Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Tour Overview

Cycle from the centre of Melbourne along the iconic

Beach Road, through the Mornington Peninsula, by ferry

to Phillip Island.

Love cycling along the amazing wild beaches and

coastline of the Bunurong Coastal Park.

Then its time to cycle through the rolling emerald green

countryside of Gippsland, through temperate rain

forests and wide open plains.

Enjoy the East Gippsland Rail Trail looking out for native

animals and the huge trestle bridges that loom out of

the bush.

Explore popular Lakes Entrance one of our favourite

beachside holiday locations.

Finish at Marlo where the Snowy River meets the sea.

Summary:

• 790km; Av 44km/day; Max 60km/day.

• 19 Days/18 nights

• 16 cycling days, 2 Off bike days, 1 travel day

• Bikes and cycling equipment included

• Luggage transfers

• Accommodation with a hearty breakfast every day

• Maps, local tips and Cyclewayz App Electronic Navigation.

• Roadside assist

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour Express 19D 18N

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day One Night One

Port Melbourne to Frankston - 57km Cycle

The Ride

• Cycle out of Melbourne on Beach Rd along

Port Phillip Bay, which has a very good cycle

path. This is Melbourne's premier cycle route.

• Visit the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes,

see the Spirit of Tasmania waiting at the docks

and many other points of interest along the

way.

• The ride today is quite flat so you will have lots

of time for sightseeing.

We Love

• Taking photos of the small boats at Mordialloc

and cycling through the hinterland to see the

little ponies and wetlands birds.

Food

• On the way to Frankston there are many

places to eat until you get to Mordialloc. There

are not too many cafes after Mordialloc so

make sure you have water and food for the

Mordialloc to Frankston section.

Fun Fact

• Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes are one of the

most photographed and iconic places in

Melbourne. Each bathing box is painted bright

colours by their owners.

• Brighton is one of Melbourne’s wealthiest

suburbs—the record selling price for a single

bathing box was $337,000 in 2018.

Your Frankston Accommodation

Quest Frankston

377 Nepean Highway Frankston Vic

8796 1000

https://www.questapartments.com.au/

properties/vic/frankston/quest-frankston/hotel

Tonight you will be staying at Quest Frank-

ston. The well-appointed Quest Frankston is

flooded with natural light, and provides a styl-

ish, open-plan space to unwind and relax.

The complex has Foxtel and high-speed in-

ternet access. There is also a swimming pool

and alfresco BBQ area.

At Quest Frankston you will be within walking

distance of quality cafes. There is also a

kitchenette in your rooms should you wish to

cook instead of dining out.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Two Night Two

Frankston to Cowes - 35km (61km with side

trip)

The Ride

• The ride today is almost flat. You’ll cycle from

Frankston on cycle paths towards Stony Point.

There is one short section of busy road with a

good verge. If you want to skip this section you

can take the train.

• Cycle across the hinterland and then through

the mangroves. Look out for the many birds in

the mangroves. Catch the ferry from Stony

Point to Cowes. We will provide you with a fer-

ry timetable.

Side Trip

• OPTION: At stony Point you have the option to

do a 26km return side trip to beautiful Coolarts

homestead before catching the ferry to Cowes.

Food

• On the way to Stony Point there are many

places to eat and find water including Has-

tings, Mornington, Tyabb and more.

• There is no food on the side trip to the home-

stead so be sure to stock up before you go.

Fun Fact

• Phillip island is home to a large colony of little

penguins. In summer the Penguins fish all day

and return home at sunset. This is known as

the ‘Penguin Parade.’

• We can book a tour for you to see the pen-

guins. Just let us know if you are interested

and we can arrange it for you.

Your Cowes Accommodation

Kaloha Resort

Cnr Steele & Chapel Streets, Cowes

5952 2179

http://kaloha.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Kaloha Resort.

centrally nestled in one of the best locations in

Cowes.

Kaloha has absolute beach frontage and is less

than a 5 minute walk to shops, cafes and res-

taurants. The motel is surrounded by beautiful

tropical palms, with a large salt water swimming

pool and hot spa under a Bali thatched gazebo.

The motel is very close to a safe swimming

beach. A walk along the beach is a great way to

stretch the legs and enjoy the sunset.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Three Night Three

Cowes to Kilcunda - 35km Cycle

The Ride

• Todays ride is almost completely on cycle

paths. It starts quietly with a lovely cycle along

Lovers Walk and through the Roberts Reserve

home to many wallabies, birds and sometimes

koalas.

