High Country Life

Many roadies consider riding Victoria’s High Country essential to being a true roadie. Boasting stunning valley roads, towering mountains and charming towns – it truly makes up the ultimate cycling mecca that every roadie should experience for themselves.

Selecting your route, obtaining/packing necessary gear and planning the challenges ahead are all integral to an enjoyable bike touring adventure. Here’s a handy guide to help you get underway.

Bright

The region’s rugged peaks and charming towns are a treat to behold, offering challenging singletrack and epic descents alike. Nestled amidst dense forests, rolling hills, picturesque rivers and rural communities are vibrant towns like Bright – home to numerous bike shops, restaurants and campgrounds that cater to cyclists’ needs.

Planning ahead can help to avoid unexpected challenges like unbridged stream crossings or snow-covered roads, so selecting a well-trodden route vetted by cartographers and cyclists can minimize unexpected obstacles and make your journey more enjoyable. One such Adventure Cycling Association route that offers detailed maps, resupply information, and easy logistics makes the Arkansas High Country Route ideal.

Bright’s iconic alpine trails are open year-round due to a persistent loamy tack surface that remains even during wet periods, making the trails accessible year-round and offering visitors the ability to experience them regardless of season or occasion. Summer months tend to draw most visitors; summer offers up a special holiday ambience, while off-season visits offer quieter rides.

Bright to Falls Creek road is sealed, however for winter travel you will require snow chains. Also remember to secure your resort entry permit online prior to arriving as well as organizing snow equipment.

If you’re up for an exciting challenge, take on the Mount Hotham loop ride. This tough climb features two major climbs – Rosewhite Gap (4 km at 4%) and Tawonga Gap (12km at 8%) that put your abilities to the test.

Bright is the ideal spot for exploring Victoria’s High Country. There’s so much to do here – from lounging by Mt Hotham to admiring the mountain landscape in an effortless scenic drive – as well as learning about its history through tours with Mint which offer insights into local culture and traditions of this stunning area.

Beechworth

Beechworth offers stunning countryside, historic buildings, cultural events and wineries – the ideal combination for an unforgettable getaway experience! Beechworth boasts picturesque countryside scenery, historic structures, cultural events and wineries; beechworth can satisfy both those seeking relaxation as well as those seeking adrenaline-packed excitement; there is something special waiting here for all travelers.

Beechworth is an irresistibly charming town, boasting old-fashioned storefronts and pubs restored to their former glory – no wonder Beechworth was such an important center of gold rush activity! Today this lively community still retains some of this heritage spirit.

Beechworth’s primary attraction lies in its historic buildings, giving visitors an insight into life during the gold rush era. From its old town hall to Ned Kelly’s courthouse trial hearing room – there are plenty of spots in which visitors can learn more about Beechworth and its rich past.

Beechworth’s scenic trails are one of its greatest assets. The area is filled with former railway lines that have been transformed into bike trails. One such path, Beechworth-Yackandandah trail, provides an easy yet pleasurable journey through lush bushland and historic railway cuttings; making this point-to-point trail suitable for beginners as well as advanced cyclists; it makes an excellent family outing and cycling adventure!

Beechworth’s trail system features an array of challenging mountain bike tracks. Of these trails, Mt. Hotham Trail stands out as an absolute challenge for experienced cyclists; its first 10km out of Harrietville are steep yet manageable while the latter 10km are above treeline and require extreme concentration and endurance.

Beechworth can be reached in several ways, including the VLine train and bus services. The former departs Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station three times daily and covers the distance in approximately three hours; while bus services run between Melbourne and Wangaratta three times each day.

Beechworth offers a wide variety of accommodation, from luxurious bed and breakfasts to riverside campground glamping tents. Furthermore, visitors can experience delicious local products and wines at restaurants and cafes around town. When planning a visit, make sure you book accommodations early to guarantee availability.

Falls Creek

Are you seeking a thrilling long-distance cycling journey? Consider Arkansas High Country Route. Suitable for experienced cyclists, this route features breathtaking scenic views and outdoor activities to keep riders active in between stops. There are accommodations such as ski-in ski-out lodges and cozy apartments nearby; in fact, The High Country is a mountain biker’s dream destination with miles upon miles of alpine scenery to take in along their ride!

The ARHCR is an amazing, but challenging, bike trail made up of three interconnecting loops. Conceived by the American Cycling Association (ACA), it provides riders with an engaging outdoor experience while testing endurance levels and endurance capabilities. However, high-quality bicycles are required along with additional equipment. Riders should keep an eye out for weather changes during late winter and spring; lightning storms or tornadoes could interrupt a trip and make cycling unsafe.

ARHCR riders need to plan carefully in order to navigate its steep climbs and backcountry roads safely, so purchasing a detailed map prior to beginning is highly recommended. In addition, be sure to pack extra water and food, and be ready for long stretches without resupply options; additionally it would be advantageous to carry basic repair tools such as pump, spare tubes, and an allen wrench toolkit can come in handy for repair purposes.

Cycling in the high country should not be taken lightly – remembering you will be riding at an elevation of over 9,000 feet may result in fatigue, slower pedaling speed, and difficulty breathing – some may experience more of these effects than others; most cyclists should eventually adapt. If any concerns arise prior to traveling, consult with a physician.

If you’re taking on the Arkansas High Country Route, make sure to connect with Chuck Campbell before your journey begins. He is the author of Arkansaw – High Country Route Guidebook, providing all the essential information about this ride. His book features spiral binding with instructions to detach pages for easier transport; an absolute must for serious bikers!

Mt Buller

Mt Buller is a world-class mountain biking destination located only three hours drive from Melbourne. Explore an expansive network of cross country trails or take on downhill courses with chairlift access; both options offer access to chairlifts. Upon arriving on-mountain accommodations are also available to cater to riders of every skill level and type.

Mount Buller stands as one of the High Country’s iconic peaks, dominating both landscape and viewpoints in all directions. When seen from either north or west it presents as an alpine pyramid while when seen from east it boasts one of the gentlest slopes ever seen on any peak in this region.

Mt Buller offers something for snow skiers of all abilities at its resort, with 20 lifts that can transport 40,000 people an hour as well as 300 hectares of runs extending across 300 hectares. There are also terrain parks, toboggan parks and off-piste adventures as well as beginner areas dedicated to getting into skiing or snowboarding.

Walking trails abound at Mt Buller, from tranquil moments in nature to strenuous hikes that feature breath-taking vistas and challenging ascents. Please treat this unique alpine environment with care, taking only photographs without leaving a trace behind, so as to bring peace, clean air and long-term memories from these hikes.

Mt Buller acknowledges and respects the traditional owners of our land, the Taungurung people. We express our thanks and extend our respect for their past and present contributions.

Mt Buller’s winter season typically kicks off during the King’s Birthday long weekend in June and continues through to Victorian Interschools Week (21-27 August) or beyond depending on seasonal conditions. As such, accommodation and lift queues become extremely crowded between June and August; therefore visiting on midweek days is the best way to enjoy more space on the slopes without crowds!