This is long, hard ride by most standards. Take a good map with you and don't rely on the mud map we have provided here, and take all the refreshments you will need for the whole day - there are no supplies at all along the way. And don't travel on this ride alone - it is in an isolated area.
Start this ride from Narooma, and follow the route described for Ride 2 through Dalmeny. But instead of turning off to Mummuga Lake, go straight on to the Princes Highway. At the highway, turn right and ride for about two kilometres to Mitchells Ridge Road on your left, just past the sawmill.
Mitchells Ridge Road
Turn along Mitchells Ridge Road to the end, a distance of about nine kilometres. That will take you to Cobra Road - probably it was a diamond python the person saw.
Over the next couple of kilometres, two roads come in - C-Ridge and Cheese Factory roads. Keep going until you come to Morts Folly Road. Turn down that. It goes for about seven kilometres, with the first half being up hill.
Morts Folly Road
Then you can start a fast downhill run for three and a half kilometres to the next junction, which is F-Ridge. But keep going straight ahead - you will still be on Morts Folly Road. Your fast downhill run extends for a further two and a half kilometres.
Reedy Creek
At the bottom of that hill, there is a bridge (Reg Murphy Bridge) just past Reedy Creek Road, and just before the bridge is J-C Road. That little corner makes an ideal spot for refreshments, as the creek flows nearly all year round. But don't drink the water - remember the cattle upstream.
The easy riding will be behind you, because the next couple of hours or so (or about 26 kilometres) will be spent climbing.
From the bridge, follow the road up to a three-way junction. Take the right road (Dignams Creek Road) for a little over half a kilometre.
Tinpot Road
At the next junction, Dignams Creek Road goes off to the left. Go straight on (and up) - that is Tinpot Road. After five kilometres, Tuross River Road comes in on the right. You will pick up this road much later on, about half way along its length.
But keep going - it's still uphill. The next road will be Old Red Creek Road. You will also pick up this one a bit later on. But keep going straight ahead.
Red Creek Picnic Area
Ignore Orange Ridge Road. After a further five and a half kilometres, Red Creek Road comes in. Ride along Red Creek Road for seven kilometres to the Red Creek Picnic Area. This is a pleasant spot constructed by Forests NSW, and makes an ideal stop for lunch. There is usually water at the picnic area, but don't rely on it. You are now about half way through the ride.
Feeling refreshed after lunch, keep going along Red Creek Road for nearly four kilometres (mostly a gentle descent) to Old Red Creek Road, ignoring the small tracks coming in on your left.
Turn left at Old Red Creek Road (the gentle descent continues) and follow that for nine kilometres to Tuross River Road.
Tuross River Road
Now turn left into Tuross River Road, and enjoy a good downhill run for the next six kilometres.
That will take you on to the road to Nerrigundah (River Road). Turn right. After one and a half kilometres, Reedy Creek will be on your right. Keep going straight ahead for just over two kilometres to Cobra Road.
Back to Narooma
Now you will be back on familiar roads - Cobra and Mitchells Ridge roads, and then the Princes Highway for two kilometres to the Dalmeny turnoff. From there, you should have no trouble retracing your route back to the starting point.
Download the map for Ride 5.
Start this ride from Narooma, and follow the route described for Ride 2 through Dalmeny. But instead of turning off to Mummuga Lake, go straight on to the Princes Highway. At the highway, turn right and ride for about two kilometres to Mitchells Ridge Road on your left, just past the sawmill.
Mitchells Ridge Road
Turn along Mitchells Ridge Road to the end, a distance of about nine kilometres. That will take you to Cobra Road - probably it was a diamond python the person saw.
Over the next couple of kilometres, two roads come in - C-Ridge and Cheese Factory roads. Keep going until you come to Morts Folly Road. Turn down that. It goes for about seven kilometres, with the first half being up hill.
Morts Folly Road
Then you can start a fast downhill run for three and a half kilometres to the next junction, which is F-Ridge. But keep going straight ahead - you will still be on Morts Folly Road. Your fast downhill run extends for a further two and a half kilometres.
Reedy Creek
At the bottom of that hill, there is a bridge (Reg Murphy Bridge) just past Reedy Creek Road, and just before the bridge is J-C Road. That little corner makes an ideal spot for refreshments, as the creek flows nearly all year round. But don't drink the water - remember the cattle upstream.
The easy riding will be behind you, because the next couple of hours or so (or about 26 kilometres) will be spent climbing.
From the bridge, follow the road up to a three-way junction. Take the right road (Dignams Creek Road) for a little over half a kilometre.
Tinpot Road
At the next junction, Dignams Creek Road goes off to the left. Go straight on (and up) - that is Tinpot Road. After five kilometres, Tuross River Road comes in on the right. You will pick up this road much later on, about half way along its length.
But keep going - it's still uphill. The next road will be Old Red Creek Road. You will also pick up this one a bit later on. But keep going straight ahead.
Red Creek Picnic Area
Ignore Orange Ridge Road. After a further five and a half kilometres, Red Creek Road comes in. Ride along Red Creek Road for seven kilometres to the Red Creek Picnic Area. This is a pleasant spot constructed by Forests NSW, and makes an ideal stop for lunch. There is usually water at the picnic area, but don't rely on it. You are now about half way through the ride.
Feeling refreshed after lunch, keep going along Red Creek Road for nearly four kilometres (mostly a gentle descent) to Old Red Creek Road, ignoring the small tracks coming in on your left.
Turn left at Old Red Creek Road (the gentle descent continues) and follow that for nine kilometres to Tuross River Road.
Tuross River Road
Now turn left into Tuross River Road, and enjoy a good downhill run for the next six kilometres.
That will take you on to the road to Nerrigundah (River Road). Turn right. After one and a half kilometres, Reedy Creek will be on your right. Keep going straight ahead for just over two kilometres to Cobra Road.
Back to Narooma
Now you will be back on familiar roads - Cobra and Mitchells Ridge roads, and then the Princes Highway for two kilometres to the Dalmeny turnoff. From there, you should have no trouble retracing your route back to the starting point.
Download the map for Ride 5.
Enjoy the vistas of the distant mountains from Morts Folly Road.
Rural views from near the Tuross River Road.
The rural views are a delight along this ride.
The Tuross River provides a refreshing relief during this ride.
18 great bike rides in the Narooma area of the NSW South Coast
Ride 5
Narooma to Red Creek Picnic Area
Distance 105 kms, very challenging, some steep sections, many long hills
Note: Take all water and refreshments
This is an isolated area - never cycle there alone
Narooma to Red Creek Picnic Area
Distance 105 kms, very challenging, some steep sections, many long hills
Note: Take all water and refreshments
This is an isolated area - never cycle there alone
