The Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail is the Ideal Family Cycling Adventure

The Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail is a 91km cycling route through the Goldfields of Central Victoria. Divided into four sections between 18km and 25km, it provided the perfect setting for Explorer Catherine and her family to explore this historical region on their first multi-day cycling trip.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Dja Dja Wurrung people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

Two hours north of Melbourne and easily accessible via VLine train, the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail is a one-way cycling route encompassing five Victorian towns steeped in history – Maryborough, Talbot, Clunes, Creswick, and Ballarat.

The 91km journey can be split into four parts with accommodation available in each town, affording cyclists the opportunity to delve into the past while enjoying the food, drink, and atmosphere of each location.

Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail Facts

Distance: 91km
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Elevation gain: 376m
Nearest towns: Maryborough, Talbot, Clunes, Creswick, and Ballarat
Map: Ballarat – Maryborough Heritage Cycling Trail Full Map

About the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

Known for its gold rush past, Central Victoria is characterised by towns filled with grand buildings, wide streets, and welcoming pubs. Bookended by Maryborough and Ballarat, cyclists could add a couple of days at either end of the trail to explore these larger towns.

Talbot, Clunes, and Creswick all feature locally renowned weekend farmers’ markets.

The crew in Clunes

While experienced cyclists could complete the 91km trail over a day or two, it’s worth staying in each town at least one night to fully appreciate their history and natural environment.

Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail History

The region encompassing the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail has a history dating back thousands of years. Traversing the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, there’s evidence of the Indigenous way of life at several points easily accessed from the bike route. The Bull Gully Aboriginal Rock Wells and the Aboriginal Maternity Tree are two such examples.

Gold was discovered in Central Victoria in the late 1840s, resulting in rapid population growth and significant architectural change. Of particular note are the spectacular Maryborough Railway Station, the American Creswick Hotel, and the heritage streetscape of Lydiard Street in Ballarat.

The stately Maryborough Station

How to Get to the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

The point-to-point trail can be ridden in either direction.

By Car

The trail is easily accessible via road from Melbourne, with direct routes to both Ballarat (1.5-2 hours) and Maryborough (2-2.5 hours). Ballarat is connected to other regional centres including Geelong and Bendigo.

By Train 

VLine trains service all towns along the trail from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, with parking available at each location. Ballarat has multiple train services per day, while Maryborough’s timetable is more limited. Bikes can be taken on VLine trains without additional charge.

Us on the VLine!

By Bus

VLine coaches travel through all towns along the trail, however bikes cannot be taken onboard.

Where to Stay Along the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

From tiny Talbot (population 452) to bustling Ballarat (population 116,201), options for accommodation vary in each location and cover all styles of travel: camping, budget, mid-range, and luxury travellers are catered for.

As a family of four with bikes in tow, it was helpful to book ahead at a resting spot close to the trail each night, and we stayed at:

• The Court House Hotel in Talbot (they have family rooms with a basic breakfast included)
• Gold on Main in Clunes – this isn’t currently being rented. Cyclists could check out Grenfell Cottage instead, which is within walking distance of the town centre
• The Creswick Motel, which offers a central base to explore this larger town

Our digs before the ride

Where to Eat on the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

With no shops or eateries on the trail, making sure we had food planned in each town became a priority and we booked all dinners beforehand. Pubs offered the best options – hearty food at affordable prices and an opportunity to chat with locals. Except for Talbot, each town had a supermarket to grab snacks before riding. The following places kept us well-fuelled across the four days:

• The Station Cafe, where we enjoyed lunch before beginning the trail
• The Court House Hotel in Talbot
• Epic sausage rolls were a highlight at Twankey’s Cafe in Clunes
• The National Hotel Clunes
• Smokeytown Cafe in Creswick, where a wide menu with Indian influences hit all the right notes after cycling

Things to Do on the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

• Towns along the trail offer riders a chance to step back in time. Strolling through the streets to admire the architecture is an enjoyable wind down after riding
• Vintage shops and secondhand bookstores are a highlight, although opening hours are variable
• Clunes is particularly well-preserved and has been featured in movies including Mad Max and Ned Kelly

Historical building in Talbot

Skill Level

Intermediate

Essential Gear for the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

• Mountain/hybrid bike
• Helmet
• Water bottles (there’s no refills available between towns)
• Snacks
• Paper map
• Compass
• First aid kit
• Bike repair kit
• Warm, waterproof jacket
• Sunscreen

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Being properly prepared will leave you smiling!

