When all the long, hard hills are behind you, you can appreciate the rural ambience near Cobargo.
The roads near Cobargo are quiet and peaceful.
Cobargo is the half way mark on this ride. Enjoy the country hospitality while you are here.
The colours of Cobargo.
After leaving Cobargo, the next 60 kilometres through Tilba and Narooma are through the countryside again.
More of the same? No! It just gets better!
You asked for a long, hard ride. Okay then, try this one. Take a good map with you - don't rely on the mud map we have provided. And take plenty of refreshments. It will be at least four or five hours of hard riding before the first shop at Cobargo. And make sure you set out early in the day, because you will need all the daylight you can get just to complete the distance. And make sure the tyres on your bike will take rough roads. And don't travel on this ride alone. Most of it is in isolated areas. And make sure you are fit, with sufficient stamina to last the distance.
Apart from those conditions …
Starting from Narooma
This ride starts from Narooma. Head south to the outskirts of the town. There's a junction on the right - the Old Highway. Take that road for nearly two and a half kilometres to the next junction. The road straight ahead will take you to Tilba. Ignore that. Turn right - this is the Scenic Drive. There is also a sign to Mount Dromedary. Follow the road for nearly five kilometres to the old wooden Punkally Bridge.
Wild Horse Creek Road
Turn left at the bridge and ride south for one kilometre to Wild Horse Creek Road. You should be able to see the road going up the hill, but the turnoff may not be so obvious. It is, however, signposted.
Wild Horse Creek Road goes for nearly 14 kilometres. The first half is uphill. The good news is that the other half is downhill. You will pass several minor roads - Rats Head Road, James Creek Road, Manpower Road, Mountain Road.
The next junction is Reedy Creek and Tinpot Road. Take the Tinpot Road for just over half a kilometre - it's downhill for this short stretch.
The climb begins
Dignams Creek Road is to the left. Ignore that and start to go up the hill along Tinpot Road. You will begin a six-kilometre climb to Tuross River Road. Tuross River Road is there to give you hope, and to indicate that you are still on the right road. The road is scenic, travelling through State forests along most of the way.
Go straight ahead, and climb for about another nine kilometres. The roads you will pass along the way will be Old Red Creek Road on your right, Orange Ridge Road on your left, and Red Creek Road on your right.
Your reward for all that climbing is that you can enjoy several kilometres of steep descent. This part of the road can be very rough, and care should be taken negotiating the ruts and rocks in the road if the road is in poor condition, which it often is.
A refreshing spot beside the creek
At the bottom of the steep descent is Wandella Road on the right. Take this to a delightful spot beside the Wandella Creek nearby. There's a sandy area there under the tall casuarinas, a spot that's ideal for refreshments. Don't drink the water, as cattle often do what they are good at doing in a creek.
That's enough rest. You're not even half way through this ride. But you can take comfort in knowing that most of the hard climbing is now behind you. Look forward to easier cycling for the next four hours. You should be back in civilisation in about one hour.
The next nine kilometres are through undulating rural areas - the forests and national parks are behind you for now.
The next road you come to will be the Yowrie Road, which is sealed. Turn left, and after seven kilometres with only modest hills, you will be in Cobargo.
Cobargo
Cobargo is a small, picturesque town. There are several cafes, a small bakery, a supermarket, and lots of craft shops and galleries.
You are now at the halfway point along your ride - which means you still have over 60 kilometres to ride back to Narooma. The next places you can buy refreshments will be at Bermagui (one hour), and Central Tilba (two hours away).
To Bermagui
The road to Bermagui is between the old bank building on the corner (now a clothing shop) and the park opposite. Although there is some climbing along that 17-kilometre stretch, the hills are rather tame compared with those you encountered earlier on your ride. And the road is sealed for the next 32 kilometres to Tilba.
The next junction (just under one hour from Cobargo) is Wallaga Lake Road, the Tilba - Bermagui road. Turn right if you need to replenish your supply of refreshments at Bermagui (four kilometres), or turn left if you are keen to return to Narooma.
Wallaga Lake Road ends at the Princes Highway. Turn right for about 800 metres. There is a wide shoulder along that part of the main highway except for one very short stretch near the guardrail. During peak holiday times, the highway can be very busy.
To Tilba
Turn left at the well-signposted junction and go first to the small village of Tilba Tilba, and then to Central Tilba. If you have time, and the enthusiasm after the riding, have a look around Central Tilba.
Ride through Central Tilba and go on for about five kilometres. From here, there are two ways to return to Narooma.
Returning to Narooma
The first is to go straight ahead at the first junction along the Ridge Road for nearly five kilometres until you join up with the Old Highway. Turn left and you will be on the Old Highway, soon passing the turnoff to the Scenic Drive.
The alternative route back to Narooma is to turn left at Punkalla Road (it is signposted) five kilometres from Central Tilba. After nearly eight kilometres from the turnoff, you will come to the Scenic Drive again, at the bridge you crossed earlier in the day. Turn right and soon you will be in Narooma.
