3
Introductory

Traveller Rating

 

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

4 Days$840AUD

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

Murray to the Mountains Short Break 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
  • Appreciate the views of hidden valleys and spectacular mountains
  • Sample world class local produce and wines
  • Explore the charming town of Bright
  • Cycle through farmlands along Eucalyptus lined trails

Victoria's North East region is a beautiful destination, featuring stunning scenery, world class local produce, beautiful wineries and charming towns. This area is perfect to be explored by bike, as the scenic Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail links the beautiful tourist towns together. Starting in the historical town of Beechworth you will cycle past shaded forests and verdant farmland to charming Myrtleford, enjoying a long lunch stop at a winery along the way. You'll then spend a day experiencing incredible local produce such as pumpkins, berries and wines while you cycle your way to Bright, a beautiful town nestled in the Victorian Alps. On a self guided cycle you get to chose your own adventure each day, you can stop for a coffee, sample wines or produce, or linger at beautiful view points, the choice is yours!

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

Today's ride starts with a short downhill cycle along quiet roads before rejoining the 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

  • 3 nights accommodation in hotels/motels on a twinshare 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)
  • 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 3 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 paths.

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.

Childrens Bikes

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.

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.

Suitability

Introductory

3

This self guided trip involves 2 days of cycling on a sealed trail surface with some gentle ascents and descents. The first day of cycling is 43 km and the second day is 31 km. 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.

Departure dates

Daily departing from mid September to late 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

$840AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount to remove bike hireAUD$-96
  • AUD$44
  • Extra day bike hireAUD$44
  • AUD$60
  • Extra day e-bike hireAUD$90
  • Electric Bike SupplementAUD$100
  • Single SupplementAUD$340
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Murray to the Mountains Short Break 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.

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.

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.

Murray to the Mountains Short Break Trip reviews

Murray to the Mountains Short Break Videos

Murray to Mountains Rail Trail - Bright to Myrtleford

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.