10 of the best Cycling tours in Australia

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The humble bicycle meets rolling countryside… hop on for one of these luxury cycle tours through some of the finest scenery and fecund food baskets in all of Australia.

1. Gourmet Cycling for Softies, Victorian High Country

If you’re inspired by our experience, the aptly named ‘gourmet cycling for softies’ just might also appeal. This five-day fully guided tour through Victoria’s High Country will have you pedalling from Milawa to Myrtleford, indulging in fine produce along the way. $1950 per person, twin-share including breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

It's all about the cycling (but mostly the gourmet pit stops) - Murray to Milawa Rail Trail
It’s all about the cycling (and the gourmet pit stops) – on the Murray to Milawa Rail Trail.

2. Discover Tasmania

From white sandy beaches to rugged mountains, Tasmania has the full package when it comes to natural wilderness. Check out Discover Tasmania to learn more about some of the epic tracks available, including Wild West MTB Tours, which see you crossing a very slim suspended bridge. Eek!

Wild West MTB Bike Trails, Tasmania

3. Be-spoke Hunter Valley

This two-day tour around NSW’s popular winemaking region will get you from vineyard to vineyard with relative ease. With a support vehicle for back-up, this is a great way to experience the Hunter while sampling some of its fine produce and wine. The Hunter Valley Cycling tour starts from $245 per person, twin-share, mid-week.

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4. In your bike in Noosa & the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Bike On offers a range of tours around the Sunshine Coast for riders of all levels, from self-guided tours to more intense road-riding weekends. Start simple with a self-guided trip around Noosa from $35 per person or challenge yourself to the seven-night Noosa road-riding holiday from $1620 per person.

5. All trails lead to the Great Ocean Road

More commonly explored by four wheels, the spectacular scenic views of Victoria’s southern coastline could arguably be better savoured on two. Check out the Twelve (now eight) Apostles, Port Campbell and Lorne on the way down to Queenscliff on a three-day tour, before catching the ferry across to Sorrento to join in the annual Bupa Around The Bay In A Day cycling event. Full tour costs $1695 per person, twin-share and includes all meals and entry into the Bupa event. Visit All Trails for more info.

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

6. Self ride around the NSW South Coast

Pedal with your family at your own pace on a self-guided ride along the NSW South Coast with Australian Cycling Holidays. Catering to all riding abilities, all you have to do is choose the destinations, like Jervis Bay, Shoalhaven and Kiama, and accommodation (budget or luxury). A three-day, Jervis Bay return tour starts from $665 per person.

7. Clare Valley Riesling Trail

Pedal and quaff your way around one of Australia’s best-known wine regions, enjoying the view of rolling vineyards, the signature grape variety riesling, and some mighty fine local produce too. And don’t worry about the wobbly ride home – if you have one too many wines, there’s a support vehicle on hand. Full-day tours start from $675 per person from Taste SA and include all meals and wine tasting.

The Clare Valley Riesling Trail, Taste SA

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8. Mudgee’s Tour de Vine

Ride all the way to the cellar door visiting Mudgee’s top winemakers and breweries too. This one-day, self-guided tour by Tour de Vines is a great way to indulge in the region’s bounty of wine and produce. (If you need some more convincing, see p94). Prices start from $249 per person, twin-share, including bike hire, two nights’ accommodation and daily breakfast.

9. Bike Byron Bay

Cruise the coast or head for the hinterland around Byron Bay on your treadly, taking in beautiful scenery and stopping to enjoy organic produce at Harvest Café. The four-day coastal cycle rides from Ballina to Kingscliff; or take an extra day to explore the hills around Uki at the foot of Mt Warning. Five-night Cycling Tours coastal tour $1795, twin-share. Six-night hinterland village tour $1995, twin-share.

10. East Coast Tasmania

Make your way down the magnificent east coast of Tasmania from Launceston to Hobart on the five-day pure Tasmania experience, which includes a sunset ride to the Bay of Fires, the stunning Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay, Mt Wellington and the heritage-listed Port Arthur. Cycling Tours prices start from $2495 per person, twin-share.

Coastal grasses Bay of Fires
Coastal grasses adorn the path that leads you to the remarkable shoreline of the Bay of Fires

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Come with us on a gourmet cycle through the Victorian High Country

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8 reasons it’s time to explore Lismore’s vibrant villages

(Image: Visit Lismore)

    Angela Saurine Angela Saurine
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    Think you know Lismore? Think again. From pop-up feasts to a buzzing nightlife to a thriving arts scene, discover a new side of the Northern Rivers.

    Scratch beneath the surface of Lismore and its surrounding villages and you’ll discover a side of the Northern Rivers many travellers don’t expect. Here lies a region bursting with creativity, where vibrant street art, innovative eateries and enriching cultural experiences shape everyday life. Best of all, it’s authentic, and can be enjoyed without the crowds. Here are eight reasons why it deserves a closer look.

    1. Nights come to life

    Lismore's vibrant villages have Patrons enjoying a night out at Eltham Hotel.
    Stay out a little longer and experience the vibrant nightlife. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    The Lismore region stirs after the sun sets, with wine bars, pub gigs, pop-up dinners and live music events at atmospheric country pubs and halls. The Eltham Hotel is a hinterland institution, its verandah regularly echoing with rootsy live music. Nimbin Bush Theatre’s Sonic Bloom nights bring pop-up dinners, films and DJ sets. The Channon Tavern hosts weekend sessions, while Il Carretto’s pizza nights fill Clunes Cafe on Thursday nights and Bexhill Hall on Fridays. Rider Taco Pop Up also brings a laid-back Mexican feast to Clunes, where guests spread out on the grass or gather in the old hall to share freshly made tacos.

