The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail (M2MRT) s a sealed, off-road bicycle path situated in the Ovens Valley, North East Victoria, passing through some diverse and very scenic countryside, whether farmlands and natural bush east of Wangaratta, woodlands around Everton and Myrtleford, or in and around the country towns of Beechworth and Bright. There is much historical interest on offer also – the tobacco kilns near Porepunkah and Chinese diggings at Wandiligong, not to mention the early dwellings of the gold-rush years in Yackandandah.

Here’s a useful link:
https://www.ridehighcountry.com.au/rail-trails/murray-to-mountains/

If you have time to stop en route on your way to the Canberra tour, a few days of cycling are on offer in this lovely region.
The towns of Myrtleford, Beechworth and Bright would be ideal locations to stay at.
The organisers are staying at the Myrtleford Holiday Park situated at:

8 Lewis Avenue
MYRTLEFORD
Tel: 03 5752 1598
myrtlefordholidaypark.com.au

The rides are largely out-and-back routes to avoid fiddly car-shuffles, and to cater for all ability and endurance levels.  They can easily be shortened by simply turning around and heading back along the same route to the start point.

Here is the program for the Rides on offer:

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Ride No. 1

Tuesday 24th October 2023
Myrtleford to Wandiligong return – 72km – 288m
An out and back route from Myrtleford to Wandiligong (Wandi for short) passing through Porepunkah and Bright along the easy-to-ride M2MRT.
The trail from Bright to Wandi (a total of 11km return) changes its name to the Bennetts Trail which is an easy, well-paved path running alongside Morses Creek.
Wandi is known as the Nut Capital of Victoria because of the many walnut and chestnut trees that grow there.
The Wandi Pub is temporarily closed.

One way is 36km – the total return distance is 72km.
The ride can be shortened by turning around at Porepunkah (25km one way, total return 50km) or Bright (30km one way, total return 60km) and simply returning along the M2MRT.

Meeting point in Myrtleford:
9am for 9.30am start
Rayner Street car-park, on the corner of Queen Street, Myrtleford alongside the M2MRT.
GPS co-ordinates -36.560612, 146.726561

Refreshments and comfort-stop guide:
Porepunkah
Rail Trail Cafe – coffees, brunch, all-day breakfast – open 8am to 4.30pm
https://railtrailcafe.com.au
Toilets at Riverside Park alongside the M2MRT.

Bright
Beechworth Bakery, 5 Ireland Street, Bright
Gum Tree Pies, Bright, 2A Anderson Street, near corner Wood Street
Morses Creek Bakery, Bright, 2A Anderson Street, near corner Wood Street, next to Gum Tree Pies
Toilets on Burke Street (situated on the detour we’ll take into the town’s cafe centre)
Useful link:  https://www.visitbright.com.au/things-to-do/bike-riding/m2m-rail-trail/

Wandiligong
Toilets at Alpine Park (finish point) and Wandiligong Maze & Cafe (near the finish point)

This is the Ride With GPS link for Ride No. 1:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43746901

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Ride No. 2
Wednesday 25th October 2023
Myrtleford to Everton Railway Station return – 56km – 475m
An out-and-back route from Myrtleford to Everton Railway Station along the easy-to-ride M2MRT.
The total return distance is 56km (one way 28km).
The ride can be shortened by turning around at any time before the finish point, and simply returning along the M2MRT back to Myrtleford.

Meeting point in Myrtleford:
9am for 9.30am start
Rayner Street car-park, on the corner of Queen Street, Myrtleford alongside the M2MRT.
GPS co-ordinates -36.560612, 146.726561

Refreshments and comfort-stop guide:
Toilets at Everton Railway Station alongside the M2MRT.
Limited food outlets at Everton Railway Station.  Suggest BYO snacks, lunch
This is the Ride With GPS link for Ride No, 2:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43746935

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Ride No. 3
Thursday 26th October 2023
Beechworth to Yackandandah return – 54km – 733m (75% sealed, 25% unsealed)
An out-and-back ride from Beechworth to Yackandandah via Wooragee along the Beechworth-Yackandandah Rail Trail – one way 27km, return 54km.
https://www.exploreyackandandah.com.au

This ride will require driving with your bike to Beechworth.
Beechworth is 27km from Myrtleford (a 25 minute drive along the Great Alpine Road B500 and Buckland Gap Road C524).

Meeting point in Beechworth
9am for 9.30am start
Meet at the car-park at Queen Victoria Park, access from High Street, Beechworth between Spring Creek Lane and Surrey Lane.
GPS co-ordinates -36.356568, 146.692541
There are toilets at the car park.

