Motorcycle Tours in Australia
For those seeking true adventure, open horizons, and outback experiences, Australia is a motorcycling heaven. This country is so vast and diverse that motorcycle tours in Australia feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience: here, scorching deserts, green tropical rainforests, rugged mountains, and paradise-like coastline are all within reach. Whether you travel the East Coast with its sunny Pacific Coast beaches and the Great Barrier Reef, central Australia with its mesmerizing desert landscapes and the world-famous Uluru-Ayers Rock, or the southern part of the country with the majestic Grampians Mountains stretching into the horizon, you’re guaranteed to get your fill of adventure and thrill. Motorcycle tours in Australia are all about those open roads, incredible scenery, and mind-blowing landscapes awaiting around every corner. Otherworldly views and vistas aside, Australia also boasts a rich cultural heritage, deep-rooted motorcycle culture, and friendly locals. Exploring aboriginal rock art and doing bush walks with the indigenous people are available for those looking to learn more about Australia’s pre-colonial heritage, and if you’re into your Rally Dakar history and heroes, Alice Springs, a town hosting the annual Tatts Finke Desert race, is must-see. Aussies are world-famous for their laid back, friendly nature, so you’re guaranteed to make friends everywhere you go – especially on two wheels.
Australia Motorcycle Tour Highlights
Most Australia motorcycle tours also include off-bike activities that just cannot be missed: wine tasting tours, boat trips over the Great Barrier Reef, and hikes in the Grampians are all on offer, and if you have the time, be sure to experience it all. If you’re considering shipping motorcycles to Australia and exploring on your own or aren’t sure which tour option to pick, here is what should make it to your itinerary: East Coast and Sydney Australia’s East Coast is among the most popular motorcycle destinations in the country. Curvy coastal routes, the proximity to mountain twisties, the world-famous Sunshine Coast beaches and the cities of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne are all located on the East Coast. Chances are, most motorcycle tours in Australia will start in Sydney, the country’s oldest city featuring the famous Opera House designed like white sails overlooking the sea. Home to iconic places such as the Bondi Beach, the Darling Harbour, and the Harbour Bridge, Sydney is an excellent starting point for your motorbike tour. Hunter Valley Located just north of Sydney, Hunter Valley is Australia’s major wine region. Dating back to the 1800's, Hunter Valley wines are best known for the distinct Shiraz and Semillon varieties, and local winemakers happily offer wine tasting experiences and vineyard tours. Whether you’re on a rental bike or joining a guided motorcycle tour in Australia, Hunter Valley is a must if you’re a wine lover – just make sure you’re keeping it within the limits! Blue Mountains Heading West from Sydney, you’ll soon begin to wonder at the sandstone plateaus and mountain views as you climb the twisties into the Blue Mountains. This is where the roads seem to have been built with motorcyclists in mind: endless curves and bends with dramatic, rugged scenery unfolding before you and revealing forested slopes, eucalyptus trees, waterfalls, and towering cliffs as well as the famous Three Sisters sandstone rock formation similar to the landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico. The breathtaking wilderness of the Blue Mountains is a bucket list experience on any of the motorcycle tours in Australia. Uluru/Ayers Rock Easily the most recognizable landmark in Australia, the Uluru/Ayers Rock is a massive sandstone rock towering 863 meters above the sea level. Situated just a little over 200 miles southwest of Alice Springs, Uluru is a sacred place for the aboriginal communities, whereas for foreign visitors, it’s simply an astonishing sight to behold. If you have the time to explore the area, bush walks are available here revealing rock art, cave paintings, springs, and waterholes. Uluru is especially spectacular during the sunset when the last rays of the setting sun dye the rock glowering red. Just sixteen miles west of Uluru lies another geological miracle, the Kata Tjuta, better know as Olga or simply, The Olgas. A rock formation of dome-shaped humps, the Olgas are also best viewed at dusk when they change color; there is easy road access and a parking lot with a view of both the Olgas and the Uluru nearby. If you’re thinking of choosing one of the motorcycle tours in Australia, make sure Uluru and the Olgas are on their itinerary – these sites are not to miss while traveling the Down Under. Grampians National Park Australia may be the most famous for its deserts and the remote outback, but it also boasts a majestic mountain range contained within the Grampians National Park. One of the most popular mountaineering and hiking destinations for holidaying Aussies, the Grampaans offer views of the rugged mountains, sandstone rock formations, and pristine, untouched wilderness. Alice Springs The Mecca and Medina for all off-road motorcycle fanatics, Alice Springs is a town located in the very heart of the Australian outback. The off-road racing capital where Australian rider Toby Price emerged to later win the Rally Dakar several times, Alice Springs is the one place you simply must visit on your motorbike tour in Australia. Located in the desert, Alice Springs is also the starting point or a basecamp to explore the nearby Uluru/Ayers Rock and the Devils Marbles, a Mars-like collection of round red rocks balanced like giant bowling balls in the desert. Great Barrier Reef One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef on the East Coast of Australia is the Earth’s largest coral reef, so vast it’s visible from space. Located right off the coast of Queensland, Great Barrier Reef can be reached via airplane to Lady Elliot Island, from where you can take a glass-bottomed boat or go snorkeling to see the Reef up close and personal. Even if you prefer to focus on the roads and the scenery on your motorcycle tour in Australia, seeing the Great Barrier Reef is simply a must.
Practical Information for Touring Australia
Because Australia lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons here are reversed, and the most pleasant time to travel here is April through to September. June, July, and August are the busiest months, and the outback territories see extremely hot temperatures during that time. Your best bet is to choose motorcycle tours in Australia that take place in September and October when you can enjoy the sunny days on the beach as well as explore the desert regions. Australia is one of the more expensive countries to travel: here, expect to spend around $100-150 a day for food, fuel, and accommodation. However, most Australia motorcycle tours offer inclusive packages, so you may save some costs by going on a guided tour. Australia is a very safe country to travel, but be sure to hydrate well and keep in mind that some of the areas, such as the roads leading to Alice Springs, are very remote. Be prepared, carry some tools and spares, and adventure carefully. When it comes to motorcycle choices for Australia, there is no wrong bike. If you’re planning to stay on tarmac, anything from a Harley-Davidson to an adventure bike will do the job perfectly. However, if you intend to get off the road or are tempted to try Australian off-road racing, pick a smaller, lighter dirt bike or a medium-sized dual sport.
