Melbourne to Cairns Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Melbourne to Cairns is a 28-day, 27-night self-guided motorcycle tour of about 6,346 km from Melbourne 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 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. Next is the Snowy Mountains, where winding mountain roads run through alpine forest and past snow-fed lakes, with seasonal alpine towns for lunch. The operator notes Australia has more ski runs than Switzerland.

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 Whitsunday Islands off Airlie Beach, where an optional cruise can reach Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling bays.

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.