Yass!

For the greater majority of ACT riders the idea of a ride to Yass would seem a less than good idea.  Not that we are bagging the fine township of Yass!  The Barton Highway is the busy main route between Canberra and Yass, and is the main route to southern Australian cities.  As such, it is reasonably efficient, the quickest route but not that interesting as most of us have done this trip many times.   The following are suggested as alternate routes for a more interesting ride to Yass.  

Option 2: Dog Trap Road offers a bitumen ride to Yass.  The other two routes have sections of dirt road.  These roads are generally in good condition and 60-70kmh can be maintained without too much fuss.  Just remember the corners are where most rutting occurs.  The Hillview Road option has the shortest dirt section if this is your first dirt adventure.

Nanima Road

About 3-4km past the ACT/NSW border, on the right, is Namina Road.   The road winds through countryside typical of the region.   Eventually you will reach a T junction.   Turn left onto Murrumbateman Road.   This is a pleasant run past wineries into the hamlet of Murrumbateman.  Many of the wineries offer meals ranging from fine dining to pizza (Four Winds) on weekends.

Eventually you will encounter the T intersection with the Barton Highway.  Continue your jaunt to Yass by selecting one of the following options.

Option 1:  Hillview Road

Turn right onto the Barton Highway and just to the north of Murrumbateman, on the right, is Hillview Road (the vet is on this intersection).  Follow this until the next T junction and turn left onto Greenwood Road.    A nice ride will lead you to the Yass River Road junction.  At this location is wombat habitat, it is unlikely that you will see them during daylight.

Turn left onto Yass River Road.  A sharp left turn will lead you to Thompson's Crossing and on to a short stretch of gravel road.   It is only 3-4 km and is in good condition so should not be a big issue.  Eventually you will reach the Yass Valley way junction, turn left to go to Yass.

Option 2:  Dog Trap Road

Turn right onto Barton Highway then the next left onto South Street.  South Street ends with a left turn into McIntosh Circuit, then turn right onto Isabel Drive (easier to ride than describe!).
  

A couple of twists and turns later this will lead you to Dog Trap Road.  Follow this and turn left at Yass Valley Way for the ride into Yass.

Option3:  Longrail Gully Road

This is the shortest distance of the three options from Murrumbateman.   Head north from Murrumbateman until you see the Longrail Gully Road turnoff on the left.  

This route has a section of dirt road prior to reaching the Dog Trap Road intersection where it returns to bitumen.  Turn right onto Dog trap Road. Turn left at the conclusion of Dog Trap Road to go to Yass.    

Yass

Yass is a thriving country town that services the region.  For the hungry motorcyclist, a visit to Roses Cafe, Tootsies, Galutizi Cafe or the RSL Club should fit the bill.  Check the link for more information on the region.

Return to Canberra

For the dirt averse return via the Barton Highway.  For the dirt warrior return via Dog Trap Road.  A pleasing ride with 16km of dirt awaits you as it winds through the local district. 

This route bypasses Murrumbateman.  At the Jeir Marchmont Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Southern Station turn left onto Kaveneys Road (bitumen) and follow this to the Barton Highway.  

Not an exhaustive examination of the Canberra-Yass routes, for example Mountain Creek Road is well worth a look if you have the time, but something to get you off the Barton Highway!

 

    

Coffee and Wood

For northern Canberran riders a very nice morning or afternoon jaunt.  Nothing too taxing but a nice ride to blow the cobwebs out and spoil yourself.  The BP service station on the Federal Highway roundabout at the Antill Street intersection is a favourite meeting place for riders heading north.

Continue towards Sydney on the Federal Highway.   After the Sutton Road overpass the next intersection is Macs Reef Road to the right.   Shortly after this, on the left, is the Old Federal Highway/Tulip Top Gardens turnoff.  

 

This pleasant diversion from the Federal Highway will take you to the southern Lake George observation car-park if you were to cross the highway.  

If you want to have a look it might be better to wait until our return as we will pass this spot on our second leg.  Be aware while on the Old Federal Highway there is one Stop sign that crosses its path so be prepared for this.

 

We travel along almost the entire length of Lake George before exiting at the Gurney VC turnoff for a short ride to the Lerida Estate winery.   

The winery has a very nice Coffee Shop, range of cakes, sit-down lunch and view over the Lake George environs ... and wine tasting of course, but we are not necessarily here for that!

After coffee it is on to Bungendore.  Back to the Federal Highway and head towards Canberra.  If you like, have a stop at the Weereewa lookout, otherwise continue towards Canberra until you reach the Bungendore turnoff.

Bungendore is a well know locality in Canberra circles for a lazy afternoon at the various attractions with the Woodworks being a prime attraction.  Check the link if you would like to know more.  

The return to Canberra has a number of options.  Returning the way we arrived provides two options:  Norton Road will take you to the east of Canberra airport and Macs Reef Road back to the Federal Highway.  If you want to go south the road to Queanbeyan is the quickest route.  

The ride is approximately 140 km.  Generally good surface, if bumpy on parts of the Old Federal Highway.