• After cycling the quiet bay beaches, Cross the

Narrows on the Phillip Island bridge and stop

for a snack or fish and chips at San Remo.

• Then take in the wonderful Westernport views

as you cycle across to Anderson and the Bass

Coast Rail Trail. From Anderson it is a short

ride into Kilcunda, a small town with wild ocean

views.

We Love

• Cycling past the Chicory and Oast houses.

Chicory is a crop used as a coffee substitute

and grows well on Phillip Island. The old brick

kilns are interesting to see.

Food

• Near Cowes we recommend the historic Silver-

leaves Café.

• Further on, San Remo is a great spot for cafe’s

and fish and chips.

Fun Fact

• Cape Wollomai is a popular surf spot with lo-

cals. It is also home to 1million shearwater

birds. Each year they nest in Australia before

flying north to islands off the Alaskan coast. A

distance of over 16,000km.

Your Kilcunda Accommodation

Kilcunda Oceanview Retreat

3560 Bass Highway, Kilcunda 3995

5678 7260

http://kilcundaoceanview.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Kilcunda

Oceanview Retreat.

Kilcunda Oceanview retreat is a simply stun-

ning clifftop villa overlooking the Kilcunda

coast.

This accommodation is especially fantastic at

sunset as the sun sets over Bass Strait. The

beach is a clifftop staircase away from your

villa.

The Kilcunda Oceanview retreat is across

the road from the Kilcunda pub for dinner

and the Killy general store for breakfast. Kil-

cunda is a small town and so there are not a

lot of options to purchase groceries.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Four Night Four

Your Kilcunda Accommodation

Kilcunda Oceanview Retreat

3560 Bass Highway, Kilcunda 3995

5678 7260

http://kilcundaoceanview.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Kilcunda

Oceanview Retreat.

Kilcunda Oceanview retreat is a simply stunning

clifftop villa overlooking the Kilcunda coast. This

accommodation is especially fantastic at sunset

as the sun sets over Bass Strait. The beach is a

clifftop staircase away from your villa.

The Kilcunda Oceanview retreat is across the

road from the Kilcunda pub for dinner and the Kil-

ly general store for breakfast. Kilcunda is a small

town and so there are not a lot of options to pur-

chase groceries.

Day 4 Kilcunda Off Bike Day- 7km each way

George Bass Coastal Walk optional

The Walk

• Today you can have a rest or walk the spectacular

George Bass Coastal walk which starts right here on

Kilcunda. It is a 14km return headlands walk.

• Walk the clifftop path high above the Bass Strait surf

and beautiful secluded beaches below. Follow the

route of George Bass' coastal discovery voyage over

200 years ago on this popular walk, stretching from

the outskirts of San Remo at Punchbowl Road to the

Bass Highway (just opposite the hall at Peppermint

Road) in Kilcunda.

We Love

• The amazing views, lunch at the Killy General Store,

a walk along the beach, watching the surfers or read-

ing a book or two!

Food

• Take your lunch and water as there is no food or wa-

ter along the way and you will need to return by foot.

Fun Fact

• In 1797, George Bass sailed from Sydney Cove in an

8.7 metre whale boat to prove the existence of a

strait between Tasmania and New South Wales. Dur-

ing this epic voyage George Bass discovered and

named the first natural harbour on the southern main-

land coast, Westernport Bay, after he passed by Kil-

cunda

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Five Night Five

Kilcunda to Inverloch - 45km Cycle

The Ride

• Start on the rail trail across the Kilcunda bridge

and its headlands. Cycle through the wetlands

to Wonthaggi.

• After Wonthaggi ride towards Harmers Haven a

small Hamlet right on the beach. Then it’s onto

Cape Paterson where you can enjoy the start of

the spectacular Bunurong Coast.

• Cape Paterson to Inverloch is a stunning ride

with views across cliffy headlands and small

bays. Take care along this stretch as it is a little

hilly and cars do use this road. However

outside of the months of January February it is

usually quiet.

We Love

• Going for a walk at Eagles Nest and looking for

dinosaur fossils that can be found here.

Food

• Stock up before you go for food in Wonthaggi.

There is a small corner store in Cape

Patterson, but not a lot of food. Inverloch has

many cafes and supermarkets.

Fun Fact

• In Inverloch, take a leisurely walk around Screw

Creek. This is a beautiful, easy walk with great

views across the sea. A hermit once spent 17

years searching for hidden treasure here—he

was convinced it was worth £220million.

