3
Introductory

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 3 day self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 4 nights hotel/motel accommodation
Meals

5 Days$1015AUD

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

Murray to the Mountains Downhill Edition Trip highlights

  • Enjoy the independence of self-guided cycling with all logistics taken care of for you
  • Cycle on the Murray to the Mountains rail trail and surrounds
  • Take in the historical, well preserved town of Beechworth
  • Focus on the beautiful scenery with all of the major hills avoided
  • Sample world class local produce and wines
  • Cycle through farmlands along Eucalyptus lined trails
  • Appreciate the views of hidden valleys and spectacular mountains
  • Explore the charming town of Bright

This edition of the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail cycle uses gravity to your advantage. The major hills are avoided, so you can focus on taking in the beautiful scenery and enjoying the local produce and wines. This program along sections of the old Wangaratta to Bright railway line and surrounds, sees you cycle on gentle, flat roads or fun downhill trails while soaking in the views of verdant farmland, bushland, forests, valleys and mountains. Starting in the historical town of Beechworth you will get your first taste of the fine produce of the region on a scenic day cycle to Milawa, with stops to sample cheese, mustard and wines. You then cycle onwards to picturesque Myrtleford through shaded forests and eucalyptus trees with a relaxing lunch at a beautiful winery. Your final day's cycle takes you to Bright, the perfect town to explore the nearby Mount Buffalo National Park and Alpine National Park. Bright is a charming town located on the Ovens River where views of the Victorian Alps can be admired right from the centre of town.

Activities:

Itinerary

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Today make your own way to the historical town of Beechworth located in the North East of Victoria. After checking into your hotel you are then free to explore this charming town, set in one of Victoria’s ultimate wine and food destinations. Beechworth was a popular gold mining town in the mid 19th century and has many well preserved buildings to explore. You may wish to take a tour of the fascinating Beechworth Gaol, where the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was incarcerated or sample the wonderful local produce at one of the local cafes or restaurants. Overnight in Beechworth.

Meals:  Nil

This morning you will collect your bike from the bike shop in Beechworth. The focus for today is getting a taste of the fine produce of the region on a scenic day cycle as you get used to your bike. Heading off from Beechworth you will enjoy a fun descent along the rail trail towards Everton Station. Beautiful eucalyptus trees and verdant farmland line the road creating that classic Australian bush smell, making it a lovely days ride. We pass by the general store in Everton, which is a good excuse to stretch the legs and get an ice cream. You then make your way to the Milawa Cheese Company (open daily), set in the historic Milawa Butter Factory. They have a wide range of cheeses you can try, and a gift store with some interesting items for sale. It’s then back on the bikes and onto Milawa Mustards (open daily). It’s well worth the stop here to taste the many mustards on offer, catering to everyone's taste from mild to hot. You then head off to Brown Brothers (cellar door open daily; restaurant only open Friday to Monday) the recommended lunch destination. Brown Brothers have been making wines since 1889 and is still a family owned winery. There is a welcoming tasting room where you can sample the varieties and beautiful food for lunch (Friday to Monday only) which you can enjoy in the air conditioned dining room or outside in the sun. After lunch you will be picked up and transferred back to your accommodation in Beechworth, with the transfer usually booked for 3pm. Overnight in Beechworth. Cycling distance: 33km, ascent: 32m, descent: 416m Note: Between Beechworth and Everton you will cycle on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Between Everton and Milawa you will cycle on backroads.

Meals:  Nil

Today's ride starts with a short downhill cycle along quiet roads before rejoining the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. The countryside is classic Australian bushlands with Gum Trees lining the trail and rows of vines lining up to the hills, We cycle onwards past Brookfield and Bowman Stations as the trail gently climbs to Taylors Gap, before evening off for a nice easy ride to Gapsted Winery (open Thursday to Monday). The Victorian Alps create a wonderful backdrop for a tasting and relaxing lunch at this cool climate award winning winery. After lunch it’s a short, gentle ride into picturesque Myrtleford town. Overnight in Myrtleford. Cycling distance: 43km, ascent: 205m, descent: 544m

Meals:  Nil

Today is an easy ride into Bright, with many opportunities along the way to stop and sample the world class local produce. Starting this mornings cycle along the rail trail the first stop is The Pumpkin Seed and Oil Store (open daily), which do all sorts of amazing things with pumpkin seeds. Further along the track you will come to the Buffalo Berry Farm (open daily), who sell ice cream as well jam, coffee and berry pie. After a gentle cycle through bushland you can stop for lunch at Ringer Reef Winery (closed Wednesday), along with a wine tasting of course. Then it’s onwards to the beautiful town of Bright, where you can explore its many great cafes and restaurants along with the nearby National Parks. Overnight in Bright. Your bike and gear will be picked up from your hotel this afternoon. Cycling distance: 31km, ascent: 153m, descent: 48m

Meals:  Nil

This morning concludes your cycling adventure along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail! You are then free to explore beautiful Bright at your own pace. We are able to assist with booking a return transfer to Beechworth (departing at either 12.30pm or 5.30pm).

