Training for elevation when home hills vs race hills don't quite compare?

[Trekhawk]

I've entered my dear & I in the Otway Odyssey (mtb) in Feb & understand it's mainly uphill & then some. If you're good with maps, have a peek at this one http://www.rapidascent.com.au/asp/Map.aspx?e=1

We have hills in Perth but they don't compare to the ones over in Vic!

Would any big long climb do? (Trekhawk, that BIG hill up to your abode might just do and is starting to look inviting...)

I think we need to get you on Mills Road East. If we tackled it on a week day after the peak hour it would be ok. It a longer climb than the others around here and pretty steep. Hmm I might find it a bit challenging at the moment with my lack of kms - perhaps I could be your sag wagon.