GOULBURN RIVER TRAIL Yarra Ranges & Lake Eildon Great Victorian Rail Trail Yellowbelly Track - AllTrails Bicycle Tours
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GOULBURN RIVER TRAIL
Yarra Ranges & Lake Eildon
Great Victorian Rail Trail
Yellowbelly Track
The Goulburn is Victoria’s largest river basin, covering over 1.6 million ha or 7.1 percent of the state. The Goulburn
River flows for 570 km from the Great Dividing Range upstream of Woods Point to the Murray River east of Echuca.
It is an iconic heritage river because of its environmental, Aboriginal cultural heritage and recreational values. It also
has some wonderful tracks, rail trails and quiet country lanes that follow the meandering flow of the river as it
makes its way to the Murray. A relaxing route through beautiful Australian countryside dotted with Victorian
country towns big and small - let’s ride.
The Tour at a Glance
Dates: 15-23 October 2022 (9 days) Days: Saturday to Sunday
Distance: 450km Average Daily: 56km
Bike Type: Hybrid preferred (wide tyres, front suspension). Gravel and Mountain bike ok
E-bike?: Welcome (conditions apply, refer FAQ’s) Skill: Comfortable offroad with basic loose/bumpy surfaces
Group Size: 15-20 approx Difficulty Rating: 5/10
Meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 morning teas, 3 lunches, 7 dinners Deposit: $400pp
Terrain & Surfaces: Flat to undulating. Roads are Sealed (35%) and unsealed (24% loose gravel & clay). Compacted gravel rail trail
(28%). Clay tracks (13%) have some potholes and wheel ruts but generally good/smooth ride lines around any potential hazards.
Accom: 4-star accom where available, with quality motels with good small-town hospitality in smaller towns.
Who is this tour for? Cyclists looking for a relaxing experience with low-traffic cycling and classic ‘Australian bush’ scenery.
Highlights
• Very little traffic and gentle terrain • Quality accommodation all the way
• Long & short ride options (or take a day off!) • Time available to enjoy other local attractions
• Full support with morning teas set up en-route • All breakfasts and most dinners included
• Kerrisdale Railway & Museum visit • Tabilk Winery visit & Tabilk-Tabilk Indigenous Flora Trail
• Support vehicle available if you’ve had enough cycling • Luxurious stay at Mitchelton Winery & Hotel
• AllTrails tours - unmatched group camaraderie and service • Paddlesteamer dinner cruise
• Visit Yarra Ranges NP, Lake Eildon, Mansfield, Nagambie, Shepparton, Echuca…not to mention, the serenity of Bonnie Doon
Take the low road. Take the slow road. Deep in the Yarra Ranges National Park springs a source of water from underneath the Great Dividing Range. Its unassuming and casual exit from the ground is a sign of things to come, as although it gathers volume as it moves from the Ranges to the Murray River, it never loses the calm flow synonymous with the Goulburn River. As it meanders inland, it grows into a significant body of water, feeding weirs, lakes and dams, but retains its measured persona, leaning always to the understated beauty, rather than the dramatic. It is this environment in which we head off from the source of the Goulburn just near Woods Point on this wonderful tour, starting with a long easy downhill through the forest to Jamieson, the first town on the banks of the river. This opens up to Lake Eildon, a haven for holiday makers and water sports of all kinds. Our next section includes the ever-impressive Great Victorian Rail Trail, following the river from Mansfield through to Tallarook through the beautiful Trawool Valley and rich farmland brimming with birdlife and scattered with magnificent stands of ancient red gums. Get ready for plenty of highlights and great facilities dotted along the well-kept trail. From Tallarook we embark upon the through to Echuca. River tracks and gravel roads are prioritised over sealed roads where possible, as the route sticks close to the water, minimising interaction with vehicle traffic as the relaxed flow of the ride mirrors the relaxed flow of the river that leads the way. The route is designed to immerse riders in the natural environment of the classic Australian bush, but we are never far away from good size country towns for quality accommodation and meals at the end of each day’s ride. The best of both worlds. By the time we reach Echuca you will have discovered something new about the country and will have a stream of memories to take away with you. Join us as we take the low road, take the slow road.
Getting to and from the tour
Arriving:
Our meeting place is Southern Cross Station, Melbourne, early on Saturday morning. We have some hotel suggestions close to Southern
Cross Station if you would like to arrive a day early, so that you can just cross the road with your luggage and bike to meet us at the
station in the morning. Car parking in Melbourne for extended periods can be prohibitively expensive. Please contact our office about
car parking options if required.