Your Inverloch Accommodation

Motel on A’Beckett

24 A'Beckett Street, Inverloch VIC 3996

5674 1311

http://www.motelonabeckett.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Motel on

A’Beckett in Inverloch. Inverloch is a charm-

ing hamlet by the sea. A great place to relax

and unwind walking along beaches and

through the township.

Motel on A’Beckett is within walking distance

of Hotels, Cafes & Restaurants, Town Facili-

ties and Beaches.

The motel has free Wireless NBN Broadband

and a wonderful indoor solar heated swim-

ming pool. There is a BBQ/alfresco area with

inviting courtyard.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Six Night Six

Inverloch to Leongatha - 38km Cycle

The Ride

• Today you will cycle through lovely rolling coun-

try side on back roads to Leongatha.

• You’ll head out into dairy country on a mix of

sealed and unsealed roads and Rail Trails with

lovely views of the southern Strzelecki Ranges.

• Leongatha is an interesting town with its wide

streets, old buildings and interesting art gallery.

We Love

• Taking a break at the Outtrim Reserve and the

nearby historic cemetery, all that remains of the

once thriving township of Outtrim.

• You can have a picnic here. Watch out for the

colourful Rosellas, Cockatoos and Major Mitch-

ell Galahs. See if you can spot a Koala

Food

• There is no food or water today so be prepared

and have some on onboard. Leongatha has

restaurants, cafes and several large supermar-

kets.

Fun Fact

• There is a statue in Leongatha of 9 year old

Lennie Gwyther riding his pony ‘spot’. In 19 he

rode all the way to Sydney on his own to wit-

ness the opening of the Sydney Harbour

Bridge.

Your Leongatha Accommodation

Alkira Leongatha

90 McCartin Street Leongatha

0467 274 872

https://alkira-garden-studio-accommodation-

leongatha.business.site/

Tonight you will be staying at Alkira Leonga-

tha. Alkira Leongatha are comfy garden stu-

dios located close to the town centre. Free

WiFi. Each studio has a kitchenette suitable

for tea and coffee making facilities.

The Leongatha township has a big Coles,

Woolworths and Aldi should you need to

shop. There are also restaurants and cafes

for breakfast lunch and dinner.

The Gardens are lush and vibrant. There is a

BBQ area and also a firepit if you would like

to sit outside with a cool afternoon beverage

and toast marshmallows!

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Seven Night Seven

Leongatha to Foster - 48km Cycle

The Ride

• Today you have plenty of time to cycle to

Foster so enjoy your lovely breakfast and

then head out towards Fish Creek.

• Today you’ll pass through the highest point

of the Great Southern Rail Trail. This is a

very pretty part of the trail and has sweeping

views to Wilsons Promontory National Park

and the Strezlecki Ranges

We Love

• The giant fish (Mullet) on the top of the Fish

Creek pub. Definitely a unique feature of the

town!

Food

• Today you’ll pass through several towns with

great food. First up is Koonwarra which is

home to the slow food movement.

Koonwarra has a general store packed with

homemade local produce.

• Meeniyan is home to the annual Garlic

Festival and has a local community garden

as well as cafes and restaurants.

• Fish Creek has several delicious cafes to

enjoy. There are also art galleries and craft

shops to explore.

Fun Fact

• Alison Lester is a well known Australian

children’s author. She has a shop filled with

her books and illustrations in Fish Creek.

Your Foster Accommodation

Litchfield Lodge B&B

12 Hoddle Road Foster

5682 1760

Tonight you will be staying at Litchfield Lodge.

Litchfield Lodge is a charming, refurbished 1930's

home set in 3/4 acre established garden opposite

the high school in Foster.

You can enjoy the comfort of bedrooms with en-

suites, guest lounge and breakfast room with tea/

coffee making facilities.

Meg and Buck are your friendly hosts at Litchfield.

Meg is a good cook and regularly bakes slices

and cakes for guests to enjoy with a cup of tea.

Colourful Australian birds play on the deck just

outside the dining room at breakfast.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Eight Night Eight

Foster to Yarram - 60km Cycle

The Ride

• Today is a challenging ride with no food,

water or toilets for the last 50km. You should

start early so you have plenty of time. As

always we are on hand to assist if required.

• Your first stop will be Toora. It is an easy

10km cycle from Foster to Toora and a nice

warm up! Toora is a great town with

interesting old buildings and some tasty

cafes

• From Toora you will climb the hills through

Creamery Valley Road to Woorarra Road. It

is beautiful, if hilly, country. Have a break at

Binginwarri Cricket Ground. Then it is a

straight flat ride to Yarram.

