Yellowbelly Track – Amenities and Services

This page provides details about the amenities and services available at each location along the Yellowbelly Track.

• The list is not exhaustive; if you want something different it may exist. Make your own enquiries.
• Advice is targeted towards novice and casual bikepackers, able to ride up to around 50 to 70km per day. If you are riding more than that, you don’t need my advice.
• If you think there are errors, or things that should be added, please contact me.
• I do not have any personal or commercial links to any of the places I suggest.
• My suggestions about overnight accommodation are limited to free camping, or a reasonable caravan/tourist/holiday park located close to the route. If you feel you need more pampering, that’s OK. I am sure your search engine will help you find something suitable.

How Many Stops?

Before starting the ride, you should have an idea of how many days/nights it will take you, and when and where you need to get food and supplies along the way.

The table below looks a bit obsessive. I was trying to work out what the ride would look like to an experienced bikepacker who could ride 100km+ per day, compared to a young family who only wanted to ride 30km per day and didn’t want to be locked in to camping out for a full week, and to everyone else in between. The gaps seem to be reasonable for everyone, in both directions. You might find the table useful for your planning.

The table below shows a summary of the services available at each location.

Further down this page there is a separate section for each location, with a lot more detail (e.g. maps, hours, links etc).

Individual locations are listed in the order they would appear if you were heading south, or upstream along the Goulburn River. If you plan to go in the opposite direction, start at the bottom of the page.

Echuca

It is difficult to give advice about Echuca as I don’t know how long riders will be staying there. For most riders I assume this is the start or end of their ride, and they are mainly interested in Echuca as a transport connection.

Many riders may arrange for someone to drop them off, or collect them, by car as public transport is limited.

There are only one to two trains per day, and not at a convenient time to get a full day’s riding in that day. There are bus services – but no certainty of getting your bike on board. Here is the Train and Bus timetable to Echuca.

As a result, riders may end up staying overnight in Echuca. There are lots of accommodaton options, but Echuca is a family tourist and camping destination and much of it is booked out during long-weekends and school holidays. If you plan to stay during busy times, I suggest you book in advance.

The Station is on the south eastern edge of the CBD. Cafes, a bakery, bike shops, fast-food outlets and supermarkets are all available on the west side of rail line, across the footbridge from the Station. The Yellowbelly Track starts/ends on the east side of the railway line. Refer to the map below.

If you suddenly panic and decide you haven’t packed enough spares, there are 2 bike shops – Echuca On Your Bike and Ash Hall Cycles – in that commercial precinct on the west side of rail line.

Echuca is not good for seekers of local brewing. There is Bandicoot Brewing but it is only open Friday evenings, and is located inconveniently on the edge of the town. The bar at The Mill with its extensive craft beer list is probably the best choice for riders who are not leaving town immediately. The Mill is open Tuesday to Saturday, after 4pm, and is close to the Station. It also has a restaurant.

For more information about accommodation, services and activities in Echuca see the Echuca Moama tourist information website.

If I was starting from Echuca, my strategy would be to just get whatever food and supplies I needed straight away. Then leave Echuca on the Yellowbelly Track as soon as I could, riding to Wakiti Creek Resort (more information about that in next section).

This strategy makes the evening trains into Echuca a potential option. Wakiti Creek Resort is only 29km from Echuca. The distance is rideable with ESST and lights. Once out of town, the road is quiet enough to stop off the road when cars come occasionally, and just let them pass by.

If you attempt this strategy, make sure you have good lights; near the end you have to ride over a single lane bridge with low side rails, and a big drop to the river below.

You may also need this gpx file from Echuca to Wakiti Creek Resort, as there are not many signs and you won’t see them in the dark.

At Wakiti Creek Resort there will be power, lighting, a camp kitchen and an amenities block so a late arrival and setup will not be a problem. Wakiti Creek Resort is also the only non-emergency source of water from Echuca to Shepparton. Planning to stop there means you won’t have to carry an extra day’s water from Echuca.

