Looking for fun and adventure with a fitness twist? Try bicycling in Australia. There’s no better way to travel the length and breadth of the country and, of course, get fit at the same time.
Cycle along some of the world’s most famous roads, including the Great Ocean Road, the Blue Mountains and the Barossa Valley, and enjoy some of the finest views on earth. If you’re feeling really adventurous, cycle through the Outback on a four-wheel drive vehicle to experience some of Australia’s most famous national parks and the spectacular natural wonders they hold.
Riding a bike is a fantastic way to travel Australia – there are plenty of scenic roads and even less traffic than you’ll find on the motorway. Cycle through national parks and along beachside bike routes, and you’ll see many of the country’s most famous attractions. You can cycle between them too. Take in the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru or the Twelve Apostles in a day or two.
Cycling has never been so accessible thanks to the increasing number of cycleways in Australia. In some cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, you’ll find dedicated cycleways criss-crossing the city centre.
If you’ve always wanted to cycle around Australia but don’t know where to start, then the following sections will help you get started. The sections also provide information on the best cycle routes, whether you’re looking to take it easy and ride through scenic landscapes, or plan a more challenging cycling holiday in Australia.
If you want to go off-road, there are plenty of ways to do it in Australia. Riding a mountain bike or exploring Australia’s national parks are just a couple of the options available to you. If you’re looking for a bit of adventure and fun on the open road, check out our section on exploring Australia’s Outback on a 4WD tour.
Bicycle rental is very popular in Australia and there are hundreds of stores all over the country. Most of the larger cities and popular tourist destinations have shops where you can rent a bike, including Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Alice Springs.
It’s not uncommon to see families or groups of friends taking an evening ride around the local park. Some towns even hold night rides. Cyclists often meet up in the morning and ride together into town for breakfast.
There are also hundreds of organised cycle events held around Australia throughout the year. For example, the Tour Down Under (TDU) is a cycling event held each January in Adelaide. It’s one of the premier professional cycling events in the southern hemisphere and attracts hundreds of professional and amateur cyclists from around the world.
If you’re keen to ride your bicycle around Australia, you can either book yourself onto an organised cycling tour or try finding a local bike club. You may even find that the local club will let you join for a small membership fee.