Cycle a Rail TrailView trips
6
Moderate to Challenging
Activities
  • 5 days self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 5 nights hotel/inn accommodation

Price

6 daysfrom

$AUD

 
 
Trip Code: KTZ

Trip highlights


  • Enjoy a small group self-guided cycle with all logistics taken care of for you
  • Cycle through picturesque countryside in southern NSW
  • Climb to the highest point in Australia then cycle to the ocean for a great sense of achievement
  • Stay in quality accommodation from a lakeside hotel to farmstays and a country guesthouse

There are few journeys which offer the opportunity to travel under your own steam from the highest point of the country to the lowest, through vast alpine landscapes, quiet country roads and peaceful forests. This journey comes with a sense of achievement, rewarded by first views of the sparkling Sapphire Coast. Beginning from the highest road at Charlotte Pass, the journey starts with an ascent on foot to the top of Australia, Mount Koscuiszko (2,228 metres), followed by a mostly downhill cycle to the shores of Lake Jindabyne. Continuing through an incredible diversity of scenery and passing through some of the prettiest towns in NSW, this is an epic cycle route you'll remember for years to come. Enroute to the coast, your journey takes you through the Monaro region and the Snowy Mountains national park. Here, historic properties and rolling hills abound as you pedal from the alpine zone where you will be joined at points by herds of Kangaroo, a variety of birds, emus and wombats. Nearing the beautiful Sapphire Coast you'll cycle past dairy farms and meander pretty forest tracts. During the cycle day you are accompanied by a support vehicle. At night stay in rural retreats, heritage properties and alpine and beachside accommodation where your hosts are friendly and willing to impart their vast knowledge of the region. Diving into the ocean at Tathra is a fitting conclusion to this ultimate cycle experience.

Itinerary

Make your way to Tathra, on NSW's Sapphire Coast, where you will meet with the group. Your support driver will pick you up at 2pm from Tathra. Journey time to Jindabyne is two and a half hours and the route takes you up to Brown Mountain. Fortunately this is not a mountain you will be cycling up, although Mt Darragh will be the challenge of the week. In the Snowy Mountains overlooking Lake Jindabyne, the town of Jindabyne is perfectly positioned to access the Kosciuszko National Park, location of the highest point in Australia, Mt Kosciuszko (2228m). After checking into your motel in Jindabyne, a welcome dinner (own expense) will be organised.

Meals:  Nil

An early start is in order today which promises to be an epic start to your journey. After a hot breakfast, you are transferred to Charlotte Pass, the highest point you can reach by road in Australia. If you are bringing a mountain bike then you can cycle up the summit track to Rawsons Pass and walk the rest of the way to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. Returning to Rawsons Pass, you cycle mostly downhill all the way back to Jindabyne. If you plan to use a road bike or hybrid bike, we can organise a hire of a mountain bike for this section. Alternatively you can walk to Rawson Pass rather than cycling. A brisk pace will be required so we only recommend this if you are walking fit. From Rawsons Pass you will the cycle back to Jindabyne. *note that the track from Charlotte Pass to Rawson Pass is only suitable for mountain bikes. Overnight Jindabyne.

Meals:  B

You may feel it in your legs this morning as you begin your cycle with a sustained ascent to the top of Beloka Hill. Enroute pass by classic alpine countryside scenes with wildflowers lining the roadside. The descent of Beloka Hill will have you gripping tightly to the brakes as you wind down the mountainside. Continue over undulating terrain to Dalgety where you can get lunch at the hotel overlooking the river which will be just rewards for your efforts so far. From Dalgety join the Snowy River Way to Bobundara and your overnight accommodation on a lovely rural property. We have a farm stay tonight – sit back and enjoy the fabulous views.

Meals:  B,D

We return to the Snowy River Way and cycle alongside grazing land with rolling hills. Ascending to the wind farm the views are panoramic. Leaving the paved road behind, we take an unsurfaced 16km road that takes us past cattle and sheep properties. There are a number of cattle grids, so be careful crossing these. Dismounting would be the wise option. Continue to the country town of Bombala located on the Bombala River. The name Bombala derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "Meeting of the waters". Later, we drive out to the Bombala Platypus Reserve at dusk. There is a raised platform which provides great viewing, and late afternoon (or early morning) is the best time to see them. You can also wander along the riverside walk next to town on the Bombala River where it is relatively common to see a platypus at dusk and dawn.

