Bikepacking The Hunt 1000

Much of the Hunt 1000‘s appeal is due to the epic nature of the route which typically covers 1,000 brutal, beautiful kilometres of dirt roads, alpine climbs, river crossings and remote wilderness tracks between Canberra and Melbourne, weaving through some of Australia’s most rugged and remote terrain.

Having enjoyed other two-wheeled adventures like the Mawson Trail and Torino Nice Rally, I was excited to try the Hunt 1000 but with interruptions from a certain global pandemic and other general life-stuff it wasn’t until last year (2024) that I finally found myself in Canberra in November with a good mate ready to embark on the journey to Melbourne.

We were relaxed and optimistic as we rolled out of Canberra’s CBD on our first day of the Hunt 1000. With a respectable number of kilometres in the legs and practice runs under our belt – not to mention the dollars spent on bikepacking gear – our plan of 9 days to complete the route seemed pretty conservative and very doable. I had even considered bringing some trail running shoes thinking that there might be excess time and energy to burn when we rolled into camp each afternoon. How wrong I was!

Read more bikepacking articles from AMB:
– Bikepacking the Swiss Alps
– How to go Bikepacking
– How to go E-bikepacking

As we headed out past the familiar sights of Mt Stromlo and Cotter Dam, it was smooth sailing. In what felt like no time we left the tarmac behind and began ascending through beautiful Eucalypt forest, past flowering wattle and deep into the Brindabella ranges. After months of training and preparation it felt good to be getting our teeth into things.

It didn’t take long for the route to humble us. With four days until our next supply point at the halfway point in Omeo, our bikes were heavy with the food necessary to fuel our journey. The 140km with 3,000 meters of climbing felt like double that as we rolled into camp well after sunset on that first night. We ate in silence with thousand-yard stares, wondering what the hell we’d gotten ourselves into.

It didn’t take long for the route to humble us. With four days until our next supply point at the halfway point in Omeo, our bikes were heavy with the food necessary to fuel our journey.

The following days began to blur together as we settled into the rhythm of the Hunt. Riding was stripped down to its rawest form. Eat, sleep, ride and repeat. Nine plus hours in the saddle were standard as were climbs over 1,000 meters. On reaching the top of said climbs the road would typically and cruelly drop you straight back down to a creek or river and you’d start the process all over again.

But the suffering was worth it – unique high-country landscapes, historic alpine huts and postcard perfect rest stops. These were places that could only be experienced by travelling under your own steam.

We rolled into Omeo at the end of day four. Everyday things that we had taken for granted only days before – hot showers, proper beds and a meal that wasn’t dehydrated – were now wildly exciting and we spoiled ourselves by checking into a motel and hitting the local pub for dinner. Tired and sore, we celebrated reaching halfway, feeling proud of how we had pushed through the first half of the ride.

Almost as if scripted, we awoke the next morning to heavy rain and dark grey clouds. Checking the weather forecast did little to change our fortunes or offer up any windows where things might clear a little. There was nothing left to do but layer up and began the 50km climb up to Mt Hotham.

Reaching the top, the rain had turned into a full blown Alpine storm with strong wind gusts and sheets of driving rain and hail. We huddled around a fireplace with a few other riders who had also been caught in the weather and wondered when we’d be able to continue. A plan was made to spend the night and hope it cleared by morning. It wasn’t all bad news though; we were holed up in a pub and there was plenty of beer.

The next morning was no better and there were no signs of things letting up. Eventually we decided to brave the weather but leave the official route and descend to Bright to seek shelter. There was only one wrinkle in our plan… the weather had caused a sink hole to open, and the road was reportedly closed. We decided to risk it.

Leaving the sanctuary of the pub, the nervousness in the group was palpable – but it helped having company. We were drenched within 30 seconds of leaving and the cloud and rain meant we struggled to see more than 10 meters ahead. Several times we were almost blown off the road on the mountain’s exposed ridgelines. Eventually we entered the shelter of the treeline, and the descent became more manageable. Despite the wild weather, the road crew was working and were initially hesitant to let us pass. After pleading our case and a nervous wait, we were luckily let through.

After spending the night in Bright it was time to reassess. If we wanted to rejoin the route, we’d have some kilometres to make up tomorrow – about 200 of them. Over dinner we mapped a route to Jamieson via Mansfield and set an early alarm.

Overnight my riding buddy Matt came down with a stomach bug and was up most of the night. Being the legend that he is, he didn’t want to hear anything about pulling the pin so off we headed the next morning towards Myrtleford along the rail trail.

Over 12 hours later we eventually made it to the laidback town of Jamieson. The day had taken its toll however, and Matt was completely empty. Whatever bug he had was still in his system and the following day he had no choice but to abandon.

With only two days of the Hunt 1000 remaining I was determined to finish the ride for both of us. Added motivation came from the fundraising we were doing with the event for the Perry Cross Foundation. They do important research in the treatment of spinal injuries and after a close friend had a mountain bike accident recently it was a cause close to our hearts.

Two days later and nine days after leaving Canberra, I arrived at the Edinburgh Gardens in Melbourne’s inner north at the rotunda where the Hunt 1000 route finishes.I was greeted by my fiancé and some close friends who I was very excited to see. It was an amazing feeling to reflect on such an epic adventure and immensely satisfying knowing that I had made it from Canberra to Melbourne under my own pedal power.