Epic bike rides

Some bike rides are more than a weekend away. They are journeys measured in weeks and hundreds of kilometres, through forests, ranges and remote country, with nights in bush campsites or small-town pubs. Australia and New Zealand have some of the world's great long-distance and iconic bike routes, and you don't need to be an elite athlete to ride them. You do need preparation, the right bike and a realistic plan.

This hub introduces our epic ride guides, plus the mountain bike town of Derby in Tasmania, and covers the planning that every long ride demands.

Our epic ride guides

Munda Biddi Trail (Western Australia)

More than 1,000 km of mostly off-road trail from Mundaring, in the hills east of Perth, to Albany on the south coast. The name means "path through the forest" in the Noongar language, and the trail runs largely through undeveloped forest and bushland. Free campsites are spaced along the trail. Read the guide.

Mawson Trail (South Australia)

Almost 900 km from the Adelaide Hills to Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, through the Barossa and Clare valleys, historic Burra and the outback ranges. Named after the geologist and Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson. Read the guide.

Otago Central Rail Trail (New Zealand)

A 150 km rail trail through the dramatic, dry landscapes of Central Otago, from Middlemarch to Clyde, with tunnels, viaducts and historic gold-mining towns. A pioneering trail that inspired the New Zealand Cycle Trail network. Read the guide.

Mountain bike towns: Derby, Tasmania

Not every epic ride is long. In north-east Tasmania, the small former tin-mining town of Derby has been transformed by mountain biking. According to Wikipedia, the first 30 km of the Blue Derby trail network opened in 2015, and it has since grown to over 125 km of purpose-built trails through temperate rainforest and rugged terrain, catering to riders from beginner to expert. Derby has hosted rounds of the Enduro World Series, now known as the UCI Enduro World Cup, and the town of just over 100 residents now attracts large numbers of visitors.

The town sits on the traditional lands of the Trawlwoolway people. Its trails are mostly about the riding itself rather than covering distance, so a visit is typically a base-camp trip: stay in or near town, ride different trails each day, and use shuttle services to reach the top of the longer descents.

Planning a long ride

Long-distance trails demand more planning than a weekend rail trail:

Fitness and experience

Build up to a long ride with shorter multi-day trips. Ride your loaded bike before you go, so you know how it handles and how far you can comfortably ride day after day. Fatigue builds over a long trip, so plan rest days.

Water and food

Some sections of long trails have more than a day's ride between towns or campsites. Know where water is available, carry enough for hot days, and treat water from tanks and creeks where advised. Carry food for longer than you expect to need.

Navigation

Long trails are generally signposted, but signs can be damaged or missing. Carry official maps or a trail app, and download offline maps before you lose coverage. The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation publishes maps and an app.

Weather and fire

Check the forecast and the fire danger rating every day. On high-risk days, consider not riding in forests at all, and know your exit points. Extreme heat is a serious risk in summer.

Communication and safety

Mobile coverage is patchy on remote trails. Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger, leave a trip plan with someone at home, and check in regularly.

Guided or independent?

On long trails, guided and supported tours can take care of luggage, food, accommodation and logistics, which makes a big difference over hundreds of kilometres. Bicycle SA, for example, has hosted a guided two-week tour of the entire Mawson Trail every second year since 2002, according to Wikipedia. Read our guided or self-guided tours guide.

Gear for long rides

A reliable bike, a good repair kit and the skills to use it matter most. Read our packing guide for a full list.