13 DAY SELF GUIDED TOUR

LOCATIONS VISITED IN THIS TRIP: Noosa - Roma - Longreach - Charters Towers - Cairns - Townsville - Airlie Beach - Rockhampton - Noosa

 

This tour combines the outback towns of Longreach and Winton as well as the tropical north Qld resort towns of Cairns and Port Douglas

 

 

This tour combines the outback towns of Longreach and Winton as well as the tropical north Qld resort towns of Cairns and Port DouglasTotal tour distance: Approximately 4650kmTo calculate the price for this self guided tour please go to BIKE RENTAL PAGE

 

DAY 1 - NOOSA TO ROMA 600km Leaving Noosa, ride through the historic town of Eumundi on your way to the Bruce Hwy. Follow the Bruce south for 30 minutes until you arrive at the Landsborough exit. Take the off ramp and then loop back over the hwy following the signs westward to Beerwah. This road will take you past "Australia Zoo" which is the home of the "Crocodile Hunter", Steve Irwin. From Beerwah follow the signs to Kilcoy. Approximately 3km past Kilcoy, turn left at the 'T' junction passing by the picturesque Somerset Dam on your way to Esk.

Esk to Toowoomba comprises more fantastic biking roads. The large regional city of Toowoomba is an ideal place to stop for lunch at one of the many eateries in the city centre.After your midday meal, find your way across town to the Warrago Hwy (route no 54) where it is a straight run west through the towns of Dalby, Miles and finally, on to Roma.

 

DAY 2 - ROMA TO BARCALDINE 587km An early start and you are on your way, motorcycle humming along nicely in the early morning air with the goal of making Mitchell for mid morning refreshments.

Passing through Morven then Augathella you make for the small town of Tambo, noted as the friendliest little town in the west where a lunchtime stop is planned. After lunch and your midday rest your bike is fired up for the ride to Blackall for afternoon coffee or a cold drink. Blackall is home to the mythical "black stump" of Australian folklore. Another hour in the saddle will have you arriving in Barcaldine in time for a cold one at the local.

 

DAY 3 - BARCALDINE TO LONGREACH 107km Today will afford the opportunity to relax a little with an easy ride into Longreach about midday. This morning you can spend some time in historic Barcaldine where you can visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre and visit the 'Tree of Knowledge', an old ghost gum that served as a rallying point for the shearers during the great shearers strike of the 1890's. This town is reputed to be the birthplace of the Australian Labour Movement. Leaving Barcaldine you could stop for lunch at the famous Welshot Hotel located in the tiny town of Ilfracombe just out of Longreach. You should have some time to spare for a relaxing swim in the pool when you arrive at your Longreach motel. This evening why not enjoy a sunset cruise on the Thompson River that will include dinner and some outback entertainment! We recommend the Albert Park Motel situated next to the Stockman's Hall of Fame.

 

DAY 4 - LONGREACH SIGHTSEEING The suggested itinerary for today includes a visit to the Qantas Air Services museum (opens at 9am). After an interesting hour spent discovering the roots of Australia's aviation industry, you could visit the 'Long Distance School of the Air' which has two tour times, 9am and 10am on school days only.

 

Longreach's major attraction is the Stockman's Hall of Fame. The scope of the exhibits here will amaze and interest you for the next 3 to 4 hours and the cafeteria provides an excellent opportunity to relax in air conditioned comfort while you enjoy lunch. Later in the afternoon you might choose to ride the 3km into the centre of Longreach to check out the interesting streetscape, the historic railway station and the Powerhouse Museum.

 

DAY 5 - LONGREACH TO CHARTERS TOWERS 626km Leaving Longreach, the first stop today is Winton, famous for it's annual Bush Poetry Festival and the town that gave birth to Australia's unofficial national anthem, the song 'Waltzing Matilda'. Today you will encounter the massive three trailered trucks called 'Road Trains'.

Extra care is required when overtaking these monsters of the road! Leaving Winton after a coffee stop, take the Kennedy Deviation Road heading north-west towards Hughenden situated on the Flinders Highway, in time for lunch and a cold drink! After lunch, point the bike eastward and make for the bustling heritage town of Charters Towers.Riders of dual-sport type motorcycles may wish to continue north on the Kennedy Deviation Road from Hughenden to The Lynd Junction.

 

This road is all dirt (244km) and only passable in the dry.Limited accommodation is available at the Oasis Roadhouse at The Lynd Junction. Phone ahead on 07 4062 5291 for accommodation availability as well as a road condition report.NOTE: Road type motorcycles are not permitted to use this road.

 

DAY 6 - CHARTERS TOWERS TO CAIRNS 600km If travelling from Charters Towers, your first stop will be at The Lynd Junction for petrol, something to eat and a nice cold drink! Today's ride will be full of interest as you continue north along the Gregory Deviation Road heading towards Ravenshoe and the beautiful hinterland region of Atherton.

