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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
The NSW South Coast is the perfect destination to explore by bike. With breathtaking beaches, excellent food and wine, stunning natural scenery and plenty of charming towns to explore. On this six day adventure you can soak up all the delights of this popular region. Starting in Thirroul, the northern seaside suburb of Wollongong, you'll meander your way down the coast. You'll take in Kiama and its famous Blowhole before cycling to the historic town of Berry. Here you have the option of enjoying a rest day to explore the coastal cliff walks, beaches and sample the fine local produce at award winning wineries. If you are up for a challenge you may wish to complete the Kangaroo Valley cycle, a challenging but extremely rewarding 43km circuit. Then you'll continue to Nowra and Huskisson with one of the worlds whitest sandy beaches on the shores of Jervis Bay. On a self guided cycle each day is up to you. You can stop for a swim at the beaches en route, enjoy a quick coffee break at one of the cafes you pass, visit vineyards for lunch, or join a dolphin cruise around Jervis Bay. The choice is yours!
25kg of CO2-e PP per day
(126kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
Day 1
Arrive Thirroul, cycle along the coast to Kiama (59km)
Please make your way to Thirroul, a popular seaside suburb and surf beach made popular by English author D. H. Lawrence. Our cycle starts from the heritage-listed train station where you will be met for your bike handover and luggage collection. The bike handover will be set up based on your arrival time. We recommend arriving between 9:00 and 10:00am. Today's journey spends the majority of the day on cycle-ways as we make our way to Kiama. The trail follows the spectacular coast, passing beautiful beaches and the outskirts of Wollongong. There are plenty of cafes overlooking the coast to stop for a cold drink, an ice-cream or a coffee. The trail continues further south to the Nan Tien Temple, one of the largest Buddhist Temples in the Southern Hemisphere. You can stop here and explore the temple, paying respect to the Buddhas and lighting the incense available. From here, it's back on the bikes as you hug Lake Illawarra and head into the hilly environs of Kiama, via Bombo. Kiama is in a stunning setting and famous for it's coastal cliffs and blowholes that we can visit tomorrow. We spend the night in Kiama, where there is a choice of pubs and restaurants to choose from for dinner. Overnight: Kiama
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Visit the Kiama Blowhole, then cycle to Berry via Seven Mile Beach (27km)
Kiama is a wonderful area to explore with rugged coastal cliffs making for a lovely walk, spectacular surf beaches, ancient rainforest and the famous blowholes. After a leisurely breakfast, you can head down to the coastline to visit the famous Kiama Blowholes. The name Kiama allegedly means “where the sea makes a noise”. When you see the blowholes it will become obvious why. On a good day, it can spray water 20 metres or more into the air. After some time spent exploring the area it is back to the bikes for the cycle to Gerringong. The cycle starts out on the highway for a few kilometres until you reach the turnoff to Gerringong. We recommend taking the train between Kiama and Gerringong to avoid this section. *(If you wish to cycle on the highway, it is possible but you do need to be a confident road cyclist. It is also possible to walk between Kiama and Gerringong - this takes 3 hours and we will need to arrange for your bike to be transferred to Gerringong). From Gerringong, you'll descend into Gerroa which has marvellous coastal views and is a nice place to stop for a coffee and refuelling before crossing the Crooked River, and cycling past Seven Mile beach. This 12.5km stretch of white sandy beach is one of the longest beach stretches found on the Southern Coast and was used by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith as a runway for the first commercial flight from Australia to New Zealand. It is a great spot for a break and swim before we continue inland to Berry, your destination for the night. After lunch sampling the fine local produce we can recommend heading to the Drawing Room Rocks walk in the afternoon. Overnight: Berry
Day 3
Rest day in historic Berry town or optional loop to Kangaroo Valley (47km)
A challenging circular route to Kangaroo Valley – this is a 45km loop with 1178 metres of climbing, along windy country roads, not for the faint hearted. There are some steep stretches and it’s important to take enough water. We recommend an additional bottle for this one. Kangaroo Valley itself is a beautiful little town with a great choice of restaurants. The road is sealed with the exception of one brief section, about 1km long, which is unsurfaced but very rideable. For those up for the challenge it is a very rewarding day and well worth the effort! Overnight: Berry
Day 4
Continue cycling to Nowra with an optional winery lunch en route (28km)
If you cycled the Kangaroo Valley loop yesterday, you will appreciate a relaxing short, spectacular cycling day today. After breakfast, we start our relatively flat cycle to Nowra. There’s not much climbing today, so it’s a nice easy ride on a quiet road. There are a number of sites you can stop and take in including Coolangatta Estate winery, a recommended stop for lunch. After lunch you'll follow the Shoalhaven River and cross over it into Nowra. Nowra is the largest coastal town in the Shoalhaven region, surrounded by rich farmland and vineyards, perfect for exploring at handlebar level. Only a short distance from the delightful centre lies the stunning beaches of the NSW South Coast. Overnight: Nowra
