Full of natural beauty and gorgeous towns, Victoria’s High Country is the optimal spot for your mountain biking adventure. The Mystic Yak awaits.
Fall in love with Bright, Beechworth, Yackandandah and surrounds.
Getting There
There are so many ways to get to The Mystic Yak event starting in Beechworth!
Flying
Melbourne Airport is the closest major city location. You can fly into there and then It is just under a 3 hour drive from Melbourne Airport to Beechworth. The other closest capital city is Canberra, which is another fly in option and then a 4 hour drive down to Beechworth. Both of these major city airports have lots
of car hire options!
You can also take a regional flight into Albury Airport, which provides direct flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The famous Albury-Wodonga region, connects the states of New South Wales and Victoria. From there it is then only a 40 minute drive south to Beechworth. There are also plenty of car hire options at Albury.
Driving
If you are east coast based already, pack up the car and hit the M1 to get to Beechworth and Victoria’s High Country. Following are approximate travel times by car from each city.
- Melbourne > Beechworth (just under 3 hours).
- Canberra > Beechworth (a little over 4 hours).
- Sydney > Beechworth (just over 6 hours).
- Newcastle > Beechworth (around 8 hours).
- Woolongong > Beechworth (a bit under 6 hours).
- Adelaide > Beechworth (around 9.5 hours – maybe look at flying)! 😊
Accommodation
Victoria’s High Country area has many accommodation options on offer. Whether it’s a cottage, caravan park or holiday home, find what you’re after here and make your stay as cosy as possible. Bright Velo is one of our event partners so please check out their various accommodation options first!
https://www.brightvelo.com.au/
You can choose to stay at either Beechworth or Bright, or in between at Myrtleford. All towns are well located to attend each stage over the weekend. We recommend searching the VHC website to find your accommodation!
Refuel
Feeling peckish and need to satisfy your stomach? Luckily, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Take your pick from quality restaurants, cafes and breweries. We will make sure you see three of the best options via our event as Bridge Road Brewers, Bright Brewery and Yack Creek Distillery will be our venue partners. But we recommend a search on the VHC website to find lots of other options to try before and after each stage!
https://www.victoriashighcountry.com.au/food-and-drink/
Unwind
Once you have finished riding for the day there are a number of relaxing activities to choose from including visiting national parks, exploring villages or soaking up culture at art galleries.
As the heart of the Hunter region, Newcastle needs little introduction. Enjoy laidback coastal living or partake in the many activities and tours on offer. Just 20 minutes from the Newcastle City Centre is Lake Macquarie, a destination that surpasses its namesake.
Surrounded by mountains and oceans in every direction, it offers a plethora of experiences, from delectable dining and captivating entertainment to thrilling adventures and rich cultural offerings. It truly is a one-stop shop.
Getting There
Take a direct flight to Newcastle Airport, Hire a car at the airport for a quick 20-minute drive into Lake Macquarie, or alternatively a 90-minute drive directly out of Sydney.
Accommodation
From beautiful Airbnb’s to cosy motels, there is a wide range of accommodation in this stunning town.
Refuel
Fuel up from a day of riding with endless restaurants and cafes all in close proximity to each other.
Unwind
Whether you’re looking to unwind after your ride or to keep the vibes high there are plenty of activities to choose from. To discover the full range of things to do, visit https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/explore
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is more than an awesome mountain bike destination.
It’s a place where pristine beaches sit alongside subtropical rainforest and majestic mountains, interspersed with villages steeped in history.
Getting There
Catch a flight directly to the Sunshine Coast with the airport centrally located at Marcoola. Alternatively, you can fly into Brisbane and get up-close and personal with the lush hinterland on the one-and-a-half-hour drive.
Accommodation
We suggest you base yourself in one of the pristine locations on the Sunshine Coast – Caloundra, Coolum or Maroochydore to name a few. You’ll be a short drive to each of the stages from here. Car hire is recommended so you can get yourself and your bike to and from each stage easily.
If you’re wanting a great camping option, check out Hidden Valley, our start/finish venue for Saturday’s stage backing onto Parklands.
Refuel
Daydreaming of food? Refuel after your ride and discover why foodies are raving about the coast!
Unwind
Whether you want to relax and refresh after your ride, or keep the adrenaline pumping, there are plenty of activities and attractions to choose from.
NSW’s Sapphire Coast offers stunning coastal scenery, perfect for mountain biking.
The charming region is nestled on a stunning natural harbour, enveloped by National Parks boasting boundless beaches, secluded coves, and scenic coastal hiking trails. Its captivating history and geology, combined with an enchanting underwater world, provide ample opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Getting There
Fly into Merimbula Airport and take the Sapphire Coast bus line or alternatively fly directly into Canberra, hire a car and drive south which will also take you into Eden.
Accommodation
Eden has plenty of accommodation options from camping to luxury stays. For all options check
https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/merimbula-and-sapphire-coast/eden.
Refuel
Feeling a bit hungry? Look no further because the Sapphire coast offers a wide range of cuisines for all to enjoy.
Unwind
There are plenty of things to do and see around Eden – from a relaxing walk along the coast to experiencing Longstocking Brewery where they serve up a wide range of beers, great pizzas and an excellent atmosphere.
Tasmania’s North West is home to world-heritage wilderness, pristine beaches and Australia’s richest agricultural soil which produces a trail of unforgettable tastes.
Getting There
Being the Apple Island, you’re either flying in to Davenport or Hobart, or catching the Spirit Of Tasmania (which we highly recommend)
Accommodation
The North-West of Tassie has so much to see and do, as well as accommodation options from camping to 5-star For all the options check Discover Tasmania
Refuel
Bring your appetite! Tassie produces everything from wine to whisky, saffron to truffles, abalone to wasabi! Refuel after your ride with loads of fabulous options – https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/things-to-do/food-and-drink/
Unwind
Whether you’re looking to unwind and rejuvenate after your ride or explore all the wonders the island has to offer, you’ll find an abundance of options. One such option is a visit to Mount Gnomon Farm, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the gardens and savour delectable treats made from the farm’s own produce. Located just ten minutes away from Penguin, we highly recommend taking the time to experience it while you’re there.
