RAIL TRAIL SIX-PACK TOUR - Coast, Craters & Gold 2-7 March 2021 - AllTrails Bicycle Tours
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RAIL TRAIL SIX-PACK TOUR
Coast, Craters & Gold
2-7 March 2021
Six beautiful trails in six wonderful days
Welcome to the Central West Victorian Rail Trail Six-Pack Tour
We have combined six of the best rail trails in central-west Victoria into one tour where you will be fully supported and
transferred between each of these great rides. Experience great cycling and destination highlights from the coastal Great
Ocean Road Region, through to the open volcanic plains of Corangamite, the deep forest of the Otway National Park,
Daylesford spa country and the Goldfields region of Bendigo and Ballarat. All without vehicle traffic and all without an ounce of
organisational effort or planning on your part which you can leave to us.
The Tour at a Glance
Dates: 2-7 March 2021 (6 days) Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Distance: 260km Average Daily: 43km
Bike Type: Hybrid, gravel or mountain bike (BYO or hire) E-bike?: Welcome. Good option for e-MTB
Surfaces: Well graded hard-packed gravel in most cases. Deposit: $400pp
Terrain: Flat to undulating with some hills (rail grades) Difficulty Rating: 4/10
Group Size: 15 approx Accom: Quality motels with good small-town hospitality.
On road snacks: Included Meals included: 5 bfast, 4 morning teas, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
Who is this tour for? Cyclists looking for a relaxing experience with traffic-free riding, great scenery and time to enjoy other non-
cycling highlights of the regions visited. A great way to see a range of Victoria’s regions in one trip.
Highlights
• Traffic free cycling • Quality accommodation all the way
• Visit some of Victoria’s most beautiful regions • Otway Nat. Park, Daylesford, Port Fairy, Goldfields & more
• Long & short ride options • Time available to enjoy other local attractions
• Full support with morning teas set up en-route • All breakfasts and most dinners included
• Visit The 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge • Support vehicle available if you’ve had enough cycling
• Visit Otway Tree Top Walk & ‘Aura’ at Sovereign Hill included • AllTrails tours - unmatched group camaraderie and service
The easiest way to experience rail trail cycling We begin our tour by travelling down to Warrnambool at the far end of the Great Ocean Road. From here we mount the bikes and head along our first rail trail to the irresistibly quaint seaside town of Port Fairy where we enjoy our first overnight stay. Day two takes us along the Craters to Coast rail trail from the open volcanic plains of Corangamite south towards the great Southern Ocean, spending our second night in lovely Port Campbell, sheltered in a secluded bay on the Great Ocean Road. On our third day we enjoy a tree-change of scenery, delving deep into the Otways and the luscious National Park, with a visit to the Otway Fly adventure attraction preceding our trail ride through from Beech Forest to Colac. Day four sees us head north into a new location and a new environment as we spend the next few days in the spa country and goldfields region. Tonight, we end up in Ballarat after cycling from Skipton, where you can enjoy all of Ballarat’s thriving community with great shops, cafes, bars, breweries and restaurants. A trip to Daylesford for morning tea is on the cards for the morning of Day five before heading on to Castlemaine for a lovely loop ride out to Maldon and back (or even take the day off if you feel like it). Our final day sees us take on the Heathcote to Bendigo trail before packing up and heading back to Melbourne. Six beautiful trails in six wonderful days – what a way to see some of Victoria’s most attractive visitor regions, while enjoying relaxed rail trail cycling, fully supported and looked after. Join us.
Getting to and from the tour
Arriving:
Our meeting place is Southern Cross Station, Melbourne, early on Tuesday 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 lunchtime in Bendigo and cyclists should be back at Southern Cross Station approximately 3:30pm. We can
also drop past Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport on the way home for those flying out Sunday evening. We recommend booking a flight
after 6:00pm if you do need to fly home on Sunday (note that it is Labour Day long weekend in some states). You could also stay on a
few days in Bendigo to enjoy the region a bit more (an easy train ride back to Melbourne).
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 now also operates to/from Avalon Airport.
Pricing and Payment information (AUD)
Payment Schedule: Before 5 Nov Before 5 Jan From 5 Jan
Twin share $2790 pp $2890 pp $2990 pp
Single room $3260 $3360 $3460
Groups of 3 or more: deduct $50 pp from prices above
Included:
• All bike-friendly accommodation • Daily luggage transfer
• Snacks, water and fruit on the road • Meals (5 breakfasts, 4 morning teas, 1 lunch, 5 dinners)
• Otway TreeTop Walk entry • Rider Pack: jersey, bottle, day-bag
• ‘Aura’ multi-sensory experience at Sovereign Hill • Transfers between trails
• Support & safety vehicles • Tour guides, maps, gps files & directions
• Bike mechanical assistance • 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 5 Jan 2021 (two months before the tours begin)
Travelling on your own
Early bookers can book a twin share package and we will partner you up with somebody else of the same gender travelling on their
own. This offer closes on 5 Jan 2021 – after this date contact us to see if we can match you, if not the single room price will apply.
