Sydney to Cairns Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Sydney to Cairns is a 17-day, 16-night self-guided motorcycle tour of about 4,200 km from Sydney 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 Blue Mountains, a World Heritage area with the Three Sisters, waterfalls and Scenic World. Next is Waterfall Way (Highway 78), regarded as one of the best motorcycling roads in New South Wales, running through rainforest past countless waterfalls, and on through New England to Armidale, known for its autumn colour. Then Byron Bay and Cape Byron, the most easterly point of Australia.

Further along, Rainbow Beach for two nights, with an optional 4WD day on Fraser Island. The route continues to the Whitsunday Islands off Airlie Beach, where an optional cruise can reach Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling bays. Later comes the Daintree Rainforest, which the operator describes as the oldest on earth, with boardwalks, a canopy tower and narrow, tightly twisting roads.

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 May, September to November as the best time to ride. Prices start at AUD 9,805 per rider on the first bike tier, about £5,115, and rise with the bike chosen. Riders bringing their own motorcycle pay less, from AUD 5,931.