Accommodation/Travel

The Scout Camp is the nerve centre of the Mt Keira Downhill Challenge.  The Scout Camp is located on the hill and we encourage all competitors to stay here - it will make your experience convenient and eliminate travel to and from the hill.  The camp will have a rider's entertainment area, logfire circle and some great hang-out areas.

Click here to check out the Scout Camp.

Camping

All registered riders, staff and volunteers will receive free camping accommodation and a basic breakfast on track at the Mt Keira Scout Camp.  You will need to bring your own camping equipment.  Campsites are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Lodge accommodation

If you're not a camper and would rather have a bed to sleep in, the Scout Camp also has lodge accommodation in the Chalet.  For an additional fee of $80 per person you will get 4 nights in a bed in one of the Scout Camp's lodges.  These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Beds will be allocated randomly.  We will do our best to consider roommate requests but make no promises.  Bed spaces are limited so book in early.  There are 40 beds available in the Chalet in four rooms, ten beds per room.  These are nice rooms with a view of the Gong. 

Please note you need to bring your own sleeping bag/blanket and pillow.

Friends and Families
Accommodation is also available at the Scout Camp for families and friends of riders and will require the purchase of a security wrist band for $20.  Both adults and children will require this wristband. This will enable you to camp for 4 nights in the staff and competitor areas, or you can book into the Chalet for an additional $80 (see above).  When you arrive at the event, proceed to the check-in area and we will provide you with the purchased wristbands.

Access to Scout Camp

All visitors to the Scout Camp, whether they are staying there or not, and whether they are a competitor or not, are required to have a wristband.  Competitors receive a wristband for free; all other friends and family members are required to purchase a wristband for $20 - please see above.

Other places to stay
There are many places to stay in the Wollongong and Illawarra area, additional off-track accommodation can be found here.

Getting There
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DRIVE:

Wollongong and Mt Keira are located roughly 1hr south of Sydney. The fastest route from Sydney is down the Princes highway.

TRAIN:

CityRail provides regular services from Central station to Wollongong every 30-45mins. Trains services to Wollongong take about 1.5 hrs and run via the South Coast Line.>South Coast Timetable

FLY:

If you are flying into Sydney Airport you can get a train from the Airport to Wolli Creek and change for a regular train service to Wollongong.South Coast Timetable

Camping

All registered riders will have camping accommodation available on track at Mt Panorama for 4 nights for a flat fee of $25.  You will need to bring your own camping equipment.  Campsites are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.  The camping area is in McPhillamy Park, similar to previous years.

Staff and volunteers will receive free camping accommodation on track at Mt Panorama.

(Note: The festival organisers have let us know that the camp ground area is a No Alcohol zone.  There will be a VIP tent with a bar where you can drink but you may not be able to take alcohol into the camping area.)

Lodge accommodation

If you're not a camper and would rather have a bed to sleep in, we highly recommend staying at the Bathurst Goldfields hotel, located just by Forest Elbow.  Options are rooms in the motel area or bunk-bed style dorm accommodation. 

Rates are as follows:

• Motel: $126/night. Room can sleep king + 2 singles for 4 singles.
• Cabin:$126/night. 1 queen bed, 1 set of bunks and 1 single bed.
• Dorm: $30 per bed per night.  Linen supplied.

Contact Goldfields directly to make your booking by phone (+61 2 6332 2022) or email (info@bathurstgoldfields.com.au).  Let them know that you are a competitor at Newton's Nation and are after a room or bed.

Friends and family

Camping is available on track at McPhillamy Park for all friends and family of competitors at the same price of $25 flat fee for 4 nights.

Other places to stay

If you do not want to stay on the mountain there are many places to stay in the Bathurst area, additional on and off-track accommodation can be found here.

Getting There

 
View Larger Map  

DRIVE:

Bathurst and Mount Panorama are located roughly 2.5 hours west of Sydney. The fastest route is through the Blue Mountains on the Great Western Highway. Bathurst also has a direct route to the ACT via Cowra and Boorowa. It takes around 3.5 hours to get to Canberra.

TRAIN:

Countrylink has daily XPT trains to Bathurst from Sydney Central with selected stops in between. Travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.

CityRail trains travel to Lithgow numerous times during the day, and passengers can book to continue to Bathurst via Coach. Prior bookings for coaches are essential and seats do fill up.

Both train and coaches stop at the Bathurst Railway Station, located at the bottom of Keppel Street. Local buses and taxi are available ferry passengers to a desired location.
Countrylink website
CityRail website

FLY:

Bathurst has a medium-sized regional airport located at the outlying suburb of Raglan, roughly 10 minutes from the Bathurst CBD. Regional Express (or REX) services Bathurst twice daily. Flight time is approximately 40mins depending on weather.

Local buses and taxis are available to ferry passengers to a desired location. The airport also has rent-a-car companies based there for those booking a hire car for the duration of their stay.
Regional Express website
Bathurst Taxis Phone: (02) 6331 4794.