Goldfields Track, one of Australia’s most exciting mountain bike tracks
Many of us have grown up riding mountain bikes round in circles, be it at manicured MTB parks or in ever-popular 6, 12 or 24 endurance races.
The Goldfields Track is something entirely different. Originally formed by gold seekers in the 1850s, it is a point-to-point 200km mountain bike trail that takes you on a remote and challenging pedal through central Victoria and some of its most historic and beautiful towns.
To do it successfully you'll need to plan ahead. Car shuttling is a necessity unless you're a supermanor woman and if you're going to do the whole thing in one go then accommodation will be needed will be needed if you want to maximise your enjoyment of one of the longest mountain bike trails in Victoria.
Preparing for your Goldfield Track Adventure
You'll have to carry adequate water, food and basic mechanical spare parts. Be aware mobile-phone coverage is not always guaranteed throughout this area.
Riders need to be reasonably fit and skilled, and if so should be able to conquer the GT on anything from a single-speed to a freeride dually. Just make sure you've converted your tyres to run tubeless.
Get all that sorted and you'll find the riding experience is outstanding. For a start it's hard to get lost thanks to excellent sign-posting, and the track is incredibly varied, with just about every conceivable form of climb, descent and flat track imaginable rolling under your wheels at some point.
The scenery is just as diverse. You'll encounter forests, both natural and man-made, pastoral countryside and singletrack that in some places flows on grippy loam and in others jumps and jags across roots, rock ledges and coarse sandstone.
At the end of it you will have ridden one of the great mountain bike experiences available in this country ... and maybe the world.
Want to join a guided walkto better experience Victoria’s great hiking trail?
The Great Dividing Trail Association (GDT) conducts a guided bushwalks program every year on Victoria’s Goldfields Track. These walks are a great way to experience different sections of the track with other keen bushwalkers. The schedule for January - June 2012 is now available. Click here to review information on walk dates, locations, distances and how to book.
Need to get a map?
To get yourself a hard copy of the Goldfields Track maps, you can purchase them from local Visitor Information Centres, or online from the Great Dividing Trail Association.
Staying Safe
The Goldfields Track is a natural bush track that can sometimes feel quite remote, although it passes through several towns and villages. The track is clearly signed with gold-topped marker posts and directional signage. However, you should always carry a map and these can be purchased from www.gdt.org.au or local visitor information centres.
Special thanks to Haymes for their support in supplying all the paint finishes for the gold-topped marker posts throughout the track.