The route: Cootamundra – Jugiong – Tumut – Gundagai – Cootamundra
After 2024’s gravel ride around Junee prior to heading to Wagga Wagga for the annual epic that is the Gears and Beers Dirty 130, CyclingGravel decided that for 2025 a longer cycle was in order. And, in partnership with Mrs CyclingGravel, we decided that searching out some backroads and canola would be a great way to spend a few days. As a result, we toured a Cootamundra canola loop.
Day 1: Cootamundra – Jugiong
The first day’s cycling was deliberately short, allowing time for a morning drive to Cootamundra. After a nice lunch at Dusty Road Roasters (and two coffees) we hit the road, and the canola fields did not disappoint.
Overall, the sealed roads made for a pleasant cycle. Jugiong Road and then also Rosehill Road have limited traffic and, when there is a car looking to get by, plenty of visibility. That same visibility provides for great views. The traffic picks up again when the road returns to being called Jugiong Road but it remains a good cycle.
There are limited options for staying in Jugiong if you are flash bikepacking (you can camp at the showgrounds). Mid-week we splurged on the Sir George, which whilst not cheap was very nice. Something that is possible to enjoy without staying here is dinner – which is excellent. I’ve previously stayed at the Jugiong Motor Inn which is nothing to write home about but is fine.
Day 2: Jugiong – Tumut
Cycling from Jugiong to Tumut has to be one of the nicest backroad trips on the South West Slopes of NSW. Starting off there is the sealed (and recently raised) crossing of the Murrumbidgee, and then a brief climb out on Bundarbo Road. Soon, it is time to head down Hopewood Road and the start of the gravel.
I love Hopewood Road – I have previously taken it heading to Jugiong having travelled from Canberra via Wee Jasper. It makes for a blistering cycle on a hot day, but in spring it is great. Passing through sheep and cattle paddocks, the road meanders along broadly in parallel with the river, offering great views and shady river-side stops along the way if you want to take in the river scenes. And plenty of livestock to disturb and then avoid!
Around the Adjungbillly Road intersection the sealed road returns, and to get to Tumut you turn into Darbalara Road. For the next 10-15km there are plenty of rural views that include canola. When the route finishes up becoming Brungle Road for the final run into Tumut there is a bit of climbing but also a great view down towards the Tumut River at the end. A great way to enter town, after which it is mandatory to head to the really great Tumut River Brewing Company.
Day 3: Tumut – Gundagai – Cootamundra
Having cycled into town via Brungle Road we took the alternative route of Gocup Road to head to Gundagai. Overall this wasn’t unsafe, but what we learnt is that this seems to be the main road from Tumut to the Hume Highway if heading north – so lots of traffic including trucks. It would be much more fun to take more of a backroad option, such as that offered by Brungle Road.
After a refuel in Gundagai at the Coffee Pedaler (how could you not?), the weather closed in a little as we headed up Burra Road. Thankfully this is a quiet and nice cycle, offering great rural views.
While things cleared as we cycled on, the rain really opened up when we headed down the gravel of Bannisters Lane and Sheep Station Creek Road. These roads offered fantastic rural views, but also very sticky mud when wet: so much so that in some sections Mrs GravelCycling’s bike become close to unrideable with mud. When we got to town, a trip to the car wash was in order!
Tips, recommendations and things I’d change
To make all this work, the trip started with a drive to Cootamundra. Applying the principle that a car should be fine parked opposite the local police station, we left it there for a few days no problem.
As mentioned above, I would avoid Gocup Road on another trip – particularly when the option of travelling via Brungle Road is very similar in distance but has so much less traffic. And, if possible, I’d also avoid the gravel near Cootamundra when wet!
CyclingGravel 