The adventure rolls into Bendigo, a vibrant regional city in the heart of Victoria’s goldfields and the perfect place to soak up some culture along the way. After a day on the bike, take time to wander the wide, historic streets or enjoy a relaxed ride exploring the city’s grand architecture and leafy surrounds. From its gold rush heritage to its thriving arts scene and lively cafés, Bendigo offers a rewarding and character-filled stop on the journey.
Highlights
Ride the Bendigo Talking Tram: a fun and relaxing way to explore the city’s historic streets while learning about its gold rush past. The vintage tram stops at key landmarks and attractions.
Explore the Central Deborah Gold Mine: go underground and experience what life was like for miners during the gold rush. You can descend deep below the surface on a guided tour.
Visit Bendigo Art Gallery: One of Australia’s leading regional galleries, known for its impressive exhibitions and diverse collection ranging from historic to contemporary art.
Stroll through Rosalind Park: Enjoy a beautiful green space right in the centre of town, perfect for a break. Climb up to the Poppet Head Lookout for great views over Bendigo.
Monday 23 November - Tuesday 24 November
Castlemaine
Our second stop on the 2026 Great Vic Bike Ride brings us to Castlemaine. Explore this beautiful town over two days as we camp here for two nights.
Highlights:
Explore the Mill Castlemaine: A vibrant hub of local creativity set in a former wool mill, home to over 40 artisan makers, vintage finds, and wonderful cafes and bakeries
Wander Castlemaine Diggins National Heritage Park: Step back into the gold rush era with scenic walking tracks, old mine sites, and remnants of 19th-century settlements scattered through the bush.
Browse vintage shops and galleries: Castlemaine is known for its creative spirit. Spend time exploring quirky boutiques, antique stores and local art spaces along the historic streets.
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens: A tranquil oasis featuring native and exotic trees, an ornamental lake, playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking paths.
Our next stop on the Great Vic is beautiful Trentham. Not only does Trentham sit atop the stunning landscape of the Great Dividing Range, but it’s also home to great local produce and a stunning waterfall.
Highlights
Visit Trentham Falls: One of Victoria’s highest single-drop waterfalls, set in a scenic bush reserve just outside town. An easy walk leads to an impressive viewing platform; you can’t miss this one!
Explore Trentham Village & Gardens: Wander the charming main street, pop into boutique stores, and visit the historic Trentham Railway Station and nearby gardens.
Walk in Wombat State Forest: Surrounding Trentham, this lush forest is perfect for peaceful walks, birdwatching, and soaking up the cool-climate landscape
Shopping and Dining: Trentham is known for its cozy cafes and great restaurants such as Annie Smither’s Du Fermier, celebrating seasonal, locally sourced produce.
Friday 27 November
Creswick
Our final stop is Creswick, renowned for its rich gold mining history and heritage and beautiful landscape. Admire the architecture of Creswick’s broad, elegantly curved main street, studded with buildings that owe their existence to the gold rush town’s heyday.
Highlights
Creswick Woolen Mills: Visit this historic mill to see how some of Australia’s finest wool products are made. Meet the resident Alpacas on a self-guided tour!
Visit the American Hotel: A classic country pub with a cozy atmosphere. Perfect for a well-deserved meal and drink after your week on the Great Vic.
Enjoy a picnic on St George’s Lake: Take a scenic walk around this picturesque lake with your family and friends after you cross the finish line.
Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 November
Sale
Stop number five on the Great Vic is the coastal city of Sale, known for its heritage architecture, lakes, rivers and famous Ninety Mile Beach.
Metung Hotsprings – Rest day present another opportunity to check out the Metung Hotsprings. See our bathing and nine-hole golf packages with transport from campsite included.
Sale Swing Bridge – Located just off the South Gippsland Highway, 5km from Sale, the Sale Swing Bridge was the first movable bridge constructed in Victoria.
Sale Heritage Walk Itinerary – Taking in historic points of interest around the Sale CBD area, the Sale Heritage Walk is a leisurely 1.5 hour walk taking you past historic buildings, monuments and environmental heritage.
Gippsland Regional Art Gallery – The Gippsland Art Gallery was established in 1965. Over the years it has moved to a few different locations in Sale before now calling the Port of Sale building a permanent home. The Gippsland Art Gallery is situated at the Port of Sale, overlooking stunning waterways and parkland.
Lakeside Club – The perfect venue for meals with friends and family or drinks in the bar, we provide a relaxed dining experience whilst offering quality gastro pub meals utilising the best local produce Gippsland has to offer.
Gippsland Hotel – The Gippsland Hotel will be rocking with live music on Wednesday Night.
Star Hotel Sale – Test your minds will you rest your legs with trivia at the Star Hotel on Thursday Night
Jack Ryan’s Irish Bar – Karaoke on Thursday Night
Sporting Legends – Sporting Legends is the home of all Sports and a place for all your entertainment needs. Head over for Steak Night on Wednesday night.
Tinamba Hotel – Dine at Central Gippsland’s favourite destination restaurant! Only 20mins from Sale, $10 charge for return shuttle buson Guthridge Parade. Call 0418 565 728 to book. Pick up on Gurthridge Parade, outside the campsite.
Wed 29 Nov: 5:15pm-8:30pm
Thurs 30 Nov: 11:15am-3:30pm and 5:15pm-8:30pm
Friday 1 December
Port Albert
Next up, we visit one of Victoria’s oldest ports with the seafood and scenery to match. Soak up the history of Port Albert with some fresh fish and views overlooking the wharf.