We Love

• Walking through Yarram with its many

historic buildings.

Food

• 10km along from Foster is Toora. Stop here

and pack some lunch and fill your water

bottles. Make sure you have enough to get

through to Yarram. The last 50km today

(after Toora) has no food, water or toilets.

Fun Fact

• The Binginwarri cricket ground is home to the

Binginwarri warriors. It is thought the name

Binginwarri comes from an Aboriginal word

meaning hungry stomach!

Your Yarram Accommodation

Yarram Cottage

32 Rodgers Street, Yarram, VIC

http://www.snorehere.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Yarram Cot-

tage. Self contained cottage accommodation.

There are three bedrooms. Two with queen-

sized beds and one with two single beds.

There is a kitchen, dining room, lounge room

and a bathroom.

Yarram cottage is a wonderful base in the

heart of the town - only a few minutes walk to

Yarram's shops, services and bikepath.

The cottage has a charming feel with original

features and character. This includes

pressed metal ceilings and original Baltic

pine floorboards.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Nine Night Nine

Yarram to Balook - 30km Cycle

The Ride

• You have two choices today. You can cycle

to Balook and enjoy the steep hill up to the

Tarra Bulga Guesthouse. It is a short-ish,

steep, but beautiful ride and we highly

recommend it.

We Love

• Alternatively if you wish to have a lift up the

hill to Balook with your luggage (after your

busy ride yesterday) you can do a short

return ride to Port Albert which is a lovely old

seaside fishing village.

• At Balook there is some lovely walking

through the temperate rain forests of the

Tarra Bulga National Park.

Food

• Start your cycle across the flats to Ferndale

and enjoy a scone and cream high tea. This

is the oldest Tourist Park in Victoria

• Then climb up to the ridge through the Tarra

River valley on a small narrow sealed road

which has truly spectacular old growth forest.

Look out for Lyrebirds, wombats, echidnas

and wallabies.

Fun Fact

• Stop at Tarra Valley Picnic Area to do the

Cyathea Falls walk.

• Finish along the Grand Ridge Road with

great views and stunning forests.

Your Balook Accommodation

Tarra Bulga Guest House

1885 Grand Ridge Road, Balook, VIC 3971

5196 6141

http://www.tarra-bulga.com/

Tonight you will be staying at Tarra Bulga

Guest House.

The Tarra-Bulga Guest House and Lyrebird

Café are situated in Balook – a unique loca-

tion adjacent to the cool, temperate rainfor-

ests of the Tarra-Bulga National Park and

surrounds.

The guest house is a wonderful place to en-

joy a delicious home-cooked meal and a

restful night’s sleep.

It is the perfect getaway spot for relaxation

and rejuvenation. Nina and Torben and their

Son Thomas will be your hosts throughout

your stay and have a special ability to make

you feel right at home.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Ten Night Ten

Balook to Rosedale - 50km Cycle

The ride

• This is a great ride down the hills to Rosedale.

• After you reach the sign to Mt Tassie you will

be at the top of your ride. Then its downhill. The

first part of the road is dirt and a little rough but

the ride is fun and spectacular with sweeping

views to the coast

• Then it’s a great sealed run on a quiet country

road down the hill and through the farms to

Rosedale.

We love

• Tarra-Bulga National Park. Admiring the giant

Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies and

ancient myrtle beeches. Wondering at some of

the best examples of original cool temperate

rainforests of the Strzelecki Ranges.

Food

• No food or water along the way today– make

sure you carry it with you. Eat an extra

delicious breakfast at the guest house!

Fun Fact

• At Tarra Bulga National Park there is a walk

through the rainforest. Gorgeous spot to take

photos dwarfed by the ancient ferns and

mountain ash trees. There is also a magnificent

swing bridge that hangs over the forest. It was

originally built in 1938 for tourism, and re-built

by the army in 1982.

Transfer - Rosedale to Traralgon

When you reach Rosedale we will come and

collect you to transfer you to Traralgon. This

is where you will be staying tonight.

Give us a call when you reach Rosedale so

we can collect you.

Your Traralgon Accommodation

Bridges on Argyle

84-90 Argyle Street, Traralgon Vic 3844

5116 7800

http://www.bridgesonargyle.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Bridges on

Argyle.

Bridges on Argyle is the only 4 star accom-

modation offering unmatched style and so-

phistication in Traralgon’s CBD.

