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Ride in the Victorian High Country and follow the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail on a relaxed 4 day cycling adventure

Is there a better part of Australia to cycle through than the Victorian High Country? Framed by the Victorian Alps and dominated by the nearby Mount Buffalo, this is a region well known for its natural beauty, welcoming people and delicious wine. This cycling trip takes in the best of it at a pace set to enjoy and experience rather than get the heart racing. Kick things off in the well-preserved historic town of Beechworth, then cycle the famous Murray to Mountains Rail Trail through small gold-mining towns like Myrtleford before arriving into the heart of the High Country, Bright. Meander through wine country, enjoy some proper Victorian hospitality at local pubs and rediscover the joy of pedalling through one of the most gorgeous areas in the entire nation.

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Book a trip by 30 September and you’ll only pay a €1 deposit to secure your spot.

Terms & Conditions
Start
Beechworth, Australia
Finish
Bright, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Cycling
Code
PZXV
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 4, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Cycle the spectacular Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, the best known and loved rail trail in Victoria, sampling the bounty of country Victoria along the way.

  • Ride along flat, traffic-free paths alongside some of the High Country's most stunning scenery.

  • Begin your journey in Beechworth, a fascinating insight into the past and home to the Beechworth Bakery, official home of the Ned Kelly pie, and end at the renowned Bright Brewery for a brewery tour and tasting paddle.

  • Experience firsthand the famous hospitality of local Victorians as you tackle a trail built specifically to cater to cyclists.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This a new trip for us. While we have thoroughly researched every detail of the itinerary, and are working with a local supplier with many years experience riding this exact route, we sometimes find it's necessary to make small changes after the first few trips have run. Changes are always based on feedback from past travellers and our ground staff. For Cycling trips these changes are usually around finding even better roads to ride on, which can alter the distance/time we spend riding on a day to day basis, but can sometimes even extend to accommodation or included activities if needed.

  • Accommodation on the Rail Trail can be booked out months in advance so there may be occasions where we stay in nearby locations to those advertised. Your leader will inform you at the initial group meeting is this is the case on your departure.

  • Unlike most Intrepid Cycling trips this itinerary does not have a full time support vehicle constantly following the group. As well as the short cycling distances making it unnecessary no vehicles are allowed to drive along the rail trail itself. Your luggage is always transported for you (by vehicle) between accommodations.

  • Due to the relatively small distances cycled on this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group. There may be times when the leader asks one of the group to act as a back marker.

Map of Cycle the Victorian High Country - Beechworth to Bright including Australia
Cycling through beautiful vineyards on the Rail Trail in Victoria's high country
Walking through a park with fallen lives in the town of Bright in Victoria's high country
Enjoying a well earned beer at Bright Brewery after finishing the rail Trail in Victoria's high country
Cyclists passing vineyards with the mountains of Victoria's high country on the horizon
A cyclist crossing a bridge over the Ovens River in Bright in the Victorian high country

Itinerary
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Welcome to historic Beechworth. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight. You can arrive at any time before this as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Beechworth is a character-filled and well-preserved gold rush town full of Australian history and stories, museums, heritage architecture and one of the finest bakeries in Australia. The region is also home to the legends of Ned Kelly legend and Australia's first native-born Governor-General. For those arriving early, there is a wealth of things to explore, such as the Burke Museum, Gun Powder Magazine, and what was once known as the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum. Slightly further afield you can get a fascinating insight into local Indigenous culture and the art of the Dhudhuroa people at the Yeddonba Aboriginal Cultural Site. For the more avid cyclist, you can book a half-day guided tour of the local (and excellent) gravel trails.

If you’re feeling peckish the renowned Beechworth Bakery is always a highlight (try the ‘official’ Ned Kelly pie or famous Lemon Slice) but there are plenty of other options that all featuring that famous Beechworth hospitality.

After the welcome meeting take a walk through the Historic Centre, with your tour leader pointing out the main points of interest along the way. Why not go out for an evening meal and get to know the rest of your riding group before the cycling begins tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Beechworth - Beechworth Asylum guided ghost tour - AUD40
  • Beechworth - Old Beechworth Gaol guided tour - AUD15
  • Beechwoth - Half-day guided gravel cycling tour - AUD180
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
There is no included cycling today. It’s very important that you attend the 5 pm welcome meeting as we will be collecting emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your booking agent or hotel reception know. If you are bringing your own bicycle with you on the trip, you need to assemble it to check for any damage in transit before the welcome meeting. If you have arranged for the hire of a bicycle, your leader will assist you in preparing the bike before your first cycling activity. If you are planning to stay on after the trip and require a bicycle please discuss this with your tour leader today.

