trip
bikepacking through a forest in the Jagungal Wilderness
burnt trees in Kosciuszko National Park after the fires, taken during a bikepacking trip
burnt trees in Kosciuszko National Park after the fires, taken during a bikepacking trip
bikepacking through a forest in the Jagungal Wilderness
eating lunch while cycling through the Jagungal Wilderness
Mt Jagungal from a distance through burnt trees
bikepacking rider in the Jagungal Wildernss
hike a bike, bikepacking in the Jagungal Wilderness
Mackeys Hut, also known as Mackeys Hut, a historic hut in the Jagungal Wilderness
bikepacking in the Jagungal Wilderness
bikepacking through a forest in the Jagungal Wilderness

Starting at Denisons Campground, this route follows Tolbar Road and Grey Mare Fire Trail towards Mackeys Hut. After a changeable river crossing, the first half of the bikepacking route is smooth gravel, followed by the more recognisable Jagungal trails of grassy, rough challenging terrain.

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