Next day, the 70km to Shepparton will be more manageable for most riders who will do this route, irrespective of whether they do it in 1 day, or 2 days (so they can camp in the National Park).

Yambuna / Wakiti Creek

The National Park starts at Yambuna about 25km from Echuca so you can free camp from there on.

Wakiti Creek Resort, 29km from Echuca, will interest riders who prefer holiday park amenities, and powered sites or private cabins. The route to Wakiti Creek Resort is shown on the map below (in purple).

If needed, you can download the gpx file from Echuca to Wakiti Creek Resort.

The are no non-emergency sources of water on either Yellowbelly Track route between Echuca and Shepparton (90km). So staying at Wakiti Creek Resort is the best option to source water between Echuca and Shepparton. The water is sourced from a bore but is potable. You can also buy commercial bottled water from the resort’s shop if that is your taste preference.

Riders not planning to stay at Wakiti Creek Resort should keep in mind that the resort shop exists in that location in case they need extra water or snacks. But before heading there, I suggest you call in advance on the day and confirm when the shop is open.

Lower Goulburn National Park

The Yellowbelly Track goes through the long river corridor of the Lower Goulburn National Park (LGNP). About 45km of the Tracks route is through the LGNP, while the Roads route runs close along side the LGNP rather than through it.

There are no designated camping areas, you can camp in any suitable spot. This also means there are no facilities, including no potable water in the LGNP. Please ensure you bring whatever you need into the LGNP, and take any rubbish with you when you leave – Leave no Trace.

In an urgent situation, close sources of water are Wakiti Creek Resort shop, farm houses along side the LGNP, or you could filter water from the river or puddles if you have the right equipment.

Refer to the links below for more information about using the LGNP safely.

• Regulations and guidelines may change, particularly with Covid. Please contact Parks Victoria directly to confirm the rules and safety guidelines that apply when you want to travel.
• Lower Goulburn National Park Visitor Guide The map of tracks in this document has some errors. I am posting the document as a guide to park information and regulations, not the maps. I believe my gpx files are correct.
• Parks Victoria – Visitor Safety Tips in Parks
• Swimming in rivers is a dangerous activity. Please also make yourself aware of the risks involved and take adequate precautions.
• Recreational fishing in Victoria is covered by regulations, licences and bag and size limits. If you intend to fish, please make yourself aware of regulations and comply as necessary.

Shepparton / Mooroopna

The first thing to understand about riding through Shepparton / Mooroopna is that “if you blink, you might miss it” – which is extraordinary for a city of 55,000 people. The Yellowbelly Track route follows a flood plain next to the river, right through a gap in middle of the city (see slideshow below which explains access).

You should have a plan and know what you are looking for, before you get to Shepparton / Mooroopna.

• If you are stopping overnight – Shepparton on Eastern side is the better option, as it has a better range of services.
• If you are riding through and just want a meal or supplies – Mooroopna on Western side is the better option, as it has cafes, shops and supermarkets closer to the route.

Shepparton

Basic accommodation is available at Victoria Lake Holiday Park. It is easy to get to – a few hundred metres south of footbridge, along a bike path. This is a council owned Park in a scenic location close to the river and lake. Facilities are a bit old. There is a train line nearby, but I suspect the local river corellas might be more noisy. Consider including sleeping earplugs in your kit.

There is a commercial precinct about 1.5km north of the Holiday Park, and you can go much of the way there on a shared bike/footpath around the lake. This precinct has shops, cafes, supermarkets and fast-food outlets.

Next level up the bikepackers’ need hierarchy, Shepparton also has 3 bike shops, 2 craft breweries, and a restaurant strip (as shown in the map below).

Of the LBSs, My Ride would be more likely to have items bikepackers wanted. It is further away but much of the way is along a bike path beside rivers. Alternatively, Leading Edge is more MTB focussed, but is starting to stock gravel bikes. It is also right next door to Shepparton Brewery.

Shepparton Brewery is the better craft beer option as they make a bigger range of beers and offer good food as well. Plus it has a bike shop next door!