After breakfast this morning your cycling adventure begins. After getting acquainted with your bike you’ll get the chance to further explore this beautiful town on a guided ride through the town and surrounding area before joining the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail for 33 enjoyable (and mostly slightly downhill) kilometres. You’ll then get your first taste of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, which follows the route of the former Bright railway line. The Rail Trail is a joy to ride with the surface mostly sealed, just a few compacted gravel sections and of course no traffic apart from fellow cyclists and the occasional walker. There’ll be the chance for a mid-ride treat along the way with a stop at a winery to sample a few drops of the local vintages. Today’s ride takes you along mostly flat and gently undulating terrain, past numerous vineyards and pastoral land all the way to your base for the evening, Myrtleford.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Murray to Mountains Rail Trail guided ride
  • 3 days Bicycle Hire
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's riding distance is approximately 45 kilometres.

After breakfast, begin cycling, following the mostly flat contours of the meandering Ovens river as the Rail Trail quietly winds its way alongside the Great Alpine Road and through the small communities of Ovens, Eurobin, and Porepunkah and past vineyards, hops producers, orchards and groves. Your cycling leader will point out all the attractions along the way including the old tobacco kilns, a unique piece of High Country history. In the near distance, the towering Mount Buffalo dominates the skyline all the way into the Alpine hub of Bright. There may be another chance to stop at a winery en route to sample some of the local’s finest.

When you arrive into Bright there will be time for a quick ride around town to get acquainted, before finding a quiet and shady spot beside the river to relax and rest the legs prior to checking in to tonight’s accommodation. As the so-called capital of the High Country and base for exploring the nearby mountains the popular town of Bright has an amazing array of activities – from fishing to paragliding – to enjoy, as well as many local cafes and restaurants. If you’re lucky enough to be here in autumn the fall foliage is second to none.

This evening experience a unique insight into the brewing of local craft beer with a behind-the-scenes tour of the renowned Bright Brewery (and included tasting paddle) before settling in for an optional final night dinner with your riding companions.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bright - Brewery Tour & tasting paddle
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's riding distance is approximately 30 kilometres.

Today you have two options depending on how your legs are feeling. If you just want to relax and maybe take in the sights until checkout (11 am) you are welcome to do so (don’t worry, we understand). For those seeking a harder challenge from the flat rail trail scenery of the last few days, you have the option of an early morning ride up to the nearby Tawonga Gap. Make no mistake this is a real climb with over 500 metres of elevation gained on the 13 kilometre climb, but it’s well worth the effort. The scenery is completely different from the valley floor as you cycle up through dense eucalyptus forest all the way up to the Tawonga Gap lookout. This offers amazing views of the Kiewa Valley below and majestic Mount Bogong, Victoria's highest peak at 1986 metres, in the distance. From here the real fun starts as you freewheel back down the sinuous but well-paved road down to the valley floor and the flat road back to Bright, all in time for a quick shower before checking out.

For those wanting to stay a bit longer in Bright, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. The more active may wish to ride the excellent trails at the nearby Mystic Mountain Bike Park, take the invigorating hike up to Huggins Point, or enjoy the riverside Canyon Walk. Or chill out at the Bright Splash Park or in one of our favourite local cafes like Blackbird or Sixpence Coffee.
Optional Activities
  • Mystic Mountain Bike Park - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's riding distance is approximately 36 kilometres if choosing the optional morning tide. This is flat for the first 5 kilometres, a climb of 13 kilometres, followed by a 13-kilometre descent. If you'd like to stay on longer additional accommodation can be arranged, or a transfer to the nearby town of Wangaratta can be booked on request. Please enquire with your booking agent at the time of booking.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike available, subject to availability)

Accommodation

Hotel/Guesthouse (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Murray to Mountains Rail Trail guided ride
  • 3 days Bicycle Hire
  • Bright - Brewery Tour & tasting paddle

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. This trip starts on Day 1 at 5 pm and finishes at 11 am on Day 4 of the trip.
2. To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
3. On this trip, we have a single leader that rides with the group.
3. This trip does not have a support vehicle but your luggage is transported for you from accommodation to accommodation each day.
5. Our riding is done mostly on a well-graded and maintained gravel cycle path, so there are no technical cycling skills required.
6. As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. If you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge. Please ask your travel consultant for more details.
7. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are an 'on request' basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.

Essential trip information

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