Victorian Tours and Rides:

Murray to Mountains Rail Trail - Cycling in the Victorian High Country!

The Bushranger Bikes cycling tours into the Victorian High Country are offered in May and October each year - Grade 2 - easy to intermediate.

• Next tour - 15 to 21 May 2009 - booking now - for a booking form or if you require additional information e-mail info@bushrangerbikes.com.au

Click here for more information and an overview of the itinerary

Summary:

The Murray to Mountains (MTM) is Victoria's best rail trail, and arguably the best in Australia.  Bushranger Bikes runs a 6 night/7 day tour to this fantastic region of Australia taking in the delights of the North Eastern Victoria high country, including fantastic historic Beechworth and beautiful Bright.  This is the land of vineyards, tobacco and hops and an abundance of local produce is waiting to be sampled.  We also include a day on the fantastic Main Yarra River trail which offers a great contrast to the MTM trail and an opportunity to get into vibrant Melbourne city. Accommodation will be in unique, good quality, boutique establishments with an emphasis on something different or historic - a trade mark of Bushranger Bikes tours.

This is Ned Kelly country and you can't explore it with anyone better than Bushranger Bikes.  One of our regular guides is even a relative of a Kelly Gang member!

The Murray to Mountains rail trail and Main Yarra Trail are fully surfaced and the gradients are kind, which makes for fantastic cycling.  On the rail trail we will cover a distance of just over 100KMs in two days of cycling with a day off in the middle to explore in and around beautiful historic Beechworth, both on foot and on the bike.  

The final ride on this tour is a great adventure on the bike ways following the Yarra River into vibrant and cosmopolitan Melbourne city and is a real contrast to the countryside and scenery of the Victorian high country.

Our May tour takes advantage of the brilliant changing colours and and crisp days and nights of Autumn in this beautiful region of Australia and includes the opportunity to visit local wineries and other producers, including Brown Brothers Winery at Milawa and the annual Harvest Festival in Beechworth.

This tour has it all and is simply magic.

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Murray to Mountains Rail Trail - Cycling in Ned Kelly's Footsteps - the Victorian High Country!    15 to 21 May 2009.

Tour Details:

Join Bushranger Bikes riding the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in the North Eastern Victoria high country in 2009.  This trail is marketed as Australia’s Premier Rail Trail, for many reasons, and lives up to them all.

You can expect crisp clear skies, clean fresh air, unbelievable Autumn colours and views and scenery unmatched anywhere else in Australia, all to be enjoyed from your bike.  The region is steeped in the history of Australian Bushranger folk law and Beechworth has retained all of it’s historical buildings and landmarks including the Courthouse and Jail

Today the region 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 trail’.

The tour is a Grade 2 (easy to intermediate) and runs over seven days commencing in Wangaratta (transport options from Melbourne to Wangaratta are available) and returning to finish in Melbourne. Other pickup and drop arrangements can be discussed.  One of the many highlights of the May trip is the annual Harvest Festival held in Beechworth and just another opportunity to sample the local produce.

Itinerary:

Day 1: - Pickup from Wangaratta Railway Station (train transfer from Melbourne will be arranged if required) and transfer via mini bus to our accommodation in the middle of the Gourmet Region - Milawa.  There will be time when we arrive to assemble and check the bikes ready for the next days riding plus a visit to the fantastic Brown Brothers vineyard for some sampling and supplies.  Dinner included.

Day 2: - Ride or travel in the bus from Milawa to Wangaratta and then on to the rail trail for an easy ride to Beechworth (approx. 42kms distance) on a well graded and surfaced trail.  Our accommodation is great and places us in close proximity to some fantastic additional rides in the area.  Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner included. Plus if you are hungry when you arrive in Beechworth we can arrange a visit to the famous Beechworth Bakery.

Day 3: - There will be some free time today to explore and check out historical Beechworth including Beechworth Goal, the Courthouse and other historic buildings, the interesting shops and possibly Lake Sambell and the Japanese Gardens.  There are numerous options for lunch and we can recommend some of the fantastic local Beechworth cafes, plus you will be able to visit and sample the attractions of the Annual Harvest Festival.

We will go on a local ride during the day which will include the fantastic Beechworth Gorge and possibly a cruise on the Beechworth Forest Drive.  Ride distance for this day will be a leisurely 25 to 30kms approx.  Additional ride options for the energetic and those with mountain bikes include a quick blast around the trails of Beechworth Mountain Bike Park.  Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 4: - Beechworth to Bright, with a lunch stop at Gapsted Winery and maybe a fresh berry ice cream from the Berry Farm (or a beer at the historical Ovens Hotel).  It’s all downhill from Beechworth to Everton (16kms) followed by a gentle climb up and over Taylor’s Gap and then a pleasant gradient all the way to Bright.  Total ride distance for the day will be approx. 73kms.  Once again our accommodation is something really special.  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 5: - After breakfast we load the minibus and head to Mt Buffalo for some great views over the Region and the Victorian High Country.  Time to unload the bikes for a blast down from Mt Buffalo on the access road (for those who are game and looking for an adrenaline charged wake-up) then back in the van to the Cheese factory in Milawa for lunch.

