Easy to Moderate Day Rides

To access the rail trail and other rides starting on the Melbourne ( west ) side of the Snowy River, the trail head for the new link trail is on Marlo Rd just past the Orbost Camp Park and Forest Park. It is opposite the Snowy River and can be accessed either from the bike trail beside The Snowy or from Marlo Rd. From the roundabout in Nicholson St proceed through town. Nicholson St becomes Marlo Rd.

You will cross a disused rail crossing and at 3.5 km from the ride's start you will see the road to Buchan turn off on the right. Don't turn here but continue on Burn Rd up the hill to Newmerella. At the top of the hill your are 5 Kilometeres from the start. Turn left into Grandview Rd and ride for 1200 metres to the lookout over Orbost and the river flats. These are spectacular views of the town, the river and the rail trail. Retrace your way to the intersection of the highway ,Grandview Rd and Burn Rd.

Descend down the hill to the river flats. At the bottom of the hill is a 90 degree turn so keep the speed under control. At 16 kilometres you will see a dirt road on the left. This is Gargans Lane and it is an alternative way back to Burn Rd and the Snowy River bridge crossing. At 17.5 kilometres Griebenows Rd reaches a T intersection with Lochend Rd. Turn left and follow Lochend Rd under the highway back to the Snowy River bridge crossing. Retrace your way back to the start. Total distance is about 20 to 22 kilometres, all tar and comparatively easy. The only hill is the climb on Burn Rd up to Newmerella.

This is a 30 kilometre strenuous ride. From the roundabout ride down Nicholson St away from the shops until you reach Scott St. There is a sign to the right to Bonang and a sign to the left to Raymond Falls and Snowy River National Park. Turn left towards Snowy River National Park. Scott St becomes Jarrahmond Rd. Follow Jarrahmond Rd to the Yalmy Rd turn off 3.4 kilometres from the start. Follow Yalmy Rd. This quickly turns in rough gravel and is a consistent buphill ride. At 5.5 kilometres from the start you will see the clearly signposted merge point from Knob Track. Those who have started through the Scount Camp Track ride have the option of joining this ride to make a circuit of about 42 kilometres.

Continue along Yalmy Rd for about another 4.5 uphill kilometres until you reach Wehner track turnoff to the left at 10.4 Kilometres from start. Wehner Track is about 7 kilometres long. It follows a ridge line and gradually descends to a creek crossing about 1 kilometre from the end. Views of the river flat farms can be seen as the track in part marks the boundary between forest and farms. After crossing the creek there is a strenuous ride uphill to Garnetts Track T intersection. Turn Left. There are some residential homes and farms in this area so keep your eye out for traffic.

Garnetts track is a steep to moderate downhill ride until after a left turn around a residential home it runs parallel to The Snowy River. At 19.7 kilometers from the start you will reach a gate. Remember to leave the gate as you found it. It is usually closed. The access follows along by the Snowy River for two kilometres until you reach a cattle grid. There is likely to be stock in this area so be careful. I have ridden this route many times and the only problem has been delay caused by lazy cattle who don't move off the road until the last minute.

After passing over the cattle grid you are on The B Road which will take you back to Orbost. You have about 10 kilometres left to ride. Follow along the B Rd for a about 2 kilometres when the tar begins and to a signposted historical memorial after an avenue of oak trees. The marker and information sign gives an insight into Jarrahmond and Orbost early history and there is a 1939-45 war honour roll. The oak trees were planted in 1955 but the avenue was never completed. Continue on to Orbost along The B Road. Turn left into Forest Road after Murray Goulburn Hardware and then right into Salisbury St and return to the roundabout.

This is my favourite short ride around Orbost. It takes you through some typical regrowth forest and has enough rises to make it a useful work out while not being extremely difficult. There are many possible variations to this ride but the marked route is possibly the easiest. All tracks on this ride are signposted.

