Route Metrics

Start: Tatong

Finish: Bonnie Doon

Distance: 63.5 km

Altitude Gain: 953 m

Ride Time: 3:30 h:mm

Road Surface: Mostly gravel but sealed on Midland Hwy from Williams Rd to Barjarg Monument - a difficult section on a busy road.

Monuments: Tatong, Samaria and Barjarg

Note: No drinkable water available on route

Cyclist Services

• Toilets at Nillahcootie Lake reserve 

• Lake Nillahcootie Camp for camping and cabin accommodation

• Bonnie Doon Caravan / Camping Park

• Water and food at Bonnie Doon

The Explorers' Journey

It was a 4 day journey of 24 miles over very hilly country of Mt Samaria and Strathbogie Range. Hovell noted that even the broken ground of the mineral surfaces of the mountains showed signs of Aboriginal presence. The night on Strathbogie Nov 30 was extremely cold forcing them to begin at daybreak to warm up travelling the short distance of 4 & 3/4 miles to Dry Creek on Dec 1. 

Barjarg was the site of the Broken River Massacres in the 1840s, possibly Stuckey (lead stockman) was the perpetrator. The aborigines were said to be poisoned by sweet bread – damper laced with arsenic.

Traditional Owners

Traditional owners of the lands you will traverse are the Taungurung people.

Points of Interest

• Views to Sunday Mount

•  Mt Strathbogie

•  Lake Nillahcootie

• Railway Bridge on Brankeet Creek Arm of Lake Eildon