What was said about last year's ride (check out the 'gallery' tab below for photos):
"To all the team at Alltrails, my sincere thanks for making my first cycling tour with you such a wonderful enjoyable fantastic event, it certainly exceeded my best hopes and has fuelled my appetite for more. Well Done . Best Wishes"
Colin N (VIC), Great Ocean Road Luxury Tour 2011
"Hi Midge, Phil, Susan and Ben, Thank you so much for another fantastic bike ride! It's great to just ride and know everything will be wonderfully organised, safe and fun. I'm looking forward to the Great Vic in only a few week's time and all the European riding with you next year. Thank you once again for everything."
Mary-Anne C, (VIC) Great Ocean Road Luxury Tour 2011
"Good photos, great tour, I had a wonderful time. See you again soon, I hope."
AllTrails is proud to be working in conjunction with Bicycle Victoria to provide the Great Ocean Road Luxury Bike Tour - a wonderful 'extension ride' to the famous 'Around the Bay in a Day'.
We organise everything that you will need for the duration of this 4 day tour including accommodation, food, safety and support vehicles, bike mechanic, massage, luggage transfer and much more, so that you can pedal away each morning with the knowledge that your luggage will be taken care of and food will be ready for you at the next stop.
This magnificent jaunt through the Great Ocean Road starts on Thursday 18 October and finishes as part of the exciting Around the Bay in a Day Bike Ride on Sunday 21 October. In between is the bike ride that you have always wanted to do, and that you will remember forever.
We will guide you along the internationally renowned Great Ocean Road for 3 days, winding past The Twelve Apostles (or is it eight now?) and around popular beach resort towns that are the home of the surfing revolution. The pounding surf against limestone cliffs is the perfect backdrop for some power pedalling, climbing hills and descending through thick forest from Warrnambool to Port Campbell, to Apollo Bay to Queenscliff.
After our last overnight stop at Queenscliff you will take the ferry across the bay to Sorrento to join the 15,000 plus cyclists in one of Australia's premier cycling events 'Around the Bay in a Day'. The final 100km leg will see you ride proudly in through the finish arch at Alexandra Gardens to the festival atmosphere at the finish line that this famous ride generates.
Ride the Great Ocean Road with full support vehicles
See the 'Twelve Apostles' Marine National Park on the Shipwreck Coast
Overnights at Port Campbell, Apollo Bay and Queenscliff
Views of pristine sandy white beaches at the base of steep rocky cliffs
Cycle past wild ocean surf and through deep thick forest
Be a part of one of Australia's premier cycling events Around the Bay in a Day
"Warrnambool to Melbourne"
Imagine waking up in the early daylight and looking around a comfortable motel room and wondering where you are. Is it Port Campbell, Apollo Bay or Queenscliff? What the heck! You want to get up and start another day in The AllTrails Warrnambool to Melbourne 4-day Around the Bay Bike Ride, cycling through some of the most beautiful parts of Victoria. After a quick shower it's down to the breakfast.
The food breaks, morning tea, lunch and afternoon snack are set times enabling all riders to plan their day and the amount of time required to enjoy the sights and attractions along the way. Lunch is a great time to relax, refuel your body and chat to your friends, be it in a famous bakery, a country pub, down by the sea or a mountain stream. Cyclists move off at their own time and pace, knowing the distance and terrain ahead and aiming to arrive at the overnight stop around mid afternoon.
Your accommodation is excellent, the best available. You check in then a cuppa and snack and shower or soak in the bath, or perhaps a spa or sauna, till you wrinkle. Explore the surroundings, go for a walk, share a cool drink with friends or simply relax. It is your life, it's your ride, enjoy it.
A briefing for all cyclists at 6pm before the evening meal is always interesting, finding out what happened that day, and a run down on the sights and special attractions to look out for the next day. Lots of laughs and stories are shared before we settle down to a good healthy meal and a few drinks. Bedtime is not far away, where you put your head down in salubrious surroundings, remembering the day and dreaming of tomorrow.
The camaraderie developed on a bike ride like this lasts a lifetime.
Meal and accommodation inclusions noted as B, L, D, A (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Accommodation)
MELBOURNE (TRAIN TO WARRNAMBOOL) to PORT CAMPBELL, 69km Thursday, 18th October 2012
L D A
What a package! Your four day Great Ocean Road Luxury Bicycle Tour including Around the Bay in a Day, Sorrento to Melbourne starts at Southern Cross station, 7:35am Thursday. We load all bikes and luggage in to our vehicles and set you off on the train to Warrnambool.
