Australia - Victoria’s Grand Bike Tour

Day 1: Wangaratta - Bright, 54 mi. (87 km)
Day 2: Bright - Wandiligong - Bright, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 3: Bright - Beechworth, 48 mi. (77 km)
Day 4: Beechworth - Beechworth, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 5: Beechworth - Yackandandah - Rutherglen, 45 mi. (73 km)
Day 6: Rutherglen - Wahgunyah - Rutherglen, 14 mi. (22 km)
Day 7: Rutherglen - Wangaratta, 29 mi. (47 km)

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. 

Day 1: Arrival
Individual arrival in Wangaratta and check-in to your hotel, the Gateway in Wangaratta, located in Victoria’s High Country. Offering heated pool, spa, sauna, and gym, you will have everything you need to rest and recover from your travels. The dining experience celebrates the best of the region, given its location amongst some of Australia's finest producers of wine, dairy, and artisan produce. Please note that breakfast on Day 2 is not included. The restaurant at the hotel opens at 6 am and features a delightful variety of breakfast options from cereal and granola to eggs benedict and eggs florentine. Morning tea will be offered during your ride between 10 am -11.30 am and generally includes coffee/tea/juices and pastries.

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Gateway

Day 1: Wangaratta - Bright, 54 mi. (87 km)
Today, at 9 am, the group will gather at the Gateway Hotel in Wangaratta, departing by bike at approximately 9.30 am. The accommodation the evening before this day is not included. You may make your own arrangements at the Gateway or another hotel of your choosing. 

The trail today  is paved and offers a very relaxed cycling experience.  You ride through open farmland and dry sclerophyll forest with breaks for morning tea and a leisurely lunch and winery visit overlooking the wide valley.  Kangaroos are regularly sited by the trail! The backup vehicle is ‘on the ready’ if you decide not to ride the full distance. The scenic town of Bright, set at the base of the Australian Alps, is your destination. Your accommodation here for two nights is centrally located and ideal for exploring this picturesque riverside town, located on the Ovens River.

Meals: Morning tea, L, D
Accommodations: 3-star Bright Velo Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +360 m / -200 m

Day 2: Bright - Wandiligong - Bright, 7 mi. (12 km)
Enjoy time for a relaxed breakfast and the opportunity to browse the many appealing stores! A pleasant trail ride through the picturesque Wandiligong Valley balances out yesterday’s longer ride. (Excellent additional rides are also available if you prefer). You will taste fresh apples and meet the grower at a local orchard,  followed by lunch in a beautiful garden setting. Dinner will be at a carefully selected restaurant. Please note that breakfast is not included this morning but there are several cafes within walking distance of the hotel.

Meals: L, D
Accommodations: 3-star Bright Velo Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +70 m / -70 m

Day 3: Bright - Myrtleford - Beechworth, 48 mi. (77 km)
An early start features an itinerary that includes a steady 360 m ascent through Stringybark Forests, across old rail bridges, and through vineyards and dry-land farms, strewn with impressive granite boulders, into historic Beechworth. With its wide-open streets and strong Victorian-era architecture, this old, very well preserved, gold mining town will delight. Morning tea and a picnic lunch en-route. With two nights in a centrally located 5-star guesthouse, there is plenty of time to soak up the rich ambiance of the town and to enjoy the local food and wine at a well-regarded local restaurant.  

Meals: Morning tea, L, D
Accommodations: Freeman on Ford, Historic 5-star B& B with private bathroom facilities
Elevation gain/loss: +510 m / -280 m

Day 4: Beechworth and town ride, 5 mi. (8 km)
Following breakfast, there is an opportunity for a late morning tour of the Old Beechworth Jail highlighting the story of Ned Kelly and his lasting Australian legacy. The very pleasant afternoon ride takes in a number of the cultural, historic, and natural attractions in and around Beechworth’s striking granite landscape, such as visits to an organic winery, Chinese Burial Towers, and Powder Magazine. (Further riding opportunities are available if desired). A choice of recommended evening dining options will be presented.

Meals: B
Accommodations: Freeman on Ford, Historic 5-star B& B with private bathroom facilities
Elevation gain/loss: +80 m / -80 m

Day 5: Beechworth - Rutherglen via Yakandandah, 45 mi. (73 km)
Excellent cycling on rail trails and predominantly quiet country roads await. Today's cycling to Rutherglen is the most varied of all days and with an ever-changing landscape. Highlights include morning tea at the Vintage Rose Tea Rooms and the long descent through the scenic Indigo Valley. You descend to Yackandandah on the 32 km rail trail through scenic bush and farmland. Lunch will be enjoyed within the grounds of a National Trust property in historic Chiltern before you ride through the striking Ironbark Forest, home to the very rare Regent Honeyeater. You will spend two nights at the very comfortable Tuileries Rutherglen located within the winery and easy walking distance to the town's retail precinct. Dinner on both nights in Rutherglen at well-regarded restaurants.

Meals: B, Morning tea, L, D
Accommodations: 4-star Tuileries of Rutherglen with private bathroom facilities
Elevation gain/loss: +430 m / -810 m

Day 6: Rutherglen - Wahgunyah - Rutherglen, 14 mi. (22 km)
You will have time in the morning to explore Rutherglen built on gold, wine, and farming foundations before climbing on your bike. The cycling itinerary featured is the most relaxed of the tour and includes visits to historic wineries and meetings with local winemakers. Lunch will be within the spacious grounds of the grand All Saints Winery followed by a cycle back to Rutherglen on the rail trail. Your last night’s dinner is at a vibrant restaurant specializing in regional food and wine. Share your tour experiences over a glass or two of the famous Rutherglen wine.

Meals: B, Morning tea, L, D
Accommodations: 4-star Tuileries of Rutherglen with private bathroom facilities
Elevation gain/loss: +60 m / -60 m

Day 7: Rutherglen - Wangaratta, 29 mi. (47 km)
Your final day's journey is across wide open plains on quiet roads before you rejoin the rail trail 8 km from Wangaratta. The morning is suited to working up a cycling rhythm and enjoying the fitness that comes from your week of cycling. You arrive back in Wangaratta between 12 and 1 pm.  You may request another overnight In Wangaratta at the Gateway (cost is not included in your tour price). Another suggestion is to bus or taxi (15 minutes) to Milawa, a boutique wine/food village that includes an excellent winery, Brown Brothers, representing four generations of family winemaking, as well Milawa Mustard and Milawa Cheesemaking. If you prefer to travel onward to Melbourne on this day, you will be able to catch the 1:39 Wangaratta train departure to Melbourne.

Meals: B, Morning tea
Elevation gain/loss: +70 m / -80 m

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Accommodations

You will stay in carefully selected accommodations to provide you with quality, variety, and convenience. Selected accommodation ranges from 3-5 stars (see the daily itinerary for preferred accommodation). For set departures, all accommodations have ensuite bathrooms. Other tour departures may utilize accommodation without en-suite facilities due to limited availability. Any change to the preferred properties will be conveyed to clients when the departure date is confirmed and prior to the client paying for the tour

Bicycles

Flat Handlebar Performance Bike

Merida 2018 Speeder 200 – flat bar road bike

• Flat handlebar performance bike
• Shimano Atlus 9 x 3-speed gears
• Tekpro V brakes front & rear
• Pedals Flat platform
• Saddle Velo Plush Gel D2 touring

Accessories

• Handlebar bag
• Front & rear lights
• Helmet on request

Electric Bike-1

Moustache XRoad 3 Open - 625 E-bike

• Step-through frame
• Integrated Bosch 625Wh PowerTube battery
• Bosch performance line motor
• 80mm travel fork & a suspension seat-post
• Shimano Deore drivetrain 1x10-speed
• 11-42T cassette Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotor front & 160mm rear
• Saddle: Selle Royal/Shadow Ergonomic
• Pedals: Resin with platform & reflectors

Accessories:

• Luggage rack
• Front & rear lights
• Bike stand
• Mudguards
• Helmets

Electric Bike- 2

Norco2018 VLT R1 E-bike

• Bosch PowerPack 400
• Bosch Active Line Performance CX Motor
• 9 speed Shimano Deore SL-M590
• Brakes Shimano Deore BR-M6000 Hydraulic w/180mm rotor front & rear
• Seat Velo Comfort
• Pedals VP Flat BMX style

Accessories

• Bike stand
• Rear mirror
• Fron & rear lights
• Helmet