Start & Finish in Ballarat
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The Ride starts and finishes in bike-mad Ballarat
Ballarat is renowned as a cycling destination owing to the quality and diversity of rides available.
From the world famous Buninyong Road Race circuit through to trail rides there is something for all level of riders in Ballarat. With the arrival of the Great Vic in November, Ballarat will roll out the red carpet and welcome all Ride Participants to take the opportunity to have a look around and enjoy the hospitality Ballarat has to offer.
Social Program
Are you staying in Ballarat before the Ride or planning to? The Wildlife Park is having a special Friday night opening with bands, BBQ (sausages or hamburgers) and nocturnal tours. Discover what activities and offers are available.
Ballarat Wildlife Park
Come out and have dinner and experience the wildlife park by night. The park has thrown open the doors to Great Vic riders on Friday night 28 November to offer a night of entertainment and a fascinating look at this attraction. Sit back and relax to the tunes of Low Rent (this band often plays at the Melbourne Zoo) a country folk band or if you prefer there will be a blues band. There is also a special opportunity to take part in the nocturnal tours at 7.30pm & 8.30pm. Enjoy dinner from the in-house café or grab a snag from the BBQ. Fully Licenced. Don’t forget there will be a free bus to take you from the campground to the park and return.
Ballarat Wildlife Park, Cnr of York & Fussell Street, Ballarat, 03 5333 5933
Open: 6pm – 10pm, Friday Night 28 November
Bookings preferred: Adults $27.50, Children $16.50, Conc $22.50, Family $75.00
Free Shuttle Buses
The City of Ballarat will also be operating free buses at regular intervals from the Pre-Ride Campground at North Gardens to central Ballarat and the Wildlife Park to make getting around a breeze.
Why the Great Vic loves Ballarat
- Ballarat is becoming a hotspot for cycling and it makes sense that on the 25th Anniversary of the Great Victorian Bike Ride, we start and finish the Ride there. This will also mark the very first return of the Ride to Ballarat since the first Great Vic in 1984.
- Each year we get hundreds of participants from Ballarat – in fact, it's one of the largest regional town contingencies that come on the Ride.
- Some of our biggest suppliers have come from Ballarat. Atmosphere Events has been putting up our marquees for years, and Ballarat Coachlines has been providing coaches and trucks for transport.
- Some of our most memorable and dedicated Volunteers come from Ballarat - we won't mention names here but you know who you are - thanks guys!
Dave Wakeling - Ballarat Coachlines
Dave has been working with the Great Victorian Bike Ride for 13 years. He's the guy who organises all the coach transport and also many of the trucks on the Ride. Recent riders may have also seen Dave overseeing Dave & Billy's Sleep Easy tent service.
Dave is pretty excited that the event is finally returning to Ballarat as he has lived there most of his life and it means he can organise transport from the start and finish of the ride, right in his home town.
Dave loves "the challenge of organising so many riders over nine days through the day to day operations." While it can be be a pretty tiring gig, Dave really enjoys his time on the Ride and "seeing the same people each year, and being able to chat and reminisce about previous rides." He also loves how friendly all the riders are and gets a thrill out of "seeing so many people on bikes!"
Dave is one of many suppliers who support the Ride each year and works hand in hand with our Volunteers to make the Ride happen.