You will arrive at approximately 11:30am where we all saddle up and ride a scenic 20km to Allansford Cheese Restaurant and Museum for lunch. We then get on to the world famous Great Ocean Road, where the grandeur of the Bay of Islands is stunning, sheer cliffs of limestone and rolling surf as you ride to Port Campbell in the heart of this shipwreck coast.
Enjoy an evening meal with the group and a great motel as you absorb the seaviews.
PORT CAMPBELL to APOLLO BAY, 96km Friday, 19th October 2012
B L A
Leaving Port Campbell early, you rise above the cliffs to the unforgettable view and golden colours of the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park and 'London Bridge', before you start climbing through the forest to the renowned Lavers Hill, deep in the Otway Ranges.
The roller coaster ride on today's route will allow you magnificent views of the ocean before descending into Apollo Bay with its many restaurants and cafes for you to choose for your evening meal.
APOLLO BAY to QUEENSCLIFF, 129km Saturday, 20th October 2012
B L D A
An early morning start along the Great Ocean Road awakens your senses as the wild seas smash against the rocks below. Look out for wildlife along this section, especially the koalas watching your every move.
This is very exciting ride as you climb up and down around the cliff faces, marvelling at the scenery, punctuated by inlets and villages like Lorne, Anglesea, our lunch stop, then Torquay and Ocean Grove, famous for their world surfing championships. We finish our day in Queenscliff, a beautiful town on the mouth of Port Phillip Bay.
QUEENSCLIFF TO SORRENTO to MELBOURNE, 106km Sunday, 21st October 2012
B L
Today is the day where our riding group of 40 becomes 15,000! We join the hugely popular 'Around the Bay in a Day' bike ride starting with an early morning ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento followed by our last 100km push to Melbourne. Beach Road becomes a cycle path for thousands of eager riders from all walks of life during this annual event that finishes in Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne City.
There is a truly festival atmosphere at the end of the ride as you pass through the finish arch where the bands are playing, the tents are up and bikes and people are everywhere.
Congratulations - what a ride!
Testimonials
THURSDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2012
Written by Cyclist
"I have meant to write to you since finishing the Great Ocean Rode to tell you what a fabulous experience it was. The support, the location, the food! the people - all the people - participants and organisers! Makes me want to do more rides!" Mel E (ACT) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
THURSDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2012
Written by Cyclist
"Just a short note to say a Big Thank You to all for the wonderful 2012 Great Ocean Rode ride; the care and attention to details and logistics put into it are all appreciated. After 15 years in this business, you must have thought out just about every possible eventuality, but it is great that everything went well without a hitch. Once again, many thanks, and wishing you all best for the future. Hoe Yoon C (Malaysia)Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
THURSDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2012
Written by Cyclist
"Thank you for a great tour! I would be very interested to do another tour soon. Warmest wishes to you and the All-trails team" Winston T (Singapore) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
THURSDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2012
Written by Cyclist
"Just wanted to thank you all again for a fantastic ride, I enjoyed it very much."
Sandra L (VIC) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
THURSDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2012
Written by Cyclist
"It’s hard to believe that this time last week I had just completed the 2nd day ride along “The Great Ocean Rode”. Was actually contemplating a cold beer at one of the Apollo Bay pubs. Yet here I am thinking about an absolutely fantastic, brilliantly organized & supported four day tour. I know I said thanks to Sue, Phil, Ben & the rest of the crew a number of times, but I just cannot express the personal satisfaction, the joy, and the sheer pleasure in being able to do that ride. All of it made possible by two things, the marvelous support, planning, care & good old fashion “Aussie’ attitude of the ALLTRAILS CREW.The other reason being the easily made friendship, comradeship of the entire cycle group. I have never before met such a marvelous group of people.The time spent on the bike, in our lunch breaks & in the evenings was always made just so enjoyable by the individual characters on the ride. Again thanks to all for my memories that will last a life time & also just in case I do have a “Seniors” moment the many fantastic photographs supplied by Alltrails at the end." John A (NSW) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
THURSDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2012
Written by Cyclist
"Thanks for a very enjoyable tour once again" Brian M (NSW) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
MONDAY, 22ND OCTOBER 2012
Written by Cyclist
"Dear Phil and Susan, Thank you for all your efforts to make the 2012 Great Ocean Rode so rewarding. Challenging? Undoubtedly. Enjoyable? Immensely so. To you and your team, Thank you." Geoff F (VIC) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
Safety on the road
The Great Ocean Road is a wonderful place to ride a bike but the roads can get busy. We have support vehicles on the road showing 'Caution Cyclists' signs to warn traffic about our cycling group as well as revolving flashing lights. You will also be briefed before each day's ride pointing out parts of the road that may get narrow or have potential hazards. Please note that we are not allowed to continue with our safety and support vehicles on the final day on the 'Around the Bay in a Day' riders route. All riders on our tour will also be registered for Around the Bay in a Day and will have full access to Bicycle Victoria support on the final day as per Bicycle Victoria's terms and conditions.
