5
Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 6 days cycling
Accommodation
  • 6 nights hotels/ inns
Meals
  • 6 Lunches
  • 2 Breakfasts

7 Days$2095AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: CWP

Central West Cycle Trail Supported Cycle Trip highlights

  • Enjoy the independence of cycling and navigating the route, with a support vehicle as backup
  • Cycle through the picturesque pasturelands of Central West NSW
  • Uncover the region's 19th century gold rush history in Gulgong
  • Discover charming rural towns and settlements.
  • Appreciate the camaraderie of the cycle with a group of like minded travellers

The newly established Central West Trail takes cyclists on a loop through New South Wales' Central West Region. There is everything you would expect from rural Australia including sweeping views, lonely roads and charming towns packed with character. The route traverses the territory of the Wiradjuri people, the first nations people of this area. It is also an area significant to Australia's more recent past, as it is within these vast landscapes that the burgeoning colony's prosperity was built, first with gold, then upon the sheep's back. Today, relics of this areas lucrative pioneering history remain in the many interesting towns and villages that exude the laconic humour, charm, and hospitality for which rural Australia is famous. While the aesthetic may not have changed much in the last 100 years the region has adapted, playing to its strengths, with an abundance of food, drink and accommodation options that are big on quality but low on pretense. During the trip, an escort vehicle and driver will ensure you have peace of mind as you make your way between towns. Picnic lunches will be prepared during the cycle day and our representative offers daily briefings and dinner suggestions. Otherwise, you are free to cycle at your own pace and take in the ever-changing landscape of grazing country, national park' and reserves. We have handpicked accommodation in a combination of country pubs with shared bathrooms and family run motels with private facilities, with friendly hosts and tasty food options. The sense of achievement as you roll into Gulgong to close the loop on the last cycle day is a true highlight on this groundbreaking cycle trail.

Activities:

Itinerary

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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 we recommend that you stroll around the characterful town centre 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.

Meals:  Nil

This morning you will meet with our 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. We'll take a break in the tiny town/location of Goolma at a local hall with the opportunity to charge e-bikes and catch our breath for the second stage of the cycle into Wellington 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. Ascent: 442m, descent: 613m.

Meals:  L

We head off west and quickly begin our climb of Mt Arthur, then we 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 we finally cross over a classic wooden plank bridge. We 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 we have the option of a great 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. Ascent: 449m, descent: 415m.

Meals:  L

We start to head east this morning and although Dubbo is a large rural city we soon pass the urban edge of Dubbo leaving through the back door and once again find ourselves heading down rural backroads then through areas of the Beni State Conservation area before arriving in the small town of Wongarbon where we have the option of scones and coffee and tea at a local art gallery who open for coffee only for cycle groups doing the trail. We then head through prime agricultural and pastoral country where, depending on the time of year and season, you many 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 Ballimore is along sealed quite roads which is a great way to end the day ambling into the very small town of Ballimore with the only commercial business in the whole town being the legendry ‘Hair of the Dog Hotel’, 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. Ascent: 310m, descent:266m.

Meals:  L

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' supporting an 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 colour from wild flowers in season. Ascent: 241m, descent: 199m.

Meals:  B,L

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. On rolling into the town, be sure to take a look at the towns newest attraction, some "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). The other alternative 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). Ascent: 392m, descent: 350m.

Meals:  B,L

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. Ascent: 613m, descent: 442m

Meals:  L

Inclusions

What's included

  • 6 nights in twin share accommodation - motels with private bathrooms (3 nights) and simple hotels with shared bathroom (3 nights)
  • 3 breakfasts - basic continental style
  • Picnic lunch on cycle days (option to have lunch at a rural property is available on two days - additional cost applies)
  • Tea / coffee stop on cycle days prepared by escort driver
  • E-bike hire
  • Navigational App and route maps
  • Daily luggage transfers by escort vehicle
  • Escort driver who provides daily briefings, assists cyclists along the route, prepares picnic lunches and offers dinner suggestions

  • Travel to/ from Gulgong
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, car parking, towel etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not listed as included including lunches at rural properties, snacks and morning tea along the route

About Your Leader

Shawn Flannery, passionate cyclist!&#160;-&#160;<i>Photo:&#160;Shawn Flannery</i>

Shawn is a passionate cyclist who calls Kandos, NSW, home, where he's able to keep his finger on the pulse of the Central West Cycle Trail. Shawn has previously spent time as a tour guide in the Northern Territory and thrives on ensuring travellers have an unforgettable experience on our fully-supported tours, such as the Central West Cycle Trail Supported tour.

