High Country Rail Trail Ride: Wodonga to Sandy Creek Bridge and Back (~50km)

Join me for a full-day regional ride on the High Country Rail Trail, riding from Wodonga to Sandy Creek Bridge and then returning to Wodonga.

This is a scenic rail trail ride through north-east Victoria, with a mix of sealed and gravel sections, views around Lake Hume, and the 600-metre Sandy Creek Bridge as the main turnaround point.

This is not a beginner ride. Reasonable fitness is required, and participants must be comfortable riding at least 50km at around 15km/h, while also managing the long travel day, train timing, and regional logistics.

We’ll meet at 6:45am in front of the V/Line Tickets and Information office on the ground floor at Southern Cross Station, then catch the 7:07am train to Wodonga.

From Wodonga, we’ll ride out to Sandy Creek Bridge, take breaks along the way, and then ride back to Wodonga. The plan is to take the 5:38pm train back to Melbourne, arriving at Southern Cross around 9:45pm.

Please only RSVP if you are confident with the distance, pace, early start, full-day timing, and the possibility of changes due to weather or V/Line disruptions.

This will be a relaxed and friendly ride, but it is still a long regional cycling day. Solo attendees are very welcome, as long as you are comfortable with the ride requirements.

Links
Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qJ8g4z8i5EZ9tvof8
Rail trail info: https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/high-country-rail-trail/
Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcwY3lU_fhk

Rough timeline

• 6:45am — Meet at the V/Line Tickets and Information office, Southern Cross Station
• 7:07am — Catch the train from Southern Cross to Wodonga
• Around 10:29am — Arrive at Wodonga
• Late morning — Start riding from Wodonga towards Sandy Creek Bridge
• Midday / early afternoon — Breaks and lunch along the trail
• Afternoon — Ride back to Wodonga
• 5:38pm — Planned train from Wodonga back to Melbourne
• Around 9:45pm — Arrive back at Southern Cross Station and meetup ends

Timing may change depending on pace, breaks, weather, train availability, and any V/Line disruptions.

Tickets
Everyone is responsible for organising their own V/Line ticket / Myki fare.

Please check the fare, timetable, and service status before the day. This trip depends on being able to take bikes on the train, and bike space is not guaranteed.

What to bring

• Bicycle in good working condition
• Helmet
• Front and back lights
• Puncture repair kit
• Lunch
• Enough water for the day
• Snacks
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Sunscreen
• Myki / V/Line ticket
• Phone with enough battery for the day

What to expect

• Distance: About 50km+ return
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging due to distance, pace, early start, and full-day logistics
• Pace: Around 15km/h average riding pace
• Vibe: Friendly, relaxed, practical, and low-pressure, but participants need to be self-sufficient

Important notes
This event is weather dependent and will not go ahead if rain is forecast.

This event is also dependent on V/Line train availability. It may need to be cancelled or changed if there are coach replacements, major timetable changes, disruptions, or if taking bikes on the train becomes impractical.

The 7:07am service currently shows limited designated bike storage, but bike storage is shared with luggage and availability can vary depending on patronage. Bringing a bike on board is not guaranteed.

V/Line staff and conductors decide whether bikes can be safely carried on the service. Please be prepared for the possibility that bike space may be limited.

Please only RSVP if you are comfortable with:

• Riding at least 50km
• Maintaining around 15km/h
• Riding on gravel / rail trail surfaces
• Carrying your own food, water, and repair gear
• A very early start and late return
• The possibility of cancellation due to weather or transport issues

Other info
This is a group ride, but everyone is responsible for their own bike, equipment, safety, transport fare, food, water, and ability to complete the ride.

You do not need to be a fast rider, but you do need to be comfortable riding the full distance at a steady pace so we can make the return train.