Any Suggestion? Ride in July

game
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Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:17 pm

Hi guys,
what an amazing forum!
I would be in Australia next July. I will start my trip from Italy (with a fligh eh eh :lol: )

I'll probably, probably, land in Melbourne and then I'll go to Great Ocean Road to Adelaide.

Do you think it may be too cold? It's the first time I visit Australia, I have to make photos and videos and I need some tips on places to visit.

I can move even in a different zone. Some people tell me to go to Brisbane for better weather condition. Others to go and visit outback. I'm really confused. I have a couple of weeks, 15/20 days.

I have not yet bought the tickets.

Can you help me? thank you

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RonK
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby RonK » Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:12 pm

Yes it will be cold in the south. It will be cold in the outback too.

If you don't like cold then perhaps Sydney to Brisbane would be best.

Or you could do Cairns to Brisbane, but it's a very busy highway and not great for cycling.
Last edited by RonK on Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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game
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:14 pm

RonK wrote:Yes it will be cold in the south. It will be cold in the outback too.

If you don't like cold then perhaps Sydney to Brisbane would be best.

If I have to be honest I really love cold day with sun, hard sun. 15/16 degrees could be perfect. I'm really scared about too much rain. What do you think ?

thanks

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RonK
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby RonK » Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:20 pm

There is a very good chance it will be cold or wet or windy (or all) if you take the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide in July.

For fine and sunny you have to go north, but of course all the local tourists will be going north too.
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game
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:25 pm

RonK wrote:There is a very good chance it will be cold or wet or windy (or all) if you take the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide in July.

For fine and sunny you have to go north, but of course all the local tourists will be going north too.
Oh ... so sad to read that. But thanks for your time. Please RonK do you have any suggestion for me? Even if I have to change completely my destination?

Tent + bike
No tourism
A little bit of good views (for photos and videos)
obviously I need a "track" to start and finish because of my flight (so I need important city with airport)

That's all :)

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rodneycc
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby rodneycc » Sat Jun 17, 2017 10:06 am

Yeah I'm from Melbourne /Victoria and yeah a bit cold this time of year (was about 2 deg C last night!). If you are doing hotels you will be ok but bike+tent would not be my idea of a good stay. July is prob the worst month to come to Victoria.

Sydney has more rain than Melbourne so I agree with Ron that probably Queensland from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns is the best place this time of year.

As for tourists there will be a few but I reckon most are going overseas or cruise shipping now days (been a huge change with that recently in Australia).

Also a tip maybe Google Australia school holidays and try and avoid those times. You might be better off late July because I think school holidays are early July for memory.
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game
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Sat Jun 17, 2017 10:20 am

rodneycc wrote:Yeah I'm from Melbourne /Victoria and yeah a bit cold this time of year (was about 2 deg C last night!).
Thanks Rod to you too :)

I make my decision: from Brisbane to Sydney from 3/7 July until 17/20

From Brisbane because you have left ride in Australia and I want to be able to take a look to the Ocean. What you think? Could be nice? I'm ready for everything, only not for 20 days of rain XD

Waiting for your response
Last edited by game on Sat Jun 17, 2017 10:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

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rodneycc
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby rodneycc » Sat Jun 17, 2017 10:50 am

Not keen on Sydney personally( this time of year). But if that is where you have to fly in/out of? (You might not have much choice). Brisbane to Sunshine Coast I reckon would be better ( could take Syd to Maroochydore airport). A visit to Noosa also maybe. Lots of good beaches and coast/ocean.

Haven't been there in 10 years so its probably even more developed now than when I last visited it and thought was one of the best places in the world!. I first went to the sunshine coast in 1974 and there was nothing there not like nowdays where it is a busy metropolis.

Also hook into the airbnb website if you are looking for cheap accommodation (rather than your tent!).

Good luck.

Edits above: Also Syd to Brisbane or reverse is a long way. I'd be checking those maps closely.
Last edited by rodneycc on Sat Jun 17, 2017 11:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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game
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Sat Jun 17, 2017 10:59 am

rodneycc wrote:
Good luck.
About Sydney: I will buy tickets in next days but yes, I choose Sydney to take off because could be more cheap. I have to flight back in Europe, small airports are more expensive.

I choose to ride from Brisbane to Sydney (and not opposite way) just because left ride in Australia.

Will I have nice views for my photos and videos?
Thanks guys

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RonK
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby RonK » Sat Jun 17, 2017 11:19 am

If you ride Brisbane to Sydney you will have headwinds.

There is no point trying to keep the ocean on the left, because mostly the road is not near the ocean.

I have a map Melbourne - Sydney - Gold Coast (near Brisbane). Send me a PM with your email address and I will share with you. Then you can decide for yourself how much you want to do.

