BDR Ride To The Top - Victoria

BDR Ride to the Top aims to start a national conversation about depression and suicide prevention. Help us get the country talking and join us on this epic journey!

We will have ride groups from all states and territories of Australia travelling to meet up at our final destination, Cairns QLD followed by the optional Thunder Run.

Ride Registration

Registrations to ride all the way to Cairns with Black Dog Ride are strictly limited. Registrations close when all places are filled, or at 5pm AEST 31st July 2026.

Registration for the FULL Black Dog Ride's Long Ride To The Top includes:

Entry and participation in the fully organised Ride
Back up of a Support Vehicle en route to Cairns
Commemorative BDR Ride To The Top rider pack

Commemorative BDR Ride To The Top tee shirt
Black Dog Ride BDR Ride To The Top celebration dinner, Saturday 12th September
Entry and participation in the all states group ride, Thunder Run on Sunday morning, 13th September

Ride Itinerary

The detailed ride itinerary will be emailed to each registered attendee, and daily enroute updates will be sent by text, so please make sure your details are correct on your registrations.

Accommodation

Options are noted below. You are free to stay elsewhere, but where possible we have tried to keep options close to walking distance to dinner.

Daily departure time: Will be updated in the riders booklets to be emailed to you as we get close to the event.

Daily Rider Briefing: Mandatory attendance is required, to get any road or event updates.

Friday 4th Sep 2026 Dinner & Check in - Wodonga RSL Club

Accommodation: Motels & Serviced Apartments in Wodonga
Ordered by proximity to Wodonga RSL Club

1. Quest Wodonga (closest to dinner –across the road)
Address: 46 Reid Street, Wodonga VIC 3690
Phone: (02) 6043 8300
Accommodation Type: Serviced apartments
Typical Price Range: approx. $180 – $280+ per night
Notes: Across the road from the RSL. Studio to multi-bedroom apartments; higher-end than a standard motel.

2. Motel 24
Address: 13 High Street, Wodonga VIC 3690
Phone: 0429 881 401
Typical Price Range: approx. $95 – $120 per night
Notes: Very short walk to the RSL; one of the most convenient budget-friendly options.

3. Warrina Motor Inn
Address: 31 High Street, Wodonga VIC 3690
Phone: (02) 6024 2211
Typical Price Range: approx. $75 – $110 per night
Notes: Central High Street location, easy walking distance to RSL and CBD.

4. Motel Wellington Wodonga
Address: 46 High Street, Wodonga VIC 3690
Phone: (02) 6024 2400
Typical Price Range: approx. $90 – $130 per night
Notes: Also on High Street; similar walking distance to the RSL as Warrina.

5. Twin City Motor Inn
Address: 166 Melbourne Road, Wodonga VIC 3690
Phone: (02) 6024 2111
Typical Price Range: approx. $110 – $140 per night
Notes: Short drive from the RSL; popular mid-range option.

6.Wodonga Caravan and Cabin Park

186 Melbourne Road, Wodonga, Victoria, 3690

(02) 6024 2598

stay@wccp.com.au

Saturday 5th September

Wodonga to Narromine

Dinner - Courthouse Motel

Accommodation:

The Courthouse Hotel (Liza)
23-29 Burraway Street
02 6889 1015
21 Rooms shared bathrooms approximately $100

Stockman Motor Inn (Jazz)
77 Manildra Street
0437 870 945
15 rooms approximately $120/$130

Narromine Rockwall TouristPark (Ann)
69 Mitchell Highway
0437 656 594
8 Cabins @ $120
Powered Sites @ $30
Unpowered @ $20
1km from Dinner

Sunday 6th September

Narromine to St George

Dinner - The Australian Hotel

Accommodation:

The Australian Hotel (Karly)
96-98 Saint George Terrace
07 4625 5000
20 motel rooms @ $165
11 budget rooms @ $85

Jacaranda Country Motel (Ryan)
78/80 Grey Street
07 4625 1011
18 rooms approximately $160-$220

Merino Motor Inn (Jono)
78 Victoria Street
07 4625 3333
15 rooms @ $170/$180

Kamarooka Tourist Park (Sharon)
56 Victoria Street
07 4625 3120
14 cabins & powered sites
900m from Dinner

Monday 7th September

St George to Emerald

Dinner - Maraboon Tavern

Accommodation:

Emerald Maraboon MotorInn (Sammy)
5 Edmond Street
0438 042 161
40-45 Rooms @ $180
Guest laundry

Emerald Central Palms Motel (Kimberley)
19 Esmond Street
07 4982 3600
17 rooms @ $169-$189
Guest Laundry

Emerald Motel Apartments (Mitch)
3 Cypress Drive
0435 698 626
11 rooms @ $153-$173 incl Washing machine

Emerald Highlands Motel (Linda)
5 Cypress Drive
07 4982 1922
9 rooms @ $140-$185

Emerald Cabin & Caravan Village
64 Opal Street
07 4982 1300
1.5km from Dinner

Tuesday 8th September - Rest Day

Optional Lunch run to Rubyvale

Dinner - your choice!