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). $50
Transfer of soft foldable bike bag from start of ride to finish $3 per day. $15
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, Lunch = L, Dinner = D, Accommodation = A
Location Overnight Distance Date B MT L D A
Warrnambool to Port Fairy Trail Port Fairy 37km Tuesday 2 March 2021 - - - D A
Camperdown to Timboon (Craters to Coast Trail) Port Campbell 30km Wednesday 3 March 2021 B MT - D A
Beech Forest to Colac (Old Beechy Trail) Colac 50km Thursday 4 March 2021 B MT - D A
Skipton to Ballarat Trail Ballarat 57km Friday 5 March 2021 B MT - D A
Castlemaine to Maldon Trail (return) Castlemaine 36km Saturday 6 March 2021 B - - D A
Heathcote to Bendigo (O’Keefe Trail) NA 50km Sunday 7 March 2021 B MT L - -
Total Distance Cycled 260km 5 4 1 5 5
Average Daily Distance 43km
Day to Day. Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail. Overnight Port Fairy. 37km Tuesday 2 March 2021 Day 1. We start with an early morning departure from Southern Cross Station in the heart of Melbourne and head south west to Warrnambool, a bustling regional city, sitting at the far end of the famous Great Ocean Road. Here we will hold our orientation and safety briefing, set up the bikes and fuel up before kicking off along the rail trail to Port Fairy. The trail encompasses the Warrnambool breakwater precinct, small historic towns, rural countryside, woodlands and native vegetation, sea views at Killarney, coastal sand dunes and the Merri River wetlands. At the end of the line we arrive at Port Fairy just in time for a late lunch. This charming fishing village exudes a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with wide streets, nineteenth century cottages, great Norfolk pines and old stone churches. We have a great motel at one end of the main street where you can wander and explore the galleries, cafes and shops – it’s a wonderful location to enjoy our first overnight. Camperdown to Timboon (Craters to Coast Rail Trail). Overnight Port Campbell. 30km Wednesday 3 March 2021 Day 2. Today begins a short drive inland to Camperdown where we get set up over morning tea ready for the day’s ride which is a trail dotted with statuesque trestle bridges and spellbinding scenery. Traverse volcanic features in Kanawinka Global Geopark, farmland, timbered grassland, and tall wet forest on descent into the wooded Timboon valley. Keep an eye out for native animals which are also frequent users of the trail. The relationship between native wildlife and the trail is creatively interpreted by a display housed in the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery at the end of the trail and you’ll be here in Timboon with time for a look around and to grab some lunch before we head down to our overnight location of Port Campbell, sitting comfortably in a sheltered bay on the Great Ocean Road where you will have plenty of time for a look around and perhaps grab a drink overlooking the ocean. Beech Forest to Colac (Old Beechy Rail Trail). Overnight Colac. 50km Thursday 4 March 2021 Day 3. After breakfast this morning we beat the crowds to two of the most popular attractions on the Great Ocean Road as we drop in to the stunning Loch Ard Gorge and The 12 Apostles, before heading for a tree-change, delving deep into the Otway National Park. We will visit the ‘Otway Fly’ tourist attraction - this 600 metre-long, 25 metre-high elevated walkway provides unrivalled views of the unique beauty of the region’s flora and fauna, from the rainforest floor up into the soaring heights of the treetops. It’s a unique experience and entry is included in our tour price as is the morning tea here. After soaring in the treetops we make our way to the start of the Old Beechy Trail where we are very much ‘back down to earth’, making our way at ground level through magnificent forest towering above. The trail follows one of the state’s former narrow-gauge railways through an area of scenic forest, rich farmland and rolling hills. There is excellent bird life and rainforest pockets with giant eucalypts and blackwoods shading the lush understorey. Skipton to Ballarat Rail Trail. Overnight Ballarat. 57km Friday 5 March 2021 Day 4. A morning drive north takes us away from the coastal/forest region that we have enjoyed over the last few days to the distinctly contrasting landscapes of the Goldfields region. Morning tea is in Skipton at the start of today’s trail, named after a town in Yorkshire, England. Appropriately, the name is Anglo-Saxon for 'sheep town' as Skipton became a major centre for sales of pure wool and the first rural show in the Western District was held here in 1859. The well-signposted trail includes railway memorabilia and trestle bridges along the route, the old Chinese settlement at Nintingbool, Jubilee historic area and Italian Gully disused mines, with trail markers and information boards highlighting points of interest along the way. Our overnight tonight is in Ballarat, home to warm hospitality, scenic walks, top restaurants, bars, cafes, history, culture and its well-preserved Victorian-era heritage (with much of the city subject to heritage overlays). Tonight, we discover how gold changes everything as we explore space, dreamtime and Australia’s most important rebellion at ‘Aura’ – a multi-sensory experience at Sovereign Hill. No wonder Ballarat is one of Victoria’s favourite regional cities. Castlemaine to Maldon Trail (return). Overnight Castlemaine. 