Ultimate East Coast of Australia

14 days, 13 nights  2536 km/1572 miles

This really is the absolute pinnacle of motorcycle touring on the east coast of Australia, we’re not just saying that either, it really is! All the quintessentially Australian highlights in the eastern reaches, connected together by some of the finest motorcycling roads the country has to offer. It’s one of our personal favourite rides and once you’ve experienced it, you’ll see why! Arrival – Sydney – We’ll all meet at the city centre hotel where you’ll spend your first night. It’s within walking distance of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour and other attractions. You’ll meet your team of guides and your new co-riders and we’ll run through the tour and answer any questions. A 10 minute walk will take us to Circular Quay and around to the Rocks district where we’ll have a celebratory first night dinner with superb views overlooking the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The views at night are simply spectacular and it makes for a great start to the tour.

Day 1- Sydney to Blue Mountains – 65 miles. After breakfast we’ll transport you to the depot 10 minutes from the city centre and you’ll collect your bike. we’ll ride out of Sydney to the world famous Blue Mountains . You’ll visit huge lookouts over the valleys, see the Three Sisters and go down the steepest railway in the world to the valley floor at Scenic World. It’s a short first day’s ride but there’s lots to see and it eases us into the tour nicely. The lovely hotel has magnificent views over the valley and a drink on the balcony is a perfect place to watch the changing colours of the mountains as the sun goes down.

Day 2 – Blue Mountains to Hunter Valley – 162 miles. It’s a prompt start the following day, so no lounging around in bed allowed. We’ll wind our way through the brilliant curves of a stunning back road, complete with superb views through the Wollemi National Park. It was only 30 years or so ago when the now famous Wollemi Pine tree was discovered in this area. The route is one of the best biking routes in New South Wales and a closely guarded secret. As it flattens out you’ll find yourself riding through the beautiful vineyards of the Hunter Valley, with a picturesque mountain backdrop in the distance.

Day 3 – Hunter Valley to Armidale – 223 miles. Leaving the lush vineyards behind, we’ll continue riding north twisting along a well known biking back road called Thunderbolts Way. There are welcoming country towns along the way which provide plenty of opportunities for regular breaks, plus some jaw dropping lookouts over the Great Dividing Range. Many people are surprised at the lush green valleys and towering mountains found along the route. The overnight stay is in the town of Armidale, which is ideally located for tomorrows ride along the lovely Waterfall Way.

Day 4 – Armidale to Bellingen – 95 miles. The Waterfall Way is a beautifully scenic route with many lookouts over the surrounding countryside and valleys. The road meanders towards the coast and is full of National Parks, waterfalls, beautifully green rolling hills and dense rainforest. We’ll stop at the smallest motorcycle museum in the World’s café for lunch and then visit the rainforest centre at the top of the escarpment that leads down to the coast. A walk through the rainforest is fascinating with its varied bird and tangled plant life. The road down the escarpment through the rainforest is one of the best biking roads in the country and it ends with a ride alongside the river leading to the hotel for the evening. If there’s time there’s no better way to end a warm day’s ride than to swim in a crystal clear pool and take in the steep mountain scenery of the Promised Land near Bellingen. There’s limited accommodation here but the motel has superb views over the mountain range, a tropical pool and restaurant with bar.

Day 5 – Bellingen to Byron Bay – 197 miles. In the morning we ride back up that superb biking road we came in on, up to the top of the escarpment, before making our way down through dense rainforest and along tightly twisting roads to the vibrant coastal town of Byron Bay. Once a centre for ‘alternative lifestylers‘, Byron Bay has clung on to that unique atmosphere and generally chilled out approach to life. You can relax on the beach, visit the famous lighthouse, enjoy the goings on in town and visit the most easterly point of Australia at Cape Byron.

Day 6 – Free Day – There’s more than enough to do in Byron Bay for a full day. You’ll have your own time to walk/relax on the beautiful beaches, shop for souvenirs in unusual stores, visit the lighthouse and perhaps ride along the coastline or even up to the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise if you wish. Byron is a busy, small coastal town with a really nice feel that comes from its days as an ‘alternative lifestyle’ centre. It has moved upmarket since then but hasn’t lost it’s simple appeal and there are plenty of artisans, musicians and interesting characters around town to make it exciting and fun.

Day 7 – Byron Bay to Toowoomba – 208 miles. The ride through the northern NSW hinterland is simply stunning. Nimbin is the hippy and alternative lifestyle capital of Australia and psychedelic shop fronts rule the village centre! There’s superb scenery all the way to Toowoomba known as Queensland’s Garden City on top of the Great Dividing Range.

Day 8- Toowoomba to Rainbow Beach – 213 miles. In the morning we drive past Somerset Dam and along parts of the fantastic Blackall Range Tourist Drive before eventually arriving at the lovely coastal village of Rainbow Beach. You’ll stay in a fabulous hotel with rooms overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Cool off in the pool or walk across the road to a superb beach that runs 60km from Fraser Island in the north to Noosa in the south. With views along the coast to Fraser Island, a great hotel bar next door and another over the road, with views along the coast, it’s the perfect place to spend two nights and to relax before and after the busy Fraser Island 4WD tour.

Day 9- Fraser Island – The Fraser Island 4WD tour is exciting, fascinating and bumpy at times! A 4WD coach and expert tour guide will help you discover the largest sand island in the world. The 80km eastern beach is the ‘main road’! You’ll visit shipwrecks, swim in crystal clear streams, be driven through narrow tracks in the rainforest, see wild Dingos (hopefully!) and spend an hour or so on the most perfect white beach at a pristine cobalt blue freshwater lake. You can take a short plane ride (taking off from the beach!) for about £47.00 and lunch is included. It’s a great day out and one of the highlights of the tour for many.

