Great Victorian + Yarra Valley + Bass Coast Trail + Great Southern Rail Trails

This small group fully guided cycling tour has limited scheduled dates and sells out quickly.

Dates for 2025 & 2026 are:

• 6th November returning 9th Nov 2025*
• 29th January returning 1st Feb 2026
• 9th February returning 12th Feb 2026

Live availability and online booking are available on the calendar below, as well as prices.

Bike hire is additional and can be booked online, also as follows:

• Hybrid bike: $200
• Ebike: $300

*Join our small group guided Great Victorian Rail Trail trip that starts before this cycling tour, and includes a free transfer from Mansfield to Melbourne, or join our Yarra Valley day tour scheduled between these 2 trips on 5th November. Contact us for more info.

• Pick up and drop off transport from Melbourne
• Sumptuous lunch with hot/cold drink
• All wine tastings (min 2 cellar door visits)
• Driver and qualified tour guide who will entertain and look after you (you won't need to fix any punctures...yah!)
• Additional produce visits (dairy farm, chocolaterie)
• Bikes are available for hire or BYO (e-bikes also available)
• Fun times & great memories!

This tour is a great value.

We are local to the region (based in Beechworth), so the bikes, the buses and drivers are us, and we don't outsource any of this.  This results in lower costs, and we pass these savings on to you.

Here is what's included in your Great Victorian Rail Trail tour package:

• 3 Night accommodation (3-3.5* motel or boutique style hotels with en-suites) over the holiday long weekend.
• Enjoy 3 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners & 1 winery Lunch
• Services of a local experienced cycling guide plus support vehicle throughout
• Visit historic towns and villages and enjoy the charm of Mansfield
• Cycle through Victoria’s longest rail trail tunnel, the historic Cheviot Tunnel
• Tour kit with maps, printed itinerary, luggage tags
• Environmentally friendly cycling water bottle
• Fair trade lightweight cycling t-shirt
• Bikes available for hire: Trek Dual Sport or Velectrix Urban E-bikes (step through and cross bar) in various sizes.

Bikes can be booked online and are priced as follows:

• Trek Dual Sport with front suspension, rear rack, pannier, water bottles & helmet included for $150
• Velectrix Urban e-bike with rear rack, pannier, water bottles & helmet included for $350

Accommodation will be:

• Bonnie Doon: Bonnie Doon Hotel/Motel
• Alexandra: The Alexandra Motor Inn
• Yea: Peppercorn Hotel and/or Royal Mail Hotel

This guided small group Yarra Valley cycling tour is run on an ad hoc basis. Available dates are listed on the calendar below.

Bike hire can be booked online or by contacting us, and is as follows:

• BYO - Free
• Quality Trek FX hybrid - $25
• Velectrix E-bike - $50

Contact us to arrange a private tour on your preferred day or date.

This exclusive cycling tour on the Great Victorian Rail Trail runs over the following dates each year:

1. Melbourne Cup weekend in November*
2. Labour Day holiday weekend in March.
3. ANZAC holiday and weekend in April

2025 & 2026 dates are now available. Places are strictly limited to 10 riders per departure, plus your tour guide and support driver. See the calendar below for prices and live availability.

You can BYO your bike or hire from our fleet of quality Trek hardtail MTBs or easy-to-ride E-Bikes (prices also listed online via calendar below).

*For the November departure, you can also join our Yarra Valley Day tour directly after, and then the Great Southern Rail Trail Guided trip with an included transfer to Melbourne from this tour.

• 3 x nights quality accommodation (2 nights with swimming pool!)
• 3 x full breakfasts
• 2 x (restaurant) dinners
• 2 x lunches
• Transfers to and from Melbourne
• Ride with a guide and support van throughout
• Luggage transfers
• Environmentally friendly cycling water bottle (re-used plastic) and lightweight t-shirt

Small Group Cycling Tours

On a Tour de Vines' small group trip, you enjoy the services of an experienced cycling tour guide accompanying you throughout the tour, as well as a support van and driver. Tour de Vines’ guides are enthusiastic experts on the local area and will be able to sort out any problems or special requests that you might have. The support bus will never be far away, so support will be available if needed and luggage and other logistics will all be done for you, including transport to and from Melbourne.

Please be aware that this itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the guide, should circumstances require. Last-minute changes to the route, timing and locations may be necessary due to factors beyond our control. Their number one priority is your safety, and of course, your enjoyment. Your guide may be required to make decisions in the interests of the group, and has the final say on all movements and logistics for the tour.

Our small group tours are famous for being fun, relaxed and accessible to just about anyone who can ride a bike, so this day tour in the Yarra Valley is perfect for those who like an occasional ride or looking to ride the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail but aren't sure how and where to go.

What accommodation is used?

3 nights accommodation is included over the holiday long weekends and are as follows:

• Night 1: Bonnie Doon Hotel/Motel
• Night 2: Alexandra: The Corner Hotel
• Night 3: Yea: Peppercorn Hotel and/or Royal Mail Hotel

Meals

Your breakfasts are included daily, with additional meals as indicated in the itinerary. There are 2 x evening meals included, which will be restaurant or bistro style and 2 lunches, which will be café or other similar venue (winery/distillery) standard. Please note hospitality venues regularly change hours, close or have other issues which may change meal plans, but we would always include a replacement meal to ensure the promised inclusions are met.

