CENTRAL WEST CYCLING TRAIL TOUR
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CENTRAL WEST CYCLING TRAIL TOUR The woodlands and wheatlands of Central West NSW 3-11 Sep 2022 The Central West This newly established 400km cycle loop that meanders through the backroads of Central West NSW is bound to be a popular addition to the cycle tourist’s bucket list. It takes in well-known historic towns like Mudgee, Gulgong, Wellington and Dubbo, as well as many smaller hamlets along the way. This diverse region is known for wheat, wool and wine and was also part of the 19th century gold rush. The route has been designed to be a peaceful journey through the varied countryside on sealed and unsealed backroads. The locals, who have enthusiastically embraced the trail, are proudly welcoming cyclists to the region with old-fashioned hospitality. They have diversified their culinary offerings to cater to the new visitor group and menus now include healthy ‘cyclist food’ alongside traditional country pub-grub, wines and craft beers. We’ll make sure we don’t miss any of the off-bike attractions that the region is known for including visits to Western Plains Zoo, Old Dubbo Gaol, Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience and Wellington Caves. The Tour at a Glance Dates: 3-11 Sep 2022 (8 nights) Difficulty Rating: 5/10 Start: Mudgee Finish: Mudgee Distance: 406km approx Average Daily: 51km Bike Type: Hybrid, Touring or Gravel bike E-bike: Welcome (conditions apply. See FAQs) Group Size: Small group tour, approx 15-20 Accom: Quality Motels Meals: 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners Weather: September monthly avg approx 20 deg C Surface: Flat to undulating terrain. Sealed & unsealed roads, trails & bike paths. Roads (when applic): Quiet, local, bike-friendly backroads with very little traffic. 16km Hwy section (optional) Who is this tour for? Cyclists looking for a relaxing experience with low-traffic riding, great country scenery and time to enjoy other non-cycling highlights of the regions visited. Let us take care of everything so you can relax, ride and soak up the beauty of the surroundings.
Highlights • A cycling experience with full comfort & support • Dubbo’s Western Plains Zoo • Serene landscapes and quiet roads • Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience & Old Gaol • Comfortable country accommodation • Wellington Caves Visit • Hearty country food, drink & hospitality • Homemade morning teas at Mayfield Homestead & • Optional Rest Day in Dubbo Wongarbon Post Office • Multiple night stays (minimal packing) • Small group camaraderie Join AllTrails on NSW’s newest cycling route For those who prefer the quiet life, this 9-day tour will provide plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in the countryside and enjoy the wildflowers and birdsong. You will cycle through pasture lands, treed nature- trails and the open plains. The ride criss-crosses waterways including the Macquarie River, Cudgegong River, Slap Dash Creek and other small tributaries over all manner of bridges. Take a step back in time as you roll through the small villages contrasted by 4 nights in the big smoke of Dubbo with all its attractions. A day’s cycling through the grounds of the Western Plains Zoo is sure to be a tour highlight! The tour loop will start and finish in Mudgee and to ensure suitable and best accommodation on some daily sections, the AllTrails crew will transfer cyclists to and from our start/finish points when required. We make the experience as smooth as possible, allowing cyclists to enjoy the scenery and charming townships by day, with quality food and accommodation by night.
“I had wanted to ride the Central West Cycle Trail since it first opened in April 2020 and AllTrails gave me the perfect way to do it. Jo and Richard are such wonderful hosts, with nothing being too much trouble. A great group of cyclists made it a wonderful way to see the Central West Of NSW, the slow way. Many favourite experiences though the Goonoo State Forest would have to be the best, in particular the wonderful wild flowers everywhere including a large area of Flannel Flowers in full bloom. This was my first cycle tour with AllTrails and will definitely not be my last!” Jane (NSW) Central West Tour 2021 Pricing AUD Twin share $3550 pp Single room $4190 Included • All accommodation (8 nights) • Rider Pack: jersey, bottle, day-bag • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners • Entry to Dubbo Western Plains Zoo - 2 day ticket • Snacks, water and fruit on the trails • Entry to Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience • Bike mechanical assistance • Entry to Dundullimal Homestead • Transfers to/from each day’s ride • Entry to Old Dubbo Gaol • Support & safety vehicles • Entry to Wellington Caves • Daily maps & directions • Morning Teas Mayfield Homestead & Wongarbon PO Payment Schedule • Deposit on booking ($400) • Progress Payment 30 days after deposit (40% of package cost, less deposit paid) • Balance 3 July 2022 (2 months before tour) Travelling on your own We often have cyclists come on our rides who are travelling alone. If so, you may pay the Single Supplement price to have your own room, or you can put your name on our ‘Twin Share Request List’ and we will pair you with another solo traveller of the same gender in twin share accommodation (if we have another similar request). There is a good chance that we will be able to partner you up with somebody else. If not, the single supp price will apply which will give you your own room for the entire tour. Contact us anytime to have a chat and check twin share availability – we may already have a match for you. Travelling with friends $50 pp discount for groups of 3 or more cyclists. Optional Extras Bike packaging carriage: Most cyclists travelling on a plane generally bring their bike in a cardboard bike carton. If you have a soft bike bag or hard case, we can carry them in our vehicles for the duration of the tour for the following fees: • Collapsible cardboard carton $0 • Soft foldable bike bag ($3/day) $24 • Hard case or unfoldable bag/carton ($5/day) $40 Transport from Sydney to Mudgee (and return): In the AllTrails minibus, Sat 3 Sep & Sun 11 Sep. $50 each way. Long Term Parking – Mudgee: Free public car park behind the Mid Western Regional Council building (Short St) at owner’s risk. Hire bike: If you don’t have a bike, we can put you in contact with one of our bike hire partners and assist in collection and drop off if required. Contact us or make a note on the booking form if you would like to hire a bike for the tour.
