Cooper Cycle Tours

This self-guided loop of the Central West Cycle Trail starts and finishes in Dubbo, following quiet backroads through rural New South Wales. Riders head south to Wellington via Geurie and its classic country bakery, then cross open farmland and gentle hills to the historic gold rush town of Gulgong, with its Pioneer Museum and heritage streets.

From Dunedoo the route becomes more undulating, with shaded bushland stretches ideal for birdwatching, before a relaxed arvo at the pub in Mendooran. The next leg reaches Ballimore, and the final day returns to Dubbo via Wongarbon across open plains and small villages.

The tour is run by Mick and Kerrie Cooper, who know the trail intimately. They handle accommodation bookings, luggage transfers, navigation and back-up transport, and can book farm morning teas and a whisky distillery tasting along the way. A fully supported version is also available.

Highlights:

• Classic country bakery and friendly locals at Geurie
• Historic gold rush town of Gulgong, its Pioneer Museum and heritage streets
• Farm homestead morning teas and a whisky distillery tasting en route
• Bushland birdwatching between Dunedoo and Mendooran
• Wheat fields, woodlands and native wildlife spotting
• Country pubs, cafes and genuine Aussie hospitality

Surface and terrain:
Smooth bitumen and well-maintained gravel roads, suited to touring bikes with wider tyres. Open farmland and gentle hills, becoming more undulating between Dunedoo and Mendooran, with a gentle finish across open plains.

Weather:
Best in autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November), when temperatures are mild and the countryside lush. Summer can be hot and dry; winter brings chilly mornings and occasional frosts.

Suitable for:
Moderately fit riders comfortable with around 60 km a day on mixed sealed and gravel roads, who enjoy country towns, pubs and rural scenery. Well suited to groups of friends.

This bike tour through the heart of Central West NSW offers an excellent taste of rural Australia, winding through charming towns and rolling countryside.

For those with time constraints or don’t feel confident to tackle the whole 400k of the Central West Cycle Trail, why not try one of our short breaks.

We have options for 2 to 6 days available with varying distances.
Option to catch the train (XPT) to Dubbo from Sydney on Friday and return home on the train on Sunday arvo, 35k both days, or add a day to travel home on Monday making it 60k per day.

Also available rider and bike transport if required.

The terrain throughout is a combination of smooth bitumen and well-maintained gravel roads, making it suitable for touring bikes with wider tyres.

This route takes you from Coolah, through charming Binnaway, and into the vibrant town of Coonabarabran, known as the gateway to the Warrumbungle National Park. The park itself offers stunning vistas, rugged landscapes, and challenging trails for keen cyclists. Continuing on to Tooraweenah, riders can enjoy a blend of scenic beauty and local hospitality. This trail is perfect for those seeking adventure and the chance to immerse themselves in the unique natural wonders of New South Wales.

The journey passes through picturesque rural landscapes and welcoming small towns, including Neville, historic Canowindra (with a Cowra day loop), tranquil Cargo, and heritage-rich Molong.

Along the way, riders can enjoy local wineries, heritage walks, star gazing, fascinating museums like Canowindra’s Age of Fishes, the renowned Cowra Japanese Garden, vibrant local arts, and classic country pubs. Regional highlights include wildflower spotting, unique shops, and relaxed village atmospheres. Ideal for spring or autumn, this tour blends gentle physical challenge, authentic regional culture, and warm hospitality. It’s a perfect way to explore the heart of NSW at a leisurely pace, with plenty of things to see and do in each town and along the open road.

• Best Time to Go: Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) offer mild weather and beautiful scenery.
• Terrain: mostly on bitumen (sealed) roads, but there are significant sections of gravel and some bush tracks. The route is designed to minimize time on busy main roads, instead using quieter secondary rural roads, both sealed and unsealed. Some alternate routes are available for those who prefer more or less gravel.