Murray to Mountains Rail Trail : Wangaratta to Bright and Back

Join me for a two-day bikepacking weekend on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, one of Victoria’s best-known rail trails.

We’ll be riding the Wangaratta to Bright section, which is a sealed route through north-east Victoria. The plan is to ride from Wangaratta to Bright on Saturday, camp overnight in Bright, then ride back from Bright to Wangaratta on Sunday before catching the evening V/Line service back to Melbourne.

This will be a rewarding weekend ride, but it is not a casual social ride. The goal is to enjoy the trail, keep a steady pace, look after each other, and complete the trip safely rather than rush.

Reasonable fitness is required. You should only join if you are confident riding long distances for full days and carrying what you need for an overnight bikepacking trip.

Solo attendees are very welcome, but please read the details carefully before RSVP’ing.

Links
Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wqiZN7fa9f3AkPh67
Trail information: https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/murray-to-mountains-rail-trail/
Related YouTube videos:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbaWEL5Lczs
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBWzddusnu4
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7iw2VSHYmA

Rough timeline

Saturday 16 May

• 6:30am — Meet outside V/Line Tickets and Information at Southern Cross Station
• 7:07am — Planned V/Line departure from Southern Cross to Wangaratta
• Around 9:47am — Arrive at Wangaratta
• Late morning / afternoon — Ride from Wangaratta to Bright, approximately 82 km
• Evening — Arrive in Bright, set up camp, dinner / rest

Sunday 17 May

• Morning — Pack up camp
• Morning / afternoon — Ride from Bright back to Wangaratta, approximately 82 km
• Evening — Catch the planned evening V/Line service from Wangaratta back to Melbourne
• Around 10:00pm — Meetup ends at Southern Cross Station

The exact timing on both days may change depending on pace, breaks, weather, train availability, and how the group is going.

Tickets

You’ll need to buy your own V/Line ticket.

Please check the latest V/Line timetable and service updates before the trip, especially for coach replacements, disruptions, and bike availability.

Camping details will be confirmed later, closer to the event.

Accommodation
This is a bikepacking trip, and we’ll be camping at one of the paid campsites in Bright.

The exact campsite will be confirmed later, closer to the event.

What to bring

• A roadworthy bicycle suitable for long-distance riding
• Helmet
• Front and rear lights
• Puncture repair kit and basic tools
• Water and food
• Clothes and gear for an overnight camping trip
• Tent / sleep system or whatever camping setup you personally need
• Wet weather / warm layers appropriate for the forecast
• Phone, power bank, cards, and any personal medication
• Anything else you personally need for a self-supported weekend ride

What to expect

• Distance: Approximately 82 km each way, about 164 km total over two days
• Difficulty: Hard / endurance ride
• Pace: Around 15 km/h, steady rather than fast
• Vibe: Small-group, practical, low-pressure, and focused on completing the trip safely

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, limited bike capacity, or other disruptions.

Bikes on V/Line trains are subject to available space, so please arrive prepared and allow extra time. There is always some risk that bike space may be limited.

This is best suited to people who already have some experience with longer rides, bikepacking, or all-day cycling efforts.

You should be comfortable riding long distances on consecutive days and carrying your own overnight gear.

This is not a beginner ride and not a drop-in/drop-out style event. Please make sure you are confident with the distance, your bike, your gear, and your own ability before joining.

Other info
Please keep an eye on event updates closer to the date. I’ll update the page once the campsite and any final transport details are confirmed.