Torquay – Anglesea Heath, Gravel Loop

Trawling the Gravel Grinders facebook group one day, I came across this short and sharp gravel loop just outside of Torquay and thought that I might give it a crack.
I’m extremely glad that I did as this route incorporates some amazing roads and mixed terrain out the back of Torquay and Anglesea as well as some really fun single and double track running along the coastline.

Heading out of Torquay and you’ll find yourself climbing on tarmac soon to be on smooth gravel roads heading through farmlands and scrub.
It’s a really smooth start and while you’ll find yourself gradually climbing for the first 30km, it’s gentle, quiet and enjoyable with the odd corrugation but nothing too stressful.

At Tanners Rd bend campgrounds, I ran into some dirt bikers enjoying the tracks, they are pretty much the only people I saw for most of the route.

Some more smooth gravel and a short section of tarmac takes you through Gum Flats Rd until you hit the most scenic part of the route on Bald Hills Rd where you will find yourself weaving in and out of the views of the Anglesea Heath which is a 7,200-hectare area of natural heath, woodland and forest that you’ll also find yourself riding through.

Further down, you’ll find some logging activity and views of the Anglesea Mine and Anglesea Power Station which look pretty impressive from a distance.

Eventually the route takes you onto the Messmate track which I wasn’t game enough to test the brakes with the loose and steep descent on my gravel bike but a fellow mountain bike rider advised me of some single track that weaves its way down as an alternative.
If you walk down about 10 or 20 metres you’ll find it to the left. Pretty non-technical and a bit of fun, my pedals did hit a branch and I did manage a soft fall onto some sand but otherwise I survived ok.

At the bottom of the Messmate track, you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of a fenced off road which after a bit of investigation, was easy enough to find a way around and then you’ll head towards Anglesea where you can stop for a bite to eat or if you cant be bothered (like me) you can take the firebreak track (steep) straight up to the Great Ocean Rd and carry on the Ixodia track which runs parallel.

Just when you think it’s going to be a pretty boring and uneventful ride back to Torquay along the Great Ocean Rd, the route veers right and you’ll find yourself on some sweet single and double track taking in the scrubland between the road and the coast all the way back to Torquay.

Just take care as there are lots of hikers especially around Bells Beach to Torquay.
If you are after a quicker route home, you can just jump on the road and find your way back by following the coastline.