Sydney-Melbourne 1200 (SM1200)
Audax Australia is proud to host the fourth edition of The Sydney-Melbourne 1200 on Sunday the 6th of April 2025.
The route is a one-way ride between Australia’s two most populous cities, Sydney and Melbourne, via the nation’s capital, Canberra. Expect to see many famous landmarks. Between the larger cities are many rural towns, picturesque scenery, Australian wildlife, spectacular viewpoints, and fast, flowing descents. Along the way, the event is well supported by enthusiastic volunteers who are on your side to help you complete the challenge.
In this edition of the SM1200, there will be a limit of 60 riders with a single start wave. Riders start in the heart of Sydney with views of both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and finish at Brunswick Velodrome in Melbourne.
Entries close on the 28th of February 2025.
The organising committee and volunteer team are enthusiastic and experienced riders. The event will be supported with food and sleep accommodation at three overnight controls, catering to dietary requirements, food and refreshments support at the smaller town controls, drop bags and luggage transfer, SAG pick up, and the friendly Aussie personality, humour and encouragement to lift riders to the finish.
We are looking for volunteers to help run the event. Depending on the help provided, volunteers can receive free food and accommodation during the event.
For further information or to volunteer for the event, email sm1200@audax.org.au
Overnight Controls
We have booked 3 overnight controls, all of which include your accommodation, breakfast and dinner, as well as drop bag access.
- Sunday 6th of April 2025 will be at Canberra Park www.canberrapark.com.au
- Monday 7th of April 2025 will be at Laurel Hill Forest Lodge www.laurelhillforestlodge.com.au
- Tuesday 8th of April 2025 will be at Camp Nillahcootie www.auscamp.com.au
It is highly advisable to sleep in the accommodation provided, options are very limited for most of days 2 and 3.
We will clarify any dietary requests after all entries have been processed.
Before the Ride
There are several things you’ll need to do before the ride:
- Make any pre or post-ride bookings as early as possible.
- Complete a qualifying ride.
- Decide if/where you need pre or post-ride accommodation.
- Work out how you will get to the start.
- Register (full payment is required).
Qualifying
Riders must qualify by completing one of the following:
- A 600km or greater distance (including PBP) in 2023/2024.
- A 300km or greater distance in 2025 before the entry close date of 28th February 2025.
- Other qualifying rides may be accepted at the discretion of the Event Organiser.
Safety: Lighting, Helmets & Reflective Gear
Riders must obey the Audax Australia Ride Rules and the Australian Road Rules as it applies to bicycles. Riders observed breaching these rules may be disqualified by the ride organiser.
In Australia, all cyclists are required by law to wear a helmet.
Between sunset and sunrise, they are required to have front (white) and rear (red) lights and a red reflector. Lights must also comply with Australia Road Rules, visible from a minimum of 200 metres.
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.
Weather
Australia will be in Autumn in April, the weather is typically fine and warm. Daytime maximums are usually in around the low 20s, however, the ride commences on the coast and does travel into inland mountain areas, where the temperature can vary greatly due to elevation. The nighttime temperatures can be cold will minimums typically 7°C, however, it can be colder as shown in the table below, so please be prepared.
| Historial April Data | Sydney | Canberra | Laurel Hill | Nillahcootie (data from Mansfield) | Melbourne |
| Record high | 35.4°C / 95.7°F | 37.6°C / 99.7°F | 32.5°C / 90.5°F | 34.1°C / 93.4°F | 34.5°C / 94.1°F |
| Average high | 23.6°C / 74.5°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F | 15.3°C / 59.5°F | 21.1°C / 70.0°F | 20.6°C / 69.1°F |
| Average low | 15.3°C / 59.5°F | 6.6°C / 43.9°F | 4.5°C / 40.1°F | 4.6°C / 40.3°F | 10.1°C / 50.2°F |
| Record low | 7.0°C / 44.6°F | -3.7°C / 25.3°F | -4.1°C / 24.6°F | 0°C / 32.0°F | 4.4°C / 39.9°F |
| Average precipitation | 114.1 mm / 4.49 in | 27.3 mm / 1.07 in | 102 mm / 4.02 in | 50.8 mm / 2.00 in | 42.1 mm / 1.66 in |
| Ave precipitation days | 7.9 | 5.4 | 6.6 | 7.7 | 9.9 |
| Source: Wikipedia, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Elders Weather |
Entry Requirements:
Riders must qualify by completing one of the following:
- A 600km or greater distance (including PBP) in 2023/2024.
