Australia: Goldfields, Grampians and Great Ocean Road

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW: Come to Australia and tour the historic and scenic areas of the North West and the Surf Coast of Victoria State. The tour starts in the gold rush region which boomed in the mid 1800s and left a heritage of Victorian era architecture, parks and monuments in Bendigo, Moonambel and Dunkeld. In this area we will also stay at a vineyard resort to experience the regionally famous wine and specialty Australian cuisine. We will visit the Grampian National Park with its rich animal life and scenic mountain overlooks. Brambuk is a cultural center in the park with exhibits of the 20,000 year history of the aborigine peoples of the area. We will cycle down the southern half of the park with an overnight in historic Dunkeld then on to Port Fairy on the Southern Ocean. Near Port Fairy are wonderful colonies of ocean birds.

The next segment of the tour is along the Great Ocean Road which is one of the world’s most scenic rides. This road was built by First World War veterans and is designated as a war memorial to the fallen soldiers. The GOR passes through Port Campbell National Park. We overnight in Port Campbell then skirt along the “surf coast” past unique rock formations with names like the Twelve Apostles and London Arch. The route continues through some temperate rainforest and after a night in Apollo Bay, we finish at the other end of the Great Ocean Road outside Melbourne.

The tour has great biking with lots of history, culture and nature to make it enjoyable in every way. The tour is commercially assisted by Pedaltours who will help us to have a great riding experience and delve into the towns and sites that are along our journey. We will have single rest days in the Grampians National Park and at Port Campbell to have more opportunity to experience these richly scenic areas.

RIDE RATING: The tour is rated 3C based on 7 days of riding with an average daily climb of 2508 feet and average daily distance of 58 miles. Day 6 is rated 1D with 1480 feet of climb and 70 miles. Day 9 is rated 4C with 5040 feet of climb and 60 miles. Additional riding is available through an optional extended ride on Day 1 and optional loop rides on Day 4 and Day 8. Roads are generally quiet but some sections may have higher volumes of traffic. Driving in Australia is on the left side of the road.

WEATHER: Victoria State interior areas in late October to early November have average daily highs in the low 70s (F) and overnight lows of about 50 (F). Precipitation occurs on about 8 days per month with an average total monthly rainfall of 1.5 inches during the interval of the tour.

LODGING & MEALS: Hotels and motels are 3-4 star rated. The accommodations include both historic and modern hotels, a vineyard resort and a cabin resort. There are two night stays on nights 3-4 and 6-7. The tour price includes 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 group dinners. Drinks and snacks are provided during the ride days. Extra hotel nights in Melbourne or Bendigo prior to the start of the tour are not included.

LOGISTICS: Individual arrival dates and pre-tour plans will affect individual logistics. There are international flights to Melbourne and train service from Melbourne to Bendigo. There will be a shuttle available on October 28 from The Rydges Hotel on Exhibition Street, Melbourne to Bendigo. Plan to be in Bendigo at the Shamrock Hotel for 4 pm on October 28 for a meeting, bike assembly and rental bike fitting.

Bike Boxes: Assembly of personal bikes could be done in Melbourne prior to the trip date and storage of boxes could be arranged individually in Melbourne. Boxes taken to Bendigo, will be stored and transferred to the tour end (Rydges Hotel in Melbourne) by Pedaltours at individual cost.

Rental Bikes: Fitting of rental bikes will be done in Bendigo. Bike rentals are available through Bike Now for approximately $260 or at bicycle shops in Melbourne.

Pedaltours will provide support services throughout the tour. The tour ends after breakfast on November 7 at the Rydges hotel in Melbourne. Pedaltours will supply a group transfer to the airport for those who are leaving.

Australia Visa Requirements: American and Canadian citizens must hold a passport with 6-months validity and a valid ETA (online electronic visa) to enter Australia. Citizens of other countries should check for the visa requirements pertaining to their country.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The $3060 cost includes 11 nights accommodation, twin share, 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 group dinners, an experienced guide/driver/bike mechanic, support vehicle and bicycle trailer, daily maps with profiles, GPX route files, a souvenir cycle jersey, 2 souvenir water bottles per person, drinks and snacks during the ride days and an Australia map.

Items not included are individual transportation from Melbourne to Bendigo, tips, alcoholic beverages except a single daily Happy hour drink, bicycle rental, laundry, sightseeing and admission to museums and attractions. The Ride Deposit is $2000 and the final payment of $1060 is due by June 1, 2019. The price is based on double occupancy and an exchange rate of $1AUS = 0.71USD. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own prior to sign up. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Singles who wish to share will not be placed on the Participant list until they have a roommate.

The Solo supplement of $620 must be paid by check to BAC at the time of registration. Solos are free to find a roommate and receive a refund of the Solo supplement until June 1, 2019 but must plan to participate without a roommate if a roommate is not found or if by personal choice.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Ride Participant Responsibility: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use the sign-up links displayed just above this Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the Pending List. At this point you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to digitally accept the Release of Liability form (ROL) and pay the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee and the Tour Deposit of $2000 by credit card.

Solo participants will pay the initial tour deposit and in addition will also have to send a Solo supplement cheque for $620 to BAC to complete their registration. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. The check should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. The final payment will be due for all participants by June 1, 2019 and will be paid by credit card to BAC. To contact the Ride Leader, Ron Youngash, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description. The tour is being co-ordinated by Deborah Chamitoff.