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Go Bicycle Touring in Australia

All about bicycle touring in Australia

Australia is the world’s largest island – but smallest continent. It covers an area of 7.69 million square kilometres and has a population of almost 23 million people. It is the world’s 12th-largest nation, and is also the only continent that is governed by a single country. Australia also boasts the third largest ocean territory in the world, spanning three oceans and twelve million square kilometres.

From a bicycle touring perspective, Australia is home to some of the most sought-after bike touring destinations, from the infamous Nullarbor Plain crossing, to the island of Tasmania (Home of the Tasmanian Devil), and the mountainous region of the Victorian Alps – Australia’s wine country. The island offers a multitude of locations for bicycle tourists, mountain bikers, and road cycling. There’s definitely something for everyone who visits the continent.

Inspiration for you bike tour

Australia is a stunning country for bike touring – with incredible landscapes and diversity of animals.

Here are a few highlights to inspire and excite you…

  • How about the Cairns to Karumba bike ride: This 780km ride takes you from coast to coast across Cape York in Far North Queensland, Australia. This is an area that few people ever get to see. With both road and mountain bike options, this ride caters for everyone.
  • Manly Beach is one of the most famous sea-fronts in the world … explore it on your bike as you cruise along world famous Manly Beach. Follow the dedicated bike path along the ocean promenade and past the Mediterranean style villas along Cabbage Tree Bay to picturesque Shelly Beach.
  • Every year there is a mass ride in Victoria, Australia called the Great Victorian Bike Ride. A wonderful 9 day event run by ‘Bicycle Network’ where a few thousand people get together and cycle some of the most beautiful parts of Victoria and Australia.

Just a few of the bike tours in Australia...

Popular Bike Tour Destinations In Australia

  • The Barossa Valley is deep in the heart of Australian wine country, the Valley winds it’s way through the various wineries, the scenery is diverse – from rugged ravines to winding country lanes dotted with grape-rich vineyards. It also is the home of the ever-challenging Adelaide Hills, a region which began as Germanic settlements and maintains it’s medieval roots with a Medieval Fair, held annually in April.  
  • Byron Bay was named after British Royal Navy officer – John Byron. Also called, “Foul-weather Jack”. Byron Bay is located in New South Wales, right on the Australian coast, an adjacent headland, called Cape Byron, is the easternmost point of mainland Australia. Byron Bay offers a constant reminder that you are in ocean-side, beach-filled paradise. In addition the beaches, there’s often a back-drop of natural wonders in forestland and reserves sprawling away from the succulent white sand of Australia’s east coast.
  • The Gold Coast is located in Australia’s eastern region of Queensland. It’s a marvel of agricultural interchange, as vineyards, livestock estates and farmlands lead toward more than 100,000 hectares of National Parks. These National Parks are networked by trails of bush, six days of cycling is rewarded by stunning views of various canyons and valleys.
  • The Great Ocean Road begins in the surfing paradisical town of Torquay, meandering through cascading waterfalls, rainforests, and ancient fern gullies on one side. While on the other side, you’re faced with glorious seascapes and rock formations, surfing beaches and coastal scenery. The Great Ocean Road is 300 kilometres of paradise, intended for the moderate to advanced touring cyclist.
  • Tropical North Queensland is home to two world heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef, and the wet tropics of Queensland. Offering cyclists the opportunity to stop and truly embrace amazing Australia. Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, or swimming with crocodiles (crikey, mate!) on the Daintree River.

Facts About Australia

  • Nearly 7 million square miles of Australia, or 91%, is covered by vegetation.
  • Melbourne, Victoria, is home to the world’s second-largest Greek population. The largest being Athens, Greece.
  • Over 25% of Australians were born in another country. Making it the country with the world’s highest migrant proportion in a developed nation.
  • There are over 200 different languages and dialects spoken in Australia, 45 of these are Indigenous languages. The most common non-English languages spoken are: Italian, Greek, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin.
  • The first Australian of the Year award was awarded in 1960, to Professor Macfarlane Burnet, who – in the same year – also won the Nobel Prize for ground-breaking physiology research.
  • Australia was the second country in the World to allow women the right to vote, the decision was made in 1902.
  • Kangaroo meat is widely available in Australia, and can be purchased from the supermarket, or butcher. It is a leaner and healthier alternative to beef or lamb, boasting a fat content of just 1-2%.
  • Australia produces approximately 1.35 trillion bottles of wine.
Photos by Lincoln Peh, Hai Linh Truong and Travis Simon.