An enjoyable day of open space riding, described below is a 34km loop around Winton Wetlands. There are various options to explore for longer or shorter rides. If coming by train via Benalla, add approximately15km for the return ride to and from.





























Bump & Grind Cycling Route Winton Wetlands Loop Start / Finish locations: Mokoan Hub & café car park 652 Lake Mokoan Rd, Chesney Vale VIC 3725 https://wintonwetlands.org.au Mode: ebike, hybrid, MTB, gravel Map: GPS -36.439730401400716, 146.06316433156667 Difficulty: Easy Distance: 34km. There is scope for various routes and extensions Elevation: 163 – 189m Topography: Flat Surfaces: Largely gravel, except the final sealed leg back to the car park along Lake Mokoan Road. Note: if the weather is or has been wet, minimise use of Nelson Road. It can be very slippery and muddy. It can be closed to vehicles. Description and Features: You can pick up an excellent cycling guide from the café. Composed of numerous ephemeral wetlands and grassy woodland, Winton Wetlands is a the largest wetland restoration project in the southern hemisphere. The site is interesting whether wet or dry. It was dry for this visit. It is home to many bird and animal species. When wet, a special attraction is that the site teems with water birds and raptors (see the last photo in the series for when wet from 2017). The interpretive displays along the various routes share insightful environmental, historic and cultural information. There are Art in the Landscape installations at a number of locations along the way. This is an outstanding place for photography. Riding conditions: The whole route is very exposed. It can be very cold and very hot. Check the weather beforehand. Options: Ride to and from the Wetlands via the Benalla – Mokoan Discovery Trail. Anticlockwise Cues: Take the dirt track east parallel with Lake Mokoan Rd to the old dam wall Left North Rd Left Flynns Rd Right SW Track (or follow Flynns all the way to Nelson Rd if wet) Left Nelson Rd Left Winton North Rd Left Boggy Bridge Rd Left Lake Mokoan Rd back to car park Amenities: Car parking Café (check opening hours Mob: 0497 939 507) Playground Seating Picnic tables Public toilets Waterways Walking tracks Wineries nearby Historic features Alternative routes Accommodation nearby Fishing (licence required) Camping (booking required) Trailhead, map & Interpretive signs Railway station at Benalla Flora and fauna habitat Cautions: Open water Soft shoulders Limbs may fall Embankments Uneven ground No potable water Remnant fencing Slippery surfaces Subject to flooding Road surfaces vary Snakes may be active Tracks may not be clear Beware of vehicle traffic Mobile reception may be unreliable Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart Be equipped for self-reliant riding Restrictions: No dogs No firearms No hunting Take rubbish with you No firewood collection Do not remove soil or rock Historic relics are protected Native flora and fauna are protected Do not remove timber from standing trees No fires in the open. There is a communal fire pit at The Nesting Ground camp site, otherwise gas cooking is recommended. Closed for camping on days of total fire ban No 4WD or motor bike access Drivers/riders must: use formed roads only, be licensed, be registered
Hi Sean, Why so many dead trees? Iola
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The wetlands were previously flooded to form Lake Mokoan. The lake was drained to restore the site, fully exposing the remnant dead trees.
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