Getting to and from the tour Getting there If utilising the AllTrails minibus from Sydney, our meeting place is Sydney Central Station on Sat 3 Sep, departing early at 7:00am. We suggest arriving in Sydney on Fri 2 Sep if you can. For those wishing to drive to Mudgee and spend some extra time in the region either before or after the tour, our Mudgee meeting place is the free car park behind the Mid Western Regional Council building on Short St on Sat at 11:00am. Going Home The tour will officially disband on Sun 11 Sep after breakfast. The AllTrails minibus will depart Mudgee at 9:00am, arriving back at Sydney Central Station at approx. 1:00pm. If flying out of Sydney that day we suggest flights after 4:00pm (and we recommend travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances). Training for the tour This is a moderate tour that is suitable for semi-regular cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness. You will not necessarily need to be a fast rider, but consistent. A Hybrid, Touring or Gravel bike is considered the most suitable style of bike for this tour and you will need to be comfortable riding on gravel surfaces. We do suggest that road-centric cyclists try to get some off-road cycling exposure. For training, cycling local roads (sealed and unsealed) and bike trails are good, or try to get out to a rail trail if you have one nearby (or make a day trip of it). Aim to build your kilometres in training to be on the bike for two days straight, covering approximately 50-60km each day. We have a training schedule specific to this tour which we will send to you after you place your deposit, however we are more than happy to send this to you earlier when you are considering the tour – just ask us for a copy and we will get it out to you straight away.
Itinerary Daily distances are set out below. Shorter distances and support vehicle also available. Meals and Accommodation inclusions: Breakfast = B, Lunch = L, Dinner = D, Accommodation = A Cycling Location Distance Date Overnight B L D A Mudgee to Gulgong 30km Saturday 3 Sep Gulgong - - D A Gulgong to Dunedoo 58km Sunday 4 Sep Gulgong B - D A Dunedoo to Mendooran (opt short route 34km) 52km (or less) Monday 5 Sep Dubbo B - D A Mendooran to Ballimore 53km Tuesday 6 Sep Dubbo B - - A Dubbo Loop (optional rest day) 20km (opt) Wednesday 7 Sep Dubbo B - D A Ballimore to Dubbo 51km Thursday 8 Sep Dubbo B - - A Dubbo to Wellington 64km Friday 9 Sep Wellington B - D A Wellington to Gulgong 78km Saturday 10 Sep Mudgee B - D A Transfer to Sydney (optional extra) NA Sunday 11 Sep Total Distance Cycled 406km 7 0 6 8 Average Daily Distance 51km Itinerary Details Pre-tour – Friday Day 0. If taking the AllTrails minibus transport from Sydney, we suggest arriving in Sydney the day before the tour departs to be ready for an early transfer the following morning. Mudgee to Gulgong - 30km - Saturday - overnight Gulgong Day 1. This morning we will meet riders at Sydney Central Station and transfer by vehicle to Mudgee to rendezvous with those who have driven direct. After welcome, bike setup and lunch, we will ease our way into the tour with a leisurely ride to Gulgong (whose name is derived from the Wiradjuri word for deep waterhole). We will soon find ourselves on quiet roads meandering through pastoral lands as we follow the Cudgegong River. After crossing the Wilbetree Bridge, we’ll get our first taste of gravel, soon followed by gold mining landscapes as we close in on Gulgong which was founded in 1870 during the gold rush era. The town still features much of its 19th century character and you can spend the late afternoon strolling the town and perhaps visiting the Henry Lawson Museum, the Prince of Wales Opera House, the Pioneer Museum or check out the UNESCO listed gold rush photo collection at the Holtermann Museum. No need to rush to fit it all in though as today is only day 1 of our 2 night stay here. Tonight, we celebrate our first day on tour with a group dinner together. Gulgong to Dunedoo - 58km - Sunday - overnight Gulgong Day 2. Ahh, bless your mess and head for the door this morning as there is no need to pack bags on a two-night stay! After a wholesome, cyclists’ breakfast we will roll out of town on quiet sealed roads for 15km before it turns to gravel on a lonely route which no longer carries traffic. This section follows the course of Slap Dash Creek and will require some caution as we navigate some occasional sandy surfaces, but we will be rewarded with a lovely trail that has several creek crossings and should offer some wildlife spotting opportunities. We will stop at Mayfield Homestead in Birriwa where the hosts will serve up a well-deserved morning tea of homemade treats (scones, yum!!). The remainder of today’s ride will be undulating terrain affording us some good long-distance rural views. There are plenty of options for lunch in the small village of Dunedoo (Aboriginal for swan), with various cafes to choose from as well as a bakery, a pie shop and a traditional country pub. We will transfer back to Gulgong (both physically and in