Personally I have gotten more and more interested in the idea of travelling on the path less known in the middle of the wilderness. Experiencing complete seclusion and peace from all the distraction life seems to through at us.
I have compiled a comprehensive list, mostly of all the bike packing adventures that I want to get the chance to undertake in Australia.
This list is a mixture of long multi week trips and as short as a weekend getaway, with many different difficulty levels.
Consider this a resources page to come back to later, after you have completed the first trip on this list. I put this together for me to refer to but I hope you will get some benefit out of it also.
So lets get started with this wanderlust list of epic Australian bikepacking adventures, in no particular order!
1. Australian Alps Trial (900 km+)
A epic ride that travels through the rooftop of Australia, across exposed high plains, through snow gum woodlands, along backcountry trails and amongst tall native forests. Linking Canberra and Melbourne with limited resupply point along the way. With some of Australia’s most amazing high country campsites.
Highlights of the ride
- The Jagungal Wilderness area
- Camping in The Alpine huts
- Hike a Bike sections
- A beer at country pub
- Camping under the clear mountain skies, with the most beautiful starry nights.
- Mountain air and solitude
- Drinking from the mountain streams
Websites with resources and information.
2. Attack of The Buns (320 km+)
This route takes you from Bungendore, near Canberra to Bundanoon, it can be used as a even longer trip linking Canberra to Sydney which would be a epic adventure.
However this 320 Km route is around a 3 day trip. Travelling through Australia’s Southern Tablelands and Highlands. Joining up three significant sections. Offering car-free, wild, forest trails with quiet gravel backroads and short paved sections through four towns.
It’s a perfect route if you are looking to get away for a long weekend. Treating nature lovers with lush landscapes, wildlife, majestic cliffs, and rock formations.
Highlights of the ride
- The incredibly diverse Red Ground Track
- Many Little creek crossings
- Kangaroo Valley, has Australia’s oldest suspension bridge and lots of great foods.
- The short detour to get to Tianjara Falls
- The car-free, rainforested Griffins Firetrail
- The series of 4-5 waterfalls at Fitzroy Falls
Websites with resources and information.
Join the Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/208507806611726/
3. Munda Biddi Trail (1000 km)
The Trail traverses Western Australia’s Darling Range and Southern Forests through Eucalypt bushland, granite outcrops and unique wetlands. South-West WA is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, you will discover plants and wildlife found nowhere else.
There are few places in the world where a 1000km trail could be built through an undeveloped natural corridor.
You can stay in two types of camp sites along the trail. The purpose-built Munda Biddi campsites and the regular forest-based campsites.
From what I hear, from bikepackers this is a very popular and highly recommended route. I have met many people who tell me you have to ride this trail! So for me it has a spot on my list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Websites with resources and information.
4. Mawson Trail (900 km)
The Mawson Trails in Adelaide Hills, is a 2.3 week bikepacking adventure covering 900 km. From Blinman into Adeliade SA, via little-used country roads, State forest and national park fire trails, farm access tracks and unmade or unused road reserves. Avoiding traffic and bitumen roads and leads cyclists into the remote areas of the Flinders Ranges.
MAWSON TRAIL OFFICAL SITE WITH ALL INFORMATION
5. Australian Canning Stock Route (1640 km)
This is a epic adventure!
By far the most challenging one on the list. Something that will require a fat bike to ride, with ‘fat’ tyres – 4 inches wide or more. Due to the soft sand and corrugations dominating this route.
Due to the lack of supplies along the route. Unsupported riders will be required to transport their own food for 30-35 days and up to 4-5 days water.
But if you are up for the challenge, the Australian Canning Stock Route could be the ultimate adventure. A ride that will test yourself, with mental and physical challenge. Requiring careful thought and preparation.
In the heart of WA, Spanning around the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. The route covers over 1,600 km that will take 30 days or more.
Websites with resources and information.
6. The Tasmanian Trail (465 km)
Since bike touring the east cost of Tasmania it would be cool to head back and ride through the middle of Tasmania via The Tasmanian Trail.
From Dover Heading North to Devonport, around 465 km would be a great 10 day adventure. Exploring Tasmania’s unique beauty, gorgeous wildlife and unspoiled wilderness.
Highlights of the ride
- Giant eucalyptus cracking in the wind
- Dervent Valley hops fields Scenic Views
- Meet Wallabies and Opossum along the route
- Plan to camp at Dee Lagon
Websites with resources and information.
7. Tasmania’s Wild West Coast
A shorter route the travels through the Wild and remote Tasmanian West Coast, located in the top West corner of Tasmania.
This route travels from Granville Harbour to Arthur River. May require a fat bike, due to beach terrain.
Highlights of the ride
- The mix of journey and technical riding
- Pounding surf and solitude
- 4 seasons in one day
Websites with resources and information.
A Tasmanian Adventure!
If you want some Tasmania Bike Touring wanderlust, I have a playlist on YouTube documenting my adventures across the East Coast of Tasmania
8. Victoria Divide 550
This is an update on this article since I just rode the 2020 Vic Divide and it was so good it deserves a spot here. A big thanks to Lewis Ciddor, the one who organized this event and route. If you are after something that is challenging this might be the bikepacking adventure for you. You can sign up for the event or ride at your own pace any other time. I am writing a separate and in more detailed article all about my personal experience of the Vic Divide.
But this year was around 572 km with about 12,000 m of climbing. When it comes to km and climbing ratio this is one of the toughest out there. One of the highlights for this route is the potential to stay at a number of the Victorian High Country Huts along the route. The climbing is some of the hardest I have ridden on any route. It pays to have MTB gearing if possible. The views and scenery at Buller are all worth the hard efforts getting there!
More information can be found here at the Facebook page for the Vic Divide
Route GPX Download: https://tinyurl.com/vd2020gpx
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