Departing:
The ride will finish on Sunday morning in Echuca and your train ticket back to Melbourne is included in your tour price. Arrival back into
Southern Cross Station approximately 12:30pm. If you are flying out of Melbourne Sunday night we recommend booking a flight after
4:00pm (and make sure that you have travel insurance just in case plans go awry).
Airport transport to Southern Cross Station:
The Skybus goes from Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport to Southern Cross Station. You can take your bike on the Skybus and it also has
free shuttles to CBD hotels. Skybus also operates to/from Avalon Airport.
Pricing and Payment information (AUD)
Payment Schedule: Before 15 Jan Before 15 Aug From 15 Aug
Twin share $3950 pp $4050 pp $4150 pp
Single room $4630 $4730 $4830
Groups of 3 or more: deduct $50 pp from prices above
Included:
• All bike-friendly accommodation • Support & safety vehicles
• Meals (8 breakfasts, 7 morning teas, 2 lunches, 7 dinners) • Snacks, water and fruit on the road
• Paddlesteamer dinner cruise • Kerrisdale Tourist Train
• Transfers to/from Melbourne (bus and train) • Tour guides, maps, gps files & directions
• Bike mechanical assistance • Rider Pack: jersey, bottle, day-bag
• AllTrails famous group camaraderie
Payment Schedule:
• Deposit on booking ($400 pp)
• Progress Payment 30 days after deposit (40% of package cost less deposit paid)
• Balance due 15 August 2022 (two months before the tour begins)
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 twin share 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
Discount for groups of 3 or more cyclists: $50pp
Optional Extras
Transfer of hard bike case from start of ride to finish $10 per day (if space available). $80
Transfer of soft foldable bike bag from start of ride to finish $3 per day. $24
Note: collapsible cardboard bike cartons transferred free of charge.
Itinerary
Daily distances are set out below. Shorter distances and support vehicle also available.
Meals and Accommodation inclusions:
Breakfast = B, Morning Tea = MT, Lunch = L, Dinner = D, Accommodation = A
Ride Route Overnight Distance Date B MT L D A
Goulburn Source to Jamieson Mansfield 51km Sat 15 October 2022 - - L D A
Mansfield - Lake Eildon Loop Mansfield 57km Sun 16 October 2022 B MT - - A
Mansfield to Yarck/Alexandra Alexandra 56km (or 78km) Mon 17 October 2022 B MT - D A
Yarck to Tallarook Seymour 67km (or 80km) Tue 18 October 2022 B MT L D A
Seymour to Mitchelton Winery Mitchelton Winery 57km Wed 19 October 2022 B MT L D A
Nagambie to Shepparton Shepparton 66km Thu 20 October 2022 B MT - D A
Shepparton to McCoys Bridge Echuca 55km Fri 21 October 2022 B MT - D A
McCoys Bridge to Echuca Echuca 44km Sat 22 October 2022 B MT - D A
Echuca (transfer to Melbourne) Sun 23 October 2022 B - - - -
Total Distance Cycled 453km 8 7 3 7 8
Average Daily Distance 56km
Day to Day. Goulburn Source to Jamieson 51km Sat 15 October 2022 Day 1. After our early departure from Melbourne we head for the Yarra Ranges. It’s lunchtime by the time we reach Woods Point then Frenchman’s Gap, our closest point to the source of the Goulburn River, where we unload bikes, hold our orientation briefing and hit the road. And what a road it is…a well graded dirt road cutting and long downhill through the thick forest, opening up intermittently to allow wonderful views over the National Park. As we near Jamieson, the road becomes fully paved and the gradient eases to a casual descent, winding next to the river all the way into town. First arrivals can shout the rest of us at the Jamieson Brewery, situated right on the banks of the Goulburn River itself. An afternoon transfer to our accommodation in Mansfield is followed by our first evening brief to discuss the day’s events and what to look out for tomorrow. Next, let’s sit down and enjoy our first group dinner. What a great start! Mansfield - Lake Eildon Loop 57km Sun 16 October 2022 Day 2. This morning we explore the wider Goulburn catchment area and foothills of the Victorian Alps as we head east towards Mt Buller and Mt Sterling where the Delatite River originates. The Delatite is a major tributary of the Goulburn River, and we join and follow the Delatite’s bubbling waters to its Goulburn confluence in Lake Eildon. Morning tea is at Goughs Bay, after which we leave the waterside for a while, returning to Mansfield, arriving in time for lunch and a relaxing afternoon around the town or motel. Tonight, we have our group briefing followed by a GYO (Get Your Own) dinner, with plenty of recommendations from the crew for the best options around town. Mansfield to Yarck/Alexandra 56km (or 78km) Mon 17 October 2022 Day 3. The Great Victorian Rail Trail has a hard gravel surface and begins by passing through a deep natural stone cutting, before crossing the 385 metre long Golden Gate style bridge over another arm of Lake Eildon. Along the route we experience the serenity of Bonnie Doon, made famous by the movie 'The Castle', wind through the back blocks of the high country to the historic Merton Railway Station, then follow a gradual climb to the highest point of the day (which is only 80 metres higher than Mansfield). The long downhill that follows rolls through stunning farmland offering beautiful views of the adjacent valley and leads to the historic township of Yarck for lunch. From here you can jump in the vehicle for a transfer to Alexandra, or for those keen for some more km’s, you can ride through to our overnight destination (further 22km). Tonight, we have our briefing and dinner together. Yarck to Tallarook/Seymour 67km (or 80km) Tue 18 October 2022 Day 4. This morning we re-join the trail at Yarck where we meander over the Goulburn River flood plains and many historic bridges that afford great views - it is also the best area to spot koalas. Here the trail veers well away from any road and begins the slight climb to the impressive Cheviot Tunnel; a 200 metre long tunnel made in 1883 from over 600,000 handmade bricks. A gentle 8-kilometre downhill winds its way down to the historic township of Yea for morning tea, followed by perhaps the prettiest part of this trail. The Goulburn River flows past massive old gum trees on your right as the trail cuts a flat, yet bending, path through the landscape. Our lunch stop at the Kerrisdale Railway & Museum allows time to fuel up and also experience the short historic rail journey before we mount the bikes again, destination Tallarook. For those keen for some more km’s, you can take our route through the backroads and country lanes through to Seymour – otherwise finish your day in Tallarook and jump in the bus for the last leg home. Seymour to Mitchelton Hotel & Winery 57km Wed 19 October 2022 Day 5. You’ll notice the difference in the cycling today as we move away from Rail Trails and into the quiet country lanes of the region. It’s a lovely, easy, flat ride today as we explore both sides of the river. First, along tree-lined roads weaving through farmlands, then magnificent vineyards visiting the Tabilk cellar door, Indigenous Flora trail and finally to our luxurious overnight digs at the Mitchelton Hotel and Winery. Nagambie to Shepparton 66km Thu 20 October 2022 Day 6. Continuing through the quiet backroads to Murchison for morning tea, we then progress into Shepparton Regional Park where we take a route that hugs the river closer, in the form of dirt roads and tracks that mirror the bends of the riverbanks. The result of coming in closer to the water’s edge, combined with the Regional Park environment, is an increase in the sightings of birds and native animals, and very few humans or vehicles. Soak it all up and before you know it, you’ll be in Shepparton, relaxing at our accommodation next to Lake Victoria. Shepparton to McCoys Bridge 55km Fri 21 October 2022 Day 7. Shepparton is a large country town but you would hardly know it judging by the entry and exit route that we take via the tracks and trails of Shepparton Regional Park. The park wraps itself around the Goulburn River, allowing us to get all the way to, and out of, Central Shepparton with hardly touching a vehicle-traffic road of any sort. We make our way out of town and north along this green belt for the majority of the day today, with some short sections on backroads, as the Shepparton Regional Park becomes the Lower Goulburn National Park, and we hit McCoys Bridge – our end point for today’s ride. A transfer ahead to our overnight location of Echuca for lunch, with plenty of recommendations for places to eat and ways to spend the afternoon. McCoys Bridge to Echuca 44km Sat 22 October 2022 Day 8. The first section of today’s ride could be the most scenic of the Yellowbelly Track with standout compacted clay river tracks weaving to the natural route of the Goulburn. These sections are what make the Yellowbelly Track unique. As we move closer to Echuca where the Goulburn flows into the Murray River, we once again jump on the tree-lined backroads over pastural country and eventually into the outskirts of the town itself. Tonight’s meal is a dinner cruise on the Murray – an appropriate way to celebrate a wonderful week of cycling, following the flow of the Goulburn River. Echuca – transfer to Melbourne Sun 23 October 2022 Day 9. You may enjoy a little sleep in this morning after last night’s celebrations, before breakfast and a transfer to the train station where the group boards the train back to Melbourne, arriving lunchtime. Keep an eye out for the Goulburn River out the window! .
Terms and Conditions.
Full terms and conditions for each ride are available via our booking system (go to the ‘BOOK THIS TOUR’ button on any tour page).
These terms and conditions will also be sent to you with your confirmation email after booking.
Credit: Nick Hansen
Frequently asked Questions
We are happy to answer any other questions you may have.
Feel free to contact us at any time through our website ‘Contact Us’ page, phone or email. We love what we do and want to get you on
the best bike ride for you. Speak to us about what’s on your mind and we’ll help you make your decision.
