Wagga Wagga is a major rural city in New South Wales situated midway between Melbourne and Sydney.
Distances from major airports are:
Canberra – 250kms
Sydney – 460kms
Melbourne – 430kms
Wagga is serviced by regional airlines and the main Sydney – Melbourne railway, but unfortunately both these modes of transport do not easily accommodate travel with a bicycle. The planes operated from Melbourne and Sydney are smaller turbo prop aircraft of 34 seats or less with limited luggage space. Similarly trains have limited capacity to carry a boxed bicycle and certainly not and unboxed bicycle.
The “best” way to get to Wagga is by motor vehicle. Maybe a hire car from Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne.
Audax Australia will assist all riders to get to and from Wagga whether it be by arranging local members to drive riders and their bicycles to Wagga or if there is sufficient demand, chartering a suitable coach. Please talk to the organiser early if this assistance is required.

As stated, all rides offered are on a self-supported basis.
Wagga Wagga is a relatively large regional city of approximately 70,000 people.
Riders will be responsible for organising their own accommodation in Wagga.
There are numerous motels, hotels and caravan park cabins and campsites in the town.
Control towns generally provide basic services and food, but riders need to be self reliant and prepared.

• Registration close: 7 October 2026 11.55pm
• Ride start: 10 October 5am

All riders must comply with Audax Australia Ride Rules and Australian Road Laws as they apply to cyclists.

It is mandatory in Australia to wear a helmet when cycling, have correct lighting on your bike, and ride only two abreast on roads and single file on bike paths.

It is also mandatory in the dark (common sense in low light levels) to have a flashing or steady white light on the front of the bicycle and a flashing or steady red light on the rear of the bicycle that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres. A red reflector is required on the rear of the bicycle that is visible for at least 50m when light is projected onto it by a vehicle’s headlight on low beam. Additional information on mandatory requirements can be found here.

Audax Australia strongly recommends that a spare front and rear light is carried and that reflective clothing is also worn at night and at times of low visibility.

Road

Obviously, extreme caution should be used when using the shoulder on high-speed limit roads and the freeway. Riders should be particularly alert for passing large trucks.

Some roads and the small section of the route on the freeway will have large trucks. If you see an oncoming truck, check behind you. If there is traffic coming up from your rear you may find it safer to pull well over. Make the decision quickly and decisively ensuring that you do not slip on any loose materials on the road shoulder. Be aware of the wind blast and dirt stirred up by trucks as they overtake. Trucks may not always be able to give you a wide berth so be aware of the truck’s inability to move into the opposite lane.

Wildlife & Stock

You are more likely to encounter wildlife during the hours from dusk through to dawn. i.e. the hours of low light or darkness.

Kangaroos are the most common danger. If you have not had first-hand experience with wild-ranging kangaroos then the word ‘unpredictable’ is the most pertinent. High speeds on a bicycle (downhill) in low light present the highest risk to the rider. Even multiple high-mounted lights may not be enough to prevent a collision, depending on the proximity and direction of travel of the approaching ‘roo. It is advisable to limit speeds in these situations especially in areas of forest and more particularly, well-vegetated areas adjacent to open grassy areas such as farms which also provide reliable water sources. If you see a ‘roo in close proximity do not attempt to predict its transit and realise that there will almost always be at least one more ‘roo that you can’t see at that moment. If the ‘roo is on the road don’t attempt to ride around it.

You may also encounter stock (cattle, sheep), foxes, wombats, emus, deer and pigs crossing or standing on or alongside the road. On warmer days snakes may cross or sunbake on roads or bike paths. If safe to do so, ride around the animal or wait for it to cross.

Wagga weather for October is generally fairly comfortable, transitioning from cool mornings to warm, pleasant afternoons.
Maximum and minimum temperature range from Low of 12C to High of 21C on average.