You will discover some great motorcycling roads including plenty of corners in the lush tropical hills that make up this area.From Mareeba, head east toward Cairns with a stop over at the bustling market/tourist town of Kuranda. Leaving Kuranda, you will be rewarded with the last 30kms of today's ride being one of Australia's most spectacular motorcycling roads, have fun!

 

DAY 7 - CAIRNS Why not relax a little today and experience life in Cairns! The esplanade in the city centre offers a huge range of culinary delights. Gift and coffee shops abound.

The beautifully designed public swimming pool across the street on the Cairns foreshore is another "must do" when in Cairns, plus it's free.One of Cairns' major tourist experiences is the Sky Rail Cableway and the Scenic Railway that takes you up to Kuranda and return. This can be done in half a day so our suggestion is to catch the Sky Rail to Kuranda at 1pm then board the last train leaving Kuranda at 3.30pm. A shuttle bus will transport you back to the Sky Rail depot to collect your motorcycle.

 

DAY 8 - CAIRNS TO CAPE TRIBULATION AND RETURN 300km This day will become the highlight of your holiday. That's a big statement, but trust us!Leave Cairns nice 'n' early at 7am to beat the tourist traffic heading north. Taking the majestic Cook Highway, you will be spellbound at the early morning calm on the tropical ocean waters as you wind your way north to Port Douglas on this piece of motorcycling paradise.Make time for a traditional bacon and egg breakfast at the luxury coastal resort of port Douglas. You should arrive there before 8am.Riding out of Port Douglas, head north passing through Mossman on your way to Daintree Village.

 

Time for a stop and another coffee maybe? Turn back 11km and follow the signs to the Daintree River ferry. This is where the fun starts on your way north to Cape Tribulation. You will experience some of the best biker roads in the universe, fantastic views from the lookouts, a great lunch at the beachside caf? & bar at Thornton Beach and a safe swim in a tropical waterhole at Myall's Creek.Return to Cairns by the same route stopping off at Ellis Beach Bar & Grill for a cool drink as you approach Cairns, at the southern end of the Cook Highway coastal road.

 

DAY 9 - CAIRNS TO TOWNSVILLE 349km Leaving Cairns mid morning you head south on the Bruce Highway passing through lush cane growing countryside and the towns of Innisfail, Tully (the wettest town in Australia), Cardwell (on the coast opposite Hinchinbrook Island) and Ingham. Arriving in Townsville, the largest city in North Queensland with a regional population of 136,000, there is plenty to see and do.

 

A ride to the lookout atop Castle Hill in the centre of Townsville will give spectacular views out to Magnetic Island as well as inland to the ranges. Townsville's esplanade, called "The Strand", has many restaurants offering all types of cuisine including exotic seafood dishes! If time permits, catch the high speed ferry out to Magnetic Island for a few hours sightseeing.

 

DAY 10 - TOWNSVILLE TO AIRLIE BEACH 304km Just a short ride today as you ride south passing through the towns of Ayr and Bowen. Another hour on the bike will get you close to the popular backpacker resort town of Airlie Beach where a swim and a cool drink awaits. Airlie Beach is the main point of departure for the many offshore resort Islands known collectively as 'The Whitsundays'.

DAY 11 - AIRLIE BEACH TO ROCKHAMPTON 487km A leisurely getaway this morning has you rumbling out of town, wind in your hair and a grin on your face. About 2 hours on you will arrive in Mackay just in time for coffee. Adventuring on, you will pass through Sarina, then onto the Carmila Roadhouse for lunch.

 

After lunch, you lose yourself in the hypnotic feel of your motorcycle engine as mile after mile, you pass through scenery ranging from harsh country to fertile coastal flats. Before you know it, you will have arrived at the large beef capital of Rockhampton.

 

DAY 12 - ROCKHAMPTON TO BUNDABERG 403km Today you will have a nice and easy ride as you head south via the large industrial city of Gladstone. Turning off the Bruce Highway at Gin Gin you will arrive at the beautiful river city of Bundaberg with plenty of day to spare.

 

Arriving at the outskirts of Bundaberg, Bert Hinkler House (a museum which closes at 4pm) is well worth a visit. Bert Hinkler was one of Australia's pioneer aviators. After unpacking at your motel near the city centre, you can take a ride around town or ride down to the beach at Bargara and Mon Repos which is home to Australia's largest turtle rookery.

 

DAY 13 - BUNDABERG TO NOOSA 250km The suggested itinerary today includes visiting Schmeiders Cooperage (opens at 9am) where you view the ancient craft of keg making. This will put you in the right mood to visit the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery just down the street. Make sure that you arrive just before 10am to catch the first tour of the day. Following your tour and 'sampling of the wares' you warm your machine up for the journey south via the quaint town of Childers then back to Noosa but not before having a look at the old gold mining town of Gympie.

Arrival back in Noosa will have you tired but happy after an exciting 13 days of adventure and discovery. Why not add another day to your holiday in order to spend the extra time simply relaxing in the beautiful ambience of Noosa and it's stunning semi tropical beaches. You won't regret it!