Getting bikes to the CWC

Barbara Hickson General

If you don’t have a car you may want to travel by train and bus to the CwC. There is a planned upgrade of trains to Dubbo, when a train carriage will be able to take wheel on bikes. But that is not until early 2022.

Discussions re getting your bikes to the CwC, by train and/or bus.

  • XPT direct to Dubbo. At present you are required to ‘box’ your bike. There is a planned train in 2022 with walk-on-bike carriage.
  • Train to Lithgow: great if you can bike walk on for the bus from Lithgow to Mudgee/Gulgong/Dunedoo.

XPT to Dubbo
You can pre-order a bike box and box your bike. (There are very limited numbers – only 5 available).
Catch the XPT from central to Dubbo, Mick Cooper can arrange to pick you up from the station in Dubbo, put your bike together in the bike shed and leave the box there; when finished, re box there and he will deliver you back to the station in Dubbo. (no charge).

  • Your boxed bike should be less than 20kg with dimensions of 138cm x 75cm x 23cm.
  • Dubbo carries 4 x boxes in stock, Central carries boxes. 
  • You will need to purchase a ticket for you and your bike (booking class BK and will cost $12.10 for your bike) and reserve a bike box beforehand.
  • Be there at least 30min prior to departure for loading. 
  • Phone No. 13 22 32 

Metropolitan train to Lithgow then by coach to Mudgee, Gulgong or Dunedoo

You can travel on the country trains from Central to Lithgow. It seems you can wheel your bike on board. However, when you change at Lithgow for the bus you will still need to box the bike officially, as above, with only 2 places available.

However, these buses are often only lightly used, 6-12 passengers and when the bus is fairly empty they could accommodate a bike – wrapped or bagged- nut no guarantee. Dimension of coach luggage door just over 95cm high so box or bagged bike can stand up. 

There is now a bike transfer option: ‘The Central West Cycle Trail connection’. You can train your bike to Lithgow and from there get accommodation and/or transport to your selected starting point on the CwC. Phone Sean on 0434946930 to discuss and book.