But understand that July is mid-winter here and it is likely to be cold, wet or windy at some of the time in most places.
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Warin
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby Warin » Sat Jun 17, 2017 11:36 am

For cost reasons, flying to/from major hubs (such as Brisbane/Sydney) makes sense. It also makes sense from a baggage handling perspective - reducing the chance of damage to the bicycle.

As it is winter in Australia saying north and towards the coast make sense from a weather/temperature perspective.

You may be able to use the train services to transport yourself out of the major cities too ... for not much cost and no problem with the bicycle.
For Sydney you can get the train from Newcastle onwards to avoid the city traffic. Personally I'd probably chose either Brooklyn (Hawkesbury River) or Hornsby to take the worst of the traffic problem away. See http://www.sydneytrains.info/stations/p ... ty_map.pdf for a Sydney train map.
Brisbane I don't know that well.

game
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Sat Jun 17, 2017 6:18 pm

Thanks guys

@ronk just do it, you have PM

For headwinds: do you think will be hard?
Really no chance to take a look to the ocean from Brisbane to Sydney?

@warin no problems with winter, as I say a lots of time, hope don't take too much rainy days. However you understand why I decide to make that road: do you believe it's better go from Brisbane to the north and then come back in Brisbane to fly away? Could be "boring " because I have to come back to the same airport :(

Thanks guys your support is amazing!

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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby uad782 » Sat Jun 17, 2017 9:59 pm

Hi Game

There are plenty of chances to see the ocean if you follow the coast but you do have to detour. The detour is often only 2 to 5km. I would not use the PAcific or M1 as it is called. It has a lot of heavy vehicles and impatient drivers.

That being said with the aid of Rons map you can probably plan a route that gets you to the ocean and avoids the Pacific Hwy. the highway is being upgraded. In my area you can now cycle from Kempsey to Woolgoolga on the old highway which is quiet. Doing this would allow you to stay at some great beach locations such a Nambucca heads, Valla and Mullaway.

I would not cycle north of Grafton on the pacific highway. It is like this for the 130km to Ballina. It has no shoulder in most areas. Maybe the Summerland Way to casino and Evans head would be better

The weather in July around Coffs and Grafton is usually sunny with ranges from 1-2 deg in morning to 22 deg in the day. July usually has stable weather but anything is possible.

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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Sun Jun 18, 2017 1:27 am

uad782 wrote:Hi Game

There are plenty of chances to see the ocean if you follow the coast but you do have to detour.
thanks uad782.
Thanks to great help via email of RonK I will start from Sydney and end my trip in Brisbane. I will take wind from south with me (hope) :mrgreen:

I don't like to plan a lot, if I have I start and end point, it's ok. So I will take all of your advices about this track to stay close to the ocean and avoid like hell big street with heavy traffic

Thanks again for your incredible help guys

I Keep reading

game
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:01 am

Hi guys. Monday will be my day.I will start my trip from Sydney to Brisbane. Hope I choose wisely for place and camping spots. Weather isn't my trouble, even some days of rain would be a gitft. Just some days :)
What you think? Any suggestion? Thanks guys, great forum!

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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby brumby33 » Thu Jun 29, 2017 9:56 am

uad782 wrote:Hi Game

There are plenty of chances to see the ocean if you follow the coast but you do have to detour. The detour is often only 2 to 5km. I would not use the PAcific or M1 as it is called. It has a lot of heavy vehicles and impatient drivers.

That being said with the aid of Rons map you can probably plan a route that gets you to the ocean and avoids the Pacific Hwy. the highway is being upgraded. In my area you can now cycle from Kempsey to Woolgoolga on the old highway which is quiet. Doing this would allow you to stay at some great beach locations such a Nambucca heads, Valla and Mullaway.

I would not cycle north of Grafton on the pacific highway. It is like this for the 130km to Ballina. It has no shoulder in most areas. Maybe the Summerland Way to casino and Evans head would be better

