Tour
Details:
Join
Bushranger Bikes for 8 nights/9 days of some 'Awesome
Autumn' cycling on the
High Country Rail Trail, Murray to Mountains
Rail Trail and the new Great Victorian Rail Trail
in the North Eastern Victoria in May 2021.
These trails are marketed as Australia’s Premier Rail Trails,
for many reasons, and live up to them all.
You
can expect crisp clear skies, clean fresh air, unbelievable
Autumn colours, views and scenery unmatched anywhere else
in Australia, all to be enjoyed from your bike.
Remote, rural, thriving regional towns and fun communities -
the
region is steeped in the history of Australian Bushranger
folk law and the beautiful towns alone are worth a visit to this
region. Today
this region of Victoria is also famous for its fresh local produce,
including numerous vineyards and their award winning wines,
and you will have the opportunity to sample these delights
as you ‘cycle the trails’.
This tour commences out of
Wangaratta with the first night in Rutherglen and a
chance to ride a section of the rail trail that
runs to Wahgunyah on the Murray
River and the NSW boarder.
This includes some great
cycling on the trails on both sides
of the Murray River around the
boarder town of Corowa and back over
Federation Bridge to the very
impressive All Saints vineyard -
approx. 25kms. We jump back on the bikes at Lake Hume Dam and
take a cruisy cycle on the High Country Rail
Trail which connects Wodonga and
Old Tallangatta,
following the shore of Lake Hume for
approximately 35kms. A
highlight will be a ride across the Dam wall and the new
bridge across Sandy Inlet.
We will relocate to Bright
at the top of the Alpine Valley, there should be a chance
for a quick look around town in the afternoon/evening,
before we are on the bikes the next morning to tackle the
Murray to Mountain Rail Trail. We will ride
through to the Everton Station site (approx. 55kms), and
then divert up the branch line (16kms) to Beechworth on the
range.
Beechworth which has retained all of its historical
buildings and landmarks including the Courthouse and Jail,
made famous by Ned Kelly.
The scenery and shopping are great and there is plenty to
see both walking and cycling around town.
We spend two nights in Beechworth as everyone from previous tours felt one night
just wasn't enough to see the sights and check out the
shops! There will also be some local cycling options
to explore including riding the Beechworth Gorge road and
taking in some of the local history.
Back
down the trail for some gravity assisted fun to Everton
where we will take the next section of the
Murray to Mountains and some back roads and cycle our
way to gourmet Milawa for a night. This section of the
ride might include a loop through Wangaratta if time and
energy levels are okay - up to 65kms. There will be time
to check out some of the local produce and maybe a visit to
iconic Brown Brothers winery.
Then it's a fantastic transfer
through to Mansfield with some
awesome alpine scenery or Kelly Gang
history along the way, more
vineyards and onto the Great
Victorian Rail Trail
- 130kms plus of great backcountry
rail trail and some magic cycling.
Highlights are the alpine scenery,
Lake Eildon, the remote feeling of
the trail, bridges &
tunnels, interesting rural towns
and vibrant communities.
The
tour is a
Grade 2
(easy
to intermediate)
and
runs over nine easily paced days commencing with a pickup at Wangaratta.
The tour
finishes in Tallarook or Mansfield and Bushranger Bikes can/will arrange a train
transfer from Melbourne to Wangaratta for the tour start
and back to Melbourne from Tallarook or Benalla as required.
Alternative
arrangements can be discussed.
For those
travelling from Brisbane, Bushranger may be able to transport your bike
and some of your gear to and from Victoria in the van and
trailer to make your trip just a little easier.
Itinerary:
The full itinerary including accommodation,
meals and distances between accommodation points is
available upon request. If
you would like more details please e-mail
Bushranger Bikes (info@bushrangerbikes.com.au)
and I will send you the information pack for
this brilliant trip.
What is included?
·
Accommodation –
8 nights – share basis, quality
accommodation;
·
Most meals - some lunches, and morning
afternoon tea, coffee drinks etc. are at own expense;
·
Train transfers within
Victoria - Melbourne/Wangaratta and Seymour/Melbourne as required;
·
All guiding and support including mechanical
advice/assistance etc.;
·
Vehicle support – including the option to carry the wine and
other goods purchased along the way!
·
Advice on packing and what to bring;
·
Advice on training and some preparation rides;
· Good company and lots of fun!
·
Bikes and equipment can be provided – contact for options
and cost.
What you need to organise?
-
Airfares or transport to and from Melbourne
(airport/railway station) to
meet the start of the tour and finish of the
tour as required (other options can be discussed);
-
Some lunches, morning and afternoon tea etc. as above;
-
Bike and cycling gear (or hire from Bushranger Bikes);
-
All your gear, clothing etc.
-
Travel insurance.
What’s it cost?
The cost of this tour is
from A$3050* (incl. GST) per person with
inclusions as detailed above. Single supplement is
$575.
What do I need to do to book my place on the
tour?
Places on this tour are
usually limited to six to ten people.
Please contact Bushranger Bikes (info@bushrangerbikes.com.au) to arrange for a booking
form to be sent to you.
