The Great Central Gravel Grind

The Great Central Gravel Grind

Where: Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Lake Eildon, Goulburn Valley, Ruffy Highlands—Central Victoria

Length: 316km

Difficulty: moderate/hard

Terrain: some flat riding, some quite hilly riding. Most of the climbing is not terribly steep.

Surface: mostly well made gravel, some chunky gravel, some sealed roads. Can be done on a standard gravel bike.

What: pretty rural areas, temperate rainforest, rail trail riding, quiet back roads, lakeside riding, eucalyptus woodland.

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Mountain Ash and Hydro Power

Mountain Ash and Hydro Power

Where: Yarra Ranges, central Victoria

Length: 101km

Difficulty: moderate

Terrain: undulating, with one big descent and one big climb. Moderate gradients.

Surface: mostly well-groomed gravel. About 10km of rougher track. Short section of sealed road. Can be done on a gravel bike, but that 10km would be a bit rough. A mountain bike would be easier.

What: plenty of beautiful, tall mountain ash forest with many ferns. Crystal clear rivers. One of the better free camping spots around. One very long and satisfying descent. Historical areas. Victoria’s tallest tree.

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Le Tour de 'Nong

Le Tour de 'Nong

Where: Dandenong Ranges, just outside of Melbourne

Length: 36km

Difficulty: easy

Terrain: hilly, but no huge climbs

Surface: well made gravel, some rougher tracks. One steep rocky downhill which can be easily avoided. Recommended XC mountain bike or gravel bike with wide tyres.

What: picturesque rainforest, fun tracks and descents, cafes and eateries

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Bendigo Graveleur

Bendigo Graveleur

Where: central Victoria—Bendigo, Heathcote, Redesdale, Axedale, Harcourt, Metcalfe

Length: 164km

Difficulty: moderate

Terrain: flat/undulating, with a couple of moderate climbs

Surface: gravel of varying quality, some rocky sections, some singletrack, some sealed road. Recommended gravel-type bike with 35mm or wider tyres.

What: quiet back roads, rural scenery, native bushland, rail trail, brewery, winery, historical buildings, waterfall

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Off-cambar

Off-cambar

Where: Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, east of Melbourne 

Length: 184km

Difficulty: moderate/hard

Terrain: a mix of hilly and flat

Surface: about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. Unsealed surfaces are well made and can be ridden on a road bike 

What: attractive pastoral areas, fresh produce, wineries, Yarra River, tall mountain ash forest, rainforest, challenging climbs, fast descents, historical mining settlement, Victoria's tallest tree!

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Skip to Skipton

Skip to Skipton

Where: Creswick, Ballarat, Skipton, Beaufort—Central Victoria

Length: 170km 

Difficulty: Moderate

Terrain: Flat with a couple of short hills

Surface: Sealed road, gravel, hard packed dirt, rail trail. Best suited for CX/ gravel bikes or anything that will take at least a 32mm tyre.

What: Vast open farmlands, historic trestle bridges, quiet back laneways

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Eildon Escape

Eildon Escape

Where: Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Lake Eildon, central district, Great Victorian Rail Trail

Length: 333km

Difficulty: hard

Terrain: a mix of hilly and flat 

Surface: mostly gravel/dirt. Rough sections. Includes some creek crossings. Gravel-type bike recommended. Wide tyres will help. 

What: temperate rainforest, eucalypt forests, rivers, good free camping, lots of climbing, a couple of breweries, rural areas, Lake Eildon 

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The ABC: Ada-Bunyip Chronicle

The ABC: Ada-Bunyip Chronicle

Where: Bunyip State Park, Yarra Ranges, Yarra Valley. This ride takes in much of the area of the proposed Great Forest National Park.

Length: 169km

Difficulty: hard

Terrain: very hilly until the Warby Rail Trail

Surface: almost entirely unsealed. Rough sections. Mountain bike or big-tyred gravel-type bike recommended. The author tackled it on a fat bike.

What: amazing temperate rainforest, good climbs, fun descents, lookouts, wildlife, giant trees, wet and dry eucalypt forest, comfy campsites with fireplaces, a feeling of total isolation and a couple of logging coupes

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Grand Ridge Road

Grand Ridge Road

Where: Strzelecki Ranges, South Gippsland

Length: 160km

Difficulty: moderate

Terrain: moderately hilly/undulating

Surface: about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. Some chunky gravel. Gravel-type bike recommended. Wide tyres will help. 

What: cool temperate rainforest, tall mountain ash forest, rolling pastoral land, shady pine plantations, small towns, an award-winning brewery, interesting natural and human history

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Dargo High Plains

Dargo High Plains

Where: the high country, eastern Victoria

Length: 304km

Difficulty: hard

Terrain: very hilly

Surface: everything from sealed road to rocky/muddy tracks. Rough and steep sections. Can be done on a gravel-type bike, though some may prefer a MTB. Wide tyres will help. 

What: high mountains, pretty rural areas, beautiful forest, gourmet regions

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The Otway

The Otway

Where: the Otway Ranges—south-west Victoria

Length: 144km

Difficulty: moderate/hard

Terrain: hilly

Surface: about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. Generally well made surfaces, occasional steep/rough sections. Gravel-type bike recommended. 

What: stunning temperate rainforest, good climbs, fun descents, beaches, waterfalls, food, wine, beer, cider, raspberries. 

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