Updated September 2026
Following the Melbourne to Dubbo ride in 2026 year, we conducted a survey to get your feedback on how we could improve the ride for 2027.
Here is an update on the 2027 ride, reflecting your feedback, but also our desire to keep Zoo2Zoo in your annual calendars.
Here are proposed updates to 2027 that the Zoo2Zoo trust has endorsed;
1. We will have a new route for 2027. Melbourne to Dubbo will bypass Canberra and the route will take us via Adaminaby and Tumut through to Young. The first 4 days (Melbourne to Thredbo remain unchanged) - there will still be a Canberra to Dubbo option that will meet this ride in Young on Friday 5th March 2027.
2. We have removed 200k+ days to attract more riders and ensure there is plenty of recovery time and socialising ahead of the next day.
3. The timing will remain the same for Melbourne to Dubbo (9 days). That means we can link up with riders who register for Canberra to Dubbo at Young on Friday afternoon.
4. Our 2027 and future Melbourne to Dubbo rides will be in memory of Mark Heanly.
5. We will book Thredbo accommodation sooner as that was logistically challenging this year.
6. We will have a new website to launch in the next few months.
7. We will start to raise money for the Black Dog Institute a few months earlier than previous years. Paul Heanly has a business partner that has pledged $1 for each $1 that we raise, up to $500,000. Note: our annual goal was $100,000 so this is a big positive change for 2027.
8. We will have a “sag” wagon in 2027 that will ensure that all riders arrive at a safe hour.
9. There have been requests for another bbq breakfast and dinner that was hugely popular this year - thanks to Jen Heanly and the support crew.
We would love to have you join us for our biggest year yet in 2027.
REGISTRATIONS FOR THE 2027 EVENT ARE NOW OPEN
Register Here
For those who have never done this ride before please contact [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you at this event in 2027.
Click here to set up a Fundraising Page
2027 Melbourne to Canberra Zoo2Zoo Guide (coming soon)
2022 Zoo2Zoo Risk Assessment
Saturday 27th February 2027
Day 1 Melbourne Zoo to Bonnie Doon (165km)
Starting in the Victorian Capital at the Melbourne Zoo, this ride makes its way from Melbourne Zoo onto Brunswick Rd, makes it way to Plenty Rd and onto Wittlesea where we stop for coffee.
Riders make their way onto Yea for lunch and then a mandatory stop at "Yarck" before arriving in "Bonnie Doon".
Sunday 28th February 2027
Day 2 - Bonnie Doon to Myrtleford (165km)
After enjoying the serenity of "Bonnie Doon" it is time to set off to Mansfield, Whitfield, Moyhu and Myrtleford.
Monday 1st March 2027
Day 3 – Myrtleford to Corryong (165km)
We say goodbye to the lovely town of Myrtleford and ride to Tallangatta for lunch and then into Corryong (The home of the "Man from Snowy River"). There is the optional 215km day via Tawonga Gap and Mount Beauty.
Tuesday 2nd March 2027
Day 4 – Corryong to Thredbo (104km)
We start in Corryong and ride to Thredbo.
Wednesday 3rd March 2027
Day 5 – Thredbo to Adaminaby, via Jindabyne (118km)
We start in Thredbo, have a coffee in Jindabyne and finish in Adaminaby.
Thursday 4th March 2027
Day 6 – Adaminaby to Tumut (128km)
We start in Adaminaby and finish in Tumut.
Friday 5th March 2027
Day 7 – Tumut to Young (136km)
We start in Tumut and finish in Young.
Saturday 6th March 2027
Day 8 - Young to Molong (173km)
After enjoying the country atmosphere in Young, riders head out and onto Cowra. After a short climb out of Young, riders can enjoy a relatively flat stage into the majestic town of Cowra, which is best known for the largest Prisoner of War breakout in modern military history (10am and 67km covered).
Departing Cowra the riders make the 44km journey along open country roads into Canowindra for lunch. From Canowindra the riders can enjoy 35km of long gentle climbs and a few descents before stopping at Cudal to refuel and embarking on the 27km ride into the picturesque country side known as Molong, where riders are cheered into the local cricket ground around 4pm. Riders are allocated their rooms, before hitting a well deserved shower.
As with Sydney to Dubbo ride, the stay in Molong is the main-event for this ride, where the riders enjoy a great country feed, and time to sit, relax and discuss the many hills they have conquered on the past two days. The highlight of the night is the ‘Kangaroo Court’ where riders and support crew get to have some fun and hand out jovial $5 fines (e.g. the most of number of punctures for a rider or group, brightest Knicks, shoes etc). The idea of the Kangaroo Court is to have some fun after a long 2 days of riding and to raise some extra donations for BDI (payment of fines is voluntary).