36km Saturday 6 March 2021 Day 5. From Ballarat it is just a short drive to the lovely spa town of Daylesford so it would be a pity not to drop in to have a wander through the town and stop for some morning tea. After relaxing refreshments, we continue to Castlemaine to start our round-trip ride to Maldon and back. Cycling through bushland and farmland, past some fantastic gold-era historical sites, the trail runs parallel to the Victorian Goldfields Tourist Train railway. This historic branchline railway served rural Victoria from 1880 through to the 1970s and has been restored to its former glory by dedicated volunteers. The scenic cycling and walking trail that follows the railway line was constructed in 2016 and opened in March of 2017. Take your time and enjoy lunch in Maldon before returning to our motel in Castlemaine where you will have the afternoon to explore town and the evening to celebrate our last night on tour with a final group dinner. Heathcote to Bendigo (O’Keefe Rail Trail) 50km Sunday 7 March 2021 Day 6. We take off this morning from Castlemaine to the welcoming village atmosphere of Heathcote, a location fast becoming one of Australia's most loved wine regions, and here we begin our final trail. Travellers have been taking this historic journey from Heathcote to Bendigo since 1888, when the railway line first linked the towns during the gold rush. Today the recreational trail beside the old railway line again allows users to journey along the safe, scenic trail passing through some spectacular natural bushland, past waterways and recreation reserves. We stop off at the Axedale township for morning tea, where the trail crosses the pretty Campaspe River. Soak up the stunning natural river environment, which is a habitat for platypus, and keep an eye out for wildlife such as wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, and also the beautiful wildflowers along the trail. Reaching Bendigo, we pack-up, celebrate lunch together and give each other socially- distanced high-5’s before heading back to Melbourne Airport or Melbourne Southern Cross Station. Congratulations – what a week.
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. 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 Our support bus is there to support the tour and also 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 – these are often partners of someone else on the ride. This vehicle can be quite popular on some days – especially long days or days with big hills! There is no shame in riding in this bus so if you are considering a tour and are ‘in the ball-park’ in terms of your fitness and preparedness, but not 100% sure if you will be up to it on the toughest days, just go for it – our vehicle and staff will be there to help out. It’s better to give it a try than to miss out altogether. If you feel that you are extremely far off the fitness level required and cannot commit to enough training that will get you fit in time then you may be better off booking a later ride or a different type of tour – just give us a call or email to discuss. Bike type – which is best A comfortable mountain, hybrid, or gravel bike. Semi-off-road tyres are recommended due to gravel surfaces (slick road tyres not suitable). Front suspension may add some comfort but is not a requirement. This tour requires no technical skills. Whatever bike you select, ensure you are comfortable 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. Bike Hire We do not have our own fleet of hire bikes, but we can organise this on your behalf. 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 bring your own seat and/or pedals to give you that little bit of ‘home comfort’. 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. 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. Training for the 6-Pack tour This tour has been specifically designed for those who want to ride off-road and at their own pace. The average distance per day is 43km which is very achievable even for non-cyclists who have a reasonable level of fitness. For non-regular cyclists we still 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 2-3 hours (roughly 40km) 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. Accommodation on our rides 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 - usually 3 ½ to 4 star. We choose the best and most welcoming motel 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 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. On some tours you can also choose to ‘twin share’ where single riders are paired with other riders of the same gender (often changed during the tour to allow solo travellers to meet other solo travellers). On other tours you may need to 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 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, a full water bottle 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. 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.
Frequently asked Questions cont. 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 our ‘Testimonials’ page. 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 We recommend you bring a soft bag or backpack. We advise against bringing a suitcase as they are bulky, difficult to stow on board vehicles or trailers 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 final destination at your own expense. Information about what to pack is included as part of your pre-departure information. Generally, we advise to 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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