Central West Cycle Trail
Featured
Tour Operator Cooper Cycle Tours
Australia
7 days (Bike: 6 days)
377 km (~63km per day)
Active
Mixed on/off-road
Self-Guided, Guided
Supported
A six-day ride through the heart of Central West NSW, winding through charming country towns and rolling countryside.
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.
Tour Information
From
Dubbo
To
Dubbo
Cost From
Self-Guided AU$ 1300
Guided Please Ask
Departure(s)
Year-round on request; best March to May and September to November
Inclusions
- Accommodation bookings (booked by them, paid by you)
- Daily luggage transfers
- Back-up transport from Mick during the week if needed
- Navigation: RideWithGPS files plus paper copy
- Detailed itinerary and local trail knowledge
- Bookings for farm morning teas and whisky distillery tasting (paid on the day)
- Car parking at their Dubbo premises (at own risk)
Exclusions
- Accommodation (approx. AU$345 pp twin share, AU$600 single, for the week)
- Meals, including farm morning teas, lunches and distillery tasting
- Travel to and from Dubbo
- Solo traveller supplement
Options
- Fully supported tour with support vehicle (price on request)
- Bike and pannier hire: standard MTB AU$40/day; e-MTB AU$100/day
- Bespoke itinerary with cue sheets, electronic maps, and places to stay and eat
- Rider and bike transfers, including possible Dubbo railway station pick-up and bike assembly/re-boxing
- Luggage transfer
Additional
- Non-refundable deposit of AU$300 pp
- Book up to 12 months or more ahead due to limited accommodation in the region
- Customisable: can be ridden in either direction, with bespoke itineraries available
Reviews
All reviews
10.0/10
3 review(s)Order By:
10/10
Paul L. (Australia)
I did the fully supported version of this tour with a group of friends. It was absolutely fantastic. Mick's knowledge of the CWT is second to none. He planned it meticulously and the logistics ran like clockwork. He was never far away with his van and support. Some of our group even were able to swap to different bikes during the trip - some opting to rent one of his well maintained electric bikes. One the tour he arranged great stops for mid morning tea at rural farm homestead and coffee and tea shops and a whiskey distillery on the way - making sure that the benefits of our tourism.flow directly back into the local community. Dont expect 5 star accommodation in the country pubs, B and Bs and motels along the way - just clean comfortable private rooms, great food and friendly folks on the way. I highly recommend the CWT and Mick as your support.
10/10
Ian L. (Australia)
We were a party of 4 planning to do the CWCT counterclockwise. Unfortunately two of our group fell ill on day 1. Mick and Kerrie were wonderful, reorganised things so that the 2 "casualties" could follow the other 2 around the course, albeit not trailing them but meeting up at lunch and rest stops. Mick's choice of accommodation for our group was spot on as were his recommendations for side trips. We are hoping to be back this year (2025) to finish unfinished business!
10/10
John M. (Australia)
Mick Cooper provides an amazing service introducing people to the wonderful Central West Cycling trail. Absolutely the best.
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