This ride commences at Orbost roundabout. Ride along Nicholson St away from the shopping centre until you reach Scott St. Following the sign to Bonang, turn right into Scott St and continue along this road as it becomes the Bonang Highway. Ride along the Bonang Highway passing Murphy's Lane and Duggans Lane on your left. At South Boundary Road after 4 kilometres riding turn right off the highway , The DSE work depot will then be on your left. Follow South Boundary Rd. It will diverge from the fence line and descend to a bridged creek crossing, about 5 km. On the other side of the crossing stay on South Boundary. On your left you will firstly pass Stock Track and then Sheep track. After climbing a moderate rise you will see a track off to the left. This is Break Neck Track and is the return route.You are about 6.2 kilometres from the start. Continue on South Boundary and you will again ride beside the farm fence line.

When you reach Youngs Creek Rd turnoff on your right(about 8 kilometres) continue along South Boundary descending to a bridged crossing of Young Creek. There is a short steep climb out of the crossing. A further 1.7 kilometres along South Boundary you will come to Ross Track , turn of on your left. Follow Ross Track.Your are about 9.5 kilometres from the start. This track rises gently into the forest and I have always found it a very quiet and pleasant ride. About 3 kilometres later the track ends at an intersection with Storers Track. Turn left and follow the track as it descends to another Young Creek bridged crossing. Just before the bridge there is a parking bay on the right and on your left in amongst the trees are picnic tables. It is clearly signposted. There is also a short walk trail to Young Creek Falls. The picnic ground by this route is approximately 13.5 kilometres.

There are two walks at the picnic ground - each is short of about 1 km - to the waterfall and a forest loop. These walks have been recently reopened.

After a break , cross the bridge and follow Storers Track. There is a moderate to steep rise of about 500 metres before reaching a ridge line. At the top of the climb on your left is the signposted turn off to Break Neck Track. The name is totally misleading, it is a gentle down hill ride of about 3 kilometres.

This track returns you to South Boundary Road ( about 18 kilometres ) and you will turn right and retrace your entrance into the forest. At the end of South Boundary turn left and follow the Bonang highway back to Orbost. Total distance covered is about 24 kilometres.

This ride commences at Orbost roundabout. Ride along Nicholson St away from the shopping centre until you reach Scott St. Turn right into Scott St and continue along this road as it becomes the Bonang Highway. Ride along the Bonang Highway passing Murphy's Lane and Duggans Lane on your left and then South Boundary Rd on the right.  Just past the Orbost tip about 4.5 kilometres from Orbost  on the left is the Old Bonang Highway. This is signposted and is a dirt trail. Turn into this track and follow until you reach an intersection at 6.5 kilometres.  Scout Camp Track comes in from the highway .Turn left and continue along this track until you reach a sign at 7.5 kilometres to the left for Scout Camp Track. Follow this sign , the uphill continuation of the main track is the Old Bonang Highway.

Scout Camp Track then descends to a creek crossing. Be careful of the speed humps on this descent. The creek crossing is quite steep and you will probably have to push the bike up the first 20 metres on the other side. You are about 9 kilometres from Orbost. After this there is a flat area ( Scout Camp? ). The road goes toward the right and follows the creek line. Do not take the unmarked track to the left  or you will be pushing your bike up some nasty rises. The track rises with the creek line for about 2.5 kilometres. It is a rideable  but consistent climb.

At the top of the hill you will reach Knob Track distance 11.5 kilometres. Turn left. Stay on the main track and descend  out of the forest into farming land. Continue along Knob Track with  the farm fence line on your left.  Knob Track will merge into Yalmy Road at about 14 kilometres At this point on your left you will be able to see in the distance Orbost town. Follow Yalmy Rd towards Orbost. Nearing an intersection Yalmy Road ( about 16.5 Kilometres ) will turn into a tar surface. Turn left at this intersection into Jarrahmond Rd. Follow this road back into town.

At the intersection of Knob Track and Yalmy Rd instead of returning to Orbost you can extend the ride by turning right and combining with the Wehner Track Ride.