The Great Central Gravel Grind

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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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Bendigo Graveleur

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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

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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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Skip to Skipton

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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

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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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Nor-easter

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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 

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The Otway

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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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