Victoria (pop 5.6 million), Australia’s smallest mainland state, has a wonderfully diverse range of natural attractions in its relatively small size. It has an amazing thirty National Parks, a superb coast line – the Great Ocean Road – and to help you enjoy your après ride meal, about 200 wineries. It is ideally suited to cycle touring, having an increasing network or cycle trails.
We leave the city on a cycle way that follows the Yarra River and head for the Victorian Alps where we bike for a day on a dedicated cycle way as we make our way to Mt Buffalo. Nearby Bright, in the Ovens Valley at the foothills of the Alps is where we have a rest day. Beechworth, our next stop, is a living legacy of the goldrush days with many fine granite buildings. From nearby Rutherglen we drive to Bendigo for the second half of the tour. We continue west to Grampians National Park, known for its aboriginal Cultural Centre, from where we take a network of minor roads to the coast at Port fairy. The final part of our tour is along the magnificent Great Ocean Road and back to Melbourne.
Accommodation: The style varies from comfortable motels to boutique hotels and chalets in a vineyard.
The Victoria 17 day tour can be done in two shorter sections:
DAY 1 MELBOURNE.
There is much to see and do in Melbourne. There is an excellent bike path to South Melbourne, which runs along the coast to St Kilda.
Day 2 NARBETHONG.
Leave busy Melbourne on the 33.5km Yarra Bike trail following the river and through several parks to Westerfolds Park, then by back roads to the wine-growing region of Yarra Glen for lunch. Finish the day with a challenging climb over the Black Spur in the Yarra Ranges National Park.
Day 3 MANSFIELD.
A day winding through the open Victorian farmland.
Day 4 WANGARATTA.
A lovely climb on a quiet road up the edge of the alpine range before a long, gentle descent beside the King River to Wangaratta.
Day 5 + 6 BRIGHT.
A unique day’s riding entirely on a sealed rail trail through magnificent countryside.
On your rest day, take an optional trip to Mt Buffalo. We will take you to the top of Mt Buffalo and leave you to enjoy the 30 km descent by bike.
Day 7 BEECHWORTH.
The day starts with an 8 km climb to Tawonga Gap (895m), which offers rewarding views of Mt Beauty. It is followed by a superb descent into the scenic Kiewa Valley and a more gentle climb to the quaint old gold town of Yackandandah.
Day 8 BENDIGO.
Downhill all the way to Chiltern for a quick coffee, then an easy flat ride to Rutherglen for wine tasting. Meet at the Rutherglen Information Centre for the approx. 270km van ride to Bendigo.
Day 9 MOONABEL.
It’s a long but relatively easy ride through ironbark, gum-lined rural roads, with several old, very attractive gold mining towns for refreshment en route.
Day 10 HALLS GAP.
Pleasant rural countryside to Stawell, then a wooded flat road with ever-nearing views of the Grampians.
Day 11 DUNKELD.
This morning, we take a walk in the Grampians Wonderland and visit the Brambuck Aboriginal Centre.
We descend along the Wannon River valley, which offers spectacular views of the Serra, Mt William, and Mt Abrupt ranges.
Day 12 + 13 PORT FAIRY.
Ride over the open countryside on tiny back roads through sheep and cattle country to the historic seaside town of Port Fairy.
Day 14 PORT CAMPBELL.
The day starts with a magnificent ride on a coastal bike path across the dunes and finishes with a stunning clifftop ride into Port Campbell. Along the way, we will take a quiet back road to the attractive Childers Cove Bay for a morning break.
Day 15 APOLLO BAY.
We travel through a wide variety of scenery, ranging from majestic coastal rock formations to the rain forest of the Otway National Parks ranges. It is a hilly but very rewarding day.
Day 16 + 17 MELBOURNE.
The epitome of an ocean road. Any closer, you will be riding in the surf. Magnificent coastal riding and beaches.
Accommodation: The style varies from comfortable motels to boutique hotels and chalets in a vineyard.