The Motel is located just 500m away from

the Traralgon’s main street. The rooms fea-

ture modern amenities including separate

work station, individually controlled reverse

cycle heating and cooling, large flat screen

televisions with free pay TV and Wi-F in eve-

ry room. All rooms have sound proof win-

dows. With all highway facing rooms

equipped with shutters for a quiet and relax-

ing sleep.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Eleven Night Eleven

Traralgon to Maffra - 60km Cycle

The Ride

• Today is a lovely country cycle. Before you

leave Rosedale visit the bakery with its wood

carvings and do the Rosedale historical walk.

• Today you’ll cycle through Cowwarr. Which

is a small, arty town with an award winning

art house and the Cowwarr Cricket Club

Hotel perfectly placed for lunch or high tea.

• From here you will cycle on the Gippsland

Plains Rail Trail to Heyfield. Enjoy the

wetlands park and memorial park in town.

• The last part of your day takes you on a

pretty ride along the marshes and rivers into

Tinamba.

Side Trip

• OPTION 1: Take a side trip to Sandy Point at

Lake Glenmaggie which is a boaties

paradise. It is also a popular fishing spot for

trout, redfin and bass.

Food

• Cowwarr Cricket Club hotel is perfectly

placed for lunch or high tea.

• Heyfield also has several restaurants and

cafes to choose from.

Fun Fact

• Aboriginal people used to cut into the side of

living trees to build their canoes. There is a

tree with a canoe ‘scar’ in Rosedale.

Your Maffra Accommodation

Maffra Motor Inn

184 Johnson Street Maffra Victoria

5147 2111

http://www.mafframotorinn.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Maffra Motor Inn with

modern furnishings, and well-appointed rooms. The

motel is a family-run Motel, focused on offering a per-

sonalized, friendly and efficient service.

The Motor Inn has free high speed WiFi and there is

also an outdoor pool.

Maffra Motor Inn is located within short walking dis-

tance to cafes, pubs and restaurants with the Maffra

Community Sports Club, a four minute walk away,

offering a full bar and excellent dinners.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Twelve Night Twelve

Your Stratford Accommodation

Stratford on the River Tourist Park

16 McMillan Street, Stratford Victoria 3862

5145 6588

https://www.stratfordontheriver.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Stratford Tourist Park.

The amenities are immaculately clean, and enhanced

by a well- appointed camp-kitchen complete with tele-

vision, microwave, fridge and heater which adds

warmth in the cooler evenings and laundry facilities.

The undercover barbecue and eating area together

with a number of open fireplaces make wonderful

meeting areas. The park is next door to the local

swimming pool.

It’s a 5 minute walk to the delights of Stratford which

includes the local bakery, butchers, café’s, gift shops.

Maffra to Stratford - 57km Cycle

The Ride

• Today is a lovely flat cycle through the small

towns of central Gippsland

• The small roads wind through the fields of

vegetables, vinyards and dairy farms that make

up this region.

• After Briagolong you will cycle to Stratford along

the Llowallong road—a lovely quiet little back

road quite a favorite with local cyclists.

• When you reach Stratford you can cycle out to

Knob Reserve a well known meeting place for

Aboriginal tribes from all of Gippsland.

We Love

• Briagolong home to the bush band and wonderful

art galleries.

• The Boisdale workers cottages, Boisdale stable

and hall.

• The Avon River that flows through this region

Food

• Briagolong has the pub and general store and

Local Fact

• The name of Briagolong is taken from the name

of the Aboriginal tribe, the Braiakaulung, who

occupied the area. Members of this tribe were

removed to Ramahyuck Mission Station in

1864. You will ride past there tomorrow.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Thirteen Night Thirteen

Stratford to Bairnsdale - 60km Cycle

The Ride

• Your ride today is almost completely on road,

taking you through dairy and beef cattle

country from Stratford to Bairnsdale through

Bengworden, Meerlieu and Perry's bridge.

• At Meerlieu you will see a typical country

Cricket Pitch and old school. Perry Bridge

gives you a typical old Church.

• Take a break at the Bengworden Hall, play the

piano and imagine the activity on and off the

tennis court.

• In Bairnsdale take a look at St Marys Catholic

church with its beautiful murals painted during

the depression.

We Love

• Cycling through the typical Australian farmland

countryside. We love cycling with lots of space

and rolling country and the backdrop of the

Great Divide.

Food

• There is no food or water - but we will be on

hand with lunch and a drink along your way.

Fun Fact

• If you are lucky the Roulettes might be

practising – they are our Airforce

Acrobatic Flying team and take their

planes high in the sky to stall them, fly

upside down and do loop the loops.