time) for another night in this historical town. Dunedoo to Mendooran - 52km (optional short route 34km) - Monday - overnight Dubbo Day 3. After breakfast this morning we transfer back to Dunedoo to take up where we left off yesterday. Today’s route takes in more pastoral landscapes as well as some areas of denser bushland and there will be more pretty creek crossings to enjoy on our way to morning tea at the sleepy hollow of Wongoni. Our short route option will finish here for those who wish to save their legs and for those who may not wish to ride the next 16km of Highway to the edge of the small town of Mendooran, the oldest settlement on the Castlereagh River. There are many murals on the town’s buildings depicting the lives of the early settlers to the region. Once again there is a great choice for lunch and while the local Distillery may not serve food, we’re sure you’ll find something there you’ll like. From Mendooran, we will transfer to our home for the next 4 nights in Dubbo, the biggest city of our tour, where we will take an afternoon trip to the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience to see how this amazing organisation does its vital work.
Itinerary Details cont. Mendooran to Ballimore - 53km - Tuesday - overnight Dubbo Day 4. There will be no bag packing this morning as we return to Dubbo this afternoon. Much of today’s ride will be remote, as we take you through the Goonoo State Forest with its reward of eucalypts, cypress and casuarina providing habitat for mallee fowl, black cockatoos and lizards. A great opportunity to lose yourself in nature and serenity (figuratively, not physically). Have some lunch on arrival in Ballimore at the ‘Hair of the Dog Inn’ before we transfer back to Dubbo in the afternoon and pay a visit to the Heritage listed Old Dubbo Gaol. Dinner is on your own tonight, so have a wander and see where your nose leads you. Dubbo Loop (optional rest day) - 20km - Wednesday - overnight Dubbo Day 5. Have a bit of a sleep in and an extra coffee this morning as today is a very relaxed day. We will be riding a lovely loop of Dubbo which meanders along a bike path close to the Macquarie River. We will make a stop at Dundullimal Homestead which was established by squatters before Dubbo even existed. Continue a further 1.5km to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo where you can cycle, walk or take a safari cart at your leisure through the grounds of this open range sanctuary. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to spend as you like. Shopping, dining, exploring or just relaxing. Today is also an opportunity to take a rest day from the bike altogether if you wish and make your own plans. Ballimore to Dubbo - 51km - Thursday - overnight Dubbo Day 6. This morning we will transfer back to Ballimore to complete the route from there into Dubbo. We will pass through Wongarbon in the morning where we will stop for another homemade morning tea at the Wongarbon Post Office, which is becoming known among passing cyclists for its perfect scones (yum, yum, more scones!!). After completing the ride to Dubbo you may wish to take advantage of your 2-day Taronga Western Plains Zoo pass for some more time in this excellent facility. Dinner will be on your own again tonight which provides a great last opportunity to visit anything you may have missed in Dubbo before our 4-night stay comes to an end. Dubbo to Wellington - 64km - Friday - overnight Wellington Day 7. Pack your bags this morning, we’re moving out! We will re-trace our steps back to Wongarbon this morning before continuing on towards Wellington. A climb up Red Hill Road will be rewarded with magnificent views across the western plains before we descend into the village of Geurie to regroup at morning tea. The second leg into Wellington will take us across the Macquarie River via an old timber truss bridge. On arrival in Wellington we will transfer by vehicle to visit the stunning Wellington Caves, where megafauna fossils (including a giant kangaroo) were unearthed in 1830, attracting the attention of Charles Darwin. Wellington to Gulgong - 78km - Saturday - overnight Mudgee Day 8. Your final ride today will be the longest, but you will be so fit by now you won’t even notice! The final section of the loop will pass through small villages at Goolma and Beryl, along the Cudgegong River and a large solar farm. Our finish in Gulgong will be a return to familiar surrounds, so you will have no problems in knowing where the locals go for the best lunch in town. We will transfer to the larger centre of Mudgee, for our final night of accommodation and our very special farewell group dinner (tip – wear loose pants). Transfer to Sydney - Sunday Day 9. After our last breakfast as a group, we say our goodbyes… parting is such sweet sorrow. Those on the AllTrails minibus will depart at 9am for arrival at Sydney Central Station at approx. 1pm. For anyone with a car in Mudgee you can of course wave goodbye from your dreams as you have a sleep in and continue to enjoy the attractions of the stunning Central West.