Day 10- Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay – 95 miles The ride up to Hervey Bay is via picturesque pine plantations before stopping for breakfast at Tin Can Bay. Here the endangered wild dolphins swim into knee deep water to interact with the visitors. You can say hi and thank them for the experience with a fish breakfast if you like! The café overlooks the beach and we’ll enjoy more traditional fare before riding to Maryborough for morning coffee and a wander around this character filled country town. It’s only a short ride from there to Hervey Bay and the beautiful resort there has swimming pools, lovely apartments and a good bar /restaurant with views over the ocean. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the resort, walking along the seafront and long jetty or taking a ride in the local area.

Day 11- Great Barrier Reef and Lady Eliot Island – In the morning, after a hearty breakfast you’ll take a short (45min) flight out to the world famous Great Barrier Reef. Lady Eliot Island is a coral island with a fascinating history, which you can investigate further during the included guided tour on the island. The reef itself is teeming with life. Giant clams, huge anemones, colourful fish and thousands of coral species make this a truly special underwater treasure and an unforgettable part of the tour. There is as much snorkelling as you like included in the tour of the reef, but if you’ve not done it before it’s easy to give it a go in the safe waters around the island, there’s even a glass bottom boat if you’d prefer not to get wet.

Day 12- Hervey Bay to Noosa – 225 or 117 miles. From Hervey Bay there are two options depending on your preference. Those with a hankering for more riding and a ‘taste’ of the Outback will want to indulge in the longer, full day option of a looping ride from Hervey Bay down to Noosa. The route heads inland from the coast via tiny towns and villages, through some great scenery and along some picturesque and relaxed biking roads. Those who’d rather spend some extra time in Noosa enjoying the shopping, cafes, beaches or simply relaxing in the hotel, can take the shorter option to Noosa which only takes a couple of hours. A walk along the breathtaking coastline at Noosa Heads National Park is wonderful, especially if you manage to spot one of the many koalas in the trees overlooking the ocean!

Day 13- Noosa to Brisbane – 115 miles. After a delicious breakfast overlooking the river we ride inland into the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Morning coffee is at a café with one of the best views in the area. The Sunshine Coast stretches out on all sides, with the rainforest and green fields of the hinterland in front, the coastal townships in the middle and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. After a stop at a lookout over the stunning Glass House Mountains we’ll ride back down the escarpment to the late Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. We’ll arrive in time for the main arena show with the big crocs, snakes and birds and you’ll have plenty of time to look around at the other incredible wildlife. The ride into Brisbane takes an hour or so and we’ll spend the final night at a lovely city centre hotel, where we’ll have a great celebration and final dinner together!

Day 14  Departure Day It really is the ultimate east coast bike tour! Superb scenery, great biking roads, top quality bikes, lovely accommodation, delicious meals and fantastic excursions to Scenic World, the vineyards, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef and Steve Irwin’s Zoo. It’s all taken care of and you can be sure to see the best Australia has to offer.

East coast of Australia guided motorcycle tours, 2019 Prices (per person):

Bike Choice 2 people 1 bike 1 room 1 person 1 bike shared room 1 person 1 bike single room
BMW F650GS/F800GS; Honda VT750; Yamaha XVS650 £3800 £5557 £6528
BMW R1200GS/R1200RT £3911 £5777 £6748
HD Road King/Heritage Softtail £4002 £5960 £6932
HD Ultra Classic/Street Glide £4130 £6217 £7188

*Prices quoted may fluctuate due to exchange rates. The above prices are based on May 2018 exchange rates, which may improve. Please contact us for today’s prices   What’s Included: 

  • First night in a central Sydney hotel and celebratory dinner overlooking the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
  • 13 days with perfectly prepared late model motorcycle – HD, BMW, Suzuki, Honda (list below).
  • 14 nights in quality 4/5 star hotels and resorts.
  • Large hot or cold breakfast.
  • Lead rider and expert guide who will share a wealth of knowledge about flora, fauna, geology and the history of the route.
  • Support vehicle for your luggage and senior first aider.
  • Blue Mountain Scenic World Railway the steepest railway in the World.
  • Afternoon Hunter Valley Wine Tour.
  • Steve Irwin’s – Australia Zoo.
  • End of tour celebration dinner and last night accommodation in Brisbane city centre hotel.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: Fraser Island 4×4 tour  £99  Per person* The largest sand island in the world, World Heritage Site and unspoilt gem of the east coast. Best experienced by fantastic 4×4 tour, there aren’t many options other than 4×4 really as the closest thing to a road, is in fact the beach! Great Barrier Reef – Flight to Lady Eliot Island £190  Per person* The world’s largest coral reef, incredibly diverse World Heritage Site and “must see before you pop your clogs” natural wonder. Enjoy a flight out to Lady Eliot Island on the Barrier Reed where you can indulge in underwater explorations, stroll around the island, marvel at the incredible wildlife on display or simply kick back, relax and revel in your very own coral paradise.

Not Included in the East coast of Australia guided motorcycle tours:  Lunch, drinks, airfares, visas, additional hotel fees such as mini bar etc.   The itinerary may be subject to change owing to availability of accommodation or road conditions. All mileages are approximate. If you are riding in hot temperatures, you may wish to consider our Mesh and Hyperkewl products.

Leave your details and we'll be in touch

9 + 1 =