An independent guide to bike touring in Australia and New Zealand

There are few better ways to see Australia and New Zealand than from a bicycle. At bike speed you notice the smell of eucalyptus after rain, the sound of birds in the river gums, the change in the light as you roll into a country town for lunch. You can cover enough ground in a day to feel like you are travelling, but slowly enough to stop for a winery, a bakery, a swimming hole or a lookout whenever you like.

Over the past few decades, both countries have built an impressive network of trails that make bike touring accessible to almost anyone. Old railway lines have been turned into gentle rail trails through farmland, forests and wine regions. Long-distance routes like the Munda Biddi and Mawson trails offer weeks of adventure. Mountain bike towns have grown up around purpose-built trail networks. This independent guide helps you choose a ride, plan it sensibly and ride it safely. We don't run tours or sell anything. We draw on official trail managers, government road safety sources and reputable references, and we list our sources on every page.

Rail trails: the easy way in

Rail trails are the gateway to bike touring for many people. Because steam trains could only climb gentle grades, the old railway formations make for easy riding, with long, gradual climbs and descents rather than steep hills. Many pass through small towns with cafes, pubs and accommodation spaced a comfortable day's ride apart. Our rail trails hub covers some of the best:

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail in Queensland runs 161 km from Wulkuraka in Ipswich to Yarraman, the longest rail trail in Australia. Its mostly gravel and dirt surface suits hybrid, gravel and mountain bikes.

The Great Victorian Rail Trail runs 134 km from Tallarook to Mansfield, with a branch to Alexandra, passing through the Cheviot Tunnel and over Lake Eildon.

The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in Victoria's north-east is unusual for being sealed almost the whole way, from Wangaratta to Bright, with a branch to Beechworth.

The Riesling Trail in South Australia's Clare Valley is a short, gentle 35 km ride through vineyards between Auburn and Clare.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail in northern New South Wales is a newer trail that is still growing, with sections through railway tunnels, bridges and green hinterland.

Epic rides

For riders who want more of a challenge, our epic rides hub covers long-distance and iconic routes:

• Munda Biddi Trail - more than 1,000 km of mostly off-road trail from Mundaring to Albany in Western Australia. Its name means "path through the forest" in the Noongar language.
• Mawson Trail - almost 900 km from the Adelaide Hills to Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, through the Barossa and Clare valleys.
• Otago Central Rail Trail - 150 km through the dramatic landscapes of Central Otago in New Zealand's South Island, and the trail that inspired the New Zealand Cycle Trail network.

Plan your ride

A good bike tour is mostly about planning: choosing a trail that matches your fitness, deciding how far to ride each day, booking accommodation, and knowing the rules. Our planning hub covers:

• Road rules and safety - helmets, passing distances, riding on paths and roads, heat, bushfire and water.
• Guided or self-guided tours - how to choose, what to ask operators and how luggage transfers work.
• What to pack - bikes, repairs, clothing, navigation and a printable checklist.

How far can I ride in a day?

This is the most common question new bike tourers ask, and the honest answer is: it depends on you. A relaxed rider on a flat, sealed path might cover 40 km in a morning with plenty of stops. On rough gravel with hills, the same rider might manage half that. Wind, heat, luggage and the number of cafe stops all make a difference.

Our ride planner below lets you choose a trail, set your own average speed and the number of hours you enjoy riding each day, and see how many days the trip might take. It's simple arithmetic from your inputs, not a prediction, but it's a useful starting point when you're thinking about accommodation and transport.

Choosing the right trail for you

First-timers and families often start with a short, easy rail trail with good facilities, such as the Riesling Trail or a section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. The Riesling Trail has bike hire at several locations, and both trails pass through towns close together.

Confident riders wanting a multi-day trip might choose the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, the Great Victorian Rail Trail or the Otago Central Rail Trail, each of which takes several days at a comfortable pace.

Adventurous riders with touring or mountain bike experience might tackle sections of the Mawson or Munda Biddi trails, which pass through remote country with long distances between towns.

Seasons and weather

Australia is a big country, and the best time to ride varies by region. In general, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for most of southern Australia. According to Wikipedia, riding conditions on the Munda Biddi Trail are better in spring and autumn, and potentially hazardous from December to March because of extreme heat and fire danger. Summer brings heat and bushfire risk to much of the country, while winter can be cold and wet in the south but pleasant in Queensland. New Zealand's Central Otago has a continental climate, with hot summers and freezing winters.

Always check the official trail website for closures, especially after storms, floods or fires, and check the fire danger rating before riding in summer.

Riding responsibly

Rail trails and long-distance routes pass through farmland, forests, national parks and the Country of many Aboriginal peoples. Leave gates as you find them, stay on the trail, take your rubbish with you, give way to walkers and horse riders, and support the small towns along the way. Many trails depend on volunteers and local councils, so consider joining or donating to a "Friends of" group.

Who we are

BikingTours.com.au is an independent guide, relaunched in 2026. The domain previously belonged to a motorcycle tour business that no longer operates here. Every page is new, and we are not connected with that business or any tour operator. Read more about us and our editorial policy.