Day 5
Cycle to the coastal town of Huskisson, featuring some of the worlds whitest sand beaches (42km)
The cycle today heads toward the aerodrome, you may wish to make an optional stop at the Fleet Air Museum. It is well worth a visit, and has around 30 aircraft on display, a basic helicopter simulator which you can have a go on, and more. From here it’s a ride along a beautiful back road featuring classic Australian bush scenery with eucalyptus trees and farmlands either side. You then cross the highway and head back towards the coast and the run into the bustling coastal town of Huskisson and nearby Jervis Bay. The beaches here are a must-visit, the beach sand is some of the whitest sand found anywhere in the world! Your hire bike will be collected this afternoon. Overnight: Huskisson
Day 6
Optional whale/dolphin cruise in the morning, trip concludes
You are right on the doorstep of the Jervis Bay Marine Park, teaming with a vast array of marine life including bottle nose Dolphins along with stunning coastline. You can use this morning to take a dolphin watching cruise around Jervis Bay (or join a whale watching tour if you're travelling between mid-May to mid-November). The trip concludes today in Huskisson.
What's included
What's not included
The bicycles we provide are high quality hybrid touring bikes, with 7 or 8 speed gears. You will also be provided with a helmet, bike lock, handlebar bag and pannier.
The majority of the route is on reasonable bitumen road. Most of the roads are quiet roads, however there are some short and unavoidable sections where you will cycling on the highway and some busier sections of road cycling. Day 2 starts with a few kilometres on the highway heading out of Kiama. This can be avoided if you prefer by taking the bikes on the train between Kiama and Gerrigong and continuing from there.
There are some sections where you will cycle on paved cycle paths as you follow the coast towards Wollongong.
You'll spend 5 nights in clean, comfortable 3 star hotels. The rooms are spacious double/twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The hotels chosen are all well located; close to town and to the bike trail. Pictured here is the Berry Inn, one of the properties we use.
This self guided trip involves 5 days of cycling over undulating terrain. Daily cycle distances are between 27 to 58km, which should take between 3-6 hours although this might be longer depending on your overall pace on riding a bike with a pannier. Being a self guided trip you determine the pace and schedule. The cycling will be on a mix of bike paths and quiet roads. There are some short, unavoidable sections where you will cycle along the highway. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health and be a very confident and capable cyclist. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions which can also add to the timing and comfort of a trip, for example riding into a head wind will take more time than when the wind is behind you.
Per Person, Twin Share
The easiest way to get to Thirroul is by car. If you are coming from Sydney the drive is around 1.5 hours. Ample street parking is available in the streets surrounding Thirroul train station where you can park your car for the duration of your cycle trip.
You can also take the train from Sydney to Thirroul. This is a 90 minute journey.
The bike handover will take place at Thirroul train station. We will arrange the bike handover based on your planned arrival time, however we recommend arriving between 9:00 and 10:00am.
Your luggage will also be collected at this bike handover and then transferred to your first hotel.
You can catch a local bus to Bomaderry, then a connecting train to Thirroul.
Alternatively, we can arrange a transfer between Huskisson and Thirroul. Please speak with our staff for more details.
Yes, you need to be a capable cyclist. You will cover up to 58km in a day and you will need to be confident cycling on roads. There are some unavoidable sections where you will need to cycle along the highway so you will need to be confident cycling on the road.
Yes, if you prefer to bring your own bike you can. Please speak with our staff about this at the time of booking and a small discount will be applied.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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As the pioneers of self guided active travel in Australia you can expect a seamless experience. Our quality tour notes and logistical expertise sets us apart and ensures a quality experience for you.
Our team is passionate about cycling and their extensive knowledge and experience means you get the very best advice - every time. We will help you tailor the right cycling itinerary for you.
Expect first-class and flexible support both on and off the trail. We've sourced the highest quality bikes and most authentic accommodations so you can enjoy a stress free cycling trip.
By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.
Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.
Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
4Days
Moderate
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Introductory to Moderate