Sydney / Melbourne (either direction)
1200km within 15 days
Open: 1 November 2004 to 30 April 2005

The Raid Aurora is an epic route linking Australia's two biggest cities and passing through the nations capital. It is suitable for the touring cyclist with some previous touring experience. It passes through a variety of landscapes including remote alpine, coastal, farming and national parks. Available in both directions, this Raid is challenging in both the mountainous terrain it covers and it's duration, which requires riders to cover a minimum of around 80km per day for 15 days without rest. Covering a greater distance in the easier sections would of course allow one or more rest days.

As this Raid passes through high alpine country, it is essential that riders be prepared for all types of weather conditions, from extreme heat to extreme cold. Temperatures along some parts of this route can exceed 40 degress centigrade during summer. Distances between services along this route, particularly in the alpine region between Cooma and Corryong, can be great. Be prepared!

Route
Exact directions and distances are provided to registered riders. The route travels via the following towns,
(distances shown from Sydney / Melbourne).

Sutherland (0/1200 km)
Audley, Thirroul(52/1153 km)
Wollongong (70/1135 km)
Albion Park (91/1114 km)
Robertson
Fitzroy Falls
Bundanoon (172/1033 km)
Marulan South (206/999 km)
Bungonia
Goulburn (249/956 km)
Bungendore
Canberra (354/851 km)
Cooma (471/734 km)
Cabramurra (578/627 km)
Corryong (660/545 km)
Albury (815/390 km)
Beechworth (860/345 km)
Wangaratta (900/305km)
Benalla (961/244 km)
Euroa (1045/160 km)
Alexandra (1111/94 km)
Lilydale (1200/0 km).