We usually do this ride in Spring but let's do it in Autumn. The colours will be glorious so jump onboard for a special experience.
Destination
Warburton is a charming town nestled between mountains in the upper Yarra River valley 75 Kms East of Melbourne. In days gone by grand guest houses provided a retreat in fresh mountain air as an escape from the grimy city. The town still retains its health resort reputation. Pretty houses with wood smoke drifting from their chimneys set in lovely English gardens make Warby a very picturesque town.
Ride Description
This is an ideal ride for new members who are curious about what it feels like to take a Vespa out of the city (the answer is GREAT!). The route avoids highways making it perfect for beginners or slower scooters. It will be a lazy meandering ride on some delightful little-used back roads that wind through picturesque rural scenery. Mountains form a constant backdrop to rolling pastoral landscapes, farmhouses, vineyards, orchards, creeks and rivers. At times our road provides an intimate experience where the forest canopy cocoons us, at others it presents an open vista as grand as a Wagner Opera. These are great roads for two wheels and for those who enjoy curves and the unfolding narrative of a winding road.
Coffee and Lunch Breaks
We'll have a 30 minute bottom rub and coffee break in Warburton before heading up to the summit of Mt Donna Buang (1250 metres) which looms behind the township - the closest snowfield to Melbourne. On the way up we'll stop by the Rainforest Gallery and Skywalk Gallery which juts out amongst the tree tops 17 metres above the lush forest floor. There is a beautiful 15-20 minute walk among the fern trees. On the summit of Donna Buang a spectacular view can be had from a very tall (21 metre) vertigo-inducing observation tower. On a clear day you can see the skyline of Melbourne to the West across the Yarra Valley. Lunch will be back at Warburton but we will all fuel up beforehand at the only service station in the town. Behind the row of old timber shops in the main street there is a delightful picnic spot along the banks of the Yarra where we'll find rocks, dogs, ducks and kids splashing in the waters of the Yarra. There's an the old wooden suspension bridge close by and paths for a river walk.
Route
The route to Warburton is via Park Orchards, Wonga Park, Coldstream and Woori Yallock. Yes, naughtiness will overcome me and we'll ride that little pedestrian bridge once again. We'll return via Yellingbo, Wandin East and Mount Evelyn. The round trip totals about 209kms.
Departure Point
Britannia Mall, 485 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham. Pull into the left (north side) service road at the start of Mitcham shopping centre before Mitcham Road. The ride departs at 9am sharp so if you need breakfast and coffee, please arrive at 8am. Important: please arrive with a full tank.
Comments
Unfortunately I can't join you this year for the rid.
Have a great day and a fantastic ride through the Dandenongs.
Do we need to bring our lunch?