Are transfers back to Mansfield included?

Yes, this special small group tour includes transfers back to Mansfield at the end of the cycling, so you don't need to worry about your return journey.

Trusted Operator

Tour de Vines has been running tours in since 2002 and has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 and is now a Hall of Fame inductee. You can be assured we are a quality operator and want nothing more than for you to have an amazing travel experience.

Accommodation

3 nights' accommodation is included as stipulated above. You will stay in very comfortable 3-3.5 star motels. Rooms have en-suite shower or bath facilities. Prices are based on two sharing a double or twin room. Singles are available for a supplement. We choose hotels well-located to enable you the freedom to explore the local area.

For this specific tour, we are staying as follows:

• 1st night: the Old Hospital in Loch: https://www.theoldhospitalloch.com.au/
• 2nd & 3rd nights: Campania in Meeniyan: https://www.campaniaofmeeniyan.com/

Quality Accredited Tourism Business

Tour de Vines is a Quality Tourism Accredited tour operator. You can be confident our equipment and service standards will meet your expectations.

Can I meet you at the start rather than take the transport from Melbourne?

Yes, however there is no reduction in price. The cost for a driver and a bus from Melbourne is fixed and this is factored into the price of the tour. Whether guests avail of this option doesn’t change this cost. We prefer to keep our prices as low as possible for everyone.

Trusted Operator

Tour de Vines has been running tours in since 2002 and has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 and is now a Hall of Fame inductee. You can be assured we are a quality operator and want nothing more than for you to have an amazing travel experience.

Bikes and Equipment

You have the option to BYO your bike and we will carry these for you on our bike trailer. Or you can hire from our fleet or hybrid or ebikes. Please let us know well in advance if you have special requirements for your bike if hiring from us and note that not all bikes may or may not fit on our trailer.

Are e-bikes available?

You are welcome to BYO (bring your own) bike or to hire from our quality range of bikes.

Choose from 27 gear Trek FX hybrid bikes, a joy to ride.  Or enjoy the fun of an e-bike.

Our E-bikes are Velectrix Urban with step-through and cross-bar versions available.

Is it suitable for children?

At this stage, this tour is suitable for adults only over the age of 18 years.  

What happens if I need to cancel?

If we need to cancel the tour due to heavy rain or dangerous conditions (electrical storms, floods, high winds, fires), we will let you know at least 12 hours before and in this instance, you will receive a refund. If you decide to cancel, there may be fees depending on when the cancellation is received (must be in writing).

Is there a minimum number required for the group tour to depart?

Yes, for the weekend group tours, we do require a minimum of 4 guests for this tour to run. Occasionally, this may not happen, and we will contact you to advise options and/or provide a full refund.

What is the surface and what is the best bike to use?

The Great Victorian Rail Trail has a packed gravel surface, so it can be a touch bumpy with loose scree in parts. It is lovely to ride with gradual gradients.

Any bike with a reasonable tyre width (say 30" +) will work. Our 32" tyre Trek hire bikes work fine on this tour, or for some a 36" tyre mountain bike would also be ideal. It's really about your comfort and what bike you have and enjoy riding, but be aware that thin/skinny tyres and road bikes may be prone to punctures and not super comfortable.

Small Group Cycling Tours

On a Tour de Vines' small group trip, you enjoy the services of an experienced cycling tour guide accompanying you throughout the tour, as well as a support van and driver. Tour de Vines’ guides are enthusiastic experts on the local area and will be able to sort out any problems or special requests that you might have. The support bus will never be far away, so support will be available if needed and luggage and other logistics will all be done for you, including transport to and from Melbourne.

Please be aware that this itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the guide, should circumstances require. Last-minute changes to the route, timing and locations may be necessary due to factors beyond our control. Their number one priority is your safety, and of course, your enjoyment. Your guide may be required to make decisions in the interests of the group, and has the final say on all movements and logistics for the tour.

Why Travel with Tour de Vines?

Award Winning Operator Tour de Vines has been operating cycling tours in Australia for over 15 years and has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 and awarded Hall of Fame status for outstanding customer service. Tour de Vines is also an ongoing contributor to World Bicycle Relief. We are an ethical, caring small business.

What happens if it rains?

You should be prepared to cycle in light or intermittent rain, so bring a good jacket. In the event of heavy downpours or dangerous conditions, refer to our cancellation policies and the question below about cancelling. Your tour is fully supported and guided so for unexpected weather, we are able to collect riders and complete the tour in the bus as needed, including lunch and wine/produce tastings, so you won’t miss out on anything.

Small Group Trips

Our small group fully guided tours are...well, awesome! We always receive rave reviews on these trips and this is because our guides are amazing and our guests always get along and have so many common interests. Your guide and support driver does everything for you (almost everything!) and so your holiday is completely stress-free.