Notes from a softer Hunt1000 route

Our version of the Hunt was a mix of the 2016 route (as written up on bikepacking.com), with the deviation to Mt Kosciusko (2018 route), a shortcut down to Omeo and a low level diversion to avoid the Billy Goat pushfest.

  • The only section that involved a significant amount of pushing was the steep pitches between Grey Mare and Valentines huts (plus the ‘walk’ off Mt Kosciusko)
  • Most favourite sections were the Jagungal and Pilot wilderness areas
  • Overall we were really impressed with the variety of riding and scenery
  • We were lucky with the weather, just one morning of cold rain out of Hotham and we were lucky not to have it too hot
  • We took 14 riding days with 3 rest days and our riding time each day averaged around 6hrs with the longest about 8hrs. Max altitude gain in a day was 1850m and maximum km was 105
  • We had 9 nights camping, the rest under a roof
  • The flies and ants were annoying at times, and the one piece of kit we forgot to bring was a small ground cloth for sitting on/putting food on. 
  • Straps hanging from helmet work well for flies (thanks Jambi Jambi)
  • Zero snakes and only dead wombats sadly. However other cyclists saw snakes most days and even 5 in one morning
  • Resupply/eating options on this route were Cabramurra, Thredbo, Omeo, Hotham, Dargo, Briagalong, Newry, Licola, Woods Point, Reefton, Warburton. Places are sometimes closed Monday/Tues
  • With less time a shorter version would be to carry on from Hotham to Bright and onto rail trails west of the dividing range taking you to a train station that will get you to Melbourne 

Our days:

(Note the times are moving times)

  1. Brindabella camp: 61km, 1244m, 6hr
  2. Long Flat Hut camp: 75km, 1770m, 8hr?
  3. Jagungal camp: 66km, 1400m, 6hr
  4. Guthega Power Stn. Camp: 45km, 1200m, 5hr 45min
  5. Thredbo YHA: 40km, 1200m, 6hr
  6. Rest day
  7. Bulley Ck camp: 60km, 1700m, 7hr
  8. Omeo Hotel: 70km, 1100m, 5hr 10min
  9. Mt Hotham: 55km, 1600m, 5hr 45min
  10. Rest day
  11. Wonnangatta River camp: 95km, 1440m, 6hr 40min
  12. Lake Glenmaggie Camp: 93km, 885m, 6hr 10min
  13. Licola cabin: 50km, 822m, 4hr
  14. Rest day
  15. Woods Point: 62km, 1850m, 6hr 40min
  16. Warburton campground: 105km, 1700m, 7hr
  17. Melbourne 95km, 1000m, 6hr

Total 970km, 18,900m