Cycling The Golden Trail - Robe to Bendigo, is a marvellous experience. The route is, depending upon the route chosen, about 660 km long. Road bike users tend to do it in 5-6 days, tourers can take up to 10-12 days.

Road, Track and Cycling conditions: Caution.
Please note that all the route options we recommend are on public roads. The quality and condition of these roads, and particularly the road surfaces, is beyond our control. Please keep in mind that road surface quality, drainage, surface debris and safe egress may vary with season, after winds, rain or use by other vehicles, and roads may be closed by the responsible authority at times for various reasons. The riding conditions that you are used to; quality of the road surface, exposure to the elements, may be different over this 600-700km route. For many people, this uncertainty may be part of the reason that attracts them to the challenge of long distance cycling.  We recommend you ask at the local Visitor Information Centre for advice on road conditions and to also check daily weather forecasts.

Do not ride on Total Fire Ban Days or days of high fire risk. Dehydration is a real issue; always carry more water than you think you will need. Be aware of the signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention of  dehydration. Similarly, have a back up plan if electrical storms (heavy downpour, flash floods, hail, strong winds, lightning) are forecast or imminent in your area. Do not cross flooded streams or stay in or near streams if rain/flooding forecast.

Points to note are:
Print and take with you the ' Cycling the Golden Trail Cycle ' Brochure (PDF format) .

The Golden Trail cycle brochure shows:

• Sketch map of route
• Route options for those who plan to take a support vehicle to the independent traveller.
• Daily travel distances & suggested stop overs.
• Colour coding of easy, medium or hard sections
• Town populations (to give you idea of what to expect in way of services ; note that Avoca has a population 1/6 of what our brochure says ! )
• Visitor Information Centre contact details - to assist with local accommodation or transport planning, etc
• Bike repair shop locations & phone numbers.
• Towns and locations with services available from a the following selection : General Store, Public
• Toilets, Campground, ATM 's, Pharmacy, supermarket, eateries (including bakeries), Visitor
• Information Centre (VIC), Bike shop, Rail station, Bus service.
  Note: not all towns or locations have these facilities!! Be prepared.
• Short historic notes.
• Suggestions on how to get there (see also below)

There are no trail markers to indicate the way. (awaiting more donations, grants and sponsorship money)

There is no Trail Map as such. (Would someone like to design one?) Currently we use existing maps - we find the Vic Roads Country Street Directory is ideal, showing the back road options to keep off main roads.

Cyclists must obey the Law. Visit the Vic Roads website in relation to bicycle riding in Victoria; In particular note the sections on the law in relation to Bicycle Rack number plates and Additional Rules for Bicycles. Click Here

For information for tourists about Victorias Road Rules: Click Here

For Cyclist safety information: Click Here

We also recommend you visit the Bicycle Victoria website. By joining Bicycle Victoria you can also gain bike insurance.

Further hints:
Add ICE into your mobile phone directory (In Case of Emergency). Ambulance paramedics can use this to ring your nominated Contact Person in case of an accident.

Also, consider attaching sticky labels to your bike and helmet with your name and contact details.

Have your bike serviced at a bike shop prior to the journey. Tell them what you are doing; seek advice on spare equipment or tools to take.

We recommend you ride in small groups and use back roads where possible for a safer journey. Have your own Contact Person to whom you ring/text each night to report on progress .

Be wary of travelling on hot days, particulary when there are hot northerly winds.

Do not cycle on Total Fire Ban days.

Learn to recognize the symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, headaches, cramping, constipation, irritability), heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

For those new to the Australian outdoors, research on snakes and spiders. Seek local advice. Statistically speaking, I believe the chances of either of these happening are extremely small. Still, it pays to be hazard aware and have your risk management plan thought through.

We recommend that you understand first aid, particulary scrapes and grazes.

Additional transport details.
Can people please email us with further information or suggestions in regard to this.
Note: Robe is serviced by daily (except Saturdays) bus service.

Bendigo is serviced by daily train services (to and from Melbourne)

Getting to Robe with your bike - a list of options

• Drive to Robe with a friend. Friend drives your car home or leaves it in Bendigo.
• Fly to Adelaide with your bike. Catch daily bus to Robe. Catch daily train to Melbourne when arrive in Bendigo.
• Drive to Bendigo, leave your car to await you at journey end , and catch bus or train/bus combination to Robe.