Your Bairnsdale Accommodation

The Riversleigh

1 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale, VIC 3875

5152 6966

https://www.riversleigh.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at The Riversleigh Bed and

Breakfast. Personalised, attentive service and a sense

of tranquil relaxation are among the hallmarks of a stay

at The Riversleigh.

Located in the heart of Bairnsdale on a quiet street

over-looking the Mitchell River, The Riversleigh fea-

tures elegant period fittings with tastefully-appointed

modern rooms, providing a unique and very high quali-

ty accommodation experience to their guests.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Fourteen Night Fourteen

Your Bairnsdale Accommodation

The Riversleigh

1 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale, VIC 3875

5152 6966

https://www.riversleigh.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at The Riversleigh

Bed and Breakfast.

Bairnsdale Day off Bikes or 45km of

cycling

The Ride

• Today you have a rest day and Snowy River

Cycling will take you on a tour to visit the Silt

Jetties and the wild Koalas at Raymond Island

• The Silt Jetties, always of interest to scientists

and visitors alike, are an unusual natural

feature rarely seen in this size the world over.

Raymond Island is a short ferry ride from

Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes, here you

can see koalas in treetops above the houses.

The koalas were introduced to Raymond Island

in 1953 as a safeguard against extinction when

32 of them were sent from Phillip Island. There

are more than 200 there now.

We Love

• Seeing wild Koalas sitting in the trees.

• Cycling out along the silt jetties. .

Food

• Bairnsdale has lots of lovely food options.

Fun Fact

• The silt jetties are a form of delta known as

“digitate” or “finger-delta” and are some of the

finest examples to be found anywhere in the

world. Since the destruction of the silt jetties on

the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico by

hurricane “Katrina” in 2005, they are now

claimed as the longest in the world. It is

fascinating that the Mitchell River, which is so

small by comparison, should have such fine

and lengthy silt jetties at its mouth.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Fifteen Night Fifteen

Bairnsdale to Bruthen - 30km Cycle

The Ride

• Today is a relaxing easy ride to Bruthen along

the East Gippsland Rail Trail.

• Crossing the Mitchell river at Nicholson, there is

a small boats mooring area which is very pretty.

• Bruthen is a lovely historic town with a number

of speciality shops, a general store (built in

1860) and the historic post office (built in 1890).

Shady gardens with a rotunda and picnic areas

are situated beside the town's main street

We Love

• Relaxing by the Tambo River in Bruthen. There

are lots of places to walk and meander among

the shady trees.

Food

• The Bullant Brewery in Bruthen is a great spot

for lunch or beer tastings.

• The old Bruthen Hotel makes a lovely place for

dinner with great views.

Fun Fact

• In 1958 an RAAF fighter jet crashed on the

outskirts of Bruthen. The plane was travelling

from NSW to Sale when the engine ‘flamed

out’.

• The pilot, Ralph Oborn hit the eject button and

Your Bruthen Accommodation

Bruthen Cottage

39 Great Alpine Rd, Bruthen 3885, Victoria.

0428 556 088

http://www.bruthencottage.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Bruthen Cottage.

Bruthen cottage is a comfortable three bedroom

timber cottage in the country village of Bruthen.

The front verandah overlooks the lush farmland

of the Tambo River valley, while the spacious

back patio looks into the large private garden.

The freshly renovated cottage has a calm, wel-

coming feel with polished timber floorboards,

contemporary furniture, large living room with

fireplace, huge kitchen/ dining room 2 bath-

rooms, separate toilet and three bedrooms.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Sixteen Night Sixteen

Bruthen to Lakes Entrance - 38km Cycle

The Ride

• Today you will ride from Bruthen to Lakes

Entrance on the East Gippsland Rail Trail

and the Lakes Discovery Trail. It is a lovely

ride through shady forests.

• The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, which

takes you into Lakes Entrance, is a lovely

bush trail that follows an old tramway

following the Mississippi Ck.

• It has remains of old cuttings, including rail

and sleepers. There are also the remains of

an old marble quarry along the way.

• Lakes Entrance is a popular tourist

destination.

Side Trip

• OPTION 1: Lakes Entrance has a 5 km return

walk across the popular landmark footbridge,

which crosses Cunninghame Arm, links the

town centre with the sand dunes and coastline

of Bass Strait.

Food

• Lakes Entrance has lots of food, cafes and

supermarkets. There is no food on the way

so stock up in Bruthen before you go.

Fun Fact

• Trees are often planted in country towns to

remember soldiers lost at war. On the Lakes

Entrance esplanade, there are several large

tree carvings depicting people from WW1.

