Romantic cycling getaways in Victoria
Want to take that certain someone for a ride somewhere special?
Want to take someone special for a ride somewhere special? A thumbnail poll of the Bicycle Victoria staff revealed the following locations...
Rail Trails
Trains - arguably the most romantic form of motorised travel - have left cyclists with a wonderful legacy: kilometres of relatively flat, car-free, scenic trails to explore. Add in a charming country town or two and romance is virtually inevitable. Here are our recommendations:
Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail
Bicycle Victoria campaigner Mary McParland and husband Alan rode the Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail on their honeymoon, and lingered a few days in Warburton, enjoying its cafes, shops and lovely walks.
The wineries and eateries of the Yarra Valley are just a short ride from Lilydale - although they're not yet accessible via rail trail, and weekend traffic can be busy.
Train access: Lilydale station
Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail
Following the Ovens Valley, this trail links the towns of Wangaratta, Beechworth and Bright. Along with wineries along the trail and Beechworth's famous bakery, you can detour south to Milawa for gourmet food and Brown Brothers wine.
Train access: Wangaratta station
Bellarine Rail Trail
From South Geelong to the historical seaside town of Queenscliff, the trail traverses the Bellarine Peninsula, and includes the option of an additional road-based loop via wineries and Portarlington.
Train access: South Geelong station
Tell me more: railtrails.org.au
Other great weekends away
Gold & spa country
Whether you like camping or canopied beds, candlelight or coffee, the Central Victorian gold towns of Maldon, Castlemaine and Daylesford sparkle with romantic possibilities.
For a weekend away, start at Bendigo (accessible by train), stay overnight at Maldon (59km), and finish at Castlemaine (20km), also on the train line. If you have more time, carry on to Daylesford (48km, bus access only) and revitalise your heart in scenic mineral springs at Hepburn Springs.
The route
From Bendigo, head out on the Mandurang and Sedgwick Rds, climb the shoulder of Mt Alexander on North Harcourt Rd and dog-leg across the Calder Hwy onto Fogarty's Gap Rd. The short climb to Fogarty's Gap is steep, but from there you'll roll through box-ironbark forest to Maldon.
Explore the hilly tracks through the sprawling Maldon Historic Reserve, or the flatter forests around Muckleford en route to Castlemaine, where historic buildings, botanic gardens, galleries and cafes abound.
From Castlemaine, head east to Chewton and take the quiet roads via Vaughan Springs and Guildford, which has an open fire in the old pub and coffee recommended by cyclists at the general store. There's a brief highway stretch from Guildford to the Limestone Rd turn-off, then take the Newstead and Hepburn-Newstead Rds to Hepburn Springs, where you can relax in a spa for two. Daylesford is another 4km (and numerous B&Bs) further on.
Getting there
By train: V/Line (Bendigo line)
By car: Take the Calder Highway from Melbourne
Tell me more:
Bendigo Visitor Information Centre, ph 1800 813 153, www.bendigotourism.com
Maldon Visitor Information Centre, ph (03) 5475 2569
Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre, ph 1800 171 888,
Daylesford Visitor Information Centre, ph (03) 5321 6123, www.visitdaylesford.com
Phillip and French Islands
With opportunities for beach walks, afternoon teas, seal spotting and, of course, penguin viewing at dusk, a trip to Phillip Island has plenty of diversions from the bike. If peace and nature is your thing, French Island is for you. Getting there is half the fun - what could be more romantic than starting with a ferry ride? It worked for one Bicycle Victoria staffer, who later married the man she went with on a cycling first date.
The roads on Phillip Island undulate gently and, although it is not far between attractions, the main roads can get busy, making two-abreast riding difficult at times. During the busy season, book accommodation ahead. French Island is far quieter, with almost no car traffic.
Getting there
The Metlink train from Melbourne to Frankston connects with the Stony Point train (included in Zone 1+2 Met ticket), which connects with Inter Island Ferries Service to Cowes.
Alternatively, drive to the eastern end of the island via the Bass Hwy.
Tell me more:
Phillip Island Visitors Centre, ph 1300 366 422, www.basscoast.vic.gov.au
Inter Island Ferries, ph (03) 9585 5730, www.interislandferries.com.au
Bicycle Victoria website (Keyword: French Island) www.bv.com.au
This article first appeared in Ride On magazine, June 2005