Australian Vespa Days is an event organized by the Vespa Club of Australia and affiliated clubs
© Vespa Club of Australia Inc.
There are five rides offered on Saturday. Two are repeated from the day before.
Of course, if you prefer not to take part in organized rides, you can plan your own ride with friends around these routes at any time. GO TO FRIDAY RIDE-OUTS >
For all rides:
You must have a full tank of fuel at departure.
They are capped at 40 Vespa.
Read the descriptions carefully. Choose a ride that matches your riding experience and needs.
Be at the Assembly Area at Apex Park 15 minutes prior to the departure time.
Saturday 11.00 AM
1. A 'Taste' of the Region
This ride is repeated from Friday
Enjoy your big Vespa breakfast in the park prior to departure as the next chance for a meal is when we arrive in Beechworth
Cap: 40 Vespa
Duration. 3 Hours. 117 Kms. Return approx 2 PM
Led By: GTS300ie
Speed: Speed limits
This ride takes us through the fertile floodplains of the Ovens River before heading to the hills. There are sections of flat, straight roads and some nice bends and hills. On route we will stop at four produce retailers for a small 'taste' of the region. There will be time to explore Beechworth and maybe try one of the many cafe's at your leisure, with an option to return with us to Wangaratta or return in your own time.
Please start the ride with a full tank. There is an option to refuel at Beechworth. All roads are sealed, however access roads to properties are compacted gravel (approximately 3 kms). Please bring some cash for if you are tempted to purchase some of the local products.
Saturday 11.30 AM
2. Yackandandah Meander
Cap: 40 Vespa
Duration 5 hours. 185 Kms. Return approx 4.30 PM
Led by: 1979 P200E
Speed: Average ride speed: 65 kph. Top speed: 80 kph
This ride offers great riding on a variety of delightful roads from flat sections of farmland to hilly roads that wind through forest landscapes. There are beautiful mountain vistas and river scenery to enjoy along our route. We’ll visit a couple of historic Victoria towns as well as view relics of the gold mining era. Our first stop is the Eldorado Dredge, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. In its day this huge electric powered mechanical monster was Victoria’s third largest user of electricity behind the cities of Melbourne and Geelong. It operated day and night and the clattering of its huge metal buckets could be heard for miles around as it puddled about in a dam of its own making in the search for gold. Beyond the old town of Eldorado we take Woolshed Road which meanders alongside Reedy Creek. There is a 17 km section of gravel dirt road to traverse including a shallow ford to cross which gives this ride a touch of adventure. Don’t worry, we’ll take it slowly and look after each other. By 1857 Reedy Creek Valley hosted booming gold mining settlements with schools, pubs, breweries, shops and restaurants. Members of the notorious Kelly gang were also raised in the area. At the end of the gravel road section we’ll stop briefly to visit Woolshed Falls.
Yackandandah is our furthest destination from home base. It is considered to be one of Victoria’s prettiest towns. We’ll take a short break here. The community spirit of ‘Yack’ is admirable. You can feel this vibe in its quaint streets as the small town builds resilience and self sufficiency through a number of innovative community run projects. The next section of our route climbs from Mudgegonga up to Beechworth via Stanley passing through groves of various fruit and nut trees including chestnut and hazelnut. There are nice curves to enjoy along this part of the journey. At Beechworth we will take a quick scooter tour of this historic mining town before having lunch in the main street. You can pick up a jar of the famous Beechworth Honey here. There is also a fabulous coach museum at Billson’s Brewery (built in 1865). We leave the town via Bucklands Gap where we will stop by at Murmungee Lookout (757 metres) for a splendid panoramic views over the flood plains of the Ovens and King Rivers and the breathtaking sight of Mount Buffalo. We return to Wangaratta via Whorouly through dairy farmland. If on schedule we’ll visit the Milawa Cheese Factory. We aim to have you back in Wangaratta with plenty of time to freshen up for dinner.
View and download the route in Plotaroute
View and download the route in Google Maps
Fuel: A modern auto Vespa should be able to complete this ride on one full tank. However fuel is available at Yackandandah (72-kms from Wangaratta) or at Beechworth (127-kms from Wangaratta). If your scooter can’t make these distances then you’ll need to carry extra fuel. Also note that there is a section of gravel road on this ride.
Saturday 12 NOON
3. Art Silo Ride
This ride is repeated from Friday
Cap: 40 Vespa
Duration 3.5 hours. 128 Kms. Return approx 3.30 PM
Led By: PX200
Speed: Average 80 kph
A leisurely western plains ride to three major works at the small towns of St.James, Devenish, and Goorambat. The small chapel in Gooroombat is also a must see, and there's a small donation box inside the front door - please give in exchange for your photos. As well as the reward of some amazing artwork, we'll break up the straight country roads with a swing through the Warby ranges and past the Winton Wetlands to finish in the historical town of Glenrowan, just south of Wangaratta. There'll be a short food and coffee stop in Gooroombat at the Veterans Retreat / Diggers Wife Cafe.
All roads are sealed. There isn't fuel available out there, but the range is easily within the capacity of most Vespa. If in doubt, then carry extra fuel.
Saturday 12.15 PM
4. Vintage Slow Ride - Warby Range & Winton Wetlands
Cap 40 Vespa - pre 1961 and 8" wheel
Duration 4 hours. 100 kms. Return approx 4.15 PM
Led by: Ape
Speed: Top speed will be 50 kph
Join a swarm of Vintage (pre-1961 with 8-inch wheels) Vespas on a slow (top speed 50km/hr), leisurely 100km ride on sealed roads through the Warby Range to Ryan's Lookout, then down the other side to the Winton Wetlands. The up-and-down bits cover about 15km with a bit of a climb (200m over 7km) early on along quiet roads, with a few easy twists and turns and stunning scenery! You may even see the resident lace monitors (goannas) or echidnas. What goes up must come down, and the rest of the ride is relatively flat with a few gentle curves along quiet roads, including a lap around Lake Mokoan. There's a short, optional unsealed ride to Martin's Barge followed by a cafe/lunch stop in the Winton Wetlands. On the way back, there is an option to stop in Glenrowan (80km mark) for fuel and a selfie with BIG Ned Kelly before returning to Wangaratta. We will take regular breaks to shake the bumps out along the way, with snacks and water provided.
Saturday 12.30 PM
5. The Wandi Wander
Cap: 40 Vespa
Duration 4 hours. 175 Kms. Return approx 4.30 PM
Led By: GTS300
Speed: Some 100km/h sections (we’ll be running to a max of 90 kph), an easy pace for all to enjoy the views along this Great Alpine Valley Hwy, then with a slower pace out to Wandi.On the Wandi Wander; you’ll ride your Vespa up the Ovens River Valley along one of Australia's most scenic roads – the Great Alpine Road, through Myrtleford to Bright. We then follow along near the Morses Creek to the National Trust-classified Wandiligong. As we pass through Wandiligong, on our way to the Famous Poplar Trees you will see cosy country cottages, rolling farmland, orchards, Bennetts Store, Post Office and Primary School along with the Wandi Pub.Time permitting stopping to view the historic Chinese Bridge in the Wandiligong Diggings Reserve. We’ll stop along the way for the mandatory photo shoots of our Vespas in this picturesque Alpine Valley. And refreshments at Nightingale Bros. store, experiencing fresh produce, maybe even a treat ourselves to a crisp Alpine Cider! As we return to Bright we will cross the Ovens River onto Back Porepunkah Road, passing the Punka Pub and travel up the Great Alpine Road arriving back to Wangaratta.