Then it’s time to kick back in the van for a leisurely drive through to our accommodation on the outskirts of Melbourne in close proximity to the commencement of the Main Yarra Trail, the highlight of Day 6.  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 6: - Time to explore the great Yarra River Trail into Melbourne city, a real high point of this tour.  The cafe we have organised for lunch on the way is fantastic and you will think that you have been teleported to Italy.  Breakfast, lunch and Dinner, plus a train ride from Melbourne back to the accommodation included.

Day 7: Depart Melbourne - time to pack the bikes and gear in preparation for the finish of the tour.  Bushranger can drop you into the city in the morning or the airport mid morning.  Breakfast included.

What is included?

·         Accommodation – 6 nights – share basis, quality accommodation;

·         Meals as outlined above;

·         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 ride preparation ;

·         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) or direct to Wangaratta to meet the start of the tour and from the finish of the tour at Melbourne;
• Meals not stated 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 A$1845* (incl. GST) per person with inclusions as detailed above.  There is a 10% discount for Bushranger Gang members.  Want to know more about joining ‘The Gang’ – e-mail jon@bushrangerbikes.com.au

What do I need to do to book my place on the tour?

Places on this tour are usually limited to six people.  Please contact Bushranger Bikes (info@bushrangerbikes.com.au) to arrange for a booking form to be sent to you.

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News Articles about the trail: - Click Here

The Sunday Telegraph writer, Veronica Matheson wrote a feature article on the Murray to Mountains trail - Trailblazing in Kelly country, December 11, 2005
Check out what she had to say - click here!

Simon Troman sampled the delights of the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail on a trip he titled 'a tasting tour'.  Simon commented that 'this was a marvellous trip with views, atmosphere, wine and food'.  Check out his article  in the Jan - Feb edition of Australian Cyclist magazine.

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Trailblazing in Kelly Country

By Veronica Matheson, The Sunday Telegraph

December 11, 2005

CRUISING along the much-lauded waterways of France is a popular tourist pastime. Holidaymakers spend their nights in a canal boat, then hop on a bike by day to explore the countryside.

Paths of glory ... cyclists enjoy stunning views off the beaten track

Markets, vineyards, and tempting food are essential to the daytime pedalling experience.

But, while north-eastern Victoria has no canals, the region has plenty to offer with sparkling, clean rivers, historic towns including places where bushranger Ned Kelly once roamed, a stunning mountain backdrop and a magical rail trail for tourists.

Defunct railway lines have become safe bike paths where cyclists have no problems weaving in and out of traffic to explore breathtaking scenery in the alpine foothills to Mount Buffalo and Mount Feathertop.

It is an out-of-town experience where holidaymakers become fit without knowing it, while feasting on the freshest produce the area can provide, trying local wines and bedding down in an eclectic range of accommodation.

The route is along 98km of trails connecting Wangaratta with Beechworth, Myrtleford and Bright.

The Beechworth and Ovens Valley railway lines were the first branch lines built in country Victoria. The first train to Beechworth was in 1876 and the last in 1977; and the first train to Bright headed out in 1890; and the last in 1983.

At the same time, the Ovens Valley railway line was used for passenger services until 1952 and continued goods services until the 1980s.

Some of the old train stations have been converted into shelters with toilet stops and drinking water for the rail trail bikers.

Cycling along the well-surfaced, and meandering rail trails doesn't have to be a race, more a fun experience, or a get-together of friends who travel at a relaxed pace.

The rail trail has attracted more than 40,000 users in the past 12 months, with 99 per cent taking to the trail on bicycles, either touring and staying in different places each night or taking day trips along the trail from a central location.

While in north-eastern Victoria, there are many more ways to extend the holiday. For starters, it is possible to catch a bus to the top of Mount Buffalo and ride back down by bike, or take a break for a river swim, or a mountain walk or do a spot of fishing for the next meal.

Many consider the ride from Beechworth to Everton one of the most seductive rides in Victoria. A highlight of the 15km rail trail ride is that it is all downhill and passes through native bushland.

It takes about 35 minutes, but can be much longer if stopping off to check out the flora (the scent of soaring gums adds to the experience) and fauna (cockatoos, kingfishers and rabbits are plentiful, as are noisy magpies).

A further excuse to dawdle is a much-needed stop at Pennyweight Winery's inviting cellar door to sample the organic wines. Pennyweight's back gate is right on the Rail Trail, 5km out of Beechworth; details at www.pennyweight.com.au

Also handy to the rail trail is Gapsted Wines, which provides an opportunity to sample great antipasti platters as well as checking out the cellar door. Jazz on Sundays; see http://www.gapstedwines.com.au/

A good diversion is to head to Milawa for cheese, mustards, berries, olives, and the wine treats at Brown Brothers.

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FACT FILE:

Bushranger Bikes runs fully supported tours to the ‘Murray to Mountains’ Rail Trail in May and October each year.  The finish of the tour is in Melbourne after exploring the Main Yarra River trail, providing the opportunity to look around the shops or perhaps spend an extra day (or two)

Cost: From A$1845 per person*

There are limited places on these tours (maximum of 6 cyclists) so if you are interested e-mail Bushranger NOW! - info@bushrangerbikes.com.au

* Prices are subject to change and can be impacted by rising fuel costs and fluctuating exchange rates.

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