What It’s Like to Ride the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

The trail immerses riders in the outdoors, with scenery switching often enough between bush and pastoral land to keep everyone entertained. On our trip, we saw no other cyclists or walkers on the trail and it offered a quiet, meditative experience. Bird sounds punctuated each ride and the occasional kangaroo and wallaby delighted our children.

Day 1 – Maryborough to Talbot

Distance: 18km
Time: 2-3 hours

With our car parked in Ballarat, we travelled by train to Maryborough and fuelled up in the station cafe before hitting the trail.

Disappointingly, we had a false start and circled back twice before spying a small trail marker on Nelson Street. From there, it was easy to keep track of the route.

Finally found it

The first section was through tall trees in a Box-Ironbark forest, offering shade and a cacophony of bird sounds. The land was pock-marked with holes from diggers seeking gold in the 1800s and the Battery Dam site gave more of an insight into the history of that time.

The forest gave way to farmland as we approached Talbot, and it was an easy end to the section as we cruised to our family room at the Court House Hotel. A classic pub meal, cold beer, and chats with friendly locals rounded out the day.

Day 2 – Talbot to Clunes

Distance: 25km
Time: 3-4 hours

We hit the road early and enjoyed the smell of the bush as we pedalled along dirt and gravel tracks.

Another marker on this stretch

Riding was generally easy however some deceptively long inclines challenged our legs and several sections were very corrugated.

Descending into Clunes, we cruised past stunning heritage buildings and later explored the town on foot. A delicious meal in the pub beer garden capped off a perfect day of outdoor adventure.

Day 3 – Clunes to Creswick

Distance: 24km
Time: 3-4 hours

The majority of the day’s riding was on sealed roads, and we encountered most traffic along this section. Shade was limited through the rolling green fields.

A memorial to a squatter was interesting – our kids loved climbing over the paddock fence stile – and it was delightful to ride alongside sheep and horses. Plenty of spots along the trail enticed us to stop, sit, and admire the scenery.

Once in Creswick, we dropped our bikes and bags and had a late lunch at Smokeytown Cafe. Despite the number of kilometres covered by bike, we found the legs to walk around the picturesque St Georges Lake at sunset. Dinner was at the Farmers Arms Hotel, our pick of pubs along the trail.

Climbing stiles in style

Day 4 – Creswick to Ballarat

Distance: 24km
Time: 3-4 hours

The final section was the steepest and most challenging. Following gravel paths through tall eucalypt trees, it was shaded and downward sections were welcome respite from the thigh-burning uphills.

Descending into Ballarat

The last few kilometres followed the Yarrowee River Trail through the Ballarat outskirts, and finally into the centre. It was jarring to be back amongst traffic and built-up suburbs after days of nature and solitude, but a fitting end to be in the significant gold rush city after learning about the region’s history along the journey.

Tips for Riding the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

• Weather can be extreme. Plan your trip for autumn or spring, when days are temperate and the track is likely to be dry
• Weather is unpredictable, so pack for all eventualities. Consider everything from warm, waterproof jackets to sunscreen
• There are no toilets on the trail, so be prepared for a bush wee or to hold on until your destination!
• Mobile phone reception is patchy, even in towns, so have a paper map and compass on hand
• There’s very limited access to assistance on the trail so it’s best to know how to carry out basic bike repairs
• Check the trail is open before commencing the ride – storm damage occasionally impacts the region
• The trail is located in a high bushfire risk area, and cyclists should avoid travelling on extreme fire risk days
• Accommodation options are limited in Talbot and Clunes, so book ahead. It’s worth planning ahead in larger towns too, ensuring you’re close to the trail and services

FAQs for Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail

Is there bike hire along the trail?

There are no dedicated bike hire stations on the Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail at this present time. But you could try hiring a bike Ballarat, as it’s more densely populated than Maryborough, and starting the trail from that end.

Are there bike repair stations along the trail?

Unfortunately, there are no bike repair stations – it’s imperative that you pack a bike repair kit with you!

When is the best time to cycle this trail?

Cycling outside of bushfire season would be the safest and would make for the most comfortable. Riding this trail in the dry, hot conditions of summer, and increasingly spring, should always be approached with caution. Check weather reports before heading out!

Read more: How To Explore Safely In Bushfire Season