Inside the Venue: Macleay Valley

There’s no arguing that the ultimate weekend getaway combines riding and road-tripping, and the 2026 Transmoto 8-Hour at Macleay Valley, NSW, powered by Husqvarna Motorcycles nails both. Set on a private 650-acre property just 20km northwest of Kempsey on NSW’s Mid North Coast, the venue boasts some of the loamiest, rock-free alluvial soil on Australia’s eastern seaboard, with a 16km race loop weaving through flowing grasstrack and tree-lined trail.

Off the bike, the Macleay Valley region delivers just as hard – offering historic river towns, wineries, national parks and nearby beaches that make it a road-tripper’s dream. Race it or ride it, roll out a motocross weapon or trail sled, or turn it into a surf-and-moto weekend with your mates, or bring the whole fam’ as we’ve got our dedicated 6-8km non-competitive Juniors and Ladies Loop held on Saturday (March 21) before Sunday’s 8-Hour.

From its loamy terrain to its road-trip-worthy surrounds, here’s the full lowdown on this year’s Transmoto 8-Hour at Macleay Valley, NSW…

HISTORY:

The Transmoto 8-Hour was first staged at this venue in 2024. It was canned in 2025 due to the destructive mid-year floods in the Kempsey region. Hence Macleay Valley coming out of the blocks as the first event on the 2026 calendar.

LOCATION: 

The host venue is on a private property that’s situated just 20km northwest of Kempsey (about an hour’s drive south of Coffs Harbour) in the Mid North Coast region of NSW.

TERRAIN: 

This 650-acre patch of fertile terra firma boasts some of the loamiest (and rock-free!) alluvial soil on Australia’s eastern seaboard, with its 16km race loop weaving through a mesmerizing combo of tree-lined trail and flowing grasstrack. With very little elevation change, the race loop is all about stringing together flowing flat turns rather than battling hillclimbs or technical sections.

THE REGION:

 The Macleay Valley region – originally established as a timber and dairy hub, and famous for being home to Aussie icons, Slim Dusty and the Akubra hat – retains many of its historic buildings as a vestige of its past. These days, the area is best known for its wineries, its picturesque townships and eateries on the banks of the Macleay River, its abundance of national parks, and its proximity to the beautiful beaches of the Macleay Valley Coast.

JUNIORS & LADIES LOOP: 

A special 6-8km non-competitive Juniors/Ladies Loop will also run on Saturday, March 21, at the 2026 Transmoto 8-Hour at Macleay Valley, so bring the whole family.

Keen to get on the throttle at the Transmoto 8-Hour at Macleay Valley, NSW, powered by Husqvarna? Entries are on sale now!