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Australia..."Southern Surprise" Tour
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This tour takes us through the historic gold mining country of Victoria along the Murray River, into the outback of the Flinders Range, to the wine region of Barossa Valley, and along the famous Great Ocean Road. Experience the great, wide-open land of down under from a BMW or Suzuki motorcycle!
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We will drive mainly on sealed roads, although there are also some unsealed gravel roads. This tour is suitable for both single and pillion riders, and there is a place in the support vehicle for a passenger as well. Our BMW and Suzuki motorcycles are perfect for this terrain - but you can bring your own bike as well. Although we recommend some group riding, it is not necessary, as there will be a daily route briefing each morning. Whatever your dreams are for the perfect motorcycle holiday, we will do our best to accommodate them!
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TOUR DETAILS
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Host:
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Bike Tours Australia Pty. Ltd. MELBI1
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Tour Character:
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Street tour - mainly sealed roads, some gravel.
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Start/End:
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Castlemaine, VIC, Australia
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Duration:
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13 days
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Riding days:
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13 days
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Entire Route:
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Approximately 1,950 miles (3,140 km) - extra mileage possible
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Motorcycles:
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Suzuki DR650SE, BMW F650GS Dakar, BMW R1150GS, YamahaXT660R
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Group riding:
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Not required
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Accommodation:
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Hotels, motels, and some unique surprise accommodations
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Highlights:
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Murray River, Flinders Ranges, Outback, Barossa Valley, Grampians National Park, Great Ocean Road
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TOUR DIFFICULTY
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 All-weather motorcycling experience required
Ability to ride for long periods required
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PRICING & DATES
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AUD 3.990
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Riding a Suzuki DR650SE
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TOUR DATES
December 1 - 13, 2008
November 1 - 13, 2009
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AUD 4.490
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Riding a BMW F650GS Dakar
or Yamaha XT 660R |
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AUD 4.990
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Riding a BMW R1150GS
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AUD 1.990
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Pillion passenger
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AUD 1.990
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Passenger in support vehicle
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* Reservation deposit is AUD 300 per person, due with booking confirmation.
Tour balance is due six weeks before the tour starts.
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 DAY BY DAY
Day 1:
100 km (62 mi)
Arrival in Castlemaine and introduction to the tour. You will have the opportunity to get accustomed to your rental bike and to driving in Australia. On the first day we will do a roundtrip through the gold fields, which once had the richest gold deposits in Australia. Dinner together in Castlemaine.
Day 2:
300 km (186 mi)
The first section of the tour leads us from Castlemaine to Bendigo, which will be our first stop. We will have the opportunity to visit an old gold mine or the Chinese museum. From here, we go north to Echuca, most famous for its paddle steamers. Before continuing our trip, you can have lunch, visit the historic port, or take a cruise on a paddle steamer. We will stay in Swan Hill.
Day 3:
230 km (143 mi