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Top 18 Adventure Rides in Australia
We like a good adventure ride with varying terrain and scenic views. Nothing beats a good mix of straight, scenic roads, sweeping bends, challenging hairpins, and mountain climbs.
And luckily for all of us, Australia’s got many roads that hit the right spot. Going through rainforests, up and down mountain ranges, outback bush trails and never ending desert trails.
Here we list 18 routes that we absolutely love, from the Northern Territory down to Victoria, and from the western coast of WA to the eastern coast of NSW.
Queensland
1. Cape York
Imagine this: Clean, clear waters and fresh air, right at the northern tip of the continent. That’s Cape York. And that’s why it remains on many bucket lists. It’s an awesome destination, and comes with many challenges.
Many choose to come here in 4x4s, but we all think it’s a lot more fun when you’ve only got two wheels.
The road to Cape York can be dangerous, and there have been deaths in the past. So our tip is to join group tours. They provide good reliable bikes, but you can bring your own too. They know the terrain better than anyone, and you get to meet new mates.
2. Mount Glorious
You’ve likely heard of Mount Glorious from your mates (if you haven’t gone there yourself just yet). It’s one of the must-do bike trips, known to riders from across the globe.
When you reach the top of the mountain, the rainforest is simply breathtaking. The trees, undergrowth, birds, and other species–it’s full of life.
But the roads to get there are poorly maintained. Leaves, rocks, twigs are scattered around. The culprit for many accidents in the area is going too fast. So, it’s best to go slowly, looking carefully at corners for debris.
It’s not just the destination that’s spectacular too. You can stop over at some points through the roads and enjoy the scenic views. Plus, the roads offer different types of road surfaces and twists that you, no doubt, will enjoy.
3. Lions Road
It’s a brilliant 98km stretch of road, a favorite of many bikers, located in both New South Wales and Queensland. The road runs between Summerland Way in NSW and Mount Lindesay Highway in QLD.
The road offers challenges (exactly what we all like): narrow sections, fun twists and turns, and bridges across small creeks. Plus, the whole stretch offers spectacular, scenic views. You might find yourself going steady and absorbing nature, maybe even pulling over to truly take everything in. There are plenty of spots that make for good photographs too.
4. Cameron Corner
If you want to see where three states meet, go to Cameron Corner. You’d be at the intersection of Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, where a pole marking the states stands.
It’s not as rich and full of life as rainforests, but the vast desert and big blue sky are worthy sights too. And rarely can you say that you’ve stood on three states at once. Located here is the famous Dingo Fence, one of the longest structures in the world, stretching 5,600km.
Part of your ride to Cameron Corner is the Strzelecki Track, which offers rough dirt roads (though not as wild as it used to be) and beautiful landscapes. It takes you through raw, untouched remote areas, from red sand dunes to creeks.
New South Wales
5. Kangaroo Valley Ride
Witness dairy farm lands up close and ride through creeks and stunning views.
This trip can be enjoyed by riders of all levels. It’s safe but still has enough twists and turns to be exciting. There are narrow sections on the road, but the whole route is generally well-maintained.
You can finish the ride in as little as two and a half hours, but we suggest dedicating more time to it so that you can truly enjoy the place. Half a day should do it, giving you time for stopovers at scenic spots or cafes, and a relaxed, slow lunch.
6. Oxley Highway
You probably see this in “must ride” lists all the time. It’s a crowd favourite, and we’re guessing it’s because of two reasons: the hairpin turns that we all absolutely love, and the scenic views that make it a memorable ride. The highway takes you through a lush rainforest with tall, grand trees, and gives you an incredible view from the mountain.
7. New England High Country
If you’re looking for a place that’s deeply immersed in nature and rich in culture, this might be the place you’re looking for. As you take in the beautiful natural landscape and breathe in the fresh air, you’ll feel so present in the moment, in awe. It’s an experience like no other.
Not only is the place filled with natural wonders, but it’s populated by charming towns, historic buildings, museums and galleries. It’s a place rich in history and culture.