The weather in July around Coffs and Grafton is usually sunny with ranges from 1-2 deg in morning to 22 deg in the day. July usually has stable weather but anything is possible.
Yes I was going to suggest this myself actually, after visiting Byron Bay (a must stay for a cycling tourist) then after coming back onto the highway, cross over towards the Hinterland to the beautiful little village of Bangalow, head towards Lismore then to Casino then you can decide whether to head South towards Grafton via the Summerland way or perhaps heading further West to just before Tabulam and head South on the Clarence Valley Way via Baryugil. It has some of the most beautiful farm and rolling Hills scenery. The first 50 km wil be gravel but it's pretty good then you head towards Grafton, the last 10 kms into the West of South Grafton is by cycleway.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Byro ... 866667!3e1

https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Casi ... 256818!3e1
As stated, I would not recommend the road from Ballina to Grafton via the Pacific Highway 1 due to the trucks that travel this road. If you do travel the Pacific Highway, Once you you have passed the Harwood Island bridge over the Clarence River, you turn off the highway to the left and head for Yamba, nice little beach Hamlet and won't be full of tourists during the Winter, you'll have some camping ground at the Blue Dolphin Caravan Park. from there, you can cycle to the little town of Maclean then turn right after the main township near the showground and head out to Grafton via Lawrence. You'll need to cross 2 vehicle ferries but they are free and only take a few minutes to cross the river. They are cable type ferries.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Ball ... 298612!3e1
Once you get into the main town of Grafton, you'll need to go over a long but very narrow bridge accross the river so you can head down to Kent Street and go along the bottom level of the bridge. This is where the trains go along and theres a walking and bicycle path on the side of the bridge.
file:///C:/Users/Davo/Downloads/Grafton_City_Cycle_map.pdf

Once you get down to Grafton you can decide to take the hwy or go slightly inland towards Coffs Via Coramba and Nana-Glen
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Graf ... 298612!3e1

As stated, much of the beaches will not be along the highway South of Ballina so little ventures off the main route will be needed, when you get south of Coffs, you will get along through Nambucca where you cycle next to the river....if you like eating oysters...theres some great oyster stalls along the way...super fresh oysters...Yummo!! :)

cheers

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RonK
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby RonK » Thu Jun 29, 2017 10:25 am

As previously posted I have provided Frank with a detailed ride guide and route map that does a very good job of mostly avoiding the Pacific Highway.

Oh, and it covers from Melbourne to the Gold Coast.

I'm happy to share with anyone who needs it. Just PM an email address.
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:41 pm

brumby33 wrote:
uad782 wrote: ...
RonK wrote: ...
WOW thank you guys, I have to learn all this name and advices, thank you so much. Hope I can buy a Sim card (thank you RonK!) for my iPhone so I will use Edge1000 and Google Maps too

:D

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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby Warin » Fri Jun 30, 2017 8:06 pm

game wrote:Hope I can buy a Sim card (thank you RonK!) for my iPhone so I will use Edge1000 and Google Maps too
Some use 'Mapout' - has a bicycle mode, and a tourist mode so it shows things of interest for those activities. It is all so an 'offline' map - so you don't have to have phone coverage once you download it. That is a very good thing in Australia where lots of the countryside has little to no phone coverage.

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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:04 pm

Thanks guy. Last thing, please, which company I have to look for a prepaid sim data for my iphone? Amaysim is good in coverage ? I will be between Sydney and Brisbane :)

Thanks

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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby RonK » Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:38 pm

game wrote:Thanks guy. Last thing, please, which company I have to look for a prepaid sim data for my iphone? Amaysim is good in coverage ? I will be between Sydney and Brisbane :)

Thanks
Telstra. The rest have poor coverage.
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game
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Mon Jul 03, 2017 11:04 pm

RonK wrote:
game wrote:Thanks guy. Last thing, please, which company I have to look for a prepaid sim data for my iphone? Amaysim is good in coverage ? I will be between Sydney and Brisbane :)

Thanks
Telstra. The rest have poor coverage.
Great Ronk
Thanks!

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Warin
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby Warin » Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:38 am

Telstra has the best coverage .. at a price.
Aldi is cheaper .. but less coverage. Others would be something similar.

Best to look a the coverage maps and decide for yourself?
https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-net ... r-coverage
https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/a ... erage-maps

Note: Adli coverage is resold from Telstra but Telstra reduce the coverage to reduce the price. If you need to contact the emergency services (Police/Ambulance/Fire) then it dose not matter who you are with .. the call (000 {Australia} or 112 {anywhere in the world, rerouted to the local services}) will be picked up by any service provider (provided you can get a signal).

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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby game » Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:15 pm

Hey guys! I'm in Australia. Beautiful trip until
Forster. I see on the map that until Port Macquarie isn't a good ride with bike. What do you suggest? It's better to take a train and move to the next city? I have only 9 days to arrive in Brisbane. Thanks guys, this trip is amazing!

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Leaf T
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Re: Any Suggestion? Ride in July

Postby Leaf T » Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:48 am

Hi game. Sorry I missed your post. By now you're in Brisbane? Back home?

It's great to know you had a fun, amazing trip. Let us know what you liked and hated the most if you find some time. Traffic, hills, weather, food, people, wildlife, anything. Those of us who are not on the bike love to read about other peoples journey. Cheers!

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