Mountain Ash and Hydro Power

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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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Off-cambar

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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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Eildon Escape

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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

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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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Dargo High Plains

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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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