If your group is glamping and you want a restaurant suggestion – try Teller Collective on the Fryers Street strip.

Mooroopna

As stated above, Mooroopna is a good option for food and supplies, but less so for staying overnight.

The Yellowbelly Track passes by the edge of Mooroopna’s 500 metre retail strip (see map below).

There are a wide range of shops and amenities in the strip – cafes, toilets, chemist, supermarket and fast-food outlets.

Billy’s Bakehouse is the closest bakery to the ride route. It is on the opposite side of the street, and open 7 days, 6am to 3:30pm.

If you haven’t worked it out, painted fibreglass cows are a thing in the Greater Shepparton LGA. You will see them in municipal locations in towns throughout that LGA. As a concept this is amusing enough, but each of the cows has a name and a backstory, and they get moved around to different locations. It’s almost like someone had a plan to entertain passing cyclists.

For more information about visiting any of the towns or country areas in Greater Shepparton LGA contact Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre.

Shepparton Regional Park

Both routes go through Shepparton Regional Park (SRP) – the green shaded area in the map to the right.

There are no designated camping areas, you can camp in any suitable spot. This also means there are no facilities, including no potable water in the SRP. However the towns of Shepparton, Mooroopna and Toolamba are close for supplies.

Please ensure you bring whatever you need into the SRP, and take any rubbish with you when you leave.

A few people who don’t have better housing options live in the Regional Park around Shepparton/Mooroopna. You might see a few of their shelters as you ride through. I’ve never had any trouble when riding by; if I see someone I just wave and say hello and they usually respond the same.

However, it might be different if you are planning to camp in SRP overnight. As the Park dwellers tend to stay close to the town services, I suggest cyclists pick camp spots more than 10 km to the north or south of Shepparton / Mooroopna – i.e. at the bottom of the LGNP to the north, or nearer to Toolamba in the south.

Refer to the links below for more information about using the SRP safely.

• Regulations and guidelines may change, particularly with Covid. Please contact Parks Victoria directly to confirm the rules and safety guidelines that apply when you want to travel.
• Shepparton Regional Park Visitor Guide + another map for Shepparton Regional Park The map of tracks in this document has some errors. I am posting the document as a guide to park information and regulations, not the maps. I believe my gpx files are correct.
• Parks Victoria – Visitor Safety Tips in Parks
• Swimming in rivers is a dangerous activity. Please also make yourself aware of the risks involved and take adequate precautions.
• Recreational fishing in Victoria is covered by regulations, licences and bag and size limits. If you intend to fish, please make yourself aware of regulations and comply as necessary.

Toolamba

Toolamba is a very small town but is a useful break location for passing riders. The only facitilites – store/cafe, toilets and a pub are all clustered in the centre of the town where the main street crosses the railway line.

Food options and open hours are somewhat limited at present though. Hopefully this improves in future.

• The store / cafe has limited stock and hours until renovations are completed. Currently it is closed Saturday and Sunday, and open only 8-12 noon & 2-6 pm on Monday to Friday.
• The Junction Hotel is only open from 3 pm each day at present, and they have not restarted food service since the Covid restrictions. This may change, I suggest you contact them to confirm what will be available when you want to travel.

However, my favourite thing in Toolamba is this community facility beside the store (see pic below).

For a town with a population of 752 this is very “build it and they will come”. However it is a boon for travelling cyclists. You can park your bike, take a break under shelter, use the toilets, water tap and BBQ, and wonder why you never heard about Van Gogh’s late 19th century trip to the small village of Toolamba to paint a cow.

I should also mention that there are multiple Toolambas. This is New Toolamba. There is also Old Toolamba about 4km away; you will ride through that town as well, but it does not have any shops or services. In the future there may be an Even Newer Toolamba, located near Old Toolamba. How this all came about is a long story about river crossings, railway lines, freeways and changing transport preferences. If you are interested you can ask a local to explain it all to you.

Murchison

The Murchison bridge is the only heavy vehicle crossing of the Goulburn River between Shepparton and Nagambie. The bridge attracts a lot of road traffic and the town is a popular lunch stop for travellers.