Sunday 7th March 2027
Day 3 – Molong to Dubbo (115km)
We say goodbye to the lovely town of Molong with a 7am departure and a nice 23km ride along the rolling hills into Cumnock for breakfast. On a good day you can smell the bacon and eggs being BBQ’d a few kilometres outside Cumnock. This enticing scent has seen some individuals within a group launch an attack (like a breakaway in the final kms of a stage of the Tour de France) on the run into Cumnock, so they can claim line honors in the breakfast queue.
After a much deserved feed riders jump back on their trusty steeds for the 24km ride into Yeoval, where the riders and support stop for yet another caffeine break. From Yeoval the riders enjoy a 38km ride over a few good climbs, some lovely descents and picturesque country side before all the riders regroup and
refuel at Wambangalang Educational Environmental Centre for the final stretch into Dubbo.
The final 30km stretch sees the all the riders come together as one peleton for the roll into the Taronga Western Plain Zoo, where family, friends and the local community cheer all the riders for their great achievement.
Along the ride from Molong to Dubbo the riders and support crew can enjoy the artist delights of 'Animals On Bikes'.
Day 1 Melbourne Zoo to Bonnie Doon (165km)
Starting in the Victorian Capital at the Melbourne Zoo, this ride makes its way from Melbourne Zoo onto Brunswick Rd, makes it way to Plenty Rd and onto Wittlesea where we stop for coffee.
Riders make their way onto Yea for lunch and then a mandatory stop at "Yarck" before arriving in "Bonnie Doon".
Sunday 28th February 2027
Day 2 - Bonnie Doon to Myrtleford (165km)
After enjoying the serenity of "Bonnie Doon" it is time to set off to Mansfield, Whitfield, Moyhu and Myrtleford.
Monday 1st March 2027
Day 3 – Myrtleford to Corryong (165km)
We say goodbye to the lovely town of Myrtleford and ride to Tallangatta for lunch and then into Corryong (The home of the "Man from Snowy River"). There is the optional 215km day via Tawonga Gap and Mount Beauty.
Tuesday 2nd March 2027
Day 4 – Corryong to Thredbo (104km)
We start in Corryong and ride to Thredbo.
Wednesday 3rd March 2027
Day 5 – Thredbo to Adaminaby, via Jindabyne (118km)
We start in Thredbo, have a coffee in Jindabyne and finish in Adaminaby.
Thursday 4th March 2027
Day 6 – Adaminaby to Tumut (128km)
We start in Adaminaby and finish in Tumut.
Friday 5th March 2027
Day 7 – Tumut to Young (136km)
We start in Tumut and finish in Young.
Saturday 6th March 2027
Day 8 - Young to Molong (173km)
After enjoying the country atmosphere in Young, riders head out and onto Cowra. After a short climb out of Young, riders can enjoy a relatively flat stage into the majestic town of Cowra, which is best known for the largest Prisoner of War breakout in modern military history (10am and 67km covered).
Departing Cowra the riders make the 44km journey along open country roads into Canowindra for lunch. From Canowindra the riders can enjoy 35km of long gentle climbs and a few descents before stopping at Cudal to refuel and embarking on the 27km ride into the picturesque country side known as Molong, where riders are cheered into the local cricket ground around 4pm. Riders are allocated their rooms, before hitting a well deserved shower.
As with Sydney to Dubbo ride, the stay in Molong is the main-event for this ride, where the riders enjoy a great country feed, and time to sit, relax and discuss the many hills they have conquered on the past two days. The highlight of the night is the ‘Kangaroo Court’ where riders and support crew get to have some fun and hand out jovial $5 fines (e.g. the most of number of punctures for a rider or group, brightest Knicks, shoes etc). The idea of the Kangaroo Court is to have some fun after a long 2 days of riding and to raise some extra donations for BDI (payment of fines is voluntary).
Sunday 7th March 2027
Day 3 – Molong to Dubbo (115km)
We say goodbye to the lovely town of Molong with a 7am departure and a nice 23km ride along the rolling hills into Cumnock for breakfast. On a good day you can smell the bacon and eggs being BBQ’d a few kilometres outside Cumnock. This enticing scent has seen some individuals within a group launch an attack (like a breakaway in the final kms of a stage of the Tour de France) on the run into Cumnock, so they can claim line honors in the breakfast queue.