Wednesday 9th September

Emerald to Charters Towers

Dinner -

Commercial Hotel

152 Mosman Street

07 4787 1391

Accommodation

Commercial Hotel

151 Mosman Street

07 4787 1391

8 rooms full ensuite

5 rooms shared bathroom

The Park Motel (Nicky)

1 Mosman Street

07 4787 1022

33 rooms @ $160-$183

The Cattleman’s Rest Motor Inn (Celine)

1 Bridge Street

07 4787 3555

39 rooms @ $160-$220

Charters Towers Tourist Park (Cookie)

37 Old Mount Leyshon Road

Mosman Park

07 4787 7944

1.9km from Dinner

Thursday 10th September

Charters Waters to Atherton

Dinner - TBA

Accommodation:

Atherton Hotel (Nightcap Hotels)(Kym)
90 Main Street
07 4091 7611
20 rooms @ $130-200

Atherton Hinterland Motel (Chris)
44 Cook Street
07 4091 3311
17 rooms @ $140 (special deal 4 BDR)

Atherton Tourist Park (Kathy)
152 Robert Street
07 4091 4144
1.8km from Dinner

Friday 11th September

Atherton to Cairns

Dinner - TBA, maybe Novotel

Accommodation:

we have arranged for the below special rates for our group

To access the special rates:

Book your accommodation ASAP at:

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Address 18-26 Cannon St, Manunda QLD 4870

Phone (07) 4053 8800

No special discount. Just get in early.

or

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

122 Lake Street

CAIRNS QLD 4870

https://www.novotelcairnsresort.com.au/

We have arranged a special event price for you:

Stay date from 11 – 13 September 2026

20% off the unrestricted rate at the time of booking

Cancellation terms:

Any cancellation within 7 days prior to arrival will be charged the first night of their reservation

Rates will be closed for booking 7 days prior to arrival

We encourage you to book your accommodation as soon as possible.

Please note – No rooms are being held, all bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Booking Method:

Book Now via the link below:

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

or

Enter preferential code ‘’1GROUP’ to access the discounted rate.

Credit card details are required at the time of booking.

Or

For bookings please contact the Reservations Team on 07 4031 1300 (ext#1) (Working hours - Mon – FRI 9am -5pm, or email h0534@accor.com.
Please mention the ‘’ Black Dog Ride ’’or quote confirmation #632415 at the time of booking to be given the discounted rate.

Credit card details are required at the time of booking.

or any of the below locations

Tasman Holiday park

07 341949 email coolwaters@tasmanholidayparks.com

Some riders have already started booking in.

Cairns Coconut resort

07 40546644 website BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut | Holiday & Caravan Park Cairns | Ingenia Holiday Parks

is offering up to 18% discount

Oasis INN Cairns 07 4051811 email admin@oasiscairns.com.au

Nrma Cairns 074051467 e-mail cairns@nrmaparks.com.au

Mostly camping limited number of cabins

Lake Placid Tourist Park
Site fees are $54.50 per site for 2 people. $15 for each extra adult.
10% discount for 10 sites and 15% for 10+ sites
Bookings need to be confirmed with 1 night deposit and balance paid on arrival.
This is entirely subject to availability. Currently we can easily accommodate 100 people at 4people per site.
People with trailers will have 2 people per site.

Saturday 12th September - Celebration Dinner in Cairns - all states

Where: The Magazine - Magazine Street, Stratford QLD 4870

When: Saturday 12th September 2026

Time: TBA

Sunday 13th September - Thunder Run

Where: The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum - 2 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield QLD 4878

When: Sunday 13th September 2026

Time: TBA

Ride will depart and return to The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum.

Merchandise

Our Online Shop also has our standard range of merchandise for sale all year round. Currently we have limited sizing until all the 1 day ride stock is returned. If your size is not currently available, please check back later. You can access our shop HERE.

Fundraising

Start your fundraising efforts HERE. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Ride Preparation

It is imperative that riders ensure their bike is registered, roadworthy, and in proper working order, ready for the significant distance ride ahead. It is also imperative that riders and pillion passengers are fit and well enough for the journey. Black Dog Ride does not take responsibility for these matters.

Share the Ride

Each state has a Facebook Group to help you connect with fellow riders. Once you have registered for this ride you can go to your state's Facebook Group and apply for membership. Here's the link to the state group.

VIC Black Dog Riders

Ride Coordinator

Your coordinator for this ride is Bernie Garvey. You can reach Bernie via email on vic@blackdogride.org.au if you have any specific questions about the ride.

The safety and wellbeing of all Black Dog Ride participants is our priority: While participating in Black Dog ride events, at any time where you are, or are likely to be, in control of a vehicle, the use of illegal/unprescribed drugs is prohibited, and the consumption of alcohol is discouraged. At all times, the use of illegal substances is prohibited. At the conclusion of the event or days documented riding, and/or if an event includes multiple days, including evening social events and meals, we expect your decision to consume alcohol to be in moderation and within legal limitations. Non-compliance of this requirement will result in your immediate disqualification from further participation in the event, and no refunds will be given.

Contact the host of BDR Ride to the Top - Victoria