Day 1, Monday 12 October

Albert Park Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne. We look forward to meeting you at Melbourne Airport.

Ideally, you’ll arrive mid to late morning, allowing for a short transfer to our hotel. The Pullman at Melbourne Albert Park is a luxury 5-star hotel overlooking the picturesque Albert Park Lake & prominently located near St Kilda, Chapel Street precincts, the Melbourne CBD & South Melbourne.

Albert Park is one of Melbourne’s most scenic inner-city precincts, known for its expansive lakeside parklands, tree-lined walking and cycling paths, and sweeping views of the Melbourne skyline. While also serving as the world-famous home of the Australian Grand Prix each year.

Once settled in, we’ll help you assemble your bike before heading out for a relaxed spin around the lake to loosen the legs and check the bikes.

Team Mac – you will head out to walk around the picturesque Albert Park Lake. We’re going to give you a bird bingo card. Let’s tick off as many of the 100 species as possible. It’s exhausting work though so there’s a very good chance we’ll wrap up our walk with a coffee or a wine.  

Tonight, we raise a toast at our welcome dinner and run through the plans for the next 8 days.

Welcome to Melbourne. Cheers to you.

/ Accommodation: Pullman Albert Park Lake
/ Meals: Welcome Dinner at Pullman (Lunch is Own Arrangements)

Day 2, Tuesday 13 October

Melbourne’s Beach Road

Today is all about exploring Melbourne’s iconic Beach Road. This classic coastal ride is renowned for its smooth pavement, mostly flat profile, and excellent coffee stops along the way. Stretching from Port Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula, Beach Road delivers breathtaking views across Port Phillip Bay and a relaxed Melbourne cycling experience.

The Cappuccino and Latte 60km option will turn around at Mordialloc before stopping at Black Rock for lunch. This is a popular meeting point for cyclists as you are spoiled with a choice of cafés. Espressos will carry on down to the Mornington Peninsular and turn around at Mt Eliza making it 100km return.

Team Mac – today is the perfect opportunity to explore the Mornington Peninsula. First, we will stop at the base of Arthurs Seat and take the Eagle chairlift (314 vertical meters) to the summit for some magnificent views of the bay and beyond. On a clear day you can see the Melbourne skyline, Mount Macedon and the You Yangs. Then it’s off to Point Leo Wine Estate for lunch and wine tasting. This wine estate also features a fantastic sculpture park.

/ Accommodation: Pullman Albert Park Lake
/ Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is Own Arrangements)

Day 3, Wednesday 14 October

CBD to Warburton

This trip offers plenty of ride flexibility, with the shortest option being Cappuccino and Latte. Both routes today are ride hotel to hotel. You follow the Main Yarra and Capital City Cycle Trails before linking into the Warburton Rail Trail. Riders will enjoy around 90km of quiet, scenic, and picturesque bike trails through some of Victoria’s most enjoyable riding terrain.

The 100km+ Espresso option winds through the majestic Dandenong Ranges National Park, featuring Melbourne’s most popular cycling climb—the iconic 1 in 20. After a coffee in Sassafras, we follow the undulating country roads to Warburton.

Team Mac – it’s all about exploring the Dandenong Ranges on the way to our next hotel. And what better way to experience this magical place than on the historical Puffing Billy steam train. Puffing Billy Railway opened in 1900 and is repeatedly described as Australia’s oldest and best‑preserved heritage steam railway. One of Puffing Billy’s defining features is its open‑sided carriages, where passengers are traditionally allowed to sit on the carriage sills. We will ride the train from Belgrave to the visitor’s centre at the picturesque Emerald where we can walk around the lake and have lunch.

Our home for this evening is the Alpine Hotel. A historic country pub and accommodation spot in the heart of Warburton, offering classic hospitality, comfortable stays, and views of the surrounding Yarra Valley landscape.

/ Accommodation: Alpine Hotel Warburton
/ Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is Own Arrangements)

Day 4, Thursday 15 October

Warburton to Marysville

Mt Donna Buang is one of the true gems of Victorian cycling. Rising an impressive 1,080 vertical metres, the 17km ascent is spectacularly scenic and, for most of the year, virtually traffic free. Once the demanding Donna Buang climb is conquered, it’s onto Marysville via the Reefton Spur. Hotel to hotel, you will cover 95km with more than 2,000 vertical metres, this is a day that will truly test the legs and deliver a sense of real achievement. Please keep in mind that we will have shorter options available each day.