Highlights
Barooma Homestead – our lunch stop on the way to Port Albert is Barooma Homestead. Come back to the region and stay at their onsite accommodation – unwind with the peace and tranquility of the property and ocean sounds
Port Albert Yacht Club – Head down to the yacht club to enjoy live music and drinks on the water, from 12-6pm.
BBQ at camp – You won’t have to wander too far to refuel after rolling into Port Albert. The good people of Yarram Traders will be bringing the BBQ to you
Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum – Get to know Port Albert’s past with a visit to this local museum, which traces its history from its Gunaikurnai origins to the town it is today.
Victoria Hotel Alberton – Get your riding buddies together and toast the day’s work with refreshments at this classic small-town pub. There’ll be a courtesy bus running from the Great Vic campsite.
Gurneys Cider – On the way to Fish Creek, don’t forget to pull into Gurneys Cider to enjoy a mid ride beverage. Official cider supplier of Great Vic 2023.
Port Albert Fish & Chip Co – One of the best fish and chipperies in the region. Enjoy a fresh catch on the water.
VerSicilia Ristorante – This recently opened eatery serves up authentic southern Italian fare making good use of the fantastic local seafood. Dine in, takeaway, or pop in for breakfast before setting off for Fish Creek.
Old Port Walking Trail – This unique walking trail will surprise you with the rawness of its views and vegetation. Stands of swamp paperbark and coastal tea tree give way to a rich hinterland of coast banksia and coastal manna gum woodlands.
Saturday 2 December
Fish Creek
The charming town of Fish Creek is full of quaint galleries, bookstores and cafes. It’s also the penultimate stop on our 2023 Great Vic adventure, so be sure to fuel up for the final day of riding.
Recently, the Fish Creek Football and Netball Club’s clubrooms were burnt to the ground, losing over a hundred years of memorabilia, photos, trophies, honour boards, flags etc. You can donate to their fundraiser here.
Highlights
Fish Creek Hotel – The retro-styled Fish Creek Hotel is a wonderful spot for a hearty feed and refreshing drink. Sit back with a plate of fresh seafood and enjoy.
Long John Pickles – Visit this café for its coffee, shakes, smoothies, or perhaps even the all-day breakfast.
The Handmaker’s Store – This craft store features the wares of local makers working with ethically sourced goods.
Disco – It’s Saturday Night Fever at the Fish Creek Hall during our visit, so swap those cleats for dancing shoes and get ready to get down.
Community Market – Head downtown to checkout the local market between 1-5pm, where there’s also be live music to enjoy.
Toora Swimming Pool – On the way to Fish Creek head to the Toora Swimming pool for a mid ride dip at a discounted entry fee of $5.
Gibsons Café – Delicious baked treats, hearty brunches and all kinds of homemade goods are on offer at this quaint cafe in Fish Creek. Stop by for a coffee and a bite, or pick up some goodies for the road ahead. Either way, give their gourmet pies some genuine consideration.
Alison Lester Bookshop – Late in 2014, well-known childrens author Alison Lester opened a Gallery/Bookshop in Fish Creek, not far from where Alison was born and nestled in the middle of the landscape that inspired classics such as My Farm, Magic Beach and The Quicksand Pony.
Local Galleries – Wallace and Wallace Sculpture and Photography gallery Biance Stefani Hilltop Art Gallery & Museum.
Sunday 3 December
Inverloch
Super rest stop
We’ll be making a pit stop in Inverloch on the final’s day of riding, but there are delights in this vibrant seaside town that will have you wanting to overstay your welcome.
Highlights
Treat time – In need of a sugar hit as your power towards the finish line? Pay Treat Time a visit for a tempting array of local and imported goodies, such as American favourite Reece’s or New Zealand’s famous Hokey Pokey.
Dirty Three Wines – A favourite among locals and a great place to stop and sample delicious local vintages, cultivated right here in South Gippsland.
Paul the Pieman Bakery – This family-run bakery has been serving up quality pastries since 2002 and winning awards along the way.
Sunday 3 December
Wonthaggi
Wonthaggi is where you’ll find the finish line, and there are plenty of suitable places to revel in your success.
Highlights
Mates Gin Distillery – Head down to this cellar door to sample some locally-made Bass Coast gin. Perhaps stay a while to enjoy local beers, wine and food with your new Great Vic friends.
The Wonthaggi Club – Right in the centre of the shopping district, the Club offers quality dining options for lunch and dinner, and even some entertainment if you feel like sticking around.
Little Wren Sandwich Bar – A little birdy tells us this little lunch spot is one of the best in town, offering an assortment of wraps, sandwiches, local hams and other goodies.
State Coal Mine – Travel back in time (and through a dark network of tunnels) to get a glimpse of life as a coal miner in the 1900s.
Wonthaggi Football & Netball Club BBQ fundraiser – The Wonthaggi Football & Netball Club will be waiting for you at the finish line cooking up a storm.
Wonthaggi Golf Club – Located in the centre of Wonthaggi with ample parking and easy access by foot or car to our superb 18 hole course, Par 72 5683m. You’re sure to get in touch with nature with an abundance of kangaroos and plenty of wildlife on the grounds, Front nine lightly treed, second nine longer with water on some holes.
State Coal Mine – The State Coal Mine offers a journey back in time to discover what life working in a coal mine was like in the 1900s. Venture underground through the dark network of tunnels to get hands-on at the coal face and learn how Victoria’s hard working men extracted the black gold.
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