Meals:  B,L

Todays ride is long and rewarding, with huge downhills and some tough uphills as you ascend two mountains. There is an option to finish in Wyndham and take a transfer with the support vehicle. The ride begins along the Mount Darragh Road leading out of Bombala. A gradual ascent takes us to the little village of Cathcart, where the main general store is a nice place to get an ice-cream and re hydrate. Continuing to the summit of Mt Darragh watch out for Lyre Birds. It’s a long free wheeling descent, not too steep a gradient before the terrain flattens out as you make your way to Wyndham in the Bega Shire. After passing through Wyndham, we begin a 10km ascent all the way to the top of Myrtle Mountain. This mountainous section of the road passes through beautiful thick forest lining the sides of the road. There is a picnic area and lookout at the top which is worth spending time at. Descend to the cute little town of Candelo – they have a terrific café and general store, so if you want to refill your water bottle, or get an excellent coffee, then it’s worth the stop. Just outside Candelo is our overnight farm stay. To reach the farm we pass grazing countryside through rolling hills this area is famous for. Dinner tonight will be a lovely home-cooked meal, overlooking some beautiful countryside. There are plenty of birds and rambling grounds to roam in.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a superb breakfast begin your final stage to Tathra Beach. The route begins on delightful backroads passing by dairy farms and grazing countryside. A short unavoidable stage of approximately 4km takes us along the highway before again joining a backroad. The last 4km of the route is on a dedicated cycle way with a last big hill before you reach Tathra beach offering panoramic views. Head down to the beach for a swim and celebrate your epic journey from the top of Australia to the Pacific Coast. If you have elected to hire a bike, the bike handover will be early afternoon. Trip concludes

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 5 breakfasts - continental (hot breakfast on at least 3 days), 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinners - home style meals prepared at the farm
  • Tea and coffee stops during the cycle day
  • 5 nights accommodation in hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with private facilities on most nights
  • Luggage transfers
  • Navigational App and route maps
  • Transfer from Tathra to Jindabyne on day 1
  • Support vehicle during the cycle day
  • Visit to Platypus viewing platform in Bombala

  • Travel to and from Tathra
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, snacks, car parking, towel etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not listed as included
  • Bike rental
  • Kosciuszko National Park Entry Fee - $6.60pp (subject to change)

Accommodation


Grading

Moderate to Challenging  
6

This supported cycle trip involves 5 days of cycling over mountainous terrain. Daily activity is usually between 5 and 8 hours but some days might be longer depending on your overall pace. Being a self guided trip you determine the pace and schedule. You will need an excellent level of fitness and good health and be a very confident and capable cyclist to complete the distances. You will be ascending around 2500m during the 5 days of cycling, despite this essentially travelling from the top of Australia to the sea. Daily ascents range from 455m to 806m each day, with descents of up to 1300m. The maximum gradient is 15.4% on the Beloka Hill descent although on this descent the average is 9.4% over 3km - mainly the average gradient is around 1-3%. While the vast majority of the route is on sealed roads there is a 14km stretch on a dirt road with cattle grids, and a few shorter sections on dirt roads (2 and 4km). Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions which can also add to the timing and comfort of a trip, for example riding into a head wind will take more time than when the wind is behind you. You will need to be comfortable and confident cycling on the road. High visibility clothing is essential. If you use an electric bike, the grading on this trip is moderate.


Departure dates


Notes

Note:
A high season supplement applies during school holidays and Christmas/New Years period.
DN2
The trip price does not include bike hire.
DN3
If you are travelling on your own a single suppplement will apply to secure your own room. We can try and pair you with another participant of the same gender, however if we cannot match you up a single supplement will be applicable.

Want to organise a customised tour?

School groups, friends, family trips, corporate events or just tailoring a trip to suit your own needs - learn how you can tailor your own Customised Tour.

Priceper person from

$AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementAUD$710
*Prices listed are per person and also from

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Kosciuszko to the Sea Supported Cycle trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


Frequently Asked Questions

No, bike hire is not included in the trip cost. Please let us know if you would like to hire a standard or electric bike. A supplement will apply, prices depending on the bike type hired but it is generally over $1200 per bike.

We usually recommend that people use a hybrid bike or an electric bike on this trip, but it is possible with a road bike.

The itinerary for day 2 between Charlotte Pass and Rawsons Pass is only suitable for mountain bikes. We can organise hire of a mountain bike for this day, or it’s possible to look at alternate cycle options and/or walking to Rawsons Pass instead.

The rest of the trip is generally fine on a road bike.

The vast majority of the route cycle is on sealed roads but there is a 14km stretch on a dirt road with cattle grids, and a few shorter sections on dirt roads (2 and 4km). If the area has a lot of rain this could be muddy and difficult on a road bike. However, the supported tour does have a driver with the group who could transfer you and the bikes if a section was impassable due to lots of rain/mud.

Yes - please view the Kosciuszko to the Sea Self-Guided Cycle or the reverse option, the Sea to Kosciuszko Self Guided Cycle tour.

Yes, you need to be a capable cyclist. You will cover up to 58km in a day, often in hilly or mountainous areas, and you will need to be confident cycling on roads. There is lots of cycling on the road in this trip. There is also an optional cycle up Mount Kosciuszko which is an 83km cycle and a challenging day on the bike.


Trip reviews


Why cycle with us

SELF GUIDED EXPERTS

As the pioneers of self guided active travel in Australia you can expect a seamless experience. Our quality tour notes and logistical expertise sets us apart and ensures a quality experience for you.

TRUSTED LOCAL ADVICE

Our team is passionate about cycling and their extensive knowledge and experience means you get the very best advice - every time. We will help you tailor the right cycling itinerary for you.

Quality services

Expect first-class and flexible support both on and off the trail. We've sourced the highest quality bikes and most authentic accommodations so you can enjoy a stress free cycling trip.


Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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