10 of the best Cycling tours in Australia

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour. — Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

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3. The city as a canvas

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art. — Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

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5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude.

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background. — Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW. — Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor. Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection. — Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra. — Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.