Otway Off-Road Motorcycle Tours

 Otway half day "Dirt Squirt"   Aug 15, Oct 17

**NEW "High Country" Trail tours,  next tour,  Nov 19-21  2010

Gelli 2 day Trail tour,   Nov 13-14,  2010  

 


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Con Thermos (Owner and operator) has been trail riding in this country since the early 80's. The day after he learnt to change gears on his own, he was out the gate and up the road for his first adventure. As a teenager, Con loved bringing his mates up to the 'farm' to go riding. “Everyone who comes here loves the riding, the awesome terrain with year round wet tracks and challenging hills, not to mention Lorne and the surf Coast just down the road”. Con's early organizational experience included running many motorcycle club trail rides and club championship events for the M.C.R.C.V.  In the late 1990s Con  raced state level off-road championships, and won his class in 2000, his personal highlight was representing Victoria on the Senior trophy team at the 2001 Australian 4-day Enduro in New Zealand. In 2005 Con turned his 25 years of Otway track knowledge and experience combined with his passion for the sport into a commercial trial bike tour operation starting with 1 and 2 day "trail" style tours in the Otways. 

Currently Otway off-road is growing business, employing experienced crew with riding skill and an extensive knowledge of the Otway trails. Otway Off-Road is working closely with government departments like the D.S.E on the Trail Bike Project, with the focus on retaining traditional riding areas in the Otways for future generations. In late 2009 Otway off-road conducted D.S.E sponsored "Enviro" 1 day trail tours with the emphasis on sustainable riding practices, noise reduction, respecting other bush users ect. These free half day tours were successful with beginner riders or riders re-entering the sport wanting to pick up riding tips and learn environmentally "friendly" riding practices all aiming to keep trailbike riding sustainable for future generations. Otway Off-Road understand the conflict that trail riding causes with residence and other bush users and supports and promotes the D.S.E trail bike initiative. Otway Off-Road use KTM motorcycles with quiet exhaust systems and encourages and polices the use of either standard or quiet aftermarket mufflers on all bikes on tour. 

Today Otway Off-Road is able to offer 11 different "Trail" style tours which are run over half day and 1-2-3 or 7 days, including tours into the Victorian high country Alpine National Park, Yarra Ranges,Wombat State Forest and Eildon National Park. Con has spent many years trailriding around the magnificent towns of Licola, Jameison and Woods Point and has come with 5 amazing new tours in some of Victoria's most picturesque trails. 

In 2008 the Otway "Entree"  day rides took off with great success and offered riders a "taste" of the regular Otway trail tours without all the bolt on bling. On the "Entree" tour you still ride all the best tracks without the backup support vehicle, DVD crew and extra support personnel that can slow the ride down. The "Entree" tour still  includes all the best bits like lunch,  re-fuel, the regular expert lead rider and tail man making the Otway experience more simple, affordable, and importantly, but just as much fun!! In 2010 Entree rides into the Yarra Ranges near Poweltown, Wombat Forest near Woodend, Eildon National Park and high country day rides near Licola are on the menu. These 1 day rides are great fun and excellent value. There`s even access to some of Victoria`s best private enduro race tracks on the Yarra Ranges tour. Don`t miss out!

The 'Main' two day "trail" tours (most popular), start and finish at the 'farm', the Otway Off-Road 8 Acre property in Deans Marsh (only 1.5 hrs from Melbourne and 20km north of Lorne). The "main" tour includes 2 night accomodation with a 2 day guided tour. The ride to Forrest or Wye River,  Day 2  ride to Aireys Inlet pub and return in the afternoon. There's even crew along for the 2 days taking movie and picture stills to compile later to DVD movie with music and credits! for everyone to enjoy. As always the expert lead and sweep riders accompany the tour, and back up support 4WD crew on hand for any emergencies or breakdowns.

In 2009 the Gellibrand 2 day tour  has been a great success. This 2 day tour includes an overnight cabin stay at the Gellibrand Caravan Park, dinner at the Gelli Pub with an awesome breaky served up at the Gelli general store. Sensational trails on both days which has to be experienced, sandy trails, mud, woops everything that makes trail bike riding fun is on offer on this tour. All the usual 2 day support, DVD crew, lead and sweeps are on hand for this epic 2 day tour.

