Central West Cycle Trail - Supported Cycle

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrive Gulgong and explore on foot

   The town of Gulgong really emerged after gold was discovered at Red Hill in 1870. For a brief time the town blossomed and this heritage has remained intrinsic to the town’s identity. After settling into your accommodation, it's recommended that you stroll around the characterful town center and visit the numerous listed buildings and museums. Not to be missed is the Holtermann Museum’s UNESCO listed photo collection, which provides visitors a fascinating visual insight into the region’s early colonial history. The Pioneer Museum is also highly recommended, hosting an enormous, well presented collection of items providing insight into days of old.

   • Accommodation in Gulgong

   • 

     Start and finish in Gulgong

     Spend time wandering about this 19th century gold rush town

2. Day 2Backroads cycle to Wellington

   This morning you will meet with the tour representative who will provide a briefing of the day's route and carry the luggage. He will also provide you with the option of morning or afternoon coffee/tea during the day. Today's route takes you through picturesque pastoral country where serenity understates the importance of the history, and modern prosperity, of Australia. These lands provided the stage for the establishment and success of the Australian wool industry, a commodity long referred to as the 'Golden Fleece' on account of its value.

   You'll take a break in the tiny town/location of Goolma at a local hall with the opportunity to charge e-bikes and catch your breath for the second stage of the cycle into Wellington. The ride will be passing though pastoral land with some small ups and downs, shaded bush roads, passing small creeks before returning back onto a sealed section and an easy ride into Wellington.

   Set upon the banks of the Macquarie River, the township of Wellington was an important colonial settlement for Christian missionaries, pastoralists and those seeking their fortune on the nearby gold fields.
   

   • 48.5 miles
   • -561 ft
     1,450.1 ft
     2,011.2 ft
   • Accommodation in Wellington
   • Lunch
3. Day 3Cycle to Dubbo

   Today, head off west and quickly begin the climb of Mt Arthur, then head north coming off the mountains where the countryside begins to open up and you get a real feeling of starting a journey through the western plains. It is a great freewheeling ride down Mount Arthur then a picturesque cycle down the River Road roughly following the Macquarie River which you'll finally cross over a classic wooden plank bridge.

   You'll arrive in the small town of Geurie and head to the reserve for a lunch break before heading out along the Old Dubbo Road. This is the old highway north and you can almost imagine the old Cobb and Co coaches heading north along this section. Finally, before arriving in Dubbo for the night, you have the option to go for a coffee stop about an hour out of Dubbo.

   Dubbo has some great fine dining options, a cinema, and a range of other night activities if you'd like to explore at the end of the day.
   
   

   • 39.1 miles
   • 111.5 ft
     1,473.1 ft
     1,361.5 ft
   • Accommodation in Dubbo
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4Cycle to Ballimore

   You'll start to head east this morning and although Dubbo is a large rural city, you'll soon pass the urban edge of Dubbo leaving through the back door and once again find yourself heading down rural backroads. Cycle further until you reach the Beni State Conservation area before arriving in the town of Wongarbon. In this small town, you have the option of enjoying scones, coffee or tea at a local art gallery who open only for cycle groups doing the trail.

   Afterwards, head through prime agricultural and pastoral country where, depending on the time of year and season, you may encounter fields full of crops such as canola, wheat, oats or other cereals. The area is also popular for livestock farming. The last section into the next town is along sealed quiet roads which is a great way to end the day as you amble into Ballimore. The only commercial business in the whole town is the legendary ‘Hair of the Dog Inn’, which will also be our accommodation for the night. Ballimore is a small town of less than 200 people and a great example of the settlements that sprang up around the railway sidings along this crucial piece of economic infrastructure.
   
   

   • 32.3 miles
   • 144.7 ft
     1,017.1 ft
     872.4 ft
   • Hair of the Dog Inn, Ballimore
   • Breakfast and Lunch

   • 

     Enjoy some Scones

     Recharge a little bit for the remainder of the day with delicious afternoon tea and scones on day 4

   • 

     Hair of the Dog Inn

     Sleep comfortably at this characterful property in Ballimore

   • 

     Hair of the Dog Inn

     Sleep comfortably at this characterful property in Ballimore

5. Day 5Cycle to Mendooran

   Part of the route today takes you through the Goonoo Conservation Area. Made up of mainly box-ironbark-callitris woodland with patches of mallee, it is designated as an 'Important Bird Area'  as it supports the isolated population of the vulnerable mallee fowl as well as populations of diamond firetails and painted honeyeaters. Also, keep an eye and an ear out for glossy black-cockatoos, Gilbert's whistlers, and the easternmost population of yellow-plumed honeyeaters.

   The route through the conservation area is sandy in patches and can be very muddy after rain. Caution is recommended. Recently, a number of cyclists have reported seeing emus up close while cycling the forest as well as great displays of color from wild flowers in season.
   
   

   • 32.3 miles
   • 137.8 ft
     790.7 ft
     652.9 ft
   • Accommodation in Mendooran
   • Breakfast and Lunch
6. Day 6Cycle to Dunedoo

   Before European settlement, Dunedoo and the surrounding area was home to the Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri peoples and the town’s name is derived from a local Aboriginal word for ‘swan’ which are common in the area's lagoons. Upon rolling into the town, be sure to take a look at the towns newest attraction, "Silo Art". Painted on the towns old grain storages is a larger than life mural of the champion race horse Winx and her jockey, local Hugh Bowman.

   There are two options for today's cycle; both being equally impressive. The first option is slightly shorter and heads slightly north of the Castlereagh Highway along Digilah Road and by the historic Digilah Homestead (53km/32.9mi). The alternative route and slightly longer is heading south of the Castlereagh Highway along Cobbora Road and looping back into Dunedoo. Lunch at Cobborra Station may be available by appointment (own expense).
   
   

   • 31.7 miles
   • 137.8 ft
     1,286.1 ft
     1,148.3 ft
   • Accommodation in Dunedoo

   • 

     Enjoy the Silo Art of Dunedoo

     Stop by to check out the artwork depicting the champion race horse Winx and her jockey, local Hugh Bowman

7. Day 7Cycle to Gulgong and departure

   A big cycle day today. Today's route takes you through picturesque pastoral country where serenity understates the importance of the history, and modern prosperity, of Australia. The route is a steady ascent to Mt Bodangora followed by an undulating route to Goolma.

   The route continues past pastoral land with some small ups and downs to the starting point, Gulgong. The group will arrive into Gulgong between 1 and 2pm. The trip concludes this afternoon in Gulgong.
   

   • 36 miles
   • 561 ft
     2,011.2 ft
     1,450.1 ft
   • Lunch