Accidents. Who can help?
We have a great safety record, but accidents can happen. We have comprehensive First-Aid Kits with trained 1st aiders as tour guides and drivers, mobiles and satellite phone for emergency calls and the locality of hospitals in the area. We also have vehicles that can take anyone injured or sick for further treatment.
Question not answered below?
Feel free to contact us at any time through our website ‘Contact Us’ page, phone or email. We love what we do and want to get you on the best bike ride for you. Speak to us about what's on your mind and we'll help you make your decision.
Do I take my luggage and bike on the train from Melbourne to Warrnambool?
No, we will meet all the riders at Southern Cross Station and load all luggage into our own vehicles. We will also load some of the bikes on to our vehicles and carefully pack additional bikes on to the train. When in Warrnambool we get everybody set up on their bike with the help of our mechanic, then transfer your luggage to our first motel.
I'm coming from the airport - how do I get my bike to the start?
The Skybus from the airport carries bikes and goes to Southern Cross Station which is also where our train leaves from on Thursday morning. If you are coming in on Wednesday you can stay at our pre-tour accommodation which is also just down the road from Southern Cross Station.
Getting to the start
Our meeting place is Southern Cross Station on Thursday morning.
If you are staying at our pre-tour accommodation (The Enterprize Hotel) we will collect your luggage and bike on the way to the train station.
If you have a car and you are staying at our pre-tour accommodation you may be able to leave your car at the hotel for the duration of the tour at $25/night. Contact our office if you would like to arrange this.
If you are driving your car to the start but not staying at the hotel please contact our office about car parking options.
What is the accommodation like on tour?
We do everything possible to get great accommodation that is up to our AllTrails standard. Our hotels are 3-3.5 star in great locations with character and charm. These are the best and most welcoming motels for cyclists that fit the needs of our group.
Sharing rooms – how does it work?
On the online entry form you can nominate any travelling companions that you would like to share a room with and/or be accommodated close to so that couples or friends can be roomed together. This can be in a double bed or in twin beds. If you are travelling alone like many of our riders, you can choose to 'twin share' where single riders are paired with other riders of the same gender and sometimes changed at each accommodation to create interest in sharing rooms. Single Supplement is also available for those that would like their own room for the whole trip. If you are a chronic snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow room-mates we suggest booking your own room.
Meals and Food
Always a big part of any cycling holiday! Check tour details for meal inclusions on your ride. Our emphasis is on fresh food and balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, fruit and vegies catering for a cycling holiday. We successfully cater to most dietary requirements, however feel free to contact us with any questions. Most meals are included as part of our tours, however you may be required to purchase some meals. See the 'Day to Day' tab for more details, or click the 'Generate Itinerary' button.
What type of bike is best?
A comfortable racing bike, road bike or touring bike with a good seat and road tires with slick or near-slick tread. A hybrid or mountain bike is also possible if you are comfortable riding the daily distances and average speed of the tour (ask us for the 'Training Tips' document for this ride).
What sort of training do I need to do for this 4 day ride?
You really need to be a reasonably keen cyclist, however not necessarily fast, but consistent. Plenty of time to build your kilometre total distance in training, to gradually attain about 100 km a day for 2 days straight.
What sorts of people join our rides?
People from all parts of Australia and overseas. Ages generally range from 30 - 70 with the average age about 50 years old. Adventurous cyclists usually about 40% women & 60% men with a mix of singles, friends and couples.
Do I need to carry anything on my bike?
We suggest you carry a spare tube, a full water bottle and your own personal goods such as camera, wallet and perhaps rain gear if it’s threatening. We transport your luggage, day packs, food & extra water. A detailed list of what is required and provided will be sent to you in your pre-tour info pack.
Do I need insurance to join the tour?
