THE ULTIMATE EAST COAST GUIDED MOTORCYCLE TOUR · to the Great Barrier Reef! Lady Musgrave Island...

T H E U L T I M A T E E A S T C O A S T G U I D E D M O T O R C Y C L E T O U R

B E S T A D V I C E - B E S T T O U R S - B E S T B I K E SB E S T A D V I C E - B E S T T O U R S - B E S T B I K E S

http://www.bikeroundoz.com


This really is the Ultimate East Coast Tour. Discover the spectacular east coast of Australia on this unbeatable 13 day guided tour.

You’ll ride all the main highlights via some peerless biking roads, through scenery that epitomises the beauty of the Australian landscape. Expert guides ensure none of your questions go unanswered and great quality accommodation along the route, ensures you can kick back and relax at the end of each day in beautiful surroundings.

Optional and included excursions off the bikes provide plenty of opportunities for exploration and a taste of ‘Australiana’.

Visit ‘Australia Zoo’ and ‘Scenic World’ in the Blue Mountains. Tour some of the countries finest vineyards, explore the sandy paradise of Fraser Island and roam over (and under!) the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Everything is taken care of for you. All that’s left to worry about is having the experience of a lifetime!

THE ULTIMATE EAST COAST TOUR

Guided Tour THE ULTIMATE EAST COAST


Day 1: Sydney to Katoomba in the Blue MountainsRIDING DISTANCE: 105km

Day 2: Katoomba to the Hunter ValleyRIDING DISTANCE: 267km

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.

It’s a prompt start the following day and we’ll wind along a stunning back road 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 road is one of the best biking routes in New South Wales . As it flattens out you’ll find yourself in the beautiful vineyards of the Hunter Valley with the mountain backdrop in the distance. We’ll arrive early afternoon in time for a tour of a few local wineries - on a coach of course!

Leaving the vineyards we’ll continue north twisting along a well known biking back road called Thunderbolts Way. There are friendly country towns and huge lookouts over the Great Dividing Range. Many people are surprised at the lush green valleys and dramatic mountainsides. Charming small country towns provide regular opportunities for a break. The overnight stay is in Armidale which is ideally located for tomorrow’s ride along the lovely Waterfall Way.

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 café’ for lunch and then visit the rainforest centre at the top of the escarpment that leads down to the coast. 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.

DAY TO DAY OUTLINEDay 3: Hunter Valley to ArmidaleRIDING DISTANCE: 360km

Day 4: Armidale to BellingenRIDING DISTANCE: 152km



Day 5: Bellingen to Byron BayRIDING DISTANCE: 318km

In the morning we ride back up that superb biking road onto the top of the escarpment and make our way through rainforest and tightly twisting roads to the vibrant coastal town of Byron Bay. It has spectacular beaches, a small town centre with a wonderful alternative atmosphere and beautiful coastlines including the lighthouse at the most easterly point in Australia.

Day 6 - Free Day: Byron Bay RIDING DISTANCE: 0 km

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.

In the morning we ride 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 TO DAY OUTLINEDay 7: Byron Bay to ToowoombaRIDING DISTANCE: 335km

The ride through the northern NSW hinterland is simply stunning. Nimbin is the hippy and alternative lifestyle capital of Australia and psychaedelic 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 BeachRIDING DISTANCE: 343 km



From Agnes Water we’ll ride south along the Bruce Highway to Noosa. It’s the longest ride of the tour but worth the effort as Noosa has one of the best climates, coastlines and chic town centres in Australia. It’s superbly located on a perfect beach and is a centre for surfers, food lovers and people who enjoy spending their time in the outdoors. A walk along the breathtaking coastline at Noosa Heads National Park is wonderful especially if you see one of the many koalas in the trees overlooking the ocean!

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 AU$70 and lunch is included. It’s a great day out and one of the highlights of the tour for many.

Day 9 - 4WD Tour: Fraser IslandRIDING DISTANCE: 0 km

The ride up to Agnes Water is via seemingly endless avocado and sugarcane lined roads. We’ll stop for lunch in the town of Bundaberg (famous for its rum) and continue north to settle into the resort at Agnes Water. Once unpacked you can swim in the pool, walk on the beach or relax on your apartment balcony before dinner at the best restaurant in town overlooking the 1770 inlet.

Day 10: Rainbow Beach to Agnes WaterRIDING DISTANCE: 329km

In the morning after breakfast you’ll take a fast boat out to the Great Barrier Reef! Lady Musgrave Island is a coral atoll with fascinating history. A guided tour on the island is included as is as much snorkelling as you like. The reef is teeming with life! Giant clams, huge anemones, colourful fish and hundreds of coral species make this a special underwater place and an unforgettable part of the tour. If you’ve not snorkelled before there’s plenty of helpers, a floating pontoon and a glass bottom boat if you’d prefer not to get wet. Diving is optional.

Day 11 - Organised Tour: Great Barrier Reef & Lady Musgrave Island RIDING DISTANCE: 0 km

Day 12: Agnes Water to NoosaRIDING DISTANCE: 418km

DAY TO DAY OUTLINE



Day 13: Noosa to BrisbaneRIDING DISTANCE: 185km

There’s time to shop for an hour or two in the morning before we ride into the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Lunch 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. From there 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

Read on for a brief pictoral diary of the tour...

DAY TO DAY OUTLINE



You’ll spend your evenings in some of the nicest accommodation available in each town. It’s mostly 4 - 4.5 star hotels with the odd stay in good quality 3.5 star motels in country Australia. Restaurants and bars are in the hotels and nearby and so there’s always a nice room to rest in after a good day’s ride, good food and great company!

WHERE WILL WE BE STAYING?



SYDNEY



SydneyCapital city of New South Wales, the site of Australia’s first permanent European settlement, and one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Set on a large harbour it has the natural advantages of walks around the foreshores, spectacular views, bayside parks, gardens and the architectural magic of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

From this classic starting point in the majestic city, you collect your bikes from our depot before spending the first day riding to, and exploring around the breathtaking Blue Mountains. A relaxing ride on the first day to ease you into the swing of things, but with plenty to see and do along the way.

Experience the ‘Three Sisters’, brave the world’s steepest railway, tour the valleys and watch the mountains take on their evening hues from the comfort of your balcony back at the accommodation.



THE BLUE MOUNTAINS



The Blue MountainsIncredible scenery with huge waterfalls, the second largest canyon on earth, cable car rides and lovely walks. See the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls and a host of other scenic lookouts.

From the Blue Mountains the tour continues along the winding back roads through the superb Wollemi National Park. One of the best biking routes in New South Wales, this peerless piece of asphalt eventually descends from the Blue Mountains, levelling out as we approach the Hunter Valley.



THE HUNTER VALLEY



The Hunter ValleyThe heart of Australia’s wine production and the oldest wine producing region in the country. World class wines, famous vineyards, picturesque scenery and deserted roads for your riding pleasure. Lush valleys and leafy vineyards aren’t the traditional image of Australia, but they provide a fascinating insight into this region.

Leaving the vineyards and wine reluctantly behind, the tour twists its way north along the famous ‘Thunderbolts Way’. You can glimpse the Great Dividing Range from the expansive viewpoints along the route, and there are plenty of opportunities for breaks in the many charming small country towns



THE WATERFALL WAY



The Waterfall WayThe Waterfall Way is simply breathtaking with dense rainforest, countless waterfalls and expansive vistas across the New England National Park. Our route weaves through this fascinating region, heading towards the coast along one of the most breathtaking motorcycling roads in the country, before rounding out the day by following the course of the lazily meandering river system.

We stop for lunch at the ‘smallest motorcycle museum in the world’, before heading towards the ‘Promised Land’ near Bellingen. Superb views from the accommodation over the mountain ranges, coupled with a tropical pool to relax in and restaurant with bar to cater for weary bikers. It truly is the ‘promised land’ and the ideal spot to relax before continuing on the tour, heading for Byron Bay on the coast.



BYRON BAY



Byron BayA friendly village atmosphere, beautiful beaches, Australia’s most eastern point at Cape Byron and a host of other delights await at Byron Bay.

There’s so much to see and do in and around Byron Bay that the tour pauses here for a day. Enough time to recharge your batteries in the friendly town, explore the intricate coastline or even venture further afield to the Gold Coast or Surfers Paradise; the world around Byron is your oyster!



FRASER ISLAND



Fraser IslandThe largest sand island in the world, crystal clear freshwater lakes, a main road that is also the beach and a host of historical relics await on this fascinating east coast gem.



THE GREAT BARRIER REEF & LADY MUSGRAVE ISLAND



Take a fast boat trip to the turquoise waters and coral formations of the Great Barrier

Reef.

Teeming with life, you’ll discover giant clams, turtles, shoals of colourful fish and

hundreds of coral species.

The nearby Lady Musgrave Island is a fascinating coral atoll with a history to match. The included guided tour will give you an insight, followed by as much snorkelling as you

can manage!

The Great Barrier Reef& Lady Musgrave Island



SUNSHINE COAST AND THE HINTERLANDS



Sunshine Coast and the Hinterlands

Just inland from the Sunshine Coast is a region of beautiful rainforest, twisting roads and huge views from the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range over the spectacular coastline. The late Steve Irwin made this area the home of his famous Australia Zoo which you’ll visit during the tour.



NOOSA



The ride to Noosa is the longest stretch of the tour, but boy is it ever worth the effort. Noosa has one of the best climates in Australia, the most idyllic coastline and a very chic town centre superbly located right on an incredible beach. Perfect for the weary rider looking to wind down a little after a day in the saddle.

Noosa



Welcome to Brisbane, final stop on the

Ultimate East Coast TourGuided Tour THE ULTIMATE EAST COAST

Images of Brisbane courtesy of : Troy Faulder


Guided Tours - this is how they work:Guided Tours are designed to make it as easy as possible for you to arrange your bike tour in Australia. They take away all the time and trouble needed to research and plan your tour and travelling with like minded, friendly people is a great way to make new friends and enjoy a social event too.

You can be confident that you’ll make the most of your time here, see the best the route has to offer and have somewhere really nice to stay each night. It makes for stress free days on the bike and leaves you to simply enjoy the freedom of riding, marvel at the scenery and soak up the atmosphere.

We know what works on these trips and the pace has been designed for people that like to make good use of the bike but also enjoy stopping to admire the spectacular scenery, take short walks to things of interest and enjoy local hospitality with a great coffee or lunch at cafés and restaurants on the way.

A typical day is 350km but on some days it is less and others a little more depending on what there is to see. You won’t ride the direct routes between Aus-tralian cities as they are fast, straight and have little of interest on the way. They are fast and functional but no fun on a bike! The route we’ll take you on has fantastic scenery and you’ll twist and wind your way along lesser known back roads through each region on the way.

Prior to the tour you’ll be sent a detailed itinerary document telling you all about the history of each area and things you’ll see during the trip. This will mean you can read all about the tour and do any additional research you might like to do before arriving in Australia.

‘Rest’ days are built into the tour in places of particular interest. For example, you can only see the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island via a day trip without the bike and so time is allowed in the tour for this if you wish. You don’t have to take these excursions and can ride in the local area or just relax if you’d prefer but they are highlights for many people and so worth including in the schedule.

We love Australia and want to show you the best of it. We are confident you’ll leave with the same passion for the country as we have.

Thanks for your interest in these tours and we hope to share Australia with you sometime soon!

Guided Tour THE ULTIMATE EAST COAST© Copyright BikeRound OZ 2014The reproduction or re-use of any information provided in this document including [but not limited to], images and text is strictly prohibited without permission from the copyright owners - For more information and other tours, please visit: www.bikeroundoz.com




THE ULTIMATE EAST COAST GUIDED MOTORCYCLE TOUR · to the Great Barrier Reef! Lady Musgrave Island...

Documents

Transcript of THE ULTIMATE EAST COAST GUIDED MOTORCYCLE TOUR · to the Great Barrier Reef! Lady Musgrave Island...