Accommodation

Comfortable Accommodation

You’ll spend three nights in clean and comfortable 2-3 star motels. The rooms are spacious, clean, double/twin rooms with ensuite facilities. The accommodation we use is usually located close to the cycling route.

Country Pubs

On three nights you stay in characterful country pubs in a double or twin room with shared bathrooms.

Bike information

E-Bike

The bikes we use for the trip are brand Valk MX7 which is a unisex bike fitted with Shimano Tourney gears, disk brakes and selective front suspension.

Trail Surface

Country Roads

Quiet rural roads which are sealed are typical of the trail surface you will encounter.

Well graded dirt roads

There are sections of the route which take you on well graded dirt roads. Sometimes they will be corrugated which can be a little bumpy. Following excessive rain, the road may become rutted and / or muddy - care will need to be taken and short stages may require pushing your bike. During dry periods, the edges of the road may be soft and care will also need to be taken.

Suitability

Moderate

5

This escorted self guided trip involves 6 days of cycling, generally on bitumen or well graded dirt roads with daily ascents of 172m to 463m. Some sections of the daily cycles may have traffic, including trucks. Daily activity is usually between 4 and 7 hours but some days might be longer depending on your overall pace on riding. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health and be a capable cyclist. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions which can also add to the timing and comfort of a trip, for example riding into a head wind will take more time than when the wind is behind you. If you decided to bring your own bike and it is not an e-bike, the overall grading of the trip changes to moderate to challenging mainly due to the last cycle day of 78km. Please ensure that your bike is fit for purpose - road bikes are not suitable for this trip unless they have been fitted with wider tread tyres. The best bike is a hybrid or a gravel bike.

Departure dates


Notes

DN1
If you are travelling on your own a single suppplement will apply to secure your own room. We can try and pair you with another participant of the same gender, however if we cannot match you up a single supplement will be applicable.

Priceper person from

$2095AUD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Central West Cycle Trail Supported trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The easiest way to get to Gulgong is by car. The drive from Sydney is 4 hours.

Breakfasts when provided are simple continental style - think cereal and toast. There is usually a cafe nearby to purchase a more substantial breakfast with good coffee. Picnic lunches are provided by our support driver and these are well received - fresh salad, sliced meat, wraps or bread, tea, coffee and fruit. For the evening meal, this is usually taken at your expense in the pub restaurant when staying in a pub or at a restaurant in town when staying in larger centres. The group generally eats together.

Fortunately this is rare. Our support driver is there to assist during the days cycle and can help with minor repairs. Spare bikes are usually carried in the event that the bike is un-rideable. This is of course one of the great benefits of joining a supported cycle trip. Help is always close at hand.

Yes, you need to be a capable cyclist. You will cover up to 78km in a day, across undulating terrain, and you will need to be confident cycling on roads. There is lots of cycling on the road in this trip. There are also some stages on well graded dirt roads where there may be soft sections to look out for. Excessive rain will always require more cares while cycling whatever the surface and there may be times when you will need to walk your bike for short stages if the road is difficult to navigate due to the conditions (eg. heavily rutted or muddy).

Yes, e-bike hire is included in this trip cost. Please let us know if you would like to hire a standard bike instead - a small discount applies.

Central West Cycle Trail Supported Cycle Trip reviews

Central West Cycle Trail Supported Cycle Videos

Central West Cycle Trail Self Guided Trip | Australian Cycle Tours

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.