Capital Country ANZAC Day

Tour Itinerary

Leaving Australia’s oldest inland city, famous for its rich history, agricultural heritage and the iconic Big Merino, we’ll set off at a relaxed pace across the relatively flat southern end of the Goulburn plains. We’ll ride through the village of Lake Bathurst before arriving at Tarago, known most recently for its renewable energy projects. After lunch, we’ll jump back on the bikes for the undulating climb and a final, rewarding five-kilometre descent into the charming village of Bungendore, home to a thriving local arts scene, galleries, and cafés.

We’ll spend the night at the historic Carrington Inn, built in 1885 as a stopover on the Cobb & Co. route, now a cosy getaway.

Today is a relatively short day, so before we head out of Bungendore, we’ll leave the bikes and backtrack in the vehicles to take a tour of the Woodlawn Eco-Precinct and Bioreactor. We’ll then return for an early lunch in Bungendore before taking on the challenge of Smith’s Gap. Apart from this short climb, today is a relaxed, undulating, downhill ride into Canberra. 

On the way to our hotel, we will explore the Parliamentary Triangle, an area in the heart of Canberra that includes the Australian War Memorial and ANZAC Parade, and Canberra’s oldest building St John’s Church. Other sites around Lake Burley Griffin include the National Library of Australia, Questacon, and the National Gallery with its stunning sculpture garden. We’ll finish with a circumnavigation of new Parliament House before arriving at our accommodation in the thriving hub of Kingston, known for its lively restaurant and café scene.

There are few experiences more moving than attending an ANZAC Day ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. Today you’ll have the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of men, women and children and commemorate the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in Australia’s armed forces. If you wish, you can attend the Dawn Service and/or the mid-morning National Ceremony, to pay your respects to our service men and women, past and present, through the laying of wreaths and the observance of a minute’s silence.

This is a day where you can explore the historical, political, artistic, and cultural delights of Canberra. Explore the Australian War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, visit national museums, wander around Lake Burley Griffin, or take a tour of Parliament House. If you feel like cycling today, Canberra has many on- and off-road cycle paths, or a tour around the lake is a great way to unwind.

Today we drive up to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, where we’ll cycle around the 16km loop road and immerse ourselves in the rich natural surroundings before stopping to enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is located on the fringes of Namadgi National Park in Canberra’s south-east and joins the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park in NSW. Together, these parks and reserve form the northern part of the Australian Alps. They play a vital role in the conservation of endangered indigenous species like the Northern Corroboree Frog, the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and the Eastern Bettong.

Tidbinbilla is home to a multitude of stunning native birds as well as kangaroos, emus, wallabies, echidnas and koalas. It provides a rare opportunity to experience Australian birds and wildlife in a range of habitats, from wetlands to alpine environments. After lunch, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the predator-proof Sanctuary enclosure, where you’ll have the chance of a close encounter with brolgas, pelicans and magpie geese, and may even see a platypus.

On our way back into Canberra, if time permits, we may also visit Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex and the new Cotter Dam.

Although it’s the longest of the tour, today’s ride is very achievable and begins on the relaxing shared pathways and off-road cycleways of Canberra. We’ll take an easy roll through the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, once again on the lookout for birdlife, before a short cycle through the Royal Military College at Duntroon to see Duntroon House and the Changi Chapel. From Duntroon, we’ll join part of Canberra's newest bicycle infrastructure, the off-road cycleway alongside the new Majura Parkway, which will take us out to the Federal Highway.

Lunch today will be at historic Gundaroo, a unique town that has retained its special 19th-century character. Before we leave, we’ll visit the workshop of renowned ‘Bikecologist’ Wayne Kotzur, a bespoke bicycle builder who specialises in custom vehicles for people with visual or mobility impairment.

After lunch, we’ll tackle some steady climbs affording gorgeous rural views. This is an area famous for wind turbines, and these sometimes controversial structures dot the surrounding hillsides. We’ll arrive in the peaceful town of Gunning in time for a well-deserved afternoon tea.

Today takes us to the highest point of the tour. Crookwell is nearly 1,000m above sea level, and while short, today’s cycle features a steady, constant climb with a reasonably kind gradient – although a few short sections will challenge the legs. You will be rewarded, of course, with stunning views across the countryside, as well as a lovely, four-kilometre descent to our destination.

On the way, we’ll pass through Grabben Gullen, named after the local Aboriginal term for ‘small waters’. This town is known for gem fossicking, and sapphires, zircons, and garnets can still be found in the many streams that feed through the area into the Lachlan River.

We’ll arrive in Crookwell in time for a late lunch, and you are invited to tour a famous Crookwell landmark – the Lindner Sock Factory – in the afternoon. Here colourful, Australian socks, including hand-dyed local merino versions, are made by this family-owned company.

Today we’ll cycle through quiet backroads before taking the main road to Goulburn, reaping the benefits of yesterday’s climb and finishing the tour with a mostly downhill run into one of Australia’s first inland settlements. We’ll arrive in Goulburn in time for a late lunch, and you are invited to spend an afternoon relaxing or exploring the town before we meet again for our end-of-tour dinner.

Today the tour concludes at checkout. You may wish to spend some time exploring the many fascinating architectural gems around town before heading home.