    2. A thriving arts and culture scene

    Racing on Molesworth Steet, Lismore for the BBCC Lismore Cycling Festival. Lismore's vibrant villages is filled with murals.
    Follow the Art & Culture Trail. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    The Northern Rivers has long attracted artists, makers and free thinkers, and nowhere is that creative energy more evident than in Lismore and its neighbouring hamlets. The city’s Art & Culture Trail shines a spotlight on the city’s flourishing arts scene, linking galleries, studios and public art across the region. Start at the Lismore Regional Gallery, which has a dynamic mix of contemporary works and community-focused exhibitions. Also keep an eye out for events at The Quad, an open-air space that lights up with live music, projections and family-friendly events. Beyond the city, discover the colourful street murals of Nimbin, browse local art at Blue Knob Gallery or get your hands dirty during a clay workshop at Silt Studio.

    3. Boutique shopping

    Inside Two Ravens Antiques & Collectables in Lismore's vibrant villages.
    Uncover one-of-a-kind finds. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    For travellers who love discovering independent labels and one-of-a-kind finds, Lismore and its nearby villages offer a treasure trove of boutiques. Here, you’ll find everything from clothes and hand-crafted trinkets to books and homewares, each store reflecting the personality of its makers and curators. Highlights include Hanging Rock Flowers, where seasonal blooms meet beautifully chosen artisan gifts, and Two Ravens Antique and Vintage, where a collection of objects whisper stories of the past. Little Polli and the Blackbird offers whimsical fashion and homewares, while Folk Modern champions eclectic textiles and global finds and Valley of the Craftsmen showcases refined handmade artistry.

    4. Diverse food offerings

    Bartenders at the The Levee Lounge and Bar, Lismore
    Settle in for an evening of great drinks and live tunes. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    Lismore’s dining scene is celebrated for its paddock-to-plate produce, global cuisines and cafe culture. At Two Mates Brewing small-batch beers are crafted for easy afternoons, often best enjoyed with a food truck bite, while The Levee Lounge and Bar brings a touch of Melbourne-style polish to town, with cocktails and wine served against the hum of live music.

    Heritage bones meet a modern buzz at The Bank Cafe & Espresso, while smoked meats and fried chicken take centre stage at The Stockpot Kitchen. Housed in a former butter factory, Channon Tavern is the ideal place to while away the day on the grass by Terania Creek, and the The Eltham Hotel offers an upscale food menu with old school charm.

    Find Annies Country Bakery in Modanville on Lismore’s Great Pie Trail, serving award-winning pies, open every day, it’s a great stop on a scenic drive on route to nearby national parks and Rocky Creek Dam. Or pop into Clunes Cafe for regular hosted dinners, each with its own unique flair. Listen to live music while you’re there, and maybe even join in a line dance.

    5. Alternative lifestyles reign

    Streetscape of Nimbin with buskers, Northern Rivers
    Discover a place where freedom, art and community are part of everyday life. (Image: The Legendary Pacific Coast)

    This area has long been a free-spirited community, where counterculture values and creative expression shape everyday life. Its roots trace back to the 1973 Aquarius Festival, when thousands gathered in the hills near Nimbin and the one-time dairy town’s once-quiet streets were painted in kaleidoscopic colour. Many never left, establishing communes and laying the foundations of a community built on sustainability and freedom. Events such as the annual Nimbin MardiGrass festival keep its activist, grassroots spirit alive, while continuing to welcome diverse travellers in search of something a little different.

    6. Breathtaking nature on the doorstep

    Person enjoying a walk through the rainforest in Nightcap National Park.
    Step into a world of ancient forests. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    Lismore acts as the gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular ancient Gondwana rainforests and untouched wilderness. Nearby Nightcap National Park offers UNESCO-listed rainforest walks and waterfalls, while Rocky Creek Dam is a tranquil spot for picnics and birdlife – and you may even spot a platypus if your timing is right. Whian Whian State Conservation Area reveals lush subtropical trails and hidden swimming holes, while the Northern Rivers Rail Trail winds through farmland and forest, passing historic railway bridges along the way.

    7. Boutique stays

    Contained in Nimbin Accommodation.
    Experience award-winning eco stays. (Image: Contained in Nimbin)

    Accommodation in the Lismore region tends to favour character over gloss, with stays that trade uniform luxury for a stronger sense of place and personality. Lismore Gateway Motel and Invercauld House offer easy comfort close to Lismore CBD, while The Eltham Hotel pairs a lively pub atmosphere with individually designed rooms that reflect the building’s heritage character. Nightcap Ridge secluded luxury eco retreat and Rummery Park Campground in Whian Whian State Conservation Area, and Contained in Nimbin’s award-winning eco cabins, all bring you closer to nature.

    8. Form community connections

    Crowds enjoying the Lismore Lantern Parade on the North Coast.
    Celebrate winter solstice at the Lismore Lantern Parade. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    If you are wanting to immerse yourself more in the community, there are some standout events that embrace Lismore’s individuality. Lismore is known for its markets, so they’re a great place to start. The fire twirling at Lismore’s weekly Thursday produce markets makes for a particularly fun spectacle.

    Friday Meet and Make offers relaxed crafting at The Artisans Table, while Fire Twirling in The Quad delivers a high energy evening spectacle. The legendary Tropical Fruits New Years Eve Festival is a bold celebration of inclusion; Lismore Lantern Parade glows through streets with handmade lanterns on the winter solstice and Italian festival LisAmore! brings music and romance to the town.

    Start planning the ultimate getaway at visitlismore.com.au