Meals:  Nil

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 4 nights accommodation in hotels/motels on a twin share basis
  • Hybrid bike hire including helmet, lock, repair kit, front handlebar bag, drink bottle holder, rear carrier and a waterproof pannier (electric bikes and tandem bikes can be hired for an additional supplement)
  • Transfer from Milawa to Beechworth
  • Luggage transfers
  • Route notes and maps
  • GPS information

  • Travel to Beechworth and from Bright
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, car parking, towel etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals
  • Wine tastings and produce sampling
  • Phone handlebar mount

Accommodation

Comfortable Accommodation

You’ll spend 4 nights in clean and comfortable 2-3 star hotels. The rooms are spacious, clean, double/twin rooms, most of which have ensuite facilities. The hotels are well located, close to town and the bike path.

Bike information

Hybrid Bike

The bicycles we provide are high quality Avanti Discovery 3 touring bikes or similar, with 27-speed gears for on-demand, quick gear change across a wide gear range. Bike hire includes a helmet, lock, repair kit, front handlebar bag, drink bottle holder, rear carrier and a waterproof pannier.

Electric Bike

Electric Bicycles can be hired at an additional cost. The electric bikes we provide are high quality 9 speed bikes with a step through frame. Bike hire includes a helmet, lock, repair kit, front handlebar bag, drink bottle holder, rear carrier and a waterproof pannier.

Children's Bike

The Avanti Montari JR 24 is a truly functional bike for smaller riders (8-12 years) who like an adult mountain bike inspired style for Rail Trail riding, while a Scott brand 20" and Avanti 16" for 4-7 year olds will have the kids happy as they ride. Note that childrens bikes do not have a rear carrier or handlebar bag.

Follow me Tandem

Follow-me-tandems are available for riders 5-7, who may want some independence but can be hooked onto the adult bike when they get tired. Trailers are perfect for non cycling kids from 18 months to 4 years.

Suitability

Introductory

3

This self guided trip involves 3 days of cycling on a sealed trail surface with some gentle descents. On average you will cycle 35 km per day, with plenty of opportunities to stop and rest while sampling local produce and wines. Being a self guided trip you determine the pace and schedule. You will need to be in good health and be a confident and 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 effort than when the wind is behind you. Between Everton and Milawa, on day 2 of the trip, you will cycle on quiet country backroads. Leaving Everton you need to cross the main highway before turning on to the backroads. The rest of the cycling on the trip on the Rail Trail, where you cycle separate from the road. You will need to cycle through the towns to get to your hotels each day.

Departure dates

Daily departing from mid September to mid May

Notes

DN1
Please note, when we book your accommodation some hotels may request a deposit/full payment to secure your booking. This amount will be payable, in addition to the Australian Cycle Tours deposit. Any extra payments, along with the $400 AUD deposit, are non-refundable.

Priceper person from

$1015AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount to remove bike hireAUD$-144
  • AUD$44
  • Extra day bike hireAUD$44
  • AUD$60
  • Extra day e-bike hireAUD$90
  • Electric Bike SupplementAUD$150
  • Single SupplementAUD$450
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Murray to the Mountains Downhill Edition 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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Yes. You will cover up to 43km in a day, and although most of the cycling is downhill and on a dedicated cycling path you do still need to be a capable cyclist.

Yes, you can use your own bike if you prefer. Let us know at the time of booking and a small discount will be applied. If you are electing to bring your own bike, it is important that you have a bike fit for purpose.

You can drive to Beechworth. Parking will be available at the first accommodation. Or you can catch a train from Melbourne to Wangaratta and then a connecting bus to Beechworth. The total journey time will be around 4 hours.

At the end of the trip we can arrange a transfer from Bright to Beechworth, or you can take the bus (around 40 minutes).

The transfer is a shuttle that departs Bright at 5.30pm.

To return to Melbourne you can take the bus. You will need to catch a bus from Bright to Wangaratta, then a connecting bus back to Melbourne. A train also runs between Wangaratta and Melbourne, usually departing in the mid afternoon.

The buses in the area are operated by V-Line and if you a travelling with your own bike, they require that bikes are boxed.

There is plenty of street parking in Beechworth. If you leave your car in Beechworth you will need to return from Bright at the end of the trip.

Alternatively you can drive to Bright on day 1, leave your car near your hotel, then catch the bus or take a transfer to Beechworth that afternoon. When you return to Bright at the end of the trip, your car will be there ready for you to depart.

Murray to the Mountains Downhill Edition Trip reviews

Murray to the Mountains Downhill Edition Videos

Murray to Mountains Rail Trail - Beechworth to Everton

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.