You want the ultimate Otway trail tour? Then the “Otway 3 Day"  tour is what your looking for! This 3 day tour kicks off at Deans Marsh  ride to Forrest for lunch and Gellibrand on day 1, over to Wye River then Lorne on Day 2 with accommodation at the fantastic Sandridge hotel, you won't believe the dinner served up by Sammy at the famous Lorne Pier Restaurant! Day 3 we visit the challenging Paddy Swamp area, lunch at the Aireys Inlet pub before finishing up in Deans Marsh in the early afternoon. It is without a doubt the best 3 day Otway experience on offer.  

In 2010 Otway -Road kick off their new Vic High Country 2 Day   tours, Con has extensive knowledge of the Victorian High Country trails and has organised many trailrides like the KTM Vic Dealer ride, Adventure style tours  around Jameison, Woods Point, and Goughs Bay. This 2 day tour offers superb trails, views, challenging hills and even a boat ride across Lake Eildon! Our Vic High Country 3 Day   tours offers all this plus an extra day in the beautiful Howqua river area and around Victoria`s most popular ski resort Mt Buller  These 2 trail tours are not to be missed!

Otway Off-Road also offer "Adventure" style tours for your bigger Road/Trail style bikes. Ride the Otway Ranges back country roads and trails, visit the 12 Apostles, have dinner right on the water in Port Campbell and visit some magic Otway pubs, on your big adventure style off-road weapon. Check out the last Otway KTM Adventure epic here.  The Otway crew again venture into the Victorian high country for some awesome 2 day "High Country Adventure" epics from Melbourne to Mt Buller and return. The ride departs Melbourne on the Saturday morning and heads through the backroads around the Dandenong ranges, over the Blue Range and Black Range forests before lunch at the historic isolated town of Woods Point. Fantastic overnight accommodation awaits at the end of the day on Mt Buller. Day 2 sees some more touring around Mt Stirling, Jameison and Marysville before the finish back in Melbourne in the afternoon, this ride will be a real epic not offered by any other operator in Australia!

In 2007 the first 6 Day Enduro Challenge went ahead with great success and magazine reviews. Today the  "7 days of Heaven"  is our premier tour focusing on great trail bike riding in the best locations in Victoria. On top of that its the ultimate in hospitality with great pub meals, lunch locations and our professional crew with experience and knowledge second to none. It really is the trail tour of a lifetime! Six days of trail riding in 2 of Victoria’s premier off road riding locations, The Otway Ranges on Victoria’s Surf Coast and The Hills of the High Country. A rest day scheduled between each 3 days riding to prepare the bike and the body for the next part of the tour leg.  Are you up for the challenge? This is a legendary tour and is not for the faint hearted. In all a rare opportunity to ride Australia’s best off road trails in the one week

Still on offer with Otway Off-Road is a one day Enduro / Trail Riding "Coaching day" with KTM`s desert  racing champion Matt Fish. Our coaching day focuses on eliminating your bad habits by showing and demonstrating the correct techniques when handling an off-road motorcycle. This training is not just suitable for new off-road riders but experienced racers as well. Incorporated into the day is a trail ride with Blake and coaching tips provided during the ride to hone in your new skills. The amount you will learn on all aspects of dirt bike riding on this one day would take years of competitive riding. Con has completed his Level 1 Coaching accreditation with Motorcycling Victoria and can administer the Junior Coaching Program for M.A Licence approvals or renewals. If you want to get ahead of your mates, get over those dreaded logs, ride ruts like you never have before, then don`t miss out on this day.

Also run in conjunction with the coaching day are our new half day "Dirt Squirt" tours, we start at midday, have a bite then its off for a half day trail ride. This tour also includes coaching and riding tips from some of Australia`s best off-road racers. A great ride for new riders, intermediates or riders wanting to brush up of some riding skills.

To check out all the information on each of our different events click on the links below.