Download the map for Ride 6.
Apart from those conditions …
Starting from Narooma
This ride starts from Narooma. Head south to the outskirts of the town. There's a junction on the right - the Old Highway. Take that road for nearly two and a half kilometres to the next junction. The road straight ahead will take you to Tilba. Ignore that. Turn right - this is the Scenic Drive. There is also a sign to Mount Dromedary. Follow the road for nearly five kilometres to the old wooden Punkally Bridge.
Wild Horse Creek Road
Turn left at the bridge and ride south for one kilometre to Wild Horse Creek Road. You should be able to see the road going up the hill, but the turnoff may not be so obvious. It is, however, signposted.
Wild Horse Creek Road goes for nearly 14 kilometres. The first half is uphill. The good news is that the other half is downhill. You will pass several minor roads - Rats Head Road, James Creek Road, Manpower Road, Mountain Road.
The next junction is Reedy Creek and Tinpot Road. Take the Tinpot Road for just over half a kilometre - it's downhill for this short stretch.
The climb begins
Dignams Creek Road is to the left. Ignore that and start to go up the hill along Tinpot Road. You will begin a six-kilometre climb to Tuross River Road. Tuross River Road is there to give you hope, and to indicate that you are still on the right road. The road is scenic, travelling through State forests along most of the way.
Go straight ahead, and climb for about another nine kilometres. The roads you will pass along the way will be Old Red Creek Road on your right, Orange Ridge Road on your left, and Red Creek Road on your right.
Your reward for all that climbing is that you can enjoy several kilometres of steep descent. This part of the road can be very rough, and care should be taken negotiating the ruts and rocks in the road if the road is in poor condition, which it often is.
A refreshing spot beside the creek
At the bottom of the steep descent is Wandella Road on the right. Take this to a delightful spot beside the Wandella Creek nearby. There's a sandy area there under the tall casuarinas, a spot that's ideal for refreshments. Don't drink the water, as cattle often do what they are good at doing in a creek.
That's enough rest. You're not even half way through this ride. But you can take comfort in knowing that most of the hard climbing is now behind you. Look forward to easier cycling for the next four hours. You should be back in civilisation in about one hour.
The next nine kilometres are through undulating rural areas - the forests and national parks are behind you for now.
The next road you come to will be the Yowrie Road, which is sealed. Turn left, and after seven kilometres with only modest hills, you will be in Cobargo.
Cobargo
Cobargo is a small, picturesque town. There are several cafes, a small bakery, a supermarket, and lots of craft shops and galleries.
You are now at the halfway point along your ride - which means you still have over 60 kilometres to ride back to Narooma. The next places you can buy refreshments will be at Bermagui (one hour), and Central Tilba (two hours away).
To Bermagui
The road to Bermagui is between the old bank building on the corner (now a clothing shop) and the park opposite. Although there is some climbing along that 17-kilometre stretch, the hills are rather tame compared with those you encountered earlier on your ride. And the road is sealed for the next 32 kilometres to Tilba.
The next junction (just under one hour from Cobargo) is Wallaga Lake Road, the Tilba - Bermagui road. Turn right if you need to replenish your supply of refreshments at Bermagui (four kilometres), or turn left if you are keen to return to Narooma.
Wallaga Lake Road ends at the Princes Highway. Turn right for about 800 metres. There is a wide shoulder along that part of the main highway except for one very short stretch near the guardrail. During peak holiday times, the highway can be very busy.
To Tilba
Turn left at the well-signposted junction and go first to the small village of Tilba Tilba, and then to Central Tilba. If you have time, and the enthusiasm after the riding, have a look around Central Tilba.
Ride through Central Tilba and go on for about five kilometres. From here, there are two ways to return to Narooma.
Returning to Narooma
The first is to go straight ahead at the first junction along the Ridge Road for nearly five kilometres until you join up with the Old Highway. Turn left and you will be on the Old Highway, soon passing the turnoff to the Scenic Drive.
The alternative route back to Narooma is to turn left at Punkalla Road (it is signposted) five kilometres from Central Tilba. After nearly eight kilometres from the turnoff, you will come to the Scenic Drive again, at the bridge you crossed earlier in the day. Turn right and soon you will be in Narooma.
Download the map for Ride 6.
18 great bike rides in the Narooma area of the NSW South Coast
Ride 6
Narooma to Cobargo, Bermagui, Tilba, Narooma
Distance 125 kms, very challenging, some steep sections, many long hills
Take all water and refreshments. Allow a full day to complete this ride
Note: This is an isolated area - never cycle there alone
Narooma to Cobargo, Bermagui, Tilba, Narooma
Distance 125 kms, very challenging, some steep sections, many long hills
Take all water and refreshments. Allow a full day to complete this ride
Note: This is an isolated area - never cycle there alone
The Wild Horse Creek Road offers glimpses of the ride ahead!
