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Ten Epic Australian Cycling Holiday Destinations
Australia is a beautiful country, full of extraordinary wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and charming hospitality. While key sights such as the Sydney Opera House and Uluru aren’t to be missed, for a truly unique experience of travelling to Australia there’s nothing quite like getting off the beaten track and onto a cycleway. Whether you’re keen to challenge yourself on an Australian trail or you’re after more of a leisurely pedal, there’s an unforgettable cycling holiday in Australia for you.
In no particular order, here are 10 ultimate cycling destinations in Australia that you need to experience.
1. Central West NSW
Exploring the Central West of NSW on a cycling tour is steadily growing in popularity as travellers want to become immersed in the country Australian lifestyle. The recently established Central West Trail is the main reason for this surge because it links rural towns, such as Mudgee, Dunedoo, Gulgong and Dubbo, together. This route can be cycled on a
self-guided or
supported tour, or a shorter
o90 tour.
There is also the centre-based
Mudgee Explorer trip that focuses on the wineries and fresh produce of the area. And one of the biggest hidden gems in NSW, the
Capertee Valley. This is quite literally 'big', with the valley being 1km wider than the Grand Canyon.
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View all Central West NSW cycling tours
2. The Rail Trails of Victoria's High Country
Embrace the diverse landscapes of Victoria's High Country as you follow the
Great Victorian Rail Trail, one of Australia's longest rail trails, or the
Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. Originally built to take steam engines, these dedicated cycleways showcase classic Australian scenery such as valleys, lakes, rivers and mountains. It’s not just the surroundings that will keep you spellbound; the divine food and wine of rural Victoria is the perfect reward for an enjoyable day of cycling. Take a look at
Erin's photo diary of her family cycling holiday along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
3. Snowy Mountains to the Sea
The Snowy Mountains are home to some of Australia’s most breathtaking views.
Popular among cyclists is the rewarding
Sea to Kosciuszko route, where you pedal from the glittering coastline at Tathra, on the far south coast of NSW, until you reach the top of Australia in the form of Mount Kosciuszko near Jindabyne. There is also the reverse route, from
Kosciuszko to the Sea, and options to use an e-bike for an extra boost to your pedalling. There's also a
supported tour if you'd like to join a small group of like-minded travellers.
4. Australia's Top End & Kakadu
The Top End fills people’s imagination with crocodiles, buffalo and barramundi and images of sweeping landscapes and flood plains, and you can discover it all on an amazing bike trip in the Northern Territory. This 5-day supported cycling tour features cultural insights from Indigenous guides and wildlife cruises, all tied together by pedalling through the backroads of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks.
5. South East Queensland & the Brisbane Valley
The region of South East Queensland is a sumptuous corner of the 'Sunshine State', offering a wide range of attractions and experiences.
One of the highlights is the
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. This excellent bike path features many historic towns and villages, fresh local food and wine, and iconic Australian scenery including rugged mountains and sweeping valleys. It's also possible to cycle the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and the Kilkivan Rail Trail in a
combined self-guided trip.
6. Hunter Valley NSW
How does a leisurely ride through one of Australia’s premier wine regions sound? The Hunter Valley is just a couple of hours drive from Sydney and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are many charming vineyards to explore that offer both award-winning wines to try as well as sprawling views of the countryside. There’s a dedicated cycle path linking many of the wineries with gentle distances to cover between them.
7. Tasmania
Tasmania is home to some of Australia’s most pristine nature. It’s an unspoilt island with remarkable rainforests, rugged mountains, stunning beaches, wild rivers and cosy villages. If you’re interested in an incredible cycling adventure in Australia then
Tasmania will surprise and delight. Explore destinations with vivid names such as the Bay of Fires, Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain National Park and reward yourself with some of the best food and wine Australia has to offer, largely due to the pure waters of Tasmania’s rivers.
8. South Coast NSW
Explore Australia’s spectacular coastline on the south coast of New South Wales. This region has everything a traveller to Australia could want. Highlights include spotting whales and dolphins, the famous white sandy beaches of Jervis Bay National Park, coastal cliff walks, encountering inquisitive kangaroos, plus visiting an award-winning vineyard or two in the historic town of Berry.
Read about eight iconic experiences on the South Coast here. All of these experiences are possible on one of the self-guided cycling tours in the South Coast region. The close proximity to Sydney (Wollongong is just an hour away!) makes the South Coast an easily accessible journey.
9. Southern Highlands of NSW
Discover the beautiful countryside, regional cuisine, and vineyards of the Southern Highlands on a memorable cycling trip. Take the backroads between iconic towns such as Bundanoon, Burradoo and Moss Vale, all the while feasting your eyes on the numerous grand estates, vineyards and green rolling hills.
There are many activities to do in the Southern Highlands when you’re out of the saddle. Discover Berrima's quaint historic centre, take in the viewpoints at Fitzroy Falls, enjoy a lazy lunch at the Burrawang Hotel, browse the vast selection of books at Berkelouw Book Barn and immerse yourself in the Bradman Museum in Bowral.
10. Munda Biddi Trail in Western Australia
The Munda Biddi Trail, meaning "path through the forest" in the local indigenous language, is a world class cycling trail in southern Western Australia. The trail weaves its way from Albany to Mundaring just outside Perth, traversing a wide range of forest and coastal landscapes. Through Jarrah, Karri and Tingle forest, along the coast and through 15 picturesque South-West towns, all up the trail is over 1000 kilometres long. On our guided cycling tour, we cover 207km over 6 unforgettable days.
Which of these destinations is at the top of your cycling to-do list? Share your choice in the comment section below.