10 OCTOBER - WE START AUSTRALIA IN EARNEST...

Day 10 of  Feature Down Under is Cycling and Motorcycling in Australia. I like both. Here's me on my 400cc Piaggio MP3 I love it. Unfortunately Stephen doesn't like me riding it at all. It's more that he doesn't trust the idiot drivers on the road who don't look out for cyclists and motorcyclists at all. So it might be going to a new home soon. If you are interested - email me!  And if you have one of those bikes with two wheels in front (but not close together like mine) and you'd like to swap it for mine, also email me. Mine is very fun, and George Clooney has one, so it must be hot!

Anyway, back to Cycling and Motorcycling in Australia.

Australia is huge, and there are so many great options for cycling and motorcycling that I have just picked a few.  Any of the tour companies noted will be able to provide you with advice on any other tour, or general information if this is your first time Down Under.

Cycling:

Cycling tours of Australia offers a diverse range of tours for all levels of fitness and experience, so you are sure to find one that fits you. They provide a wide range of destinations from Byron Bay through to Tasmania,  and also run NZ tours, so if you are planning to cycle in both countries, take a look at what they have to offer.

If you want to explore New South Wales, Australian Cycling Holidays appeals. They provide family-friendly tours, and a complete Touring Bike Hire Package to kit yourself out and

head off on your own adventure, if you don’t wish to choose from one of their tours. Their cycling tour packages give you the chance to explore the sights, sounds and tastes of the NSW South Coast at your own pace. Choose from a weekend escape, a cycling holiday with the kids, or a longer cycling trip that takes you to places you may never have been before. They cater to all budgets, from luxury through to backpacker, and all abilities. Some tours are designed for experienced cyclists, others are for families, and some are for softies - those who like a bit of activity and adventure but not too much!
All their tours are self-guided, which means that you get to set the pace. Each night's accommodation has been carefully chosen for its location and character, your luggage is transported for you, and you are provided with cycling equipment, maps and ride notes, allowing you to travel light and worry free! And if you need assistance while on tour, Australian Cycling Holidays is always there to help.

I love the penny farthing on Alltrails Owners Phil & Susan McDonald have been organising fully supported, long distance bike tours to a loyal ride community, pushing the boundaries and leading the industry since 1997. Their Blog makes interesting reading, too. They only run 10-15 tours per year, and they tend to be different each time. They also cater to babyboomers like us, so that’s another plus. Every tour is meticulously planned and you have either the owner-operators, or Ben Weigl their Tour Manager will be there to look after you. Safety and personalised service is important to Alltrails.

Motorcycling :
For a fun adventure, Outback Adventure Treks are one of the original motorbike tour operators in Australia and must be a favourite. An Outback Adventure Treks tour is an expert-led off-road motorcycle journey in Australia ( BTW, they also do international destinations). They have motorcycle tours in Cape York, Across Australia, the Kimberleys and Canning Stock Route. With over 25 years’ experience of touring, , they know how to put a great ride together and strive to make their dirtbike tours as exciting as they can possibly be. With Bike Round Oz you can rent a motorcycle, get route advice, book accommodation, internal flights and get help with side trips such as Great Barrier Reef tours . Bike Round Oz staff have ridden right around Australia, through the middle and to parts beyond, so have incredible first-hand experience of the country. They tour all states, and New Zealand too, both self-guided and guided holidays are catered for, and bike rentals. You must have a full license, obviously. Uluru is a highlight on some of the guided tours and they also offer the chance to experience the Canning Stock Route.

They have two places left on their Ultimate East Coast Tour which looks fantastic – this guided tour starts on the 15th March through to the 27th March 2015, taking in all the quintessentially Australian highlights in the eastern reaches, connected together by some of the finest motorcycling roads the country has to offer. To find out more about this incredible guided tour, get in touch directly with http://www.bikeroundoz.com/ Bike Round Oz