Richmond to Capertee Valley

This loop is a mix of sealed and unsealed riding through the Blue Mountains and Capertee Valley, with a night of moto camping near Glen Davis. It’s beginner-friendly with a few optional technical sections and a strong focus on scenery, history, and good vibes.

We started from Richmond Maccas, up Bells Line to the Zig Zag, detoured through Blackfellows Hand Trail, then attempted Lost City and Bicentennial before rain closures changed the plan. Lunch was at the Capertee pub, followed by a scenic run into the valley for camp.

The highlight is the Glen Davis Shale Oil Works ruins — a ghost town with crumbling infrastructure from Australia’s short-lived oil shale industry. On the way home, we stopped at the Portland painted silos for a final photo op.

Great for a relaxed overnight ride with a bit of character, a few challenges, and some proper Aussie history.