Travel Insurance for lost deposits and cancellations:
www.travelinsurancedirect.com.au/
www.travelinsurancecover.com.au/
Lost deposits: We very strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for your trip. This should include cover for cancellation fees, lost deposits, and stolen or lost luggage (including your bike). We cannot emphasise enough how important this is. There are many unforseen reasons why cyclists may need to withdraw from a ride - injury, health, weddings, business, personal and many more. Cancellation fees can be a major financial loss to you and as a small business we need to adhere to our cancellation policies. Please go to the ride page on our website for your ride and click the 'Terms & Conditions' button to see the ride's cancel policy.
Travel Insurance: Domestic travel insurance cover tends to be significantly cheaper than international cover (approx $50 for one week). Above are two websites that offer both international and domestic travel insurance that you can look at. You can also speak to your local travel agent, or often airline booking websites will offer travel insurance as an optional extra as you book your flight.
This is also very strongly recommended. We cannot emphasise enough how important this is. Cycling can be a dangerous activity and you must be prepared for the worst. You may have an accident in training for the ride, on the ride itself, or cycling down to the corner dairy. If you are a cyclist coming on our tour you should be 100% prepared for the unexpected.
Cyclist insurance can be bought separately, or it comes with cycling memberships such as Bicycle Network Victoria or Bicycle Queensland. If you are involved in a crash or collision they will support you with personal injury costs, loss of income, third party liability insurance, assistance in completing your claim paper work & free legal consultation.
Life Insurance and TPD Insurance (often paid through your superannuation), and Private Health Insurance are also worth considering.
I am coming from another country, what do I need to know?
Welcome! Traditionally most of the clientele on our rides have been from Australia or New Zealand, but we also have had many riders from USA and UK/Europe. You just need to make sure that your passport and visas are in order and check the cost of transferring your bike to Australia, or rent one here.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, you can rent a bike. We often have overseas riders coming to Australia, or interstate riders that would rather not take their bike around Australia on a plane.
We will be able to help you out with organising bike hire through our local contacts near our office in Melbourne, or closer to a ride departure location. When you make your booking just let us know that you would also like to hire a bike and we will get the ball rolling for you and put you in touch with the right people.
You can also bring your own seat and/or pedals to give you that little bit of 'home comfort'.
"To all the team at Alltrails, my sincere thanks for making my first cycling tour with you such a wonderful enjoyable fantastic event, it certainly exceeded my best hopes and has fuelled my appetite for more. Well Done . Best Wishes" 
"Hi Midge, Phil, Susan and Ben, Thank you so much for another fantastic bike ride! It's great to just ride and know everything will be wonderfully organised, safe and fun. I'm looking forward to the Great Vic in only a few week's time and all the European riding with you next year. Thank you once again for everything." 
"Good photos, great tour, I had a wonderful time. See you again soon, I hope." 
"Just a short note to say a Big Thank You to all for the wonderful 2012 Great Ocean Rode ride; the care and attention to details and logistics put into it are all appreciated. After 15 years in this business, you must have thought out just about every possible eventuality, but it is great that everything went well without a hitch. Once again, many thanks, and wishing you all best for the future. Hoe Yoon C (Malaysia) 
"Thank you for a great tour! I would be very interested to do another tour soon. Warmest wishes to you and the All-trails team" Winston T (Singapore) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012 
"Just wanted to thank you all again for a fantastic ride, I enjoyed it very much." 
"It’s hard to believe that this time last week I had just completed the 2nd day ride along “The Great Ocean Rode”. Was actually contemplating a cold beer at one of the Apollo Bay pubs. Yet here I am thinking about an absolutely fantastic, brilliantly organized & supported four day tour. I know I said thanks to Sue, Phil, Ben & the rest of the crew a number of times, but I just cannot express the personal satisfaction, the joy, and the sheer pleasure in being able to do that ride. All of it made possible by two things, the marvelous support, planning, care & good old fashion “Aussie’ attitude of the ALLTRAILS CREW.The other reason being the easily made friendship, comradeship of the entire cycle group. I have never before met such a marvelous group of people.The time spent on the bike, in our lunch breaks & in the evenings was always made just so enjoyable by the individual characters on the ride. Again thanks to all for my memories that will last a life time & also just in case I do have a “Seniors” moment the many fantastic photographs supplied by Alltrails at the end." John A (NSW) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
"Thanks for a very enjoyable tour once again" Brian M (NSW) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
"Dear Phil and Susan, Thank you for all your efforts to make the 2012 Great Ocean Rode so rewarding. Challenging? Undoubtedly. Enjoyable? Immensely so. To you and your team, Thank you." Geoff F (VIC) Great Ocean Rode Luxury Bike Tour 2012
