Cairns to Melbourne Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Cairns to Melbourne is a 28-day, 27-night self-guided motorcycle tour of about 6,346 km from Cairns to Melbourne, with the bike and hotels arranged by BikeRoundOz. It runs along Queensland’s tropical coast, from rainforest and reef country towards the south-east.

Early on is the Daintree Rainforest, which the operator describes as the oldest on earth, with boardwalks, a canopy tower and narrow, tightly twisting roads. Next is the Whitsunday Islands off Airlie Beach, where an optional cruise can reach Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling bays.

Further along, the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage area with the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls, Scenic World and walking tracks. The route continues to the 280 km Great Ocean Road, which hugs the coastal cliffs with the Otway Ranges as a backdrop, and takes longer than expected because of stops such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto, London Bridge and the Arch.

BikeRoundOz provides the motorcycle of your choice, accommodation for one or two riders, usually in 3.5 or 4 star hotels, resorts or bed and breakfasts with a pillion staying at no extra cost, a detailed itinerary document and digital maps customised to the tour, plus advice before you go. Not included are breakfast and other meals, parking charges and GPS or sat nav units, which can be supplied if required. Optional extras such as a Fraser Island 4WD tour, a Whitsunday cruise and a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling trip are priced separately and each needs an extra day added to the tour and bike rental. The operator rates March, April, October and November as the best time to ride. Prices start at AUD 15,756 per rider on the first bike tier, about £8,220, and rise with the bike chosen. Riders bringing their own motorcycle pay less, from AUD 9,757.