Campaspe River Ride

Macedon - Echuca
210km

The picturesque Campaspe River stretches across the enchanting countryside of central Victoria. Navigating its meandering length makes for a wonderful bike packing or touring route for a long weekend away. Starting from Macedon Train Station, head into the serene Wombat State Forest to find the river’s source, then traverse lush landscapes, charming farmlands, and quaint townships, all the way to the historic riverside town of Echuca.

  • Style

    Gravel Cycling
    Bike Packing
    Bike Touring

  • Transport

    Train

  • Distance

    210km
    Shorter options available

  • Time

    2-4 days

  • Difficulty

    Medium
    Mostly easy gravel & sealed roads

CAMPASPE RIVER

This ride passes through the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, and Yorta Yorta people.

The Campaspe River, originating in the Great Dividing Range foothills near Macedon, charts a 232-kilometer course through Victoria. It meanders west of Woodend, flows north through Kyneton, and fills Lake Eppalock. Redesdale and Axedale line its shores, while Elmore and Rochester rest on its lower reaches.

Converging with the Murray River near Echuca, at the Victoria-New South Wales border, the Campaspe is a vital waterway in the region.

Over its descent of 581 meters, it sustains ecosystems, irrigates agriculture, and serves as a lifeline for numerous communities.

Cycling the Campaspe River

ROUTE SUMMARY

  • Distance: 210km

  • Elevation: ↑1436m ↓1847m

  • Surface: sealed 42%, gravel 58%

  • Download GPX file

  • There is an initial climb to get from Macedon to the the source of the Campaspe. Apart from that the route tends downhill with a few short climbs at times.

  • We have taken a pragmatic rather than dogmatic approach to designing this route. At times you will stray a little from the river to ride some beautiful back roads and avoid busier main roads. There are times where you can shortcut our route by riding a main road. These occasions are mentioned in the notes below.

Wombat State Forest

RIDE SUGGESTIONS

  • This ride can be ridden in either direction. Starting in Macedon obviously makes it a downhill ride. The advantage of riding Echuca to Macedon is that you have more frequent train options at the end of the ride.

  • For stronger riders the ride can be done in two days, possibly camping overnight north of Axedale at Russells Bridge (133km mark).

  • A more relaxed ride over 3 days could have overnight stops in Redesdale (82km) and Ayson’s Reserve (167km), making the final day 43km, with plenty of time for the train back to Melbourne.

  • If taking two weekends there is a good exit point at Axedale using the rail trail to ride to Bendigo which has a train station. On the second weekend, train to Bendigo and ride back to Axedale to continue the journey.

  • A good option for an easier ride is Kyneton to Echuca (or reverse), a 165km ride. This is largely flat and removes the hardest section in Wombat State Forest.

RIDE SECTIONS

MACEDON TO KYNETON 45km

MACEDON

  • Train: regular V/Line trains from Melbourne service the town.

  • Accom: a range of accommodation choices in town and a caravan park.

  • Food: a few shops and cafes a few hundred metres from the station.

  • Leaving Macedon you will climb up to the source of the Campaspe through lovely forest. This is the hardest part of the whole ride. At the source there is not really much to see in terms of the river but what you might note is that there is a ridge to the left (south) as you approach the source. All rain that falls on the other side of the ridge flows a short way to the ocean while the rain where you are takes the long journey north to the Murray and all the way to South Australia.

WOMBAT STATE FOREST

  • Camping: a few kilometres from the source of the Campaspe is the free Firth Park Campground. No facilities.

  • As you leave Wombat Forest you’ll head into mixed farmland with views of Mt Macedon to your right. Cycle along lovely gravel roads. The last section into Kyneton is along a busier road. Just after crossing the Campaspe River to enter town you might like to turn left to follow the Campaspe River Walk (cycling is allowed). You can go straight through town to shortcut the route.

KYNETON

  • Train: regular V/Line trains from Melbourne service the town.

  • Accom: a large range of accommodation choices and free camping with toilets at the Kyneton Mineral Springs (4km west of town).

  • Food: a full range of options in town.

