newy.com.au – Dungog Pedalfest will host the NSW Penny Farthing State Championships during a revamped three-day cycling festival from 18 to 20 September 2026.
A new organising committee is preparing the event, combining competitive racing with social rides and family activities. Free unpowered camping will be available for participants at Dungog Showground as organisers seek to attract visitors from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and across the Hunter.
The festival will raise funds for Dungog Palliative Care and the Dungog Youth Initiative, giving the cycling weekend a role in supporting local services.
The program begins with Cycle Speedway under lights at Dungog Showground at 5.30pm on Friday, 18 September. Saturday’s events include the NSW Penny Farthing State Championships and the Ride Dungog Flow Track Race for mountain bikers.
There will also be a chance to try riding a penny-farthing at 11am on Saturday. Other social, family-friendly and competitive cycling activities are planned across the weekend, with organisers seeking to cater for different ages, abilities and bike types.
Event manager Nic McLaughlin said the festival was intended for spectators and casual riders as well as those wanting to race.
“You can race, ride socially, watch the action, bring the family or just soak up the atmosphere,” he said.
The new committee is seeking to revitalise what it describes as a longstanding fixture on the local cycling calendar, while retaining its mix of conventional racing and unusual bikes.
For visitors staying overnight, free unpowered camping for Pedalfest participants will be available at the showground on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Powered sites will cost $10 a night.
The showground has toilets and showers and will be the venue for much of the weekend’s activity. Dungog is also accessible by train from Newcastle.
“Dungog is close enough for a day trip, but we think people should make a weekend of it,” McLaughlin said.
