Seeking expressions of interest for a 3-day GS ride over the 6-8 March 2026 Canberra Day Long weekend, taking on the Barry Way, Snowy River Road, Gelantipy Rd, Yalmy Road and Old Bonang-Bendoc Rd through NSW & VIC’s Snowy River country. A mix of camping and non-tent accommodation's planned for the two nights.

The ride:

• Scoped in October 2025, offers bush camping on the Barry Way for the first night and the option for non-tent accommodation in Delegate on the second night.
• Traverses varied sealed and dirt roads. It’s rated GS4 due to its remoteness in some areas and the possible time in the saddle each day. A level of self-sufficiency is required as road side assistance may take a while to reach you if a breakdown occurs. See definition of a GS4 ride from the BMWMCC website:

GS4.  Adventure.  Multi-day long distance / off road ride for the experienced rider with first aid, some mechanical skills and tools for basic repair beyond tyres.  Typically no same day assistance will be available and at some cost to the rider to transport rider or motorcycle. GS riders need to carry backup snacks and one meal & water for one day as a minimum.

Detailed descriptions and route maps:

• Day 1 - Fri 06 Mar - Canberra to Barry Way Campsite (271 Km, 5 hrs 3 mins): https://maps.app.goo.gl/7dC64MZdkiqYJe7B6

Leaving Ampol Hume, riders travel to Cooma via Namadgi NP and Shannons Flat for a coffee/cake stop and fuel. Cooma is the last opportunity to purchase fuel/supplies on the planned route until Buchan on Day 2.Leaving Cooma, riders travel to Dalgety via some dirt back roads (Cottage Creek & Black Range Roads). 

Leaving Dalgety riders continue on tar on Snowy River Way, then turn left onto the mighty Barry Way. The Barry Way soon turns to dirt and offers riders awesome views of the Snowy River. The intent is to camp at Running Waters Campsite. Willis Campground’s an alternative option if Running Waters is deemed inappropriate for any reason.

• Day 2 - Sat 07 Mar - Snowy River and Yalmy Roads (301 km, 8 hr 8 min): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nyw2JECdPCMP7iDk6

By far the longest day in the saddle and somewhat the most remote of the 3 days. Breaking camp, riders travel alongside the Snowy River on Snowy River Road until they begin climbing out of the valley after passing Suggan Buggan locality. The climb out has spectacular views of the Snowy River; however, it’s tight and narrow, with a sheer drop on the left-hand side. Care must be taken to not get distracted by the views and also to avoid oncoming 4wd traffic.

Passing the turn-off to McKillops Bridge at Wulgulmerang, the road begins to open up as riders transition to Gelantipy Road, which eventually takes them to Buchan, VIC. This is an opportunity to refuel (noting there’s no fuel in Delegate after midday Saturday until Monday 08:30) and grab a bite to eat before taking the tar Buchan-Orbost road to Orbost.

Orbost’s the gateway to Yalmy Road, a gravel road running parallel to the Bonang Road but taking riders into the mountains to the west. Whilst there’s no over-the-top steep sections on this road, it’s approx. 130 km long, takes up to 3 hours to ride and has very little, if at all any, traffic. Hence the requirement for self-sufficiency and the possible need to camp by the side of the road and wait for assistance if a breakdown occurs.

Yalmy road eventually joins the Bonang Road, where riders take the Old Bonang-Bendoc Road into Bendoc and finally onto Delegate for the night. Accommodation options in Delegate are:

• the Pub: https://www.delegatehotel.com.au/ ;
• caravan park: https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/Recreation-and-Facilities/Caravan-Parks/Delegate-Caravan-Park ; or
• Nurses' Cottage (a house for $163 per night, sleeps 10 with 8 beds): https://www.delegate.nsw.au/accommodation/nurses-cottage/

Depending on numbers and riders preferences, group accommodation could be arranged at the Nurses' Cottage, or alternatively, riders make their own accommodation arrangements at the pub/caravan park. Irrespective of accommodation options, the intent is to eat at the pub that night.

• Day 3 - Sun 08 Mar - Return to Canberra (302 km, 4 hrs 53 mins): https://maps.app.goo.gl/SxYa27xkuGr1cBig9

After a hearty breakfast at Delegate’s General Store (they do a great steak sanga), riders begin their return ride to Canberra, via the tar to Bombala (to refuel), continuing on the tar to Cathcart, then onto the dirt of New Line Road and Old Bombala Road into Nimmitabel. From Nimmitabel, riders navigate their way to Cooma via the dirt backroads of the Myalla locality. Cooma offers a coffee/fuel stop before taking the dirt through to Numeralla, Jerangle and onto Captains Flat. Captains Flat's an opportunity for riders to regroup before the final section of tar into Queanbeyan, then home.

Alternatively, for those wanting to return home earlier, there’s the tar Delegate-Bombala-Cooma option, returning to Canberra via the Monaro Highway.

If you’re interested in undertaking this GS4 ride, then please register for the ride, as well as emailing vicepresident@bmwmcc.au with your preferred accommodation option for Delegate.

Regards

Brett Everitt

Vice President and GS Ride Coordinator