There are camping options on the north side of the town along the Yellowbelly Track. The Streamside Reserve 3km from town allows free camping, and the Murchison River Road Caravan Park is 2km out (as shown on map below).

Consensus among my fellow Yellowbellies is that the Murchison river bend rates 🍤🍤🍤🍤🍤 for lunch, but is a bit patchy for dinner.

The neo darth vader stylings of the double storey Murchison Bakery dominate the modest commercial precinct. You won’t miss it. It is open 7am-4pm Monday to Friday, and 8am-3pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

If you are travelling on the weekend, you also have the option of Longleat Vineyard a few kms SE of town (see pic below). Lunch options include wood fired pizza and a cheese platter – it gets busy, so booking is advised. It is open 10am-5pm, and they usually do a coffee and calories option to keep your pedals going around – but phone ahead and confirm on the day.

For dinner there are 2 pubs, but they are not open every night, and reviews are varied. You might need to use your cooker or the camp kitchen.

I don’t know of any local beer brewing in Murchison.

The Murchison East train station is about 4km from the town for riders planning to use the train and Murchison as a start, stop or transfer point. There’s a off-road path for bikes and walkers. The path goes across the bridge and all the way to the station, you just have to cross the road at the railway line.

Between Murchison and Nagambie

The road between Murchison and Nagambie is a quiet sealed road. Although only about 20km long, it offers an interesting insight into late 19th century agricultural development in northern Victoria.

Stuart Murray and Cattanach Canals. In this segment, most of the flowing water you see alongside the road is not the Goulburn River. Instead the road weaves between, and over, two large Canals carrying water north for irrigation (as shown in map below). Built around 1890 these Canals enabled a boom in agrictultural development and population growth in northern Victoria.

Days Mill – is an historic steam driven stone flour mill built in 1865, a preserved heritage site managed by ParksVictoria. It is probably not worth a detour unless the buildings are open to have look around. However, it seems to only have one open day per year, on Mothers’ Day.

Goulburn Weir – Completed in 1890, Goulburn Weir was the first large scale irrigation development in Australia. This dam creates Lake Nagambie and is the source of the 2 large Canals mentioned above. This is worth a visit and the access path is only a few hundred metres from the Yellowbelly Track. You can walk across the weir; the gate is unlocked during the day. The eastern side of the weir has better facilities (an information centre and picnic area).

Nagambie

The Yellowbelly Track splits at the western end of Kirwans Bridge as shown in the map below. Riders have to make a choice:

• Western route (tracks.gpx) – mostly gravel roads, free camping, no shops or facilities.
• Eastern route (roads.gpx) – all sealed roads, commercial accommodation, shops, pubs and wineries.

Western Route – tracks gpx – Major Creek Reserve

Major Creek Reserve is near the remnants of Mitchellstown, one of the earliest European settlements in Victoria. The settlement was named after Major Thomas Mitchell, who crossed the Goulburn River nearby when he was exploring Victoria on an expedition from Sydney. The settlers who followed also crossed the river here and a small village developed. However, Mitchellstown soon declined when a better crossing point was found at Seymour.

The Reserve allows free camping and has some basic drop toilets. It is alongside Major Creek, which flows into the Goulburn River.

If you camp at Major Creek Reserve, the cafe at Mitchelton Winery is only 5km away so that is worth remembering as a meal option, or a detour for breakfast / supplies when you get on your way.

If you are planning a stealth camp along the western route, you should be aware the southern end of this road runs alongside Puckapunyal Military Area. Firstly you may hear big things going bang in the distance. More importantly the Army probably has CC or satellite surveillance of their perimeter and may be concerned at any “stealthy” behaviour by skinny, bearded dudes dressed like hobos and carrying tube shaped bags. They might even send a team of trained killers to investigate.

Eastern Route – roads gpx

While Michellstown is no more, it is possible that Nagambie may one day be renamed Gerrytown – after Gerry Ryan. A name well known to travellers and cyclists through his Jayco brand and ownership of Australia’s world tour cycling team (aka Green Edge / Mitchelton Scott / Bike Exchange). He also owns a lot of things in Nagambie.