Support bus availability
There is no vehicle access in some locations along trails and tracks. Where a trail is accessible by road, the vehicle will be stopped at
strategic locations helping riders with water, snacks, bananas or information. You will also see the support vehicle at morning tea and
lunch locations. Riders may get in our support vehicle at the meet-up points if they would like to skip a section of the ride or if they have
fallen well behind schedule. Times for morning departure and stops such as morning tea will be given on the ‘Day Sheets’ provided before
the ride and we try as best we can to stick to the schedule and keep the group within a reasonable distance of each other and the AllTrails
support (for safety reasons), however our trail tours do have quite a bit of flexibility and you are welcome to go ‘at your own pace’ within
reason. Slower riders should try to leave first to allow plenty of time to enjoy their ride and snack breaks, while faster riders are
encouraged to leave a bit later.
Bike Hire
We do not have our own fleet of hire bikes, but we can help you arrange this. If you want to hire a bike just let us know on your online
booking form and we will get the ball rolling for you. You can also BYO seat and/or pedals to give you that little bit of ‘home comfort’.
Bike type – which is best
A comfortable hybrid (with front suspension) is best. Wide semi-off-road tyres are recommended due to gravel surfaces (slick road tyres
not suitable for some of the surfaces). Front mudguards (longer than 11:10 on the clock) are not compatible with our vehicle bike racks;
please remove these prior to coming on tour. This tour does have some loose gravel and uneven surfaces so while there is no technical
expertise required, riders will need to have competent offroad skills. Whatever bike you select, ensure you are comfortable negotiating
the surfaces described and riding the daily distances and average speed of the tour. Ask us for the ‘Training Tips’ document for this ride to
get an idea of distances and speeds you need to train for.
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.
Training
This tour has been specifically designed for those who want to ride off-road and at their own pace. For non-regular cyclists we recommend
training for the ride, as even though you may be physically fit, you should still spend some time getting your body (and different body
parts) used to being on a bike for extended periods. This may pose a bigger challenge than cardio or aching muscles. Remember we will
always have a support vehicle for those who wish, or need, to be transported for a portion of any day. We have a training schedule specific
to each ride which we 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. As a rough guide, try to get to a point where you
can average 15-20 km/hr on flat paths, and build your kilometre total distance in training to be out on the bike for 3-4 hours (roughly
50km) for two days straight. This will usually put you in a good position to be ready for your tour. The more training you do, the more you
will enjoy the cycling.Frequently asked Questions Cont. What sorts of people join our tours? People from all parts of Australia and some overseas guests. Ages generally range from 35 – 75 with the average age about 50-60 years old. Adventurous cyclists usually about 40% women & 60% men with a mix of singles, friends and couples. Group discounts Bring your friends and save some money! Many of our tours have group discounts for 3 or more entrants. Check out the ‘pricing’ on each tour’s information PDF to see if group discounts apply to that tour. This generally excludes any optional extras such pre and post tour accommodation, cycling jersey, t-shirt etc. Contact our office for more details and information. 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, cabins or lodge or similar. We aim for 4 star where we can but also try to select the best and most welcoming accommodation for cyclists and our tour group needs. On occasion we travel through some very small towns where accommodation is extremely limited. If for whatever reason, such as limited options, the accommodation one night is below normal standard, we strive to balance this with an extra good accommodation on 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, a very early riser, 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. Snorers can enjoy their own room If you are a chronic snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow roommates, we suggest booking your own room (single supplement cost). This is not just a courtesy to your fellow travelling companions but will also give you the space & privacy you need to enjoy your sleep after a long day on the bike. Carrying personal items on the bike We suggest you carry a spare tube, two full water bottles and your own personal goods such as phone, wallet 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. 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. Most meals are included as part of our tours; however, as this tour has an emphasis on travelling at your own pace, you can expect to purchase your own lunches at a time/place convenient to you. We will of course provide you with ample opportunity and suggestions. 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 and usually non-riders as well depending on their tour plan.
Frequently asked Questions cont. Safety We have a great safety record, but accidents can happen. We have trained First Aiders as crew, comprehensive First-Aid Kits, a list of hospitals in the areas that we travel through, as well as mobile phones and a satellite phone for emergency calls when we are out of cellular range. Safety discussions are held throughout the tour as part of the daily briefings. 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. The mechanic will often be able to help you with a safety check, general tips and advice about your bike and its upkeep, as well as fixing mechanical problems. 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 very difficult to obtain. Speak to a past client We will be 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 city or state. Another good place to look is the ‘Testimonials’ page on our website. 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. For cancellation and refund policies for your tour click the ‘Book This Tour’ button on the relevant tour page of our website. 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. Packing tips 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. Two lighter bags are better than a big heavy one. 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 - 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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