Sydney to Melbourne Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Sydney to Melbourne is a 7-day, 6-night self-guided motorcycle tour of about 2,040 km from Sydney to Melbourne, with the bike and hotels arranged by BikeRoundOz. It links two of Australia’s biggest cities by mountain and coast roads rather than the motorway.

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 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. After that, the Victorian Highlands, a more relaxed alpine landscape of wide plains, rolling hills and long open roads.

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, a cliff-hugging coast road with the Otway Ranges inland and stops at the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. Later comes Melbourne, with restaurants, parks and an easy tram system.

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 4,008 per rider on the first bike tier, about £2,091, and rise with the bike chosen. Riders bringing their own motorcycle pay less, from AUD 2,384.