Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour 6D 5N Head for the beautiful green rolling hills of the on this challenging ride through amazing varied country exploring the footsteps of explorer Pawel Strzelecki.

Includes: 6 Days cycling: 95% on quiet roads. 5 nights carefully selected, friendly ac- commodation Bring your own bike or hire one of ours. Trek 27 speed or Electric bikes with all cycling equipment Water bottle and a snack Breakfasts every day Roadside assist Distance 290km, Av 52km, 4100m of ascent.

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Day One Your Accommodation Loch to Leongatha - 40km Cycle Alkira Leongatha Studios and House The Ride 90 McCartin Street Leongatha

• Today is a hilly day where you will climb into 0467 274 872 the Strzelecki ranges. The first small town is https://alkira-garden-studio-accommodation- Poowong. Visit the old cemetery and church. leongatha.business.site/ • You will have a few climbs up the valleys on quiet roads to . They are quite slow with a good gradient as the roads are old and designed for horse and carts.

• Out of Korumburra climb the last hill of the day and be rewarded with views to the coast. Whizz downhill and cycle along the flats to Leongatha on the old Stock Route. We Love Tonight you will be staying at Alkira Leonga- tha. It has two comfy garden studios close to • Taking some time to explore Coal Creek the town centre. There is off street parking Village and experiencing life in 19th century and free WiFi. Each studio has an ensuite, Gippsland. fridge and tea/coffee making facilities. Food The Leongatha township has supermarkets • Poowong has a great cafe and pub. and shops. There are also restaurants and • Korrumburra has several great cafes, yummy cafes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. bakeries and a supermarket. The Burra The Gardens are lush and vibrant. There is a Brewery is new in town and has a lot of tasty BBQ area and also a firepit if you would like craft beers and pizzas. Stop for lunch here. to sit outside with a cool afternoon beverage and toast marshmallows! • Leongatha has supermarkets, restaurants and cafes. Fun Fact

• Giant Gippsland Earth Worms live in this area. These earthworms grow to several meters in length and take five years to reach

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Day Two Your Mirboo North Accommodation Leongatha to Mirboo North - 42km cycle First T Motel The Ride 18 GALVINS ROAD Mirboo North VIC • You start along Wild Dog Valley Road that follows the valley up to the hills. 0356681484 • Then its time for another climb up to Hallston http://www.1sttmotel.com.au/ and the Grand Ridge Road. Look out for the old hall and school both built in the 1920s when the area was busy with land clearing and timber get- ting. Now it is mostly dairy farms. • The views are simply amazing and you will feel like you are on top of the world!. With dips into the valleys before you rise again to the hill tops you will be working hard on this ride. We Love

• The sweeping views of the green rolling hills. A cyclist perfection on quiet sealed roads. Food

• Mirboo North is a great place for a late lunch with lots of cafes full of fresh local produce. Tonight you will be staying at First T Motel • Take lots of water we recommend 2 litres and an Mirboo North extra one if hot. The 1st T Motel is situated beside the1st tee Fun Fact at the Mirboo North Golf Course k.

• Originally known as Baromi, the township was The 1st T Motel would love to have you ex- first settled in 1878. It took over fifty years for the perience the pleasure of stepping out of your name Mirboo North to stick. 'Mirboo' is an Aborig- Motel Room onto the Golf Course with beau- inal word meaning "kidney". tiful Scenery and abundant wildlife including kangaroos. The Motel has Queen beds and a family room. A continental breakfast is supplied. The motel is a little out of town and so you will need to eat before to cycle out to the mo- tel or take some supplies to cook up with you. Each room has a microwave, tea and coffee making. There is an outdoor BBQ if you wish to collect a few supplies in town to cook up.

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Day Three Mirboo North to Foster 55km Your Foster Accommodation The Ride Prom Country Lodge • What a fabulous ride you will have today. You 3800 South Gippsland High- will need at least 2 full water bottles and if its way, Foster VIC 3960 hot we recommend an extra water bottle. 5682 2022 • Start along the Grand Ridge Rail Trail through the forests to the little town of Boolarra. Fill https://promcountrylodge.com.au/ your water bottles before you take off up the Limonite Road which a great back country road that winds back uphill to the Grand Ridge Road.

• Now its time for downhill, passing by the old Mirboo Theatre a beautiful but decaying old building now set in the bush

• Enjoy cycling to Foster through beautiful Tur- tons Creek and then downhill via the foothills. We Love

• Echidnas a harmless little spiky animal that Tonight you will be staying at Prom Country lay eggs and eat ants Lodge. • The historic little buildings and fabulous park in Boolarra . Prom Country Lodge is set on four acres of Australian bush, hundreds of large gum trees Food with wild life traversing the property, mostly • The only food and water is at Boolarra. Take at dusk and dawn. food, snacks and water with you Fun Fact The lodge features a dedicated reception and friendly staff. • In 1872 gold was found at Turtons Creek. It was one of the most peaceful and organised Prom Country Lodge is in easy walking dis- gold fields in Australia as the miners had a tance to Foster main street. There is also a gentleman’s agreement. hotel restaurant and cafe which provide great tasty food should you want to rest your legs after your day cycling!

