Rustlers Ramble
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Words and photos by Kale Munro. Funded by ACV patrons and one-off donors. Find out more here.
Where: King Valley - North East Victoria
Length: 100 miles (160km)
Difficulty: Easy/moderate riding - some areas are remote and phone service is patchy.
Terrain: Rolling hills with one steep climb in the forest
Surface: Gravel backroads, forest tracks, rail trail (>42mm tyres for comfort)
THE RIDE
In the age of the Kelly gang, the King Valley’s wild country was a perfect place to disappear. Outlaws once slipped through these valleys, using remote forest tracks to vanish into the high country.
Rustler's Ramble is a 100 mile tour through the King Valley in North East Victoria. Starting and finishing at the Wangaratta Train Station, the route is a combination of sealed rail trail, gravel backroads and forest tracks. The route offers plenty of options for self-sufficient camping along the King River and passes numerous wineries, providores and farm gates. Pack a towel and bathers as there are plenty of spots to cool off along the route.
To account for the longer VLine commute from Melbourne, this route was designed as a 3 day ride (45-70-45km) camping at one of the many sites near Edi on the first night and on Crown water frontage near Docker the second night however, it can be ridden as a 2 or 4 day route by utilising the free Crown frontage campsite on Meadow Creek (look for the sign on the gate).
This route traverses through sites significant to several Traditional Owner groups and Taungurung Land and Waters Council have a Native Title claim over the area. It remains unceded Aboriginal land [-o-]
CAMPSITE NOTES/FACILITIES
Edi is a very popular area for riverfront camping in summer, there are 4 possible sites marked on the map to account for holiday crowds, if it’s quiet aim for Edi Cutting as it has the most facilities. Crown Frontage campsites in Meadow Creek and Docker don’t have any facilities available - we filled up our water and used the facilities at Carboor Reserve before riding to camp in Docker on the second night.
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ACCOMMODATION
This route is primarily designed for self-sufficient campers, utilising some of Victoria’s many free DEECA-managed campsites. There are some boutique options available at nearby wineries provided you’re happy with a short detour and Moyhu has a caravan park next to the pub - a great option.
WATER
Be prepared to carry or treat water as you ride. It’s a good idea to stock up at the shops and water points listed on the map as there are some dry stretches.
ATTRACTIONS
Stop for a tasting at Hurdle Creek Gin Distillery before lunch on Day 1
Refuel with a huge breakfast at Ineeta Cafe in Mohyu
Stop to swim in the King and Ovens rivers (and tributaries) - the bridge leaving Mohyu is a fantastic waterhole.
Lunch on the final day at The Plough Inn in Tarrawingee
WHEN
Be prepared for extreme heat and fire risk in summer. Consult the Bureau of Meteorology for weather forecasts and VicEmergency for emergency information.
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.
