The ‘Rural Views and Cycling Kangaroos’ route starts in Parkes, central NSW, and takes a 500km loop around the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, visiting little villages and towns, wineries, and of course the Animals on Bikes. The majority of the route is sealed, with only 5km to ‘The Dish’ and back (10km total) that is gravel, but suitable for a touring bike.
Along the ride there are potential short cuts that reduce the distance or bypass a hilly section. A note in italics suggests a shorter route or bypass.
Being on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range, the area has some reasonable hills to climb and descend, the longest starting at the 290km mark on the loop through Wyangala, climbing 360m in 7km. However, the panoramic views afforded makes climbing the hills worthwhile.
The Route
From Parkes, ride towards Wellington on the Renshaw-McGirr Way, taking a side trip to ‘The Dish’ for astronomical information, and of course a coffee at The Dish Café. The road to the dish has 5km of gravel, the only gravel road on this ride, and is quite manageable on a standard road bike. This side trip may be bypassed; it is 70km from Parkes to Yeoval without any services, including water.
Return to the Renshaw-McGirr Way and continue towards Wellington – warning there are no services along the 62km between The Dish and Yeoval.
At Yeoval (88km), accommodation and meals are available at the Royal Hotel and there is a camping ground. For those doing a 5-night tour, Yeoval is a convenient place to stay (or continue on to Cumnock (112km) where there is also a hotel and other accommodation).
Upon leaving Yeoval, ride towards Molong, along the Banjo Patterson Way. Keep a look out for the Animals on Bikes over the next 47km to Molong (135km). All main services are available in Molong, as well as a wealth of history, the main street classified by the National Trust. There is a choice of accommodation in Molong, and it may be a good place to spend your second night.
Continuing on, ride to Manildra (158km), which may provide suitable accommodation. Keep a look (and nose) out for the Manildra flour mill, and canola mill. Alternatively, continue to Cudal (172km) where there is a motel, hotel, and caravan park. There is a shorter route of 54km directly back to Parkes along the Henry Parkes Way. This road can be busy and not recommended riding near sunset.
The ride to Cudal provides grand panoramic views east towards Orange and Mt Canobolas, and south towards Cowra. From Cudal follow the Escort Way westerly towards Forbes, turn off onto Longs Corner Rd (188km) and ride to Canowindra (213km). You may be tempted to drop into Toms Waterhole Wines or other wineries in the Canowindra district.
From Yeoval to Canowindra the route travels through Cabonne Council, and visitor information may be found on this link.
Canowindra (213km) provides another great place to stay, with a variety of local rides (see Cycling Canowindra), accommodation types, and activities, including the Age of Fishes Museum. Staying overnight allows an early start for a balloon flight over Canowindra before riding the 41km to Cowra via George Russell Dve and Binni Creek Rd.
Basing yourself in Cowra (254km) allows a less loaded ride on the Wyangala loop and some time to explore Cowra, which provides all necessary amenities and many places of interest to visit, including the Japanese Gardens and a number of wineries. You may decide to include a rest day to further explore the area.
The Wyangala loop is 82km long, and goes down to Wyangala, a village at the Wyangala Dam. The ride back to Cowra provides the longest hill of the ride out of Wyangala however, the views from the Mt McDonald area are spectacular. If hills are a problem this loop may be left off your itinerary.
From Cowra (336km) ride north, starting near the Lachlan River then through Billimari via the North Logan Rd and Bangaroo Rd, to The Rivers Rd. This is flat river country, and dairy farms see green pastures and peaceful cattle.
The next available services after Cowra are 76km to Eugowra (412km). A 2km detour to Gooloogong (at 390km) will provide a shop and hotel, water and campground.
Eugowra gained notoriety in 1862 with Australia’s largest gold robbery, near the famed Escort Rock a few kilometres out of town on the Escort Way towards Orange; there is a rest area here and a nice spot for a picnic. Sitting in the picnic area you can imagine the bushrangers hiding in the rocks, waiting for the next gold shipment to pass.
The Escort Way runs between Orange and Forbes and is named for the ‘escorts’ who accompanied the gold shipments, to protect them from bushrangers.
Leave Eugowra on the Escort Way towards Forbes, but on the outskirts of town turn left and ride along the quiet Waugan Rd for 19km, before rejoining the Escort Way closer to Forbes. Eugowra to Forbes is 41km, without services. A shorter option when leaving Eugowra is to follow the signs back to Parkes, approximately 40km without any services.
Forbes (453km) is also renowned for its link with gold and Ben Hall the bushranger, and provides all services and accommodation.
It is now 48km back to Parkes, following the Bogan Way for 23km before turning right and riding through the district of Nelungaloo. There are no services between Forbes and Parkes. A creek crossing at around 22km from Forbes provides a bush picnic stop away from the road.
Meals and accommodation
Meals and accommodation are available at most towns and villages, the main ones are noted. When planning your tour, consider contacting the places where you intend to stay to ensure they provide the facilities you require.
There are long distances between towns and services, up to 70km, and the ability to carry sufficient water is necessary.
Getting to Parkes
Travelling to Parkes is difficult as the infrequent trains will only carry pre-booked and boxed bikes. The options are to drive, fly with Regional Express, or ride your bike.
The ride from Sydney to Parkes will be available soon as an AussieVelo ‘Ride with GPS’ ambassador route