Frequently asked Questions Feel free to contact us at any time through our website ‘Contact Us’ page, phone or email if your question is not answered here. What sort of bike do I need? Just a regular hybrid, touring or gravel bike is best for this tour. As there is a mix of sealed and unsealed roads, tyre selection will be important and we strongly recommend good semi off-road tyres. Tubeless tyres with puncture sealant would be particularly useful (against Three Corner Jacks) or alternatively for those with tubular tyres, the use of ‘Slime’ tubes will be a very wise choice. A hardtail MTB could be ridden but will be slow and heavy on sealed roads. Again, tyre selection will be important if considering a MTB and we would definitely not recommend use of full off-road tyres. There is no terrain where full suspension is required. Ebikes Because Ebikes are always welcome on AllTrails tours, we now have special Ebike carrying racks that can accommodate their unique size and weight, keeping your bike safe when we need to transport it. Our racks (and staff) can carry (lift) bikes weighing up to a maximum 25kg (battery removed). The racks carry the bike in a vertical position with the front wheel nestled in a cradle, meaning that any front wheel/fork accessories such as pack racks, panniers or mudguards must be removed prior to coming on tour. Do I need to be an experienced off-road rider? You don’t need to be an off-road specialist or have any MTB experience, although you will need to be comfortable riding on uneven gravel surfaces. We do suggest that road-centric cyclists make an effort to do some training off-road (see ‘training’ information). There are small variations of difficulty from day to day, however the vast majority are an easy grade. Anything perceived otherwise is always optional. Accommodation on our tours We always try to obtain great accommodation in the best location for you to rest your weary head (and legs) in each town whether it be a motel, hotel, B&B, resort, cabins or lodge. We aim for 4 star where possible and also take into account the welcoming cycle- friendly and group-friendly nature of accommodations. On occasion we travel through some very small towns where accommodation is extremely limited. If for whatever reason, such as limited options, a room is below normal standard, we strive to improve this with an extra good room the next night or nights following. Sharing rooms – how does it work On the online entry form you can nominate any travelling companions who you would like to share a room with and/or be accommodated close to so that couples or friends can be grouped together. This can be in a double bed or twin beds. If you are travelling alone like many of our riders, a Single Supplement price is available for those who would like their own room for the whole trip. If you wish to share a room as a solo traveller, you can put your name down on a Twin Share Request List and we will try to match you up. If you are a snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow roommates, we ask that you book your own room at the Single Supplement price. Room types for solo travellers TWIN: If you are coming on your own and have booked in as twin share, this usually means that you will share a room with one other single twin share cyclist or crew member, however in some cases we may have larger rooms (eg. two-bedroom apartment or a B&B/house with multiple bathrooms) where we may have 3 or more single twin share travellers together. SINGLE: A Single Supplement booking usually means your own room with ensuite. On very rare occasions when we travel through small towns or we are limited in accommodation options for any reason single supplement bookers may share a larger unit/house/lodge with other single travellers of the same gender. You will have your own room but not necessarily your own ensuite. What sorts of people join our tours? People from all parts of Australia and some overseas guests. Ages generally range from 35-85 with the average age about 50-65 years old. Adventurous cyclists usually about 40% women & 60% men with a mix of singles, friends and couples. Non-riding partners and part-time cyclists We realise that often our riders want to spend their holidays with loved ones who may not be a keen cyclist as they are - we are happy to accommodate non-riding partners and part-timers who only want to ride part of each day, or only certain days. We will generally try to allocate pickup points along the route every day. The entry price will be the same for part-time riders, while non-rider prices will be dependent on their tour plan. Carrying personal items on the bike We suggest you carry a spare tube, a full water bottle and your own personal goods such as phone, money and rain gear, on your bike with you. We transport your luggage, drawstring day bags, food & extra water. A more detailed list of things to bring and not bring is on our ‘Tour Preparation Guide’ which is sent out to you before the ride.
