Hi,
We are going to Australia in February/07 for around 3 weeks and would love to spend a few days cycling around Sydney or Melbourne
We have been doing some searches in the internet, but could not find much information.
Would you guys have any recommendation on nice cycling routes around these 2 cities? We are looking for 3-day cycling routes that would take us to nice small cities and vineyards.
Any tip is very welcomed!! Thanks in advance for any help!
Best regards,
-brsp
Cycling around Sydney or Melbourne?
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:46 am
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:57 pm
- Location: Hornsby, Sydney
- Contact:
Postby amattinson » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:17 pm
Have a look at www.bikely.com many people have posted rides in both cities which are either/ both challenging and enjoyable. I know there are a number of routes on there from Hornsby in northern sydney most of which involve lots of riding through national parks and rural areas (and lots of good hills). Another option would be to take a train to a gateway point and ride from there.
[/url]
[/url]
-
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 2:32 pm
Cycling around melbourne
Postby wongaga » Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:17 pm
Melbourne has a lot of off-road wonderful bike tracks. Easiest way to get onto them is to pop into a bike shop and buy the little booklet that describes them - around $25 or so last I looked. Also Google bike clubs for day rides.
- AUbicycles
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15589
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:14 am
- Location: Sydney & Frankfurt
- Contact:
Postby AUbicycles » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:22 am
Hello
Melbourne tends to be a bit more bike friendly though I don't fancy your chances of fining any vineyards too close to either Sydney or Melbourne city. To get a head start for cycle routes and trips, the bicycling organisations for each respective will be able to help.
Both (BNSW) Bicycle New South Wales and (BV) Bicycle Victoria are listed on this site under the Cycling Organisations and BUGs page. In addition, the (RTA) Roads and Traffic Authority, which deal with all the streets and transport, may be able to provide you with some good cycling routes.
For both Sydney and Melboune, both cities are quite large with a big urban sprawl. Sydney area takes up (for example) 100 km (North / South) by 50km (East / West). You need to do a bit of riding to get out as Sydney has the Blue Mountains inland which is a natural barrier. Once you make the trek up there you will start finding some townships. Have a look on Google Maps as there is a lot of hard riding involved. The nearest vineyard area is the Hunter Valley (next to Cessnock) up north. It is possible to reach via the scenic old pacific highway road which is none the less challenging and will take (depending on speed) over half a day. The Hunter Valley is nice and most wineries have open cellar doors from about 9am to 6pm and they are fairly close to one another (key word Pokolbin).
I can't speak much for melbourne though, maybe someone else knows more.
Melbourne tends to be a bit more bike friendly though I don't fancy your chances of fining any vineyards too close to either Sydney or Melbourne city. To get a head start for cycle routes and trips, the bicycling organisations for each respective will be able to help.
Both (BNSW) Bicycle New South Wales and (BV) Bicycle Victoria are listed on this site under the Cycling Organisations and BUGs page. In addition, the (RTA) Roads and Traffic Authority, which deal with all the streets and transport, may be able to provide you with some good cycling routes.
For both Sydney and Melboune, both cities are quite large with a big urban sprawl. Sydney area takes up (for example) 100 km (North / South) by 50km (East / West). You need to do a bit of riding to get out as Sydney has the Blue Mountains inland which is a natural barrier. Once you make the trek up there you will start finding some townships. Have a look on Google Maps as there is a lot of hard riding involved. The nearest vineyard area is the Hunter Valley (next to Cessnock) up north. It is possible to reach via the scenic old pacific highway road which is none the less challenging and will take (depending on speed) over half a day. The Hunter Valley is nice and most wineries have open cellar doors from about 9am to 6pm and they are fairly close to one another (key word Pokolbin).
I can't speak much for melbourne though, maybe someone else knows more.
-
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:38 pm
- Location: Warrnambool
Postby stryker84 » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:19 pm
Well, I can't say I know any of this first hand, but there ARE some good winereies around Melbourne. Though most at least an hour+ drive out of the city, so it'll be a good thirst/appetite inducing ride. Could be done though, but I'm not clear on bike routes out of the city. As someone mentioned, there's probably a bike route map available for this.
On a side note, the regional freeways do permit bikes, since they're less traffic laden, and are a great smooth ride, just watch out for the occasional road trains (i.e., huge double-rig trucks) that are probably the most dangerous vehicles to cyclists on the freeway. Or if you want even less traffic, more countryside, the older back roads along the freeways are ideal, though narrower, a longer ride, and slightly less smooth riding.
For an alternative to travelling out of Melbourne, and if you want to get to the surrounding smaller cities/towns, the V-Line train services (the regional train network) are usually very good about bringing your bikes on to the train. As long as you keep it out of the way, i.e., not obstructing the doors/passge and prefereably avoid the peak services (7-9 am arriving at Melbourne, and 4-6pm LEAVING Melbourne), you'll have no trouble. So if you want to leave the city and base yourself out of town for a few days, the train can bring you to a regional centre like Ballarat, Traralgon, etc, from where you can cycle to surrounding country towns, or visit the local wineries at your leisure.
http://www.vline.com.au
I'm no expert on wine regions, or wineries, but I do know there are some good ones around. You probably have seen this site in your Googling efforts, but http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayObj ... DCDB470957 is quite informative.
Sorry for the rambling post, hope that was helpful. I really should learn to compose my thoughts properly.
On a side note, the regional freeways do permit bikes, since they're less traffic laden, and are a great smooth ride, just watch out for the occasional road trains (i.e., huge double-rig trucks) that are probably the most dangerous vehicles to cyclists on the freeway. Or if you want even less traffic, more countryside, the older back roads along the freeways are ideal, though narrower, a longer ride, and slightly less smooth riding.
For an alternative to travelling out of Melbourne, and if you want to get to the surrounding smaller cities/towns, the V-Line train services (the regional train network) are usually very good about bringing your bikes on to the train. As long as you keep it out of the way, i.e., not obstructing the doors/passge and prefereably avoid the peak services (7-9 am arriving at Melbourne, and 4-6pm LEAVING Melbourne), you'll have no trouble. So if you want to leave the city and base yourself out of town for a few days, the train can bring you to a regional centre like Ballarat, Traralgon, etc, from where you can cycle to surrounding country towns, or visit the local wineries at your leisure.
http://www.vline.com.au
I'm no expert on wine regions, or wineries, but I do know there are some good ones around. You probably have seen this site in your Googling efforts, but http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayObj ... DCDB470957 is quite informative.
Sorry for the rambling post, hope that was helpful. I really should learn to compose my thoughts properly.
- AUbicycles
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15589
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:14 am
- Location: Sydney & Frankfurt
- Contact:
Postby AUbicycles » Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:37 pm
You've been drinking wine while posting havn't you! You are not the only one guilty of thatstryker84 wrote:Sorry for the rambling post, hope that was helpful. I really should learn to compose my thoughts properly.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Postby Mulger bill » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:07 pm
Sunbury has a few good wineries, and we're only 40 k's out of Melbournes GPO
V/Line are good bike friendly people (in general), not that I'm biased at all
V/Line are good bike friendly people (in general), not that I'm biased at all
- gururug
- Posts: 1531
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:05 am
Jump to
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.