Places you would rather be.

[Zac150]

Il Padrone's "my touring rig" thread really got my thinking. I enjoyed seeing shots of peoples "rigs" in different locations, and there were some spectacular photos of bikes in some pretty impressive locations, so instead of ambushing that thread I thought I would start a new thread.

So please place photos of great locations or favourite places you have been on your bike. Please keep to the biking theme and try to include photos with bikes in them.

To get us started below is a shot of Wheelers Hut in Kosciouszko National Park, it is a great 2 day return ride from Tooma dam (on the Khancoban / Cabramurra Road).

[elantra]

Wilson's Peak (on the NSW/Qld border)

This prominant peak forms a complex watershed.
To the west its runoff becomes the Murray-Darling river system.
Runoff to the south is the start of the Clarence river (NSW).
Eastern it joins the Logan river (and into Moreton bay).

Photo from northeast (Boonah to Killarney road, Qld)
And from the south (white swamp road, NSW)

[elantra]

Another very worthy destination on the NSW/Qld border is Lamington national park.

There are 2 main access points, Binna Burra lodge and O'Reilly's Guest house.
While there is minimal or no place for riding beyond these places above, it is a really nice ride to Binna Burra from the lowland sprawl of the GoldCoast hinterland.
From Nerang railway station (yes you can take bike on this train after peakhour) to Binna burra is 33 km.
Most of it uphill but gradual uphill, no need for triple chainrings unless you are heavily laden
The first 5 km is fairly horrible (traffic) but after that it becomes quite nice and eventually VERY nice.
Best done on a road bike.

[il padrone]

Descending the Old Bay Road into Apollo Bay.

A magical, traffic free bush track through the Otways. I've cycled down it several times now. You may encounter everything from mud wallows to tree falls to delightful smooth gravel. But one thing you'll not miss is the cool forest, the calm serenity of the bush and the emergence into the sea views.

Started off the train from Melbourne, disembarking at Colac. A Friday night train is good to give an early start on Saturday for a weekend ride. Alternately if you come down on Saturday it'd be best to allow a long weekend/Easter to go right through to Apollo Bay and even beyond to Cape Otway. Here is the route for our 4 day tour of the southern Otways.

The ride to Gellibrand is a sealed, moderate traffic road. Gellibrand has a nice cafe, small historic info shelter and a pub, then after this you climb into the Otways proper. There is also the option of following the Beechy Railtrail for much of the way. Beech Forest really just has a pub and a picnic area in town that is very well suited for camping. After Beech Forest you need to take the road to the Aire River Plantation (big descent) then climb again to the ridge on Binns Rd. Once over the climb the Old Bay Road is a slightly obscure track off to the left, after Seaview Rd, about 800m past the crest of the climb. It has a gate near the start which may or may not be closed. If it's closed, you can get the bike around it easily. Then enjoy!!

[timbo]

I have just come back from a week at Lord Howe Island, and I have to say it is the most bicycle friendly place around.

Bicycles outnumber cars about 4 to 1 on the roads, and most accommodation places give people free bikes and helmets to get around the island. You can leave your bike and helmet anywhere on one of the numerous bike racks around and you can be sure it will be there when you get back.
The only people who don't like riding bikes are the people staying in frightfully expensive places who would rather someone drive them the one kilometre to the local beach, or if they are feeling really independant, would take the provided golf cart.

Keep in mind the longest road on L.H.I. is probably 5km long, so bicycles are an obvious transport mode.

[rustguard]

Descending the Old Bay Road into Apollo Bay.

A magical, traffic free bush track through the Otways.

It really does look magical in the photos, nice place

[m@]

Not really touring and I don't have a photo with a bike in it... but have good memories of riding around Googong reservoir with the GLW.

[elantra]

Some beautiful landscapes were lurking round every corner in the recent Byron bay to Currumbin mass ride
The physical demands of the very hilly route seemed to enhance the intensity of the beauty - sometimes
here are some photos
Town of Chillingham


Mt.Warning in the background


Nice road surface for a change -on the Tomewin road, heading for Queensland border (summit of the mountains in distance).