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary Day Four Your Yarram Accommodation Foster to Yarram - 60km Cycle Yarram Cottage The Ride 32 Rodgers Street, Yarram, VIC • Today is a challenging ride with no food, water or toilets for the last 50km. You should http://www.snorehere.com.au/ 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 Tonight you will be staying at Yarram Cottage. historic buildings. Self contained cottage accommodation. There Food are three bedrooms. Two with queen-sized • 10km along from Foster is Toora. Stop here beds and one with two single beds. There is a and pack some lunch and fill your water kitchen, dining room, lounge room and a bath- bottles. The last 50km today (after Toora) has no food, water or toilets. room. Fun Fact Yarram cottage is a wonderful base in the

• The Binginwarri cricket ground is home to the heart of the and has a charming feel with origi- Binginwarri warriors. It is thought the name nal features and character. This includes Binginwarri comes from an Aboriginal word pressed metal ceilings and original Baltic pine meaning hungry stomach! floorboards.

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Day Five Your Balook Accommodation Yarram to Balook - 30km Cycle Tarra Bulga Guest House The Ride

• Today you will have a short-ish, steep, but 1885 Grand Ridge Road, Balook, VIC 3971 beautiful ride up to the Tarra Bulga 5196 6141 Guesthouse at Balook. We love this ride! http://www.tarra-bulga.com/ • The climb takes you 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. We Love

• If you wish you can start with a short return ride to Port Albert which is a lovely old seaside fishing village.

• At Balook there is fabulous walking through the temperate rain forests of the Tarra Bulga National Park. Stop at Tarra Valley Picnic Area to do the Cyathea Falls walk. Tonight you will be staying at Tarra Bulga Food Guest House. • Start your cycle across the flats to Ferndale The Tarra-Bulga Guest House and Lyrebird and enjoy a scone and cream high tea. This Café are situated in Balook – a unique loca- is the oldest Tourist Park in tion adjacent to the cool, temperate rainfor- Fun Fact ests of the Tarra-Bulga National Park and • Finish along the Grand Ridge Road with surrounds. great views and stunning forests. There used to be many hostels strung along the road The guest house is a wonderful place to en- back when the area thrived with land joy a delicious home-cooked meal and a clearing. restful night’s sleep. Nina and Torben and their Son Thomas have a special ability to make you feel right at home.

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Day Six 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.

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Finishing Up Congratulations on completing your Strzelecki Explorer Cycling Tour! At the end of your tour, we will meet you in Rosedale and collect the bikes. Hopefully we will have time for a coffee before you head off by train back to Melbourne

What is included

• Maps, ride notes, locks, and water bottle. • Electronic Navigation using our Bikepacking Guides App • Accommodation, luggage transfers, breakfasts and roadside assist • Dinner at Balook Guesthouse. • Option Bike Hire. Bring your own bikes or hire one of ours. Our Bike Hire includes bike and all cycling equipment. Choose either a Trek 27 Speed or Electric Bike.

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. • A small camera, phone, wallet and snacks which can fit into the front panniers. • Money for lunches, dinner and snacks; money for any attractions and incidental expenses. • Clothes and accessories for the week. Luggage is limited to 1 bag per person, maximum 15kg. • We can take care of any additional luggage and return it to you at the end of your tour.

Strzelecki Explorer Cycle Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions Other Information The following Terms and Conditions apply for all bookings Australian Cycling Holidays acts solely as the agent for and tours with Australian Cycling Holidays and are securing accommodation and transfers and shall not be applicable to all participants. held liable in the event of the failure of any person or company to render transfers, accommodation or other Bookings service. Australian Cycling Holidays shall not be held Once we receive your booking request, the following liable for any damage, expense or inconvenience outside conditions apply: of its control, such as late arrival, industrial disputes, • Your booking is not confirmed until a deposit of 30% is breakdowns, inclement weather, road closures or Acts of receipted. God. • Payment in full is required at least 30 days prior to departure. If full payment is not received by the due Cycling is a recreational activity which can be dangerous date, the booking will be automatically cancelled and and by agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, our Deferrals, Cancellations and Refunds Policy will apply. participants accept the risks inherent in participating in a • If you are making a booking less than 30 days prior to cycling tour. Participants must abide by applicable road departure, full payment is required at the time of rules and regulations at all times during the cycling tour. booking. All participants must be physically healthy to participate Deferral, Cancellation & Refunds Policy in the Tour. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, If you are unable to proceed with the tour as booked, you the participant warrants that they have no medical or have the following choices: other condition which suggests that any participant 1. You may choose to defer your tour to a later date. In should not participate in the cycling tour. Australian this case, the following conditions apply: Cycling Holidays strongly recommends participants have full insurance covering any injury they might suffer, • Notification must be given to Australian Cycling including evacuation costs and medical and hospital Holidays at least 7 days prior to the tour start date. treatment. • The tour can be deferred for up to 1 year from the original start date of the tour. All cycling participants must be able to ride a bicycle • Bookings for deferred tours are subject to without training wheels, and must be familiar and availability. competent with the use of handlebar brakes. Australian • A deferral fee of $120 applies each time a tour is Cycling Holidays reserves the right to refuse service deferred. without refund if any cycling participant is unable to demonstrate the ability to cycle proficiently. 2. You may choose not to proceed with your tour. In this case, a refund may be made which depends on how Participants are responsible for any damage (other than much warning you give us prior to the tour start date. ordinary wear and tear) to or loss of the bikes and equipment sustained during the tour. Participants should • More than 30 days prior: 90% of the tour price will inspect the equipment provided for the tour, and should be refunded. not participate in the tour unless they are satisfied with • 7 days to 30 days prior: 70% of the tour price will be refunded. the adequacy and condition of the equipment. • Less than 7 days prior: no money will be Every effort is made to ensure that the information refunded. provided in the maps and ride notes is accurate at the • No refunds will be provided once tour commences. time of printing. Details may change without warning, and where possible will be advised to you.