Australia has two of the longest purpose-built off-road cycle routes in the world. The Munda Biddi Trail runs more than 1,000 km through the forests of Western Australia’s southwest to Albany, and the Mawson Trail covers about 900 km from the Adelaide hills to Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, almost all of it on back roads and fire trails.
Most visitors ride something gentler. Old railway lines in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland have become rail trails with easy gradients, country pubs and cellar doors along the way, and road cyclists come for the alpine climbs of north-east Victoria and the hills south of Adelaide that the Tour Down Under races over every January.
Mountain biking has boomed too. Derby in Tasmania went from a near-empty tin-mining village to a world-class trail centre, and Mount Stromlo in Canberra hosted the world championships in 2009. Ride the south in spring and autumn, and the tropical north only in the dry winter months.
At a Glance#
- Long-distance off-road: the Munda Biddi Trail to Albany and the Mawson Trail from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges, both with towns and campsites along the way.
- Easy rail trails: the Riesling Trail in the Clare Valley, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail below Mount Buffalo, the Great Victorian Rail Trail and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
- Road climbs: Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek in the Victorian Alps, and Willunga Hill and Mount Lofty near Adelaide.
- Wine country by bike: the Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia, and Margaret River in the west.
- Mountain biking: Derby and Maydena in Tasmania, Mount Stromlo in Canberra and the forest trails of the southwest.
- Season: September to November and March to May in the south; May to September in the tropical north.
South Australia#
Adelaide is the most bike-friendly big city in the country, with a long coastal path, a river trail along the Torrens and quiet hill roads within half an hour of the centre. The Tour Down Under, the opening race of professional cycling’s World Tour season each January, brings tens of thousands of riders who come to ride the stage routes themselves, and the climbs of Willunga Hill and up to Mount Lofty are local tests of form.
The Riesling Trail follows an old railway line for about 32 km through the Clare Valley, a gentle grade between cellar doors and stone villages, and makes an easy one or two day ride. The Barossa Valley has its own trail linking Gawler, Tanunda and Angaston, and McLaren Vale is reached on the Coast to Vines Rail Trail south of the city.
The Mawson Trail is the big one: about 900 km from the Adelaide hills through the Barossa, the Clare Valley and the wheat country of the mid-north to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Blinman. Most riders take two to three weeks on a loaded touring or gravel bike. Ride it between April and October; northern sections are unrideable after rain.
Victoria#
Victoria has the densest network of rail trails in Australia. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail links Wangaratta, Beechworth and Bright through the valleys of the north-east, with Mount Buffalo rising above the end of the trail. The Great Victorian Rail Trail, Victoria’s longest at about 134 km, crosses farmland and the long trestle bridge at Lake Eildon.
The same corner of the state holds Australia’s best road climbs. From Bright and Porepunkah, riders tackle Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, long alpine ascents with ski-resort villages at the top; avoid them in winter, when the roads carry snow and chains are required. Closer to Melbourne, Beach Road along Port Phillip Bay is the city’s classic group ride, and the Dandenong Ranges have short, steep climbs through tree ferns. The Great Ocean Road is spectacular by bike but narrow and busy with tourist traffic, so ride it early or outside the summer holidays.
Western Australia#
The Munda Biddi Trail, Noongar for “path through the forest”, runs more than 1,000 km from Mundaring in the hills east of Perth to Albany, almost entirely off road on gravel, forest tracks and singletrack. Purpose-built huts with water tanks and bike racks are spaced a day’s ride apart, and the route passes through trail towns such as Dwellingup, Collie, Nannup and Denmark. Allow three to five weeks for the whole trail, or ride a section such as Dwellingup to Collie in a few days.
Around Perth itself, flat shared paths follow the Swan River and the coast, and Rottnest Island is car-free and easy to circle in a day on a hired bike. Down south, Margaret River combines wineries, forest trails and the coast.
Tasmania and Canberra#
Derby, in the north-east about 90 minutes from Launceston, has more than 100 km of purpose-built mountain bike trails through rainforest and over granite, with shuttle services, bike hire and accommodation in the old mining village. Maydena Bike Park, an hour from Hobart, is a gravity park with shuttle uplifts to the top of a mountain. Road touring in Tasmania is hilly but rewarding, with the east coast from Hobart to Freycinet the most popular route; the Spirit of Tasmania ferry carries bikes.
Canberra is a cycling city, with separated paths around Lake Burley Griffin and through the suburbs. Mount Stromlo, about 15 minutes from the centre, has a large network of cross-country and downhill trails, and Mount Ainslie is a short, steep road climb with a view over the city.
Queensland and the north#
The 161 km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Queensland’s longest, runs through farmland and small towns west of Brisbane, best from April to September when the heat eases. Around Cairns, the Smithfield mountain bike trails and the Atherton Tableland give tropical riding, but only in the dry season, roughly May to October.
Rules, hire and safety#
- Helmets: wearing an approved helmet is compulsory in every state and territory, except that in the Northern Territory riders 17 and over may go without one on footpaths and shared paths. Fines are steep.
- Passing distance: drivers must leave at least 1 m when passing a cyclist where the limit is 60 km/h or less, and 1.5 m above that.
- Hire: city bike shops rent hybrids and road bikes by the day, and rail-trail towns such as Bright, Clare and Dwellingup have hire shops that also run luggage and shuttle services. E-bikes are widely available.
- Trains: city trains generally carry bikes free when there is space, though Perth bars them in the peak direction at peak times; check each operator’s rules for regional and long-distance services.
- Heat and water: carry more water than you expect to need, start at first light in summer, and expect long gaps between towns in the outback.
Ride a rail trail with a local shuttle service: hire shops in Bright, Clare and the Barossa will drop you at one end so you ride one way with the prevailing wind and finish at a pub.
Our getting around Australia guide covers trains and the Tasmania ferry, and hiking in Australia covers the walking trails. For rides across the region, see cycling in Oceania and cycling around the world.
Best places to cycle in Australia#
More Things to Do#
Australia cycling FAQs#
Is Australia good for cycle touring?
Yes, in the right places and season. Rail trails, wine regions and the Munda Biddi and Mawson trails are excellent, but distances between towns are huge in the outback and highways carry fast traffic and road trains, so plan routes on quieter roads and trails.
Do you have to wear a helmet when cycling in Australia?
Yes. Helmets are compulsory for cyclists of all ages in every state and territory, except that in the Northern Territory riders 17 and over may go without one on footpaths and shared paths. Police issue on-the-spot fines.
What is the best rail trail in Australia?
The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in north-east Victoria and the Riesling Trail in South Australia’s Clare Valley are the most popular, combining easy grades with wineries and good food. The Great Victorian Rail Trail is the longest continuous one.
Where is the best mountain biking in Australia?
Derby in north-east Tasmania is the best known, with more than 100 km of trails. Maydena near Hobart, Mount Stromlo in Canberra and the forest trails around Dwellingup in Western Australia are close behind.
When is the best time to cycle in Australia?
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) in the south, when it is neither too hot nor too wet. The tropical north is only comfortable from May to September, and the Victorian Alps climbs are best from November to April.
How long does the Munda Biddi Trail take?
Most riders take three to five weeks for the full trail of more than 1,000 km from Mundaring to Albany, riding 40 to 80 km a day on gravel and singletrack. Shorter sections between trail towns take two to five days.