The six-stage cycling journey is designed to showcase the Central West to experienced riders. The Trail takes riders through the picturesque rural districts of the Central Tablelands and Slopes, starting and ending at Orange.

“The Orange Treadlies bicycle riding group instigated and contributed to the development of the OVBT bicycle route.” Orange360 is delighted with the result and the trail.

Disclaimer: This trail has been developed by local cycling enthusiasts, The Treadlies to showcase some of our region’s most picturesque rides. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, Orange360 does not make any representation or warranties about its accuracy, reliability or completeness. Riders embark on their adventure at their own risk and visiting cyclists should take all reasonable steps to review road, weather and seasonal farming conditions before they embark on their ride. Orange360 is purely the distributor of this content and Orange360 does not guarantee the safety of the trail.

The Course

There are 6 sections around the 360km course, with 3 alternate routes also provided.  Select the course below to read about each section of the Trail.

Roads and Terrain

With an emphasis on safety, the route minimises time on busy main roads and utilises secondary rural bitumen and gravel roads. One loop leads to a bush track that is better suited to hybrid or gravel bikes and mountain bikes.

Bitumen roads vary in width and surface. The narrower roads are low traffic density secondary rural roads.

Route Itinerary

The Central West has become a tourist destination for a range of visitors.

The Trail aims at combining bicycle touring at various levels of fitness and competence, with visiting rural communities, enjoying food and wine and seeing the agricultural and environmental delights of our district. The Trail will provide cyclists the enjoyment of the physical ride as well as an appreciation of the life-style benefits offered by rural communities.

The Trail is ideal for small riding groups with back-up vehicles. Accommodation is at a different location each night. Riders will organise their own schedule and booking arrangements for each location.

Riding groups can vary the itinerary if they wish to lengthen or shorten the journey.

Bike riders are encouraged to visit points of interest along the Trail and meet with locals and other visitors. Some suggestions are outlined on the following pages, while location web pages will have further options of things to do in free time.

Course Difficulty

Weather

The Central Tablelands and Slopes has an average annual rainfall varying from 600mm. to 800mm. Rainfall will be higher than this in wet years. Groups need to assess rain forecasts before settling on dates.

The region has cool Springs, warm Summers and generally dry, warm Autumns. Winters are generally wet and cold

The suggested periods to pedal are September through to May.

Accommodation

Accommodation standards will vary, ranging from hotels, motels, guest houses and BNB establishments. When riding dates are set accommodation can be selected and booked. Cowra is well serviced with a large selection of places to stay. Most villages will have numerous accommodation options and we encourage you to search the Village content of this website to find the full range of options.

There is only one accommodation choice at the Neville village. You are advised to schedule Neville for a mid-week day if possible. Similarly with Cargo, so please consider the option of Canowindra.

If dinner is required check this with the chosen accommodation site.

Food and Water

On most days villages are one to two hours apart. Stop-overs for food, water and coffee are available at most villages.  Woodstock Royal Hotel provides coffee and food but does not open until 12 noon.

Riders who select the cross country loop on Day Four need to take lunch and water with them.

Emergency contacts

It is suggested riding groups have each other’s individual contact details. Accommodation site contact details are also advised.

At any point on this Trail you are no more than one hour by car from Orange or Cowra hospital.