Sydney to Melbourne and Return Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Sydney to Melbourne and Return is a 14-day, 13-night self-guided motorcycle tour of about 3,296 km, starting and finishing in Sydney, with the bike and hotels arranged by BikeRoundOz. It is a loop, so the ride starts and finishes in the same city.

Early on is Sydney, with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and Manly close at hand. The operator can arrange extra hotel nights here before or after the ride. Next is the New South Wales southern coast, along Grand Pacific Drive and over the Seacliff Bridge. Then the Snowy Mountains, where alpine forest roads and snow-fed lakes sit in a state the operator says has more ski runs than Switzerland.

Further along, the Grampians National Park, granite highlands with lookouts and waterfalls, planned around the Halls Gap visitor centre. 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. Later comes the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage area with the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls, Scenic World and walking tracks.

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. The operator rates September to April as the best time to ride. Prices start at AUD 7,717 per rider on the first bike tier, about £4,026, and rise with the bike chosen. Riders bringing their own motorcycle pay less, from AUD 4,446.