Event description

'Tour de Tambo - Family Cycling' is a self-guided bike ride from Swifts Creek to Ensay. An optional shuttle bus will be available en route and to transport people from Ensay back to Swifts Creek if desired.

The ride starts at the Swifts Creek Caravan and Tourist Park, 11 McLarty Rd. Swifts Creek at 10.30am sharp and follows the Swifts Creek East Road beside the scenic Tambo River. The road is sealed, and winds through riverside eucalypts and lush farmland to Doctors Flat, at which point you may return to Swifts Creek if you desire. If continuing to Ensay, carefully cross the Great Alpine Road at Doctor’s Flat and keep riding south along the picturesque Ensay-Doctors Flat Road to the Ensay Recreation Reserve, Ensay where you can buy lunch and toilets will be available. You may choose to finish this self-guided ride in Ensay and take the shuttle bus back to Swifts Creek, or you can return by riding the same route back to Swifts Creek.

IMPORTANT
The route will only be available for this event between 10.30am - 3.30pm.

All riders under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult cyclist at all times while riding.

The Location - This ride is on the Brabralung lands of the Gunaikurnai nation. The route follows the Tambo River which, at a length of 186 klms, is one of the longest rivers in the East Gippsland drainage basin. You’ll hear it gurgling and rippling as it makes its way over rocks and through the riverside foliage. The landscape is open rolling hills surrounded by a horizon of spectacular high country scenery in the distance.

Swifts Creek sits on the banks of the Tambo River. Ensay is at the junction of the Tambo and Little Rivers. The town is well known for producing prime beef cattle and wine. Two historic hotels are located at either end of the town. The Little River Inn started as a shack in the 1840s and is believed to be the oldest hotel in East Gippsland where you can enjoy a cold beer, good pub meal and budget accommodation. At the other end of town is what was once the Ensay South Hotel built in 1892. It is now provides bnb accomodation. The bar closed for good in the early 1960s.

The Route
1. Cycle south along the Swifts Creek East Rd for 7 klms towards Ensay, until you get to Doctors Flat (cycling slowly for about 30 minutes).
2. At Doctors Flat cross the bridge with care and take the Ensay-Doctors Flat Rd continuing south for another 15 klms (cycling slowly for about 1 hour). The “Tour de Tambo” route winds its way to Ensay along a sealed, quiet road and provides spectacular scenic views on the way, while riding beside the river.
3. After lunch at the Ensay Rec Reserve, turn around and retrace the same route back to Swifts Creek, or take the shuttle bus back.

4. Event partner Snowy River Cycling (SRC) - will provide a ‘support wagon’ to collect riders who don’t wish to continue riding, from Doctors Flat and Ensay and return them to Swifts Creek.

5. Please note, refunds are not available for this event.

6. Bike Hire - is available from Snowy River Cycling for the event: $40 for a standard bike; $80 for an e-bike. Please email info@snowyrivercycling.com.au

7. Accomodation - 'The Old Ensay South Hotel' bed and breakfast takes group & individual bookings. Find them on Facebook or google the booking link at https://book-directonline.com/...

Map route of Tour de Tambo: