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Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand

  • September 27, 2023
  • By 50 Shades
  • 0 Comments
Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand

Bike rides have become ever so popular in recent times, not just to exercise and get out into the great outdoors, but sometimes as a way to holiday and see a travel destination. In Lonely Planet’s latest book, titled “Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand”, there are numerous accounts of bike rides, all written by people who have actually experienced the ride.

The popularity of bike rides has inspired the opening of a new bike trail in my area, called the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Murwillumbah to Burringbar in New South Wales. It has proven to be extremely popular with all types of bike riders. Plenty of cycling enthusiasts are experiencing this bike ride and praising it as a fantastic bike trail.

Epic Bike Rides of Australian and New Zealand
Northern Rivers Rail Trail. Image Credit: visitnsw.com.au

Why are Bike Rides so Popular?

I remember a few years back there were groups of middle aged men and women in lycra peddling around the roads of the Gold Coast on the weekends. Road cycling became extremely popular and many people were inspired by cycling events such as the Tour de France. However after a spate of road accidents resulting in injuries such as grazes, gravel rash and broken collar bones, these weekend cyclists decided it was a little dangerous on the roads competing with cars.

I think the powers that be decided that it was far safer and more practical to start looking at making bike trails that were purpose-built for cyclists and that were suitable for road bikes. Many disused railway lines were perfect for transformation into cycling trails. As were less busier country roads and off the beaten tracks in the outback areas of Australia.

Epic Bike Rides of Australian and New Zealand
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Bike Ride

In a country as big as Australia there are plenty of off-road, or at least, off-the-main-road, trails to explore that meander through scenic territory and have the benefit of little to no traffic.

It is also common knowledge about the benefits of being in nature for our mental health. Coupling that with the physical exercise of cycling, it’s clear that bike rides of any duration do wonders for our wellbeing. It give us all the chance to just slow down and appreciate the scenery.

Epic Bike Rides of Australian and New Zealand
Arrowtown to Queenstown Bike Trail

Lonely Planet’s Epic Bike Rides Book

“Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand” book features 150 awe-inspiring rides in both Australia and New Zealand. It’s the perfect guide book for planning a leisurely weekend ride, or maybe something a lot more challenging like the 1100 kilometre Munda Biddi Trail in South West Australia.

The bike rides include: The rugged Nevis Range in New Zealand, the mountain bike trails of Tasmania and Rotorua, a fun ride through Melbourne’s inner-city laneways, a leisurely day jaunt on a family friendly rail trail, to the breathtaking Flinders Island in Tasmania. This book showcases the unparalleled beauty of both country’s natural wonders.

Epic Bike Rides of Australian and New Zealand
Cycling the coastline near Esperance, WA

Covering each state and territory in Australia, as well as the north and south islands of New Zealand, each bike adventure lets you immerse yourself in the local environment, escape the everyday and gain insights from experts who have peddled the route. 

Australian Bike Rides

During our travels around Australia, we always bring a bicycle along, or at least rent a bike so that we can set off on a bike ride to explore the countryside. Some of the epic Australian bike rides are South Australia’s Mawson Trail, the remarkable 700 kilometre bike adventure into the Queensland Outback, or the infectious energy at the annual Gears and Beers event in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.

Some of the bike trails we have experienced include:

  • Brisbane Valley Rail Trail – Old rail trail from Wulkuraka to Yarraman in Queensland
  • The Atherton Tablelands – Far North Queensland
  • The Tour of Margaret River – Cape to cape from Yallingup to Augusta, Western Australia
  • Kangaroo Island – Flinders Chase National Park, South Australia
  • Clare Valley Vineyards – Auburn to Barina through the vineyards, South Australia.
  • Bass Coast Rail Trail – Anderson to Wonthaggi, Victoria
  • The Goldfields Trail – Ballarat to Bendigo, Victoria
  • The Bay of Fires Trail – Tasmania.
Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand
Old Railway Bridge on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

New Zealand Bike Rides

New Zealand is jam packed with amazing bike trails. Explore the ancestral significance of the Motu Trails in New Zealand, the Kōpiko Aotearoa journey across New Zealand or Otago’s Central Rail Trail – New Zealand’s most famous rail trail.

On our travels to New Zealand we have only sampled a couple of these bike rides:

  • Kawarau Gorge, Queenstown – Queenstown to Kawarau Gorge.
  • Arrow River Bridges Trail, Queenstown
  • Touring Hawkes Bay Wineries, Napier
  • Northern Coromandel Loop
  • The Coronet Loop
Epic Bike Rides of Australia and New Zealand
Lake Wakatipu Bike Trail in Queenstown

There’s never been a better time to literally “get on your bike” and set off on some new adventures that may be just a short distance from where you live. This great new Lonely Planet guide will have you thirsting to explore our beautiful countries and inspire you to get out into the great outdoors. “Epic Bike Ride of Australia and New Zealand” is now available at all good book store for $44.99 or shop online here.

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By 50 Shades, September 27, 2023 Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.

50 Shades

Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.

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