Victorian Bike Ride 2027
Ride Planning Overview
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Good Friday: 26 March
Victorian School Holidays: Follow shortly after
The ride should be completed a few days before Good Friday. Keep in mind that starting earlier may mean riding in hotter conditions.
Route Summary
Start: Albury
Finish: Lilydale (outer Melbourne train line)
Total Distance: Approximately 307 km
Bike Path Sections: Approximately 96 km
Most of the route is on quiet roads with minimal traffic, aside from occasional local vehicles.
Suggested Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Albury to Beechworth
49 km | 714 m climbing
One of the more challenging days.
Day 2: Beechworth to Wangaratta
43 km | 50 m climbing
Day 3: Wangaratta to Glenisla Farm House
61 km | 253 m climbing
Accommodation reportedly available.
Day 4: Glenisla Farm House to Yarck Hotel
63 km | 760 m climbing
Another challenging day.
Day 5: Yarck to Glenburn
53.5 km | 398 m climbing
Day 6: Glenburn to Lilydale
42 km | 263 m climbing
Connects to the Melbourne suburban train network.
Transport and Logistics
Sydney to Albury (Start):
Plan is to take the CountryLink train. Bikes will likely need to be boxed unless policies change to allow non-dismantled bikes. Bike hire is another option to explore.
Victoria Train Travel:
Trains between Melbourne and Wodonga allow bikes on a first come, first served basis in luggage storage.
Optional Route Variation
On Day 5, shortly after Molesworth, riders can divert onto the Great Victorian Rail Trail and ride approximately 53 km to Tallarook Station. From there, trains are available to Melbourne or Wodonga.
Key Notes
Days 1 and 4 are the most demanding due to climbing.
The route offers a mix of bike paths and quiet country roads.
There are multiple exit points via train if required.
I spoke with Peter Kirkwood and he mentioned that we could hire a van and Philip Ritchie could drive it with the bikes to Beechworth, which would make it very convenient. We’ll figure out costs and update later.
do we have any firm dates?
Not yet
Twearly
The NSW state election day is 13 March 2026. I will be volunteering to get Alex Greenwich re-elected as Member for Sydney. If it suits everyone, I would like to start the ride on or after 15 March 2026.
Oops, of course I meant 2027.
I’ve just been searching for e-bike hire in Albury/Wodonga but it’s hopeless.
Ordinary bikes you have to box for the train from Sydney. E-bikes are not allowed on the Sydney to Albury train. Victoria is Okay because you can take your bike, as is, on Melbourne to Wodonga trains, presumably including E-bikes.
Christian and Phil (says PeterK) have offered to drive a van from Sydney with our bikes.
Christian says for those staying at his airbnb in Beechworth it’s best not to on a weekend so the first night there could be a Monday night. It’s 5 days riding from there to Lilydale so that’s the following Saturday.
There are two possible dates I think:- Monday night at Beechworth 15 March finishing Saturday 20 March. That’s a week before the NSW school holidays and Easter weekend. The other possibility is Monday 5 April, a week after Easter but in the middle of the Victorian school holidays. That is Donna and my preference because the middle of March can quite often be too hot.
Coming from WA MikeA will be hiring his bike in Melbourne.
Ride starting on 5 April appeals to me due to the cooler weather. I’ve penciled in 4 April as transport to Albury day. Depending on logistics, 11 or 12 April would be return to Sydney? Anyway, it’s early days, but I’ve blocked out 4-12 April 2027 in my diary.
There might be better options for hiring e-bikes for self-guided, multi-day tours from hire companies in Melbourne.
VICRAIL ONBOARD RULES & RESTRICTIONS FOR E-BIKESOnboard Rules & RESTRICTIONS FOR E-BIKES
Power off: The e-bike must be completely switched off and cannot be ridden or charged anywhere on board the train, on the platforms, or within station precincts.
Check-in requirement: Because Wodonga is on a long-distance V/Line line (the Albury line), you are required to check your bike in at a staffed station at least 30 minutes before departure.
Space is limited: Carriage is free, but space on the Albury line VLocity trains is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The train conductor always has the final discretion on whether there is enough safe space to accommodate it.
If you are planning to travel, it is highly recommended to arrive early and speak to the station staff at Southern Cross Station (or Wodonga/Albury) to ensure there is baggage space available for your service.