[hartleymartin]

If it were not for the fact that our summers are dreadfully hot - I'd like to be exploring the old railway line that ran to Taralga. It is one of the few lines actually "closed' by an act of parliament. Most railway lines just have their services withdrawn and are then abandoned - it does take the full shebang of an act of parliament to close a railway line. Some infrastructure still exists too!

[Moocar]

Adelaide Backpacker Oz hostel! haha.



But no seriously. On the Oodnadatta track, SA

[hartleymartin]

"Dome Sweet Dome Tent"
Stealth Camping (legally) in Nattai National Park just outside of Buxton


"Just here looks nice"
Stopped for a pie and a drink in Menangle

[WarrenH]

... I don't have a photo with a bike in it ... but have good memories of riding around Googong reservoir ...

Not having a photo with a bike in it, is that an issue here?

The fire trails around Googong's foreshores are some of the best riding that I know. I just spent a couple of days touring there, a few weeks ago above the Eastern Foreshores. There is no camping in the reserve but plenty of places to hop a fence.

With the NEW series topos, the Queanbeyan River Fire Trail terminates at the bottom of the Hoskinstown 8727-S2 topo but isn't shown continuing in the next map Captains Flat 8726-1N, showing the trail down to Washpen Crossing nor does the Captains Flat topo now show the section of boundary trail that will allow a rider to join the track that heads down to Gelegnite Crossing. The missing tracks on the topos are well shown on Google Earth and in Garnin's V3 topo. It is possible to do a loop of Googong. There is plenty of water about which made the river crossings very enjoyable. I didn't ride in from Burra, I rode in from Hickory Hill.

Some shots of London Bridge ... the other images from the tour I posted in the Country and Regional section, in my last post in Scooting around the Tinderrys.






Warren.

[ldrcycles]

Another very worthy destination on the NSW/Qld border is Lamington national park.

I haven't done Binna Burra yet but O'Reilly's is absolutely stunning, i can't wait to go back.

Another really nice one is going from Landsborough to Mapleton via Conondale.



From Landsborough, Bald Knob is a monster of a hill, then there's an enjoyable downhill through Witta, after Conondale is the beautiful view above, then after Kenilworth (which is a pretty little town) there's the vicious climb up the Obi Obi, maximum gradient somewhere north of 30% (i've seen 42% claimed but i'm not sure). Even with a 28-30 granny it's hard work. Gorgeous view from the top though.

[il padrone]

Barren lands have their own attractions. The wide open spaces, total absence of traffic (2 cars in an hour is a busy road) and feeling of remotensss make for a real change from even the quieter country roads in Victoria. The land is very quiet and the people you do meet are much more open to a chat - and helping you out if needed.

On the road to Finke NT


Finke Rd to Andado Station


Then every so often there are some stunning sights that highlight the beauties of the land......

like spectacular wildflowers


....awesome canyons


....and stunning sunsets


Follow the OP's guidelines and keep your bike in the photos

[Aushiker]

Another vote for the outback from me ... really keen to get back out there.







Andrew

[elStado]

Rhone-Alps region of France. Beautiful place but killed my knees.



But right now I'd rather be sitting on the beach with a beer in South America somewhere.

[redned]

On the Great Glen Way past Loch Ness.

[MarkG]

Anywhere but here in Perth this week.
40 deg average temp sucks balls.

[RonK]

The outback deserts hold no attraction - I find them depressing. To me soft light, and mountain, lake, river, forest, coast scenery are spiritually uplifting.


Strahan


Cataract Gorge


Moulting Lagoon and The Hazards


Dalgety Stream, Mt Dalgety


Mackenzie County, view of Mt Cook


Penstock pond, Lake Pukaki


On the Crown Range saddle


Florence Bay