GREAT VICTORIAN RAIL TRAIL FAQ’s

What’s the most popular way to break up the GVRT into a multi-day ride?
We’ve found the most popular ride options are based around starting in Mansfield and riding to Tallarook over a few days.

Two days – stay the night at Alexandra which is about half way, then onto Tallarook the second day.
Three days – first day ride to Yarck and stay the night, second day to Alexandra for lunch and onto Yea for the night, third day to Tallarook.
Four days – easy first day to Bonnie Doon; second day onto Alexandra with a lunch stop at Yarck, Yea on the third day and onto Tallarook on the final day.

Do you book accommodation?
No, we don’t. But there is a lot of information on the rail trail website - https://www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au/accommodation-search

Where is the most accommodation available?
The biggest town along the trail is Mansfield and there’s lots of accommodation available here.
Along the trail, the two biggest towns are Alexandra and Yea, both with lots of options. But Yarck is also a popular spot to stop overnight. Bonnie Doon, Molesworth, Trawool and Tallarook are also worth a look.

Can I take the bus to Mansfield with my bike?
Yes but not easily. V-Line buses run from Southern Cross station to Mansfield twice a day. But they require your bike to be packed into a box.

What’s the easiest way to get to the rail trail with my bike without driving?
We recommend catching the train to Tallarook with your bike. You don’t have to pack it into a box, like you do on the V-Line bus.

Which direction do you recommend riding the Great Victorian Rail Trail?
The profile shows that Mansfield is at a higher elevation than Tallarook, so most people ride from Mansfield to Tallarook. But the change in gradient is so gentle that we think the breeze will have more of an effect on your riding, rather than the profile. (So check the weather forecast.) As a westerly breeze is more prevalent, we suggest riding from Tallarook to Mansfield is no more difficult.

Do you hire bikes?
Yes, we hire standard hybrid bikes which come with a pump and spare tube.
We also hire e-Bikes! So if you don’t regularly ride a lot, or you feel like taking it a bit easier, why not hire one of these.
All our hire bikes have a bottle cage to hold your drink and include a helmet – or you can bring your own.
Visit our website to book these - https://allterraincycles.com.au/

Do you offer transfers along the rail trail?
No, we don’t. However, Double Black Alpine is a taxi service which does. Go to https://www.doubleblackalpine.com.au/ or call Sarah or Eddie on 1300 322 574.

 Can I hire a bike from you and have it waiting for me in Tallarook?

Yes, we can have a bike delivered for you, with a few provisos:

  • You’ll need to book the bike through our website so we have your ‘electronic signature’ agreeing to our hire terms and conditions;

  • You’ll also need to book and pay for a Tallarook transfer through Double Black Alpine to drive to Tallarook to leave the bike for you; and

  • We’ll need to know your height so we leave the correctly-sized bike for you.

If we hire bikes from you in Mansfield, can we leave them in Tallarook for you when we catch the train back to Melbourne?

Yes, we have an arrangement with a couple of places in Tallarook, so you can leave our bikes there till we get there to collect them. However, you will still need to pay for DBA to transfer them back to Mansfield.

Do hire bikes come with rack and panniers?

Panniers are available but they aren’t included. They’re $5 per pair per day but need to booked over the phone as these aren’t listed on our online booking system. Most of our bikes have racks but not all. If you request a bike with panniers, we’ll make sure you get a bike with a rack.

What’s your cancellation policy?

  • Cancellations 48 Hours Prior To Booked Date
    A credit or full refund minus the booking/ credit card fee is available if you contact us (in store or by phone) and cancel a booking more than 48 hours before the commencement of the booking date/ time. 

  • Cancellations Less Than 48 Hours Prior To Booked Date
    No refund is available if a booking is cancelled less than 48 hours before the commencement of the booking date/ time. We will happily reschedule or issue you a hire credit if you contact us before close of business on the day before the booking commencement.

  • Weather
    No refund is available due to weather conditions.

  • Cancellations Due To Injury Or Illness
    During a multi-day hire, should the rider listed on the booking form sustain an injury or illness which prevents them from riding for the remainder of their hire duration, upon presentation of a valid medical certificate, a credit for hire can be obtained for the remaining days. (i.e Hire duration of 3 days. Rider is injured on day 1. Credit offered for day 2 & 3). 

  • Late Fees For Bikes Returned After Hours
    All Bikes are due back no later than 4:30 on the day of hire. Late fees apply for bikes returned after 4:30pm. A fee of $30 for each 30 minute period after 4:30pm will be charged. Half day hires will be increased to a full day hire if over the 4hr hire period.