While Nagambie has a full range of accommodation options, for campers the best option is probably Nagambie Lakes Leisure Park (yes, owned by Gerry Ryan). As shown on the map below this Park is to the south east of Nagambie township along the Yellowbelly Track route. It is a scenic park with very good facilities. Pre-covid the Park had a bar and pizza cafe to compensate for being a few kms out of town – make you own enquiries about what is available when you want to travel.

The main Nagambie business district is located on the east side of the lake with shops, cafes and accommodation places along a wide main street as shown on the map above.

Nagambie Bakery is on northern end of the shopping strip. This bakery changed hands last year and does not have a website. See details in pic to the right.

As well as local brewing Nagambie Brewery is also an option for food – with wood fired pizza. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 noon (yes, it is also owned by Gerry Ryan).

Jacobson’s Outlook by the lake is a good picnic spot for cyclists – with cafes and toilets close by.

For information about visiting any of the towns or places of interest in Strathbogie LGA the Strathbogie LGA Visitor Information Centre is located in main street of Nagambie.

South of Nagambie there are two big wineries – Tahbilk and Michelton as shown in map below.

Tahbilk Winery is the more scenic winery, with historic buildings and its Wetlands Restaurant overlooking a billabong and ecotrail area. However it is not on the Yellowbelly Track and requires a detour. Be aware that the long driveways with deep, loose gravel leading into Tahbilk from both sides will be hard riding with a loaded bike. If you are staying at Nagambie Lakes Leisure Park it might be better to drop your packs there first before going to Tahbilk.

Michelton Winery (owned by Gerry Ryan) is on the Yellowbelly Track. This is a much more modern winery with a continually changing list of facilities – including a hotel, spa, restaurant and cafe. The cafe, called The Provedore, is probably of most interest to passing cyclists – I believe it is open 7 days, 7am to 4pm, but suggest you confirm close to your time of travel.

For more information on both Tahbilk and Michelton see these ride writeups – Nagambie Meander and Nagambie Meander wet edition.

Northwood Road Reserve

Northwood Road Reserve allows free camping but does not have any facilities. It is well known to grey nomads and seems to be a popular first stop for travellers heading north out of Melbourne. The Reserve is small, so it gets crowded at the start and end of holiday periods.

If you plan to stay at Northwood Road when it is likely to be busy you should think ahead about your toilet needs. While most of the motorised travellers will have toilets in their vans, or are able to drive into Seymour, bikepackers don’t have those options. If the camping area is busy, there may not be much privacy.

Seymour (not on Yellowbelly Track route)

Seymour is a possible fall back option if you need one in this area. It has a full range of services. However, the only road access is via the town’s link road to the nearby Hume Freeway. So there is a lot of traffic. For this reason I have left Seymour off the Yellowbelly Track route.

Access might change in the future and there is talk of a possible bike path from Seymour to Tallarook. However the path would need a bridge across the Goulburn River. That level of funding and construction is not going to happen quickly.

Tallarook

The Yellowbelly Track ends, or starts, at Tallarook. The store, cafe, pub and station are all located close to the end of the route, as shown in map below.

The General Store and Cafe has good opening hours – Monday to Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday 9am-7pm, and Sunday 9am-3pm.

However, other venues are not open every day:

• Tallarook Hotel – is closed Monday to Wednesday. It opens Thursday to Sunday at 11am, closing early on Sunday at 4pm.
• Silver Princess coffee shop – is open Friday to Sunday 8:30am-1:30pm.

There are public toilets in CWA Park opposite the train station.

For those planning to arrive or exit by train from Tallarook, here is the Tallarook Train timetable.

There is no camping accommodation in Tallarook. I think the Tallarook Hotel did offer accommodation at one point, although they stopped during Covid restrictions. Make your own inquiries if you need accommodation.

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That is all. If anyone thinks some information is incorrect, or that something else should be added, please let me know and I will update the page.

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