Victoria: Black Spur - Land of the Giants
When a Melbourne biker only has a few hours up his sleeve on a sunny day and he doesn't want to tackle Reefton Spur, where does he go? The 'other' Spur of course - Black Spur. Unsurprisingly it's not far from Reefton Spur, as it's simply another approach to the Yarra Ranges and ultimately the Victorian High Country, but the Black Spur has a character all its own.
To get there, take the Maroondah Highway east out of the city, and just keep going. You'll pass the start of the Warburton Highway on your right (the turn-off to Reefton Spur) and then soon after Coldstream (take care not to continue straight on up the Melba Highway to Yarra Glen) you'll find yourself in wine country, as the Yarra Valley spreads out before you. Healesville is a great spot for a coffee or a bite to eat, whether you're on your way to Black Spur or returning from it, but it's only after here that the road really starts to get interesting.
The Black Spur run itself is about 22km of tight, twisting roads through the Yarra Ranges National Park. The first half, as you come from Healesville, is quite different to the second half, but it's all fantastic riding. The terrain is undulating at first, as you ride up hill and down dale through reasonably open bush, with another 45km/h corner never far away. Then you start to climb the Spur itself - the road heads uphill, towering straight-trunked gums swing into view and spectacular giant ferns begin to close in around you, as you make your way up to Dom Dom Saddle.
There are plenty of straights initially as you begin to climb, but fear not because a great selection of hairpins and other tight but fairly even radius corners is coming up. Past Dom Dom the road levels out to a degree, before dropping down slightly to Narbethong, where the road straightens and makes it was through open countryside.
The 'Bucky' pub a little further up the road at Buxton is a popular choice for a mid-point feed (you won't miss it - just look for the race bike permanently mounted on its roof), or for another sensational ride head back to Melbourne via Marysville and then Reefton Spur. It's a fair bit longer than simply returning the way you came, but it's worth the extra effort if you've got the time.
Know Before you Go:
Black Spur can get very busy on weekends; if you want a relatively clear run, tackle it on a weekday - but keep an eye out for timber trucks.
Black Spur is notoriously greasy through the cooler months, where damp conditions and little sunlight allow moss to gain a foothold - leave this run for when things warm up.
Healesville is a bustling town on the Maroondah Highway, which really is the gateway to the Black Spur and the Yarra Ranges beyond. There are a stack of cafes, a couple of pubs, shops (including a Coles supermarket), ATMs and petrol stations. It's also home to the Healesville Sanctuary, a native wildlife park which is well worth a look if you've got a few extra hours.
Marysville lies beyond Black Spur, and is a popular biker haunt on weekends. It has a petrol station, cafes and a top bakery, and can be reached from Narbethong or via Buxton, a little further north. If you're planning on pushing on up the unsealed road to Woods Point and then Jamieson, fuel up here - and make sure you've got a puncture repair kit with you.
For more information:
Contact Tourism Victoria, tel: 132 842, or visit: www.visitvictoria.com
For Yarra Ranges National Park, visit: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au and follow the links
For the Buxton Pub, tel: (03) 5774 7381, or visit: www.buxtonhotel.com.au
Protect your Bike. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