Frequently asked Questions cont.
Meals and food
Always a big part of any cycling holiday! Check tour details for meal inclusions on your ride. Our emphasis is on fresh food and
balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, fruit and vegies catering for a cycling holiday. We successfully cater to most
dietary requirements, however feel free to contact us with any questions. Some meals are included as part of this tour; however you
will be required to purchase some meals.
Changing or cancelling a tour
Should you wish to change your booking with AllTrails to a different tour, there will be a very reasonable service charge. We try to
keep this figure as low as possible to allow flexibility where we can as we want to make sure that you get on the right tour for you. If
you need to cancel your tour, a travel insurance policy will cover cancellation fees due to most unforeseen events. This is why we
provide links to travel insurance options and highly recommend that you investigate and purchase travel insurance for all our rides
(including Australian domestic tours) at the time of deposit and ensure that it includes coverage for cancellation fees if for some
reason you are not able to travel (see Travel Insurance FAQ). For our international tours we require all participants to have Travel
Insurance to assist you in the event of a medical emergency, lost baggage, personal liability, cancelled tour or other trip-related
issues. For cancellation and refund policies for your tour click the ‘Book This Tour’ button on the relevant tour page of our website.
Speak to a past client
We are happy to give you the names and telephone numbers of people who have participated in the ride or a similar ride to the one
which you are considering. Where possible we will provide you with the details of someone within your state. Another good place to
look is our ‘Testimonials’ page.
Support vehicle
Our support vehicle is there to support the tour and to pick up riders who need to jump in for any reason. The bus is also sometimes
used for part-time riders who only ride certain sections of each day. Note that on this tour there could be times when the support
vehicle cannot get to a cyclist (for example if the cyclists is on a rail trail section with no vehicle access). We won’t leave you
stranded though! We’ll work out the closest point to meet you and even ride in on a bike to meet you if required.
Bike mechanical assistance provided
A staff member with good bike mechanical knowledge will be part of our crew and will have a stand pump for different valves. We
will have limited parts available for replacement which will be charged at shop prices. Labour is free for the first fifteen minutes,
there after costs may be incurred at the mechanic’s discretion. Cyclists with rare or different bikes are asked to contact us at AllTrails
as parts can often be difficult to obtain. We also ask that all cyclists have a maintenance check done on their bike at a bike shop
before the tour. In particular because not all cycling routes will have vehicle access for our mechanic to attend breakdowns. Do
whatever you can to reduce the chance of mechanical failure on tour. A stitch in time…
Packing tips
We recommend you bring a soft bag or backpack if possible, rather than a suitcase which can be bulky, difficult to stow on board
vehicles and heavy. You may be required to lift or carry your own luggage from time to time, e.g. into accommodation. We expect
your bag to be no heavier than 15kg, making it easy to manage for you and the staff. Any excess luggage may need to be stored or
forwarded on to your destination at your own expense. Information about what to pack is included as part of your pre-departure
information. Generally, we advise that you pack as light as possible.
Why book with us?
We only run 10-15 tours per year, always adding fresh destinations each year. This makes every tour as
special to us as it is to you because we are not operating the same rides repeatedly week-in week-out and
we are just as excited to be there as you. On most occasions the owner-operators of the business will be on
tour with you and the reassurance that comes with that is one of many great reasons to have confidence in
booking your cycling holiday with us.
We are a proud Australian-owned company, with the privilege of taking cyclists to the small towns and
communities all over the country, supporting regional economies and offering cyclists the opportunity to
experience the hospitality of Australia outside the big cities. We have earned a top reputation in the cycle
tour industry through hard work, dedication and genuine care for every person on every tour. Our
longevity in the industry and large community of loyal AllTrails clients who keep coming back year after
year are testament to the high standard of tours that we provide. We consider ourselves the best in the
business and we always make sure that our tours represent a high-quality product at a fair price.
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