Your Lakes Entrance Accommodation

Bellevue on the Lakes

201 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance, VIC, 3909

5155 3055

https://www.bellevuelakes.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Bellevue on the Lakes.

Resort facilities, right in the heart of Lakes Entrance.

Bellevue on the lakes has modern, comfortable ac-

commodation with water views.

The motel has Foxtel, free WiFi, sauna, indoor and

outdoor pools, playground, BBQ facilities and guest

laundry.

It is an easy walking distance to quality restaurants,

clubs and town facilities.

Bellevue on the lakes is a great base to explore one

of Gippsland’s most popular seaside towns.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Seventeen Night Seventeen

Lakes Entrance to Tostaree - 48km Cycle

The Ride

• Today you will cycle along the eastern side of

Mississippi creek to Colquhoun where you will

once again meet up with the East Gippsland

Rail Trail.

• Cycle quietly and you will see wallabies,

wombats and other native animals. This ride is

quite remote, wild and very enjoyable.

• Ride past the amazing trestle bridges that

loom out of the forests.

We Love

• Being intrigued by the artwork of Nowa Nowa’s

arts community. In Nowa Nowa there is a

constantly evolving sculpture walk. Other

artworks are the Ramsdell Collection at

Mingling Waters Café and the famous Nowa

Nowa nudes which are now just a memory!

Food

• Nowa Nowa is a little town that is evolving to

be very interesting. With an original Petrol

Station, now a gift shop and café, and the new

cafes in town it is a good spot to stop for lunch.

Fun Fact

• Tonight you will stay at Tostaree built on the

site of an old stage coach inn. There were fruit

trees (orange and apples) and flowers to see.

Tostaree Railway Station was opened on

Monday 10 April 1916 as part of the Orbost

Railway Line. The station closed in 1987.

Your Tostaree Accommodation

Tostaree Cottages Farm Stay

51 Jonsons Road Tostaree

5155 7254

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/

Bed-and-Breakfast/TosTaree-Cottages-

323941736181/

Tonight you will be staying at Tostaree Farm

Stay.

At Tostaree Cottages you be staying on a

working farm, surrounded by animals and

wild life. The cottages are a perfect place to

enjoy the peace and quiet with loved ones.

All cottages are self contained including

kitchen and BBQ. We provide dinner and

breakfast. Tostaree Cottages also have a

entertainment room that has Karaoke, bar,

pool table and a lovely fireplace to sit and

enjoy during your stay.

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Day Eighteen Night Eighteen

Tostaree to Orbost - 34km Cycle

The Ride

• Today you will head towards the end of the

East Gippsland Rail Trail. This section has no

water or food but is a lovely ride through the

bush and gives you areal appreciation of how

far away from Melbourne you are.

We Love

• Cycling into Orbost and crossing the Snowy

River. The Snowy is an iconic Australian River

which starts high in the Snowy Mountains.

There is a very famous poem by Banjo

Paterson called the man From Snowy River.

• The Snowy River Hydro Scheme, upstream in

NSW, is the largest engineering project to be

undertaken in Australia.

Food

• There is no food along the way today. Orbost

is a reasonable sized town with lots of tasty

cafes and bakeries to enjoy.

Fun Fact

• Orbost was first settled in 1842 and originally

used for cattle grazing. A township began to

develop in the 1870s and it eventually became

an important service centre for what has

developed into a major cattle and agricultural

district.

• In Orbost you can visit the historical Slab Hut –

an original 1872 pioneer hut relocated from the

upper Snowy River.

Your Marlo Accommodation

Marlo Hotel

19 Argyle Parade, Marlo VIC 3888,

5154 8201

https://marlohotel.com.au/

Tonight you will be staying at Marlo Hotel.

At the heart of the town sits the Marlo Hotel,

perched on the hill, overlooking the estuaries

and entrance.

The Marlo Hotel, established in 1886, has

been operating for over 120 years, offering

accommodation, private function areas, good

food, cold beverages, clean ocean air and a

friendly pub atmosphere. Go to sleep with

the sound of breaking surf in one of the gen-

erous rooms at the Marlo Hotel.

All rooms are equipped with tea, coffee and

toast making facilities and a small fridge with

a Continental Breakfast pack is supplied dai-

ly to each room.

Transfer - Orbost to Marlo

When you arrive in Orbost you will meet the

Snowy River Team who will transfer you to

Marlo. Marlo is where the Snowy River

meets the sea. It is a tranquil seaside resort

and fishing town with beautiful river and

seaside views. Enjoy!