Refreshments and comfort-stop guide:
Toilets at the Visitor Centre and at Isaacs Park in Yackandandah
There are two highly acclaimed bakeries in the centre of town:
Beechworth Bakery, 20 High Street, Yackandandah and Gum Tree Pies, 10 High Street, Yackandandah

This is the Ride With GPS link for Ride No. 3:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43746954

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Ride No. 4
Friday 27th October 2023
Beechworth to Everton Station return – 36km – 414m
A popular ride from Beechworth to Everton Railway Station along the M2MRT that takes you past bushland, vineyards and farms on a gentle downhill ride.
The only way back is uphill!
This ride will require driving with your bike to Beechworth.
Beechworth is 27km from Myrtleford (a 25 minute drive along the Great Alpine Road B500 and Buckland Gap Road C524}.

Meeting point in Beechworth
9am for 9.30am start
Meet at the car-park at Queen Victoria Park, access from High Street, Beechworth between Spring Creek Lane and Surrey Lane.
GPS co-ordinates -36.356568, 146.692541
There are toilets at the car park.

Refreshments and comfort-stop guide:
Beechworth
Tiny of Beechworth, 14A Camp Street, Beechworth open for coffee from 7am for any pre-ride coffee-lovers!
Beechworth Bakery, 27 Camp Street, Beechworth is open from 6am
Public toilets in town centre on Ford Street next to the Visitor Centre
Toilets at Everton Railway Station alongside the M2MRT.
Limited food outlets at Everton Railway Station.  Suggest BYO snacks, lunch.

This is the Ride With GPS link for Ride No. 4:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43746970

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Ride No. 5
Saturday 28th October 2023
Myrtleford loop – via Everton, Beechworth and Stanley – 77km – 964m
A lengthy but scenic loop ride.
It uses the M2MRT, bypassing Everton and up to Beechworth for a lunch-stop.
The undulating road to the picturesque village of Stanley incorporates a short stretch on the Indigo Epic Mountain Bike trail and a mix of gravel and sealed roads, boasting beautiful vistas of apple, nut and olive orchards that span the hills, and the final home stretch to Myrtleford is all downhill!

Meeting point (and finish point) in Myrtleford:
9am for 9.30am start
Rayner Street car-park, on the corner of Queen Street, Myrtleford alongside the M2MRT.
GPS co-ordinates -36.560612, 146.726561

Refreshments and comfort-stop guide:
Beechworth
Tiny of Beechworth, 14A Camp Street, Beechworth open for coffee from 7am for any pre-ride coffee-lovers!
Beechworth Bakery, 27 Camp Street, Beechworth is open from 6am.
Public toilets in town centre on Ford Street next to the Visitor Centre.

Stanley
Stanley Pub – in the centre of town, or a short detour to Hillsborough Quality Nuts, 105 Mt Stanley Road
Public toilets in the town centre

This is the Ride With GPS link for Ride No. 5:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43746982

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Ride No. 6
Sunday 29th October 2023
Bright to Harrietville return – 54km – 327m
A gentle uphill 27km one way (327m) and 54km downhill return
Cycling the newly constructed Great Valley Trail (GVT) which basically extends the M2MRT to the base of the Alps!
This ride will require driving with your bike to Bright.
Bright is 30km from Myrtleford (a 25 minute drive along the Great Alpine Road B500).

Meeting point (and finish point) in Bright
9am for 9.30am start
Car park at Centenary Park, Mountbatten Avenue, Bright – opposite Memorial Gardens

Facilities in Bright
Beechworth Bakery, 5 Ireland Street, Bright
Gum Tree Pies, Bright, 2A Anderson Street, near corner Wood Street
Morses Creek Bakery, Bright, 2A Anderson Street, near corner Wood Street, next to Gum Tree Pies
Toilets at Centenary Park
Useful link:  https://www.visitbright.com.au/things-to-do/bike-riding/m2m-rail-trail/

Facilities in Harrietville
Bella’s Cafe, Harrietville, 231 Great Alpine Road, Harrietville
HV Kitchen, 195 Great Alpine Road, Harrietville
Toilets at Pioneer Park

This is the Ride With GPS link for Ride No. 6:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43746987

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For the more adventurous!
A separate ride option from Beechworth for the more adventurous:
The brand new (opened in March 2023) Indigo Epic Mountain Bike Trail is a figure-of-eight loop between Beechworth and Yackandandah, and offers single tracks and flow descents:
https://www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/See-and-do/Visitors-to-our-Shire/Indigo-Epic-Trail  https://www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/See-and-do/Visitors-to-our-Shire/Indigo-Epic-Trail/Indigo-Epic-Trail-Map

Please email Ros Miles on rosalind97miles@gmail.com to register your interest in the tour.