They also have motorcycle tours, designed to help you discover the many gems in the place, whether you prefer road riding or off-road.
8. The Putty Road
From the town of Windsor in Sydney, northwards to Bulga in Hunter Valley, this route offers open roads, long, straight scenic riding, sweeping bends and tighter corners. The range of techniques you can do on this road makes it a favourite amongst riding groups.
At the southern end of The Putty Road, you’ll be riding through national parks, one on each side - Wollemi and Yengo. And the northern end, the bottom of the Bulga mountain offers opportunities for speed and cornering.
9. Bylong Valley Way
So far this list has been featuring roads that offer two things: a challenging ride and breathtaking scenic views. That’s the recipe for an unforgettable ride. Bylong Valley Way is no different with its open roads, hairpin bends and twisty climbs. You’ll be riding through the Wollemi national park too, plus the Goulburn River National Parks, through forestry, vineyards and farmlands.
South Australia
10. The Flinders
For an offroad motorcycling adventure, The Flinders might just be the place. Gravel roads that offer challenging, technical sections as well as exhilarating high-speed riding.
Think beautiful landscapes too: long winding roads that seem to stretch through to the far mountains. Aboriginal culture. And a taste of native food - kangaroo, emu and camel.
11. Adelaide Hills
As the name suggests, this is a hilly ride. It takes you through Mount Torrens and Mount Pleasant, and then to Gorge Wildlife Park. It offers straight riding, narrow sections and some twists and turns.
This is close to the center of Adelaide, so you can expect restaurants and cafes throughout the route. You might even find a good place to stay for the night.
Victoria
12. The Great Ocean Road
This is one of the most famous roads in Australia, boasting of a beautiful coastline. You’ll ride on smooth asphalt between the huge cliffs and the wild ocean, through the Twelve Apostles.
It’s a beautiful, scenic route, but it can be a challenge when tourists flock the area and take pictures. It’s a narrow road that big vehicles pass too, so be wary of buses that might be traveling with you.
13. The Otways
The Otway Ranges cover 100,000 hectares of remarkable national parks, with breathtaking views, lush rainforests and a variety of tracks. The Great Otway National Park alone has 500+ waterfalls and more than 2000km of trails.
14. The Black Spur
Imagine riding through a lush rainforest, with towering trees left and right. That’s the kind of view that The Black Spur is known for. Giant ferns line the road too. Beautiful sea of greens, fresh air with the scent of leaves and rich soil, and the wildlife - the ride is quite immersive.
It offers challenging hairpins, uphill and downhill, winding, straight sections, and a few stops along the way.
15. The Victorian High Country
Ride through hills, steep terrain and creeks, all while witnessing scenic views. There are lots of iconic stops along this route, including the famous Billy Goats Bluff track.
Western Australia
16. Balingup-Nannup Road
There aren’t many fun roads in WA for riders, but this stretch running alongside the Blackwood River in the southwest makes it to our list.
If you’re looking to experience the local town life, Nannup offers an old-world charm while Balingup offers natural attractions - the landscape features beautiful green hills. Both towns have forests of their own, whether you’d like to see a chestnut forest or the Golden Valley Tree Park, which houses more than 3000 trees.
Northern Territory
17. Finke
For those looking to experience the outback life, going to Finke River from Alice Springs should be on your bucket list. It’s an adventure exploring a remote area that offers stunning views and challenging terrain.
Across the continent
18. From the west coast to the east, WA to NSW.
Or do it the other way. Now that’s a challenge, with varying terrain and a whole range of incomparable views.
Are you ready for your next adventure? Make sure you do your research - check if the road is usually crossed by buses and trucks so that you’d know what to watch out for. See if it’s mostly dirt road, so that you can bring the right bike and set it up accordingly. Check the condition of the bike and perform necessary routine maintenance to make sure it’s in good shape. Also, check if there are restaurants, cafes, inns and fuel stops you can take along the way.
If you’re planning a dirt bike camping trip, here are other articles that will help you prepare:
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