After a much deserved feed riders jump back on their trusty steeds for the 24km ride into Yeoval, where the riders and support stop for yet another caffeine break. From Yeoval the riders enjoy a 38km ride over a few good climbs, some lovely descents and picturesque country side before all the riders regroup and
refuel at Wambangalang Educational Environmental Centre for the final stretch into Dubbo.
The final 30km stretch sees the all the riders come together as one peleton for the roll into the Taronga Western Plain Zoo, where family, friends and the local community cheer all the riders for their great achievement.
Along the ride from Molong to Dubbo the riders and support crew can enjoy the artist delights of 'Animals On Bikes'.
Riders and Support
Support Crew (7)
Jenny Heanly, Maddy Heanly, Hilary Heanly, Peter Heanly, Mark Howley, Andrew McKay, Neville Stapleton
Riders - Registered in 2027
Stu Clifford
Kim Dale
Chris Digby
James Heanly
Christian Johannson
Rod Mildner
Jenny Heanly, Maddy Heanly, Hilary Heanly, Peter Heanly, Mark Howley, Andrew McKay, Neville Stapleton
Riders - Registered in 2027
Stu Clifford
Kim Dale
Chris Digby
James Heanly
Christian Johannson
Rod Mildner
ENTRY FEE
The deposit to the Melbourne to Canberra to Dubbo Zoo2Zoo is $TBA including GST per person. Event entry includes accommodation on the Saturday night in Bonnie Doon, Sunday night in Myrtleford, Monday night in Corryong, Tuesday night at Thredbo and Wednesday night at Cooma.
(all accommodation is shared accommodation). See our Zoo2Zoo Accommodation Policy for further details
FOOD AND MEALS PROVIDED DURING THE RIDE
The following meals are included in your entry fee;
- breakfast, morning tea, lunch and dinner on the riding days that include overnight accommodation.
- breakfast, morning tea and lunch on the riding day that we finish.
If you have any dietary requirements, be sure to list them in your registration form.
In addition to your daily meals, Zoo2Zoo will also provide an abundance of snacks, food and drinks during the 6 day ride. Each support
vehicle is kitted out with an esky and snack boxes full of those great goodies we all crave on long rides.
REGISTRATION
Please see are Registration page for more details
If you have any questions regarding the ride please email: [email protected]
AGE LIMIT REQUIREMENTS
Persons must be 18 years old to participate in the Zoo2Zoo.
FUNDRAISING
The point of doing this, and other Zoo2Zoo rides is two fold. One is providing a safe and enjoyable ride during the event, the second is to raise funds and
awareness for the Black Dog Institute. Although there is no minimum amount to be raised, we do encourage participants to fundraise for the Black Dog Institute. All we ask as the event organisers is that do your best, tell your friends to hop on your very own Everyday Hero fundraising page and make a donation, no matter the amount. You may just surprise yourself at what you can raise. On average riders raise about $1,000 and come up with novel ways to raise funds - trivia nights, BBQs, morning teas etc.
CANCELLATIONS
In the event of a cancellation, Zoo2Zoo Incorporated will refund your entry less any costs incurred.
Zoo2Zoo PROMOTIONAL KIT
Entrants must wear an official Zoo2Zoo riding shirt to participate in the Zoo2Zoo. If you have done a previous Zoo2Zoo, you are able to wear the riding shirt from that ride. Otherwise, you are able to purchase a jersey for $100. The cycling kit will be available for collection on the morning of the ride at the start of the Zoo2Zoo.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
We welcome people with disabilities on the Zoo2Zoo and ask that other riders show the same consideration and support they would expect to receive from other riders. Zoo2Zoo Incorporated will use all reasonable efforts to cater for your particular disability where able.
SUPPORT VEHICLES
A support vehicle will follow each group of 10 or so riders and will specifically support those riders.
Zoo2Zoo SAG WAGON (aka the gruppetto)
A trailing support vehicle for riders is provided by Zoo2Zoo Incorporated. The Sag Wagon travels behind the last riders on the ride to ensure all riders arrive safely at the end of each day.
COMMON SENSE
You must ride in a safe and responsible manner during the Zoo2Zoo and use common sense at all times. You should exercise caution on all public roads and operate defensively and courteously.
It is compulsory to have BicyleNSW membership, or something similar that has insurance covered. Please consider carefully what insurance you require for your personal situation.
Copyright 2006 (c) Zoo2Zoo