Variations to this theme exist - eg. Send car by freight service to Robe, Fly to Adelaide, bus to Robe . Etc. Enjoy the logistics.

Below are some timetables to ponder upon. However, confirm these times by contacting the bus or rail authorities via their websites.

Adelaide to Robe by BUS (Click Here to visit Premier Stateliner)
Daily Adelaide to Robe service, except Saturday
Mon-Thurs: Departs Adelaide 8.15am, arrives Robe 12.50pm
Friday departure: 5.30pm, arrives Robe 10.00pm
Sunday departure: 2.45pm, arrives Robe 7.20pm

You can take bikes on the Premier Stateliner bus: $15 if take off front wheel and attach to other wheel, turn handlebar around. Otherwise, leave bike as is for $25 cartage fee.

Price of a one-way ticket is $54.30 (cheaper if have concessions).
Note: Luggage takes precedence over bikes

Bendigo to Robe:
Another alternative is to catch a bus from Bendigo to Robe. You will have to do this in two steps:

Bendigo to Mt Gambier
(Book via V-Line on 136 196) - Depart Bendigo Mon-Fri. at 7.00am, arrive Ballarat 9.02am. Departs Ballarat 10.10am, arrives Mt Gambier 1.45pm

Mt Gambier to Robe (Book via Premier State Liner,  Ph. 08 8415 5555 )

Mt Gambier to Robe daily, departing Mon-Friday, 8.15am, arriving Robe 9.50am. No service Saturday. Sunday depart Mt Gambier 2.45pm, arrive Robe 4.25pm. Cost $25.30 one way.

Bendigo - Robe via bus option therefore involves an overnight stay in Mt Gambier.  (I rang Mt Gambier VIC, but there is no local bus service that could take you to Robe in the afternoon of arrival - looks like you have to stay overnight)

A third alternative:
Start in Melbourne. Catch a train to Ararat & then by buses to Robe. This option is for those who want to take a leisurely approach. Must book for this option.

Depart 8.17am, Southern Cross Rail Station (Melbourne) to arrive Ararat, 10.40am, Monday to Friday. Buy bus ticket at Ararat Rail Station for next leg to Warnambool via bus.

Depart Ararat 2.50pm, arrive Warnambool 6.50pm

Stay overnight Warnambool

Depart Warnambool 4.55pm to arrive Mt Gambier 7.25pm (Book via South Western Roadways, Ph. 03 5562 1866)

Stay overnight Mt Gambier

Depart Mt Gambier 8.15am, arrive Robe 9.55am (Premier Stateliner)

Independent Cyclists - Gear list

If you want to tour The Golden Trail in camping mode, here is a list of gear you may find helpful to include in your panniers and gear bags

Sleeping: Hike tent (pegs an d poles), inflatable roll up hike mattress, down sleeping bag , small groundsheet to protect tent base.

Cooking: Trangia metho stove, fuel bottle (can buy metho in larger towns)

Utensils: knife and spoon, mug, plate, cereal bowl, billy lifter, lighter , 15m venetian blind cord (clothes line).

Bike repair kit (have your bike serviced prior to the journey)

Spare clothes: Check the weather forecast before departing. You may need to be prepared for wet, windy or sunny conditions. Always wear bright coloured exterior clothing.

Cycle kit: bright outer clothing, helmet with sun visor, bike shorts and shoes, bike gloves , sunscreen, sunglasses , road maps with notes (in map case), mobile phone , camera . Bike computers are handy to measure speed, distance, etc.

Travel light: Avoid too many panniers and too much gear. Distinguish between needs and wants.

Food: Try to buy as you go; it saves on weight and you help provide some input into local economies. Check supermarket/General Store availability - as well as having an emergency meal on board.

Water: Carry at least 3 litres/person / day , up to 6 or more litres in hot weather . There is no water between towns.

Camping: mozzie repellant, toilet paper, book, cards or games, mobile phone,& camera chargers. First aid and personal medications, use dry bags to house important items.