Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail

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lilydale warburton rail trail cycle touring

Where: Yarra Valley, east of Melbourne

Length: 79km

Difficulty: easy

Terrain: flat/slightly undulating

Surface: well-made crushed gravel. Can be done on a road bike. 

What: attractive pastoral areas, fresh produce, wineries, Yarra River, forested hills

THE RIDE

A short out-and-back ride starting and finishing in Lilydale in Melbourne's east. OK, there's no shortage of info about, or awareness of the Warby Rail Trail, but I feel I have to include it because it's just such a good beginner's ride-easily accessible via the metro train network, completely off-road, no great hills or distances, well-serviced by bike shops and cafes, and just so damned nice! There are usually plenty of people on the trail, the scenery is gorgeous, and the valley is known as a gourmet destination, so check out the related tourist info if you're into that. 

ATTRACTIONS

WHEN

Any time

GETTING THERE

Jump on the Lilydale train line which will take you to the start at Lilydale. 

MAPS

OTHER LINKS

OTHER RIDES LIKE THIS ONE

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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!

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

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 

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

Dargo High Plains
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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

Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail
Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail

Where: Yarra Valley, east of Melbourne

Length: 79km

Difficulty: easy

Terrain: flat/slightly undulating

Surface: well-made crushed gravel. Can be done on a road bike. 

What: attractive pastoral areas, fresh produce, wineries, Yarra River, forested hills

Nor-easter
Nor-easter

Where: Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges

Length: 187km OR 134km (two route options)

Difficulty: moderate/hard

Terrain: flat and hilly

Surface: sealed & well-made gravel. Can be done comfortably on a road bike, though some may prefer a gravel bike. 

What: challenging climbs, fast descents, temperate rainforest, farmland, Yarra River, small towns, gourmet food & wine 

The Ot-way
The Ot-way

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. 

 

Disclaimer: should you choose to cycle this route, you do so at your own risk. Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy at the time of writing, Adventure Cycling Victoria cannot guarantee that the information herein is 100% correct. The information published is meant as a guide only, and should be combined with your own due diligence and planning. Adventure Cycling Victoria and its contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals following this route.