3 Days: Sunday 25th to Tuesday 27th March 2012

2 Nights: Otway Cabins in Gellibrand

What better way to compliment a walking holiday than to swap your hiking books for a bike and see the countryside from a different perspective. Park Trek has teamed up with Paul from Sierra Sports & Tours to bring you a very healthy outdoor option. Why not extend your four day walking tour with a three day cycle tour of the Otways hinterland. Mix that in with cosy accommodation and charming country dining and you have a wonderful escape from the workaday world. We provide you with a high calibre mountain bike and bicycle helmet. You don’t need to be superfit as we have several touring options. You’ll be accompanied by Paul, our cycle guide, and a Park Trek guide who helps with support logistics.

When you book a six day Great Great Coastal Walk with a three day Great Otway Bike Tour you get a Bike ‘n’ Hike! It combines to make a superb 8 day experience complete with excellent guiding, equipment and a host of fabulous cycle trails. The total outlay for combining both trips is $1790.00. This represents a saving of $120.00 for both trips.

DAY 1

As your Great Coastal Walk winds down after lunchtime we’ll meet Paul from Sierra Sports & Tours mid afternoon. The first bike leg leaves the Great Ocean Road and the rewards include some expansive ocean views! You will continue your way along several gravel backroads, keeping an eye out all the while for the Black Swamp Wallaby which inhabits these areas, before arriving at the magnificent Triplet Falls. This waterfall has three broad cascades which fall over a lush ancient rainforest. What better way to cap off the day with a 2 kilometre return walk which winds its way past the falls whilst stopping at excellent vantage points along the way. After Triplet Falls - if time permits we could have a coffee stop at the Otway Fly.
Your Day 1 journey finishes in the sleepy town of Gellibrand in the forested surrounds of the Otways Cabins. We are here for our two nights of cycling. The cabins are very comfortably appointed. Each evening we head out to the Gellibrand Hotel for drinks and dinner (both of which are at your Own Expense).

Approx. 20 kilometres of cycling.

DAY 2

Get your day under way with a fantastic breakfast. Paul will have you on your bike by around 9.00am and cycling towards the recently opened Old Beechy Rail Trail. The trail follows a former narrow gauge railway and climbs its way up through rainforest pockets and dense fern understorey.  The sleepy township of Beech Forest marks the end of the line and the chance for a well deserved rest. With the batteries recharged we head towards Lardner Track where we should again catch a glimpse of the Black Swamp Wallaby. After descending down to the valley floor we align ourselves with the Gellibrand River and finish by cycling past rich farmland back into Gellibrand township.

Approx. 35 kilometres of cycling.

Optional - you can cycle with Paul until the late afternoon along sections of Old Beechy Rail Trail towards Colac.

DAY 3

Farewell to our charming place of stay then it’s a short morning drive to the town of Forrest. Forrest has become a hub for mountain biking activity and there are graded trails for all abilities. Even if this is your first time partaking in off road cycling you’ll enjoy the experience as you weave your way through the trees along some loop rides perfectly suited for beginners. You can choose whether you wish to finish with either a ride or a drive down into Lorne/Apollo Bay where you can enjoy lunch (Own Expense) in one of the many cafe’s. Then it’s time to pack the bikes away as we head back to Melbourne for a late afternoon return).

Approx. 25 kilometres of cycling.

Price: $ 790.00 (ex-Melbourne) (incl. GST)