My youngest son, daughter-in-law, and 2 of their friends will be bicycle touring Australia for 10 weeks on their own. New Years until mid-March, and are wondering if there are any absolutely must see wildlife and scenery areas they need to plan on. Thought you guys from AR might have some input. Thanks.

Might want to check out the size of this country before attempting that feat,it's a BIG place.

I've heard of Jap tourists landing in Brisbane and wanting to ride to Cairns in one or two days.(over 1000 kms)

I think they would see more if they went by bus,safer too.HTH

And it is going to be hot!!

Where are they starting from?

As Hiwall said it will be hot. Thats summer in the southern states and the wet season in the north. They don't want to be caught in a wet season storm (lots of flooding) What states are they going to travel in?

These are some of the issues I have wondered about myself. Don't want to put too much of a damper on their project, but it sounds like a huge undertaking to me. They are planning to purchase a vehicle for support, and have a different driver each day. They think 100-125 miles a day is very reasonable (?), but I reminded them that is about what Lance Armstrong was doing on the Tour. I think the plan to start in Sydney for New Years, then proceed from there.

If they want to see the country I'd stay around northern NSW and QLD, and take it easy, riding 125 miles (whats that in K's )in the heat of summer will knock them around. As to places to see, there are lots of wildlife parks around the area, they'll see more of it smashed on the roads Crikey Irwin's park is in QLD.
If'n it was me, I'd ride straight to Byron Bay and just chill out there for 3 months

quote:

If'n it was me, I'd ride straight to Byron Bay and just chill out there for 3 months

Roger that!

I think most Americans have no concept as to how big Australia really is. I hear people say all the time, "I want to go to Australia some day." When I ask them what part, I usually get a blank look. It's like someone saying they want to visit the US. Las Vegas is as different from New York as Sydney is from Darwin!

Lance Armstrong didn't have to worry about B-Doubles trucks passing him at 55 MPH just 2' away.
Better tell them they're dreaming,the heat,hills,distances and traffic will beat them.

If this is a serious post than I would seriously suggest cycling around Tasmania. Ten weeks should be just enough to see most places and this would be one of a few places where cycling in summer is normally undertaken. As to the cycling across the mainland…

Actually Tassie wouldn't be that bad, don't know about spending 3 months there, I would like to see more of Australia than just Tassie.

In 3 months I would stick to the east coast, say start in Melboure and go up and make Carins the goal to finish. Check out the states tourism web sites, they'll tell all. Anyway, I hope they have a good trip.......drink plenty of water

Here is a site for you to check out.
Australia

In '86 my Dad; then eighty, rode a bicycle around Oz. Melbourne to Townsville, across to the centre then up to Darwin. Back to Kathrine to head down the west coast to Perth then east to Melbourne. He camped most nights and while I can't remember how long it took he arrived in Perth the first week in October '86. Shaun has it right about the road trains, he used to get off the road and the bike for them after the first one gave him a bad buster. Buses too. He passed away 12/'01 at 95. Skinny as a whip all his life.

Thanks a bunch, guys. I really appreciate all the info, and it adds some reality to my comments to them. I know they are in shape to do it, as they are all Hot-Shot wildland firefighters. Humping 60# packs and chain saws 18 hours a day in the western states and mountains while subsisting on MRE's keeps you in amazing shape. I can't help but have some parental concern for them, but since they're grown it's up to them. I will keep copying off this thread for them, and I know they will be contacting some of the cycle groups and tours also.

That is a great link Bakes, I will be learning a lot from that one myself. Thanks for posting it.