Rolling Through the Ranges
Bike riders are spoiled for choice in Victoria’s Heartland.
Family-friendly cruises, scenic gravel adventures, challenging road rides and hardcore mountain biking abound. If you love cycling, this is a must- visit destination. Here’s our hit list of the best bike rides around the region.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
The Federation Trail
Rating: Easy
Distance: 16km
Ride time: 40 minutes to 1 hour
Start/End: Lions Park Reserve, Romsey
Running parallel to Melbourne-Lancefield Road, the Federation Trail is a dedicated shared path for cyclists and pedestrians. As you leave Romsey’s main street, the trail becomes a well-formed granitic sand surface, and the surroundings transform from classic Australian architecture to expanses of rolling farmland. Drop into the Lost Watering Hole in Lancefield for lunch and a refreshing beverage, before making your way back to Romsey.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Djuwang Baring / Creswick Trails, Creswick
Rating: Easy to challenging
Distance: 60km of trails available
Ride time: Allow 2 days to fully explore
Arguably the best mountain biking within an hour of Melbourne, this park was designed and built by world-class experts. It offers everything from easy, family-friendly trails to hardcore gravity, flow and enduro segments. The trails are designed as a series of loops feeding into a central spine. Start by exploring the western trails (Cosgrave and Wood Coupe) on the first day, then the eastern, more technical section the following day. For real ‘burly’ sections, check out Yulawil and Southern Pro Line. djuwangbaring.com
La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
Rating: Easy to challenging
Distance: 34km of trails available
Ride time: Allow at least a full day
There are plenty of family-friendly sections at this exceptional mountain bike park, but the main game here is rocky, technical and super-exciting granitic trails. The western loops (Trails One to Five) are a bit more flowy, while the northern trails, Six and above are the classic techy trails, offering spectacular views. Nearby town Harcourt has some wonderful spots to grab a bite to eat, as does Castlemaine.
lalarrbagauwa.com.au
Wombat Forest MTB, Woodend
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 17km of trails available
Ride time: 2 hours
Start/End: Trailhead on Fingerpost Road
Did someone say ‘old school XC trails’? This is what’s on offer at this well-regarded section of trails. Just near Woodend, you’ll discover purpose-built single track winding through beautiful forest. Built by the local Wombat Mountain Bike Club, the trails suit beginner to expert riders. You can ride all year round but consider some of the other nearby MTB options if it’s been wet.
GRAVEL RIDING AND CROSS COUNTRY
Goldfields Track
Rating: Moderate to challenging
Distance: 210km of trails, with easy access/egress points
Ride time: From 1 hour to multi-day
The Goldfields Track is a world-class trail that travels from Ballarat to Bendigo through forests, pastoral countryside, historical sites and small gold-rush-era towns. You travel along a single track that, in some places, flows on grippy loam and in others jumps and jags across roots, rock ledges and coarse sandstone. Most sections are suitable for a gravel bike, but a cross-country MTB is the best choice for a smoother ride.
goldfieldstrack.com.au
Riddells Revenge, Riddells Creek
Rating: Challenging
Distance: 57km
Ride time: Longer than 2 hours
Start/End: Riddells Creek
With a total elevation of 1037m, this is one for the fitter rider. Departing from Riddells Creek, you head up Mount Charlie Road through the magnificent Flora Reserve. After a long, steady climb, you’ll be grateful for the downhill on Hesket-Boundary Road. Stop, refuel and take in the views of Hanging Rock and the Cobaw Ranges, then make your way back through Macedon Regional Park and Barringo, before a long descent back to Riddells Creek.
Talbot Heritage Trail, Maryborough
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 45km
Ride time: Allow 4+ hours
Start/End: Maryborough
The Talbot Heritage Trail is a 45 km loop linking Maryborough and Talbot, taking riders past 19th-century buildings, quiet streets, and open farmland. Mostly on dirt and gravel tracks through goldfields and forest, it’s best suited to mountain or hybrid bikes. The ride blends heritage sites with bushland and rural scenery, making it an ideal day trip. Allow time to explore Talbot’s historic streets and, if you’re there on a Sunday, its popular Farmers’ Market.
ROAD RIDES
Mountain Climb Challenge, Woodend
Rating: Challenging
Distance: 42km
Ride time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Start/End: Woodend Train Station
Mount Macedon is hilly, scenic and refreshingly cool, making it the perfect place to challenge your legs. The northern side is regarded as the easier of the two ascents, but is still a real challenge, even for the fittest of riders. Climb the winding roads through this lush forest before reaching the summit. Take a moment for quiet reflection at the Memorial Cross, before winding down tree-lined roads through charming Mount Macedon village and back to Woodend. This is an epic descent so be sure to take care on the way down.
Barringo Beauty, Gisborne
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 48km
Ride time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Start/End: Gisborne Train Station
So close to the city and yet a world away, this scenic ride takes you along quiet country roads where you will enjoy fantastic views of Mount Macedon and bucolic rural scenes. Total elevation gain is 557m, so it’s no walk in the park but is manageable for most riders.
RIDE GUIDE
Download the Macedon Ranges Ride Guide for more rides in the Macedon Ranges.