Team Mac – after our morning walk along the Warburton rail trail, you’re in for a treat. You will drive in the opposite direction to the cyclists to the Healesville Sanctuary to cuddle a fluffy marsupial also known as a Koala. Before exploring the 78 acres (32 ha) of land which was formerly part of the Aboriginal reserve known as Coranderrk, we have booked a koala experience that takes you behind the gates for a unique perspective.  Then it’s a quick stop at the Four Pillars Distillery before the short 30min drive to Marysville.

Our home for the next couple of nights is the Peppers Marysville. A stylish alpine retreat in the heart of Victoria’s High Country. Surrounded by the stunning Yarra Ranges, it also offers spa and wellness facilities. A fantastic place to stay for a couple of nights. 

/ Accommodation: Peppers Marysville
/ Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is Own Arrangements)

Day 5, Friday 16 October

Options… Lake Eildon Loop, Lake Mountain Climb or both!

Starting with a warmup ride, we take the quiet country road north to Lake Eildon before crossing over the Goulburn River and returning to Marysville for lunch. The 100km (pancake flat) ride out and back will warm up the engine ready to tackle Lake Mountain!

The ride from Marysville to Lake Mountain is one of Victoria’s most iconic alpine climbs. This 21km fully sealed ascent winds through towering eucalypt forests, opening to sweeping mountain views along the way. A favourite among recreational and serious cyclists alike, it also features in the legendary 7 Peaks Challenge, attracting riders from across the country to test their endurance on this beautifully scenic climb.

The first 4.5km of Lake Mountain are tough. The road heads straight up, averaging over 8% and of which large proportions are over 10%. A moment’s respite is offered at about the 5km mark before the road picks back up, albeit at the much gentler gradient of 5.5% until about 9km.

Team Mac – this morning you will experience the sights and sounds of Marysville. Bruno’s Art and Sculpture Garden has over 100 unique sculptures and the MiRa Gallery who supports and promotes local and regional artists in Victoria. After lunch, you will join the riders and take a sightseeing walk around the Lake Mountain summit.

This afternoon, it’s time to give back and enjoy the many hotel features on offer from pampering yourself at the wellness spa or massage.

/ Accommodation: Peppers Marysville
/ Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & Dinner is Own Arrangements)

Day 6, Saturday 17 October

Coffee Ride & back to Melbourne

Let’s call today a semi-rest day. After a leisurely breakfast, we will head out for a coffee ride. Anyone up for another ascent of Lake Mountain? Just kidding, we will keep it flat as you have a big ride tomorrow.

We’ll load the vans and make our way back to Albert Park Lake, travelling through the renowned Yarra Valley wine region. Just two kilometres west of Yarra Glen, set among rolling hills and the gentle twists of the Yarra River, has several wine estates. This will be our lunch stop, where we’ll enjoy authentic, homestyle Italian cuisine in a beautiful vineyard setting.

Yarra Glen is one of the main hubs of the Yarra Valley wine region in Victoria. It’s surrounded by vineyards and cellar doors and is frequently cited by tourism and winery directories as a concentration point for established and boutique wine estates.

The area is especially associated with cool‑climate wines, and many estates like Balgownie, TarraWarra, Yarrawood, Greenstone, Zonzo and Yileena combine wine tastings with restaurants, cafés, gardens, or event spaces.

/ Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner is Own Arrangements)

Day 7, Sunday 18 October

Bicycle Networks – Around the Bay in a Day

Around the Bay in a Day is one of Australia’s largest one-day cycling events on the calendar. Starting from the Albert Park Lake you can choose from 50, 100, 135 or 220km. Depending on the distance, you ride anticlockwise around Port Phillip Bay, before finishing back in Melbourne.

Today is the only day on the calendar bicycles can access the West Gate. Once you’re over the bridge, you navigate your way to Geelong and Queenscliff enjoying a mix of urban and coastal scenery. This event is fully supported, including rest stops, safety vehicles, and ferry crossings between Queenscliff and Sorrento.

Team Mac – for some reason there will be a few road disruptions “around the bay”, so you will explore Melbourne’s vibrant city area. Our first stop will be to the famous South Melbourne Market. Established in 1867 the South Melbourne Market has become the foodies' market for both visitors and locals alike, specialising in amazing fresh produce and boutique stores of locally made, quality clothing, gifts and homewares. 

Next, you’ll visit the Eureka Skydeck. This is the highest public observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere offering unparalleled views of Melbourne. Not to forget the iconic street art of Hosier Lane or the South Bank Promenade, which we will also experience today. 

/ Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is Own Arrangements)

Day 8, Monday 18 October

The End

After breakfast, we will help with bike packing before heading out to the airport.

Or…

We can look after any extra accommodation if you choose to stay on longer.

Whatever you decide. Safe travels. Until we see you again.

Thanks again for joining us,

The team at RH