- A 300km or greater distance in 2025 before the entry close date of 28th February 2025.
- Other qualifying rides may be accepted at the discretion of the Event Organiser.
Close Date for Entries:
Entries close 23:59 (AEDT Sydney/Melbourne time) on Friday the 28th of February 2025.
Cancellations and refunds:
If a rider wishes to cancel their participation in the event, the rider must notify Audax Australia via email to sm1200@audax.org.au.
Written cancellations received before Friday 28th February 2025 will be refunded 50% of their entry fee.
After the closing date, no refunds will be offered for cancellations unless the entry can be transferred to another suitably qualified rider. In this case, the refund will be 50% of the entry fee after an administrative fee of $100 has been deducted e.g. ($800-$100) / 2 =$350.00 refund.
Arriving in Sydney
If you are flying in from overseas or interstate, the closest major airport is Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. The easiest way to get to the city is by train, running every 15 minutes. From there are different modes of travel by public transport to your accommodation. Taxi and ride-share options are also available and recommended if travelling in a larger group or to places not easily accessible by public transport.
Drop Bags and Luggage
We will transport one drop bag that you will have access to at each of the three overnight controls. The drop bag should be limited to 10kg.
A service to transport luggage and bike boxes from Sydney to Melbourne will be provided as part of the entry fee. Access to these larger luggage items will not be possible until Melbourne. Details of pick-up and drop-off points will be provided once we know where all riders are staying the day before and the day after the ride.
The truck will be returning from Melbourne to Sydney therefore transport of luggage and bikes back to Sydney can be provided via prior arrangement.
Further communications to registered riders will be provided concerning luggage and drop bag pick-up arrangements.
Start / Finish
Sydney – Hickson Road Reserve – The Rocks
Riders start in the heart of Sydney with breathtaking views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Melbourne – Brunswick Velodrome – (to be confirmed)
Riders will finish at Brunswick Velodrome where a crowd of volunteers and supporters will be cheering your well-deserved efforts.
Accommodation
If you would like to stay with a local cyclist, email sm1200@audax.org.au and we’ll do our best.
Sydney and Melbourne offer a huge range of accommodation to choose from over the internet, whatever your budget.
The Ride
Day 1 – Sunday 6th of April 2025
Riders start at 6 AM in the heart of Sydney. From gorgeous views of the city and Darling Harbour, the ride takes you from the concrete metropolis, through suburbia, to the rural edge of Sydney.
Once out of Sydney, you will travel along country roads and towns to the first overnight control in Canberra, Australia’s capital city.
Supported accommodation will be at Canberra Park www.canberrapark.com.au
Day 2 – Monday 7th of April 2025
After a well-deserved rest in Canberra, the route will continue along rolling country roads before some climbing into the mountains and forest areas of Tumut and Laurel Hill.
Supported accommodation will be at Laurel Hill Forest Lodge www.laurelhillforestlodge.com.au
Day 3 – Tuesday 8th of April 2025
This is a longer day at 348km however you are starting at around 960m elevation with some climbing around Beechworth, but otherwise net downhill to the next overnight control at Nillahcootie.
Supported accommodation will be at Camp Nillahcootie www.auscamp.com.au
Day 4 – Wednesday 9th of April 2025
The final day is a relatively short 183km home run. You will see the last of the countryside and the scenery urbanising as you approach the city of Melbourne.