KYNETON TO AXEDALE 80km

  • Heading out of Kyneton will see you getting onto really nice gravel roads used by the local farmers. Unfortunately Turpins Falls have been closed for a number of years with a concrete barrier right across the entire access track. Two thirds of the way to Redesdale, just before reaching the Heathcote-Kyneton Rd we take you onto another gravel road with a bit of a climb. You could go directly along the main road but this side route is worth it for Dallistons Road which has beautiful roadside reserve full of ancient twisted trees.

REDESDALE

  • Camping: free camping at Redesdale Hotel if you eat at the hotel. Closed Mon & Tue.

  • Food: basic supplies at the petrol station and meals at the historic Redesdale Hotel (closed Mon & Tue).

  • There is 5km from Redesdale to Mia Mia along a moderately busy road with a steep climb up from the Campaspe River. Where you cross the river is the historic Redesdale Bridge, a timber and truss bridge built in 1867.

  • Our route goes the long way around Lake Eppalock, around the east side because the route is way better than the shorter, west side. You can head up the west side of the Lake but you’ll be on a sealed road with traffic including trucks and utes towing boats.

MIA MIA

  • Camping: free camping with toilets at Mia Mia Reserve.

  • The picturesque Mia Mia-Derrinal Road will take you around the east side of Lake Eppalock to the O’Keefe Rail Trail. Jump on the trail and head towards Bendigo. This is a wonderful trail, one of the highlights of the entire ride.

  • Our route turns off before reaching Axedale but we suggest you head into town for supplies and a water refill.

AXEDALE

  • Food: the Axedale Tavern does lunch and dinner (closed Mon) and Ride & Grind Cafe does daily breakfast and lunch.

  • If you want to exit the ride here you can cycle 22km to Bendigo along the O’Keefe Rail Trail. There is also a bus with a bike rack that passes through here a few times a day on it’s way to Bendigo.

AXEDALE TO ELMORE 36km

  • Between Axedale and Elmore to landscape gradually changes from a rolling landscape to pancake flat.

  • Camping: free camping slightly off route where Russells Bridge Rd crosses the Campaspe. No facilities.

  • Camping: free camping slightly off route where Barnadown Knowsley Rd crosses the Campaspe. No facilities. Nearby, look out for the lovely bluestone St Martin of Tours Church sitting out in the middle of nowhere.

  • Camping: free camping slightly off route where English’s Bridge Rd crosses the Campaspe. No facilities. This is the best campsite through this section.

GOORNONG

  • If you need to exit the ride the town of Goornong is only a few kilometres off the route fromeither Barnadown Knowsley Rd or English’s Bridge Rd.

  • Train: semi-regular V/Line trains to/from Melbourne service the town.

  • Food: the Drovers Arms Hotel is open for lunch Thu-Sun and dinners everyday except Mon.

ELMORE

  • Our route does not pass through Elmore, however, if you are going to go into town we suggest leaving the route at Avonmore Bridge Rd to avoid riding on the busy highways.

  • Train: semi-regular V/Line trains to/from Melbourne service the town.

  • Accom: Victoria Hotel Motel offers cheap rooms.

  • Food: There are a number of eateries and a pub in town.

ELMORE TO ECHUCA 48km

  • This short section takes a nice quiet back road between the two towns staying close to the river.

  • Camping: free camping at Aysons Reserve. This is a large and popular camping area on a beautiful bend in the river. Toilets.

ROCHESTER

  • Our route doesn’t pass through the centre of town but it’s only a short detour into this medium sized town which has everything you need: cafes, supermarket, pharmacy, etc.

  • Train: semi-regular V/Line trains to/from Melbourne service the town.

  • Accom: lots of choice here from caravan park to hotels.

  • Food: full range of choices including bakery, cafes and pubs.

ECHUCA

  • As you ride into Echuca, a large town, there are excellent bike lanes and bike tracks all the way to the confluence of the Campaspe and Murray Rivers.

  • The confluence marks the end of your journey. There is a lovely bush reserve here as well as picnic tables if you want to break out a celebration picnic.

  • Train: semi-regular V/Line trains to/from Melbourne service the town.

  • Accom: huge range of choices here from caravan park to hotels.

  • Food: full range of choices including bakery, cafes and pubs.

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