Cycle the Aqueduct Delight

Ride difficulty: 2*

Bicycles: mountain, hybrid, cyclo X

Day 1 (34km)

Ride the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail loop from Yuonga Rd car park, Warburton, heading west to Don Rd. Turn left onto Don Rd until you reach the Warburton Highway and the Rail Trail. Join the Warburton Rail Trail at the intersection of Don Road and the Warburton Highway and ride back to Warburton.

Stay overnight in Warburton.

Day 2 (18km)

Bicycles: mountain, cyclo cross

Again set out on the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail from the Yuonga Rd car park, heading east, cross the Donna Buang Road and head towards Cement Creek. There is some climbing in this section where the aqueduct feeds into conduits.

• Reach the end of Cement Creek Road about 7km from Yuonga Rd car park. You will recognise this by a large locked steel gate and fence on the right side of the track as you head east. There are gaps to take your bike through.

You will notice that the Aqueduct Trail has signs marking it as track number 18.

•Ride Cement Creek Rd, for about 1.3km until you reach a stand of large redwood trees on your left. (If you cross the Yarra River at an old wooden bridge, you know you have gone about half a kilometre too far.)

•Take time here to walk through the Redwood Forest, and if you have the time, walk further in off the road until you come to the Yarra River. Explore the junction of Cement Creek and the Yarra River – a great spot for a picnic.

•Return to Yuonga Rd car park and Warburton via the same route.

Note that the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail east of Warburton is a little more demanding than the well-tended section of the trail to the west. The surface is generally a little rougher, you might find more tree-fall and litter on the surface. There are some short sections of moderate climbing where the aqueduct goes into a conduit, and the trail crosses gullies. This section of trail is quite isolated, with no food or water supplies available, and mobile telephone coverage is variable. Take all necessary supplies with you, make sure you have adequate repair equipment, and take care. This is an out-and-back ride.

SERVICES & FACILITIES ALONG THE WARBURTON RAIL TRAIL

Trail-side cafes:

•Morrison’s Cafe, Mt Evelyn Station site, Mt. Evelyn

•Penny Olive Bakery, Mt Evelyn - at the Warburton Trail crossing of the Monbulk Rd

•The Carriage Cafe, a few hundred meters west of the Seville station site

•Home Hotel, Launching Place

•Amanda’s Cafe, Ranges Café, Yarra Junction township

•Millgrove Bakery and Millgrove General Store, Millgrove village

•COG Bike Cafe, at the Warburton Station site, adjacent to the Warburton township

A little further off-trail you will find a range of cafes, restaurants and hotels in the various towns and villages along the way.

For bike hire, sales and repair:

•Ride Yarra Valley, 108 MAIN Rd Lilydale

•COG Bike Cafe, Trail-side, Warburton Station site (Thursday-Sunday)

For tourist information and details of local rides:

•Waterwheel Visitor Information Centre, 3400 Warburton highway, Warburton – call 03 5966 9600

*Ride difficulty:

We have indicated a level of difficulty for each ride based upon the following ratings

1. Basic cycling fitness required. Could ride flat or gently undulating surface for 1 – 2 hours

2. Moderate fitness required. Could ride some hills and a duration of over 2 hours

3. More advanced fitness level required. Could ride long distances and climb hills over extended periods

4. High levels of fitness required. Competition-level fitness, can maintain constant high-level output, well developed muscular and cardiovascular ability