Day

Details

Accommodation

1

Participants make their own way to Coffs Harbour/Grafton and then transfer to the hotel in Grafton for a meet and greet and to discuss the challenge that lies ahead.

Twin share room at Nymboida Hotel (or similar)

2

An early start to this adventure that follows in the footsteps of our early pioneers sees participants leaving the security of the hotel and heading to the Gibraltar Ranges National Park. This pristine area is World Heritage listed and provides a challenging, scenic uphill course starting with a Mountain Bike ride of 55km. Upon arrival at our destination (Mann river), we camp overnight.

Gibraltar Range National Park is a World Heritage area located on a forested plateau above the gorge country of the Nymboida and Mann Rivers. The landscape is carved by deep-cut valleys and has spectacular areas of weathered granite and balancing rock.

Park Huts/tents

3

Continuing to follow in the footsteps of our pioneers; day 3 commences with a 10km hike to the old convict trails where we collect our mountain bikes and cycle 60km through many old settlements. We stop for lunch at the old convict tunnel (leaving our bikes here) before hiking another 15km to Buccurumbi where we set up camp for the night.

This old historic tunnel was built by a contractor in c1866-68, on the Old Grafton to Glen Innes Road; the road itself was constructed using convict labour during the 1800's. It is the only one of its type in Australia more...

 Campsite tents

4

Today’s challenge involves a 40km paddle on some of the most pristine rivers in Australia. The Nymboida river is considered to be ones of the best canoeing and white water rafting rivers in eastern Australia. After paddling this historic river and experiencing the challenges along the way we exit at Jackadgery. It’s a 25km Mountain bike ride from here to Copmanhurst where we stay for the night.

 Campsite tents

5

After a hearty breakfast we mountain bike ride 60km to Lawrence. Swapping our bikes for canoes/kayaks, we paddle 40km down the mighty Clarence river to Yamba where we complete our adventure and celebrate your achievements.

The Clarence river is the largest river system on the State’s North Coast. It was an important artery for timber and agricultural produce from the mid-1900s. Grafton’s position on the river made it prominent in the region.

Matthew Flinders investigated the river mouth in 1799.  Flinders mistook the inlet for a coastal bay and did not imagine there was a major river nearby. Yamba was established in the 1860s, initially to serve the traffic along the river. By the 1890s it had become a small tourist resort.

Twin share room at Yamba hotel (or similar)

6

 Hotel transfer to airport