Gears and Beers cycling festival

Gears and Beers – Wagga Wagga, Australia

• Date: 3–4 October 2026
• Location: Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
• Distances: 130km, 70km, 40km (gravel); 105km, 30km (road); 10km (path)
• Event Type: Gravel & Beer Festival

The Gears and Beers festival offers some of the finest gravel riding in Australia, set in the rolling farmland of rural New South Wales. This is an event built on community spirit, where the simple pleasures of the ride are matched by the warmth of the welcome. Over a weekend in early October, the town of Wagga Wagga becomes a meeting point for cyclists from across the country, all drawn to the quiet landscapes and the promise of a well-earned craft beer at the finish line.

The weekend’s main draw is the collection of Sunday rides, with the Dirty 130 and Salty 70 courses providing a full dose of classic farm gravel. These routes navigate through private family farms, on roads typically closed to the public, offering a unique perspective on the region. The terrain is varied and rewarding, delivering an authentic experience of gravel riding in Australia. For those with different tastes, road options and shorter, family-friendly rides along the river offer something for every rider.

The festival atmosphere begins to build on Saturday with a casual 40km warm-up ride and rider registration in the Victory Memorial Gardens. This is a chance to collect your race bag, meet fellow participants, and ease into the weekend. The atmosphere is relaxed and social, a fitting precursor to the main events on Sunday. The entire festival is powered by volunteers, from the local brewers pouring drinks to the Country Women's Association members baking cookies for the riders.

All routes are designed to culminate at the festival grounds, where the ride transitions seamlessly into celebration. Registered riders gain free entry to the craft beer and food festival, creating a lively hub of shared stories and camaraderie in the park. The focus is less on competition and more on the shared experience, bringing over two thousand riders together. It’s a format that celebrates the journey just as much as the destination, a core part of the appeal for this beloved gravel cycling event.

The event’s location in Wagga Wagga places it conveniently between Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, making it an accessible destination for a road trip. It has become a staple on the calendar for many, a testament to its strong community focus where all proceeds are returned to local charities. This commitment deepens the connection between the ride and the place. For those exploring other routes in the region, there are many opportunities for other gravel events in Australia, each with its own character.

With its blend of rewarding routes and genuine local hospitality, Gears and Beers offers a memorable weekend on and off the bike. The spirit of the event is rooted in its volunteer-run, community-first approach. More details on the courses, the schedule, and how to register can be found on the official event website.