Goulburn River Trail

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Goulburn Source to Jamieson

   After an early departure from Melbourne, you'll head for the Yarra Ranges. It’s lunchtime by the time you reach Woods Point then Frenchman’s Gap Lookout, our closest point to the source of the Goulburn River, where we unload bikes, hold the orientation briefing and hit the road. And what a road it is…a well graded dirt road cutting and long downhill through the thick forest, opening up intermittently to allow wonderful views over the National Park.

   As we near Jamieson, the road becomes fully paved and the gradient eases to a casual descent, winding next to the river all the way into town. First arrivals can shout the rest of us at the Jamieson Brewery, situated right on the banks of the Goulburn River itself. An afternoon transfer to our accommodation in Mansfield is followed by our first evening brief to discuss the day’s events and what to look out for tomorrow. Next, let’s sit down and enjoy our first group dinner. What a great start!

   • 31.7 miles
   • Accommodation in Mansfield
   • Lunch and Dinner
2. Day 2Mansfield - Lake Eildon Loop

   This morning, you will explore the wider Goulburn catchment area and foothills of the Victorian Alps as you head east towards Mt Buller and Mt Sterling, where the Delatite River originates. The Delatite is a major tributary of the Goulburn River, and you will join and follow the Delatite’s bubbling waters to its Goulburn confluence in Lake Eildon. Morning tea is at Goughs Bay, after which you will leave the waterside for a while, returning to Mansfield and arriving in time for lunch and a relaxing afternoon around the town or motel.

   Tonight, there will be a group briefing followed by a GYO (Get Your Own) dinner, with plenty of recommendations from the crew for the best options around town.

   • 35.4 miles
   • Accommodation in Mansfield
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Mansfield to Yarck/Alexandra

   The Great Victorian Rail Trail will take you on a journey through a hard gravel surface, starting with a deep natural stone cutting and crossing the 385 metre long Golden Gate style bridge over another arm of Lake Eildon. As you travel along the trail, you'll experience the peacefulness of Bonnie Doon, which was made famous by the movie 'The Castle'. The trail winds through the back blocks of the high country, taking you to the historic Merton Railway Station before gradually climbing to the highest point of the day, which is only 80 metres higher than Mansfield.

   As you descend, you'll roll through stunning farmland and enjoy beautiful views of the adjacent valley, eventually reaching the historic township of Yarck for lunch. From here, you have the option to jump in the vehicle for a transfer to Alexandra, or for those who are keen for more kilometers, you can ride another 22km to our overnight destination. This evening, we'll have our briefing and dinner together.

   • 34.8 miles
   • Accommodation in Alexandra
   • Breakfast and Dinner
4. Day 4Yarck to Tallarook/Seymour

   This morning, you will re-join the trail at Yarck, where you will meander over the Goulburn River flood plains and many historic bridges that afford great views - it is also the best area to spot koalas. Here, the trail veers well away from any road and begins the slight climb to the impressive Cheviot Tunnel; a 200 metre long tunnel made in 1883 from over 600,000 handmade bricks. A gentle 8-kilometre downhill will wind its way down to the historic township of Yea for morning tea, followed by perhaps the prettiest part of this trail.

   The Goulburn River flows past massive old gum trees on your right as the trail cuts a flat, yet bending, path through the landscape. Your lunch stop at the Kerrisdale Railway & Museum will allow time to fuel up and also experience the short historic rail journey before you mount the bikes again, destination Tallarook. For those keen for some more km’s, you can take the route through the backroads and country lanes through to Seymour – otherwise finish your day in Tallarook and jump in the bus for the last leg home. Look out for ghouls and goblins heading to dinner on this Halloween evening!

   • 41.6 miles
   • Accommodation in Seymour
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Cheviot Tunnel

     Be in awe of this man-made marvel consisting of 600,000 handmade bricks and standing since 1883

5. Day 5Seymour to Mitchelton Winery

   As you embark on today's cycling journey, you'll immediately notice a change in scenery as you transition from Rail Trails to the peaceful country lanes of the region. It's going to be a lovely, easy, flat ride today as you explore both sides of the river.

   You'll first cycle along tree-lined roads, weaving through farmlands, then magnificent vineyards visiting the Tabilk cellar door, Indigenous Flora trail and finally to your luxurious overnight digs at the Mitchelton Hotel and Winery.
   

   • 35.4 miles
   • Mitchelton Winery
   • Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Mitchelton Hotel and Winery

     Spend a night in one of Australia's favorite wineries and sleep comfortably in it's superb rooms

   • 

     Mitchelton Hotel and Winery

     Spend a night in one of Australia's favorite wineries and sleep comfortably in it's superb rooms

   • 

     Mitchelton Hotel and Winery

     Spend a night in one of Australia's favorite wineries and sleep comfortably in it's superb rooms

6. Day 6Nagambie to Shepparton

   Continuing your journey on tranquil backroads, make a pit stop at Murchison for a refreshing morning tea. From there, you'll enter Shepparton Regional Park and follow a route that hugs the river with dirt roads and tracks that mirror the bends of the riverbanks. By staying closer to the water's edge, you'll have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of birds and native wildlife. The park's natural surroundings ensure that there are very few people or vehicles around, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the serene environment. Soon enough, you'll arrive in Shepparton and unwind at tonight's accommodation, conveniently located beside Lake Victoria.

   • 41 miles
   • Accommodation in Shepparton
   • Breakfast and Dinner
7. Day 7Shepparton to McCoys Bridge

   Shepparton is a large country town but you would hardly know it judging by the entry and exit route that you take via the tracks and trails of Shepparton Regional Park. The park wraps itself around the Goulburn River, allowing you to get all the way to, and out of, central Shepparton with hardly touching a vehicle-traffic road of any sort.

   Make your way out of town and north along this green belt for the majority of the day today, with some short sections on backroads, as the Shepparton Regional Park becomes the Lower Goulburn National Park, and you hit McCoys Bridge – the end point for today’s ride. You can transfer ahead to the overnight location of Echuca for lunch, with plenty of recommendations for places to eat and ways to spend the afternoon.

   • 34.2 miles
   • Accommodation in Echuca
   • Breakfast and Dinner
8. Day 8McCoys Bridge to Echuca

   Back to McCoys Bridge this morning to start the day’s ride, the first section of which could be the most scenic of the Yellowbelly Track with standout compacted clay river tracks weaving to the natural route of the Goulburn. These sections are what make the Yellowbelly Track unique.

   As you move closer to Echuca where the Goulburn flows into the Murray River, you'll once again jump on the tree-lined backroads over pastural country and eventually into the outskirts of the town itself. Tonight’s meal is a dinner cruise on the Murray – an appropriate way to celebrate a wonderful week of cycling and following the flow of the Goulburn River.
   

   • 27.3 miles
   • Accommodation in Echuca
   • Breakfast and Dinner
9. Day 9Departure

   The tour finishes after breakfast. A train ticket to Melbourne is included in the tour price. Arrival back at Southern Cross station in Melbourne will be approximately 12:30pm.
   

   • Breakfast