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Train Details

Travelling from Bairnsdale to Melbourne

Bairnsdale is in East Gippsland. The train timeta-

bles are as specified in the following link. Trains

leave for Melbourne at 1245pm and 614pm.

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/1823

What is included

• All adult bike hire includes maps, ride notes, bicycles and helmets if required, locks, handle-bar panniers, extra rear pannier if required and water bottles.

• All Accommodation, luggage transfers, road-side assist, breakfasts, water bottles and some ferries/tours/dinners/lunches/transfers as speci-fied are included.

What to Bring

• Wear shorts or comfortable trousers, t-shirt and covered shoes for cycling.

• Sunscreen, sun-glasses and wet-weather gear.

• Cycling gloves are recommended.

• A jumper for winter; swimmers and small towel for warmer months.

• A small camera, phone, wallet and snacks which can fit into the front panniers.

• Money for lunches, dinner and snacks; money for train fare to Melbourne (allow $40.00 per person, although fares may be cheaper on the day); money for any attractions and incidental expenses.

• Clothes and accessories for the week. Luggage is limited to 1 bag per person, maximum 20kg.

Day Nineteen

Transfer - Marlo to Bairnsdale then Train to

Melbourne

• We hope you slept very well on your last night

by the sea!

• Well done on your 760km cycle from the city

centre of Melbourne all the way to the coastal

tranquillity of Marlo, where the Snowy River

meets the sea.

• Today after your breakfast Snowy River Cycling

will meet you and transfer you back to

Bairnsdale for your journey by train back to

Melbourne.

• We hope you have enjoyed your cycle – we

have loved being a part of the journey!

Grand Gippsland Cycle Tour

Itinerary

Deferral, Cancellation & Refunds Policy If you are unable to proceed with the tour as booked, you have the

following choices:

1. You may choose to defer your tour to a later date. In this case,

the following conditions apply:

• Notification must be given to Australian Cycling Holidays at

least 7 days prior to the tour start date.

• The tour can be deferred for up to 1 year from the original

start date of the tour.

• Bookings for deferred tours are subject to availability.

• A deferral fee of $60 applies each time a tour is deferred.

2. You may choose not to proceed with your tour. In this case, a

refund may be made which depends on how much warning you

give us prior to the tour start date.

• More than 30 days prior: 90% of the tour price will be refunded.

• 7 days to 30 days prior: 65% of the tour price will be refunded.

• Less than 7 days prior: no money will be refunded.

• No refunds will be provided once tour commences.

Other Information Australian Cycling Holidays acts solely as the agent for securing

accommodation and transfers and shall not be held liable in the

event of the failure of any person or company to render transfers,

accommodation or other service. Australian Cycling Holidays shall not

be held liable for any damage, expense or inconvenience outside of

its control, such as late arrival, industrial disputes, breakdowns,

inclement weather, road closures or Acts of God.

Cycling is a recreational activity which can be dangerous and by

agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, participants accept the risks

inherent in participating in a cycling tour. Participants must abide by

applicable road rules and regulations at all times during the cycling

tour.

All participants must be physically healthy to participate in the Tour.

By agreeing to these terms and conditions, the participant warrants

that they have no medical or other condition which suggests that any

participant should not participate in the cycling tour. Australian

Cycling Holidays strongly recommends participants have full

insurance covering any injury they might suffer, including evacuation

costs and medical and hospital treatment.

All cycling participants must be able to ride a bicycle without training

wheels, and must be familiar and competent with the use of

handlebar brakes. Australian Cycling Holidays reserves the right to

refuse service without refund if any cycling participant is unable to

demonstrate the ability to cycle proficiently.

Participants are responsible for any damage (other than ordinary

wear and tear) to or loss of the bikes and equipment sustained

during the tour. Participants should inspect the equipment provided

for the tour, and should not participate in the tour unless they are

satisfied with the adequacy and condition of the equipment.

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided in the

maps and ride notes is accurate at the time of printing. Details may

change without warning, and where possible will be advised to you.

Terms and Conditions The following Terms and Conditions apply for all bookings and tours

with Australian Cycling Holidays and are applicable to all partici-

pants.

Bookings Once we receive your booking request, the following conditions apply:

• Your booking is not confirmed until a deposit of 30% is receipt-ed.

• Payment in full is required at least 30 days prior to departure. If full payment is not received by the due date, the booking will be automatically cancelled and our Deferrals, Cancellations and Refunds Policy will apply.

• If you are making a booking less than 30 days prior to depar-

ture, full payment is required at the time of booking.