Brisbane to Cairns Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Brisbane to Cairns is a 8-day, 7-night self-guided motorcycle tour of about 2,366 km from Brisbane to Cairns, 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 Sunshine Coast hinterland, with rainforest, waterfalls, pineapple plantations and the Glass House Mountains. Next is two nights at Rainbow Beach, known for its coloured sand dunes, with an optional 4WD day on Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. Then Eungella National Park, the Land of the Clouds, with rainforest walking trails. After that, the Whitsunday Islands off Airlie Beach, where an optional cruise can reach Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling bays.

Further along, the Atherton Tablelands, a green plateau with the Waterfall Circuit. The route continues to the Daintree Rainforest, with boardwalks, a canopy tower and tight, twisting roads. Later comes Cape Tribulation, where coconut palms and beach back straight onto rainforest, and where Captain Cook beached the Endeavour for repairs.

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 to November as the best time to ride. Prices start at AUD 4,697 per rider on the first bike tier, about £2,450, and rise with the bike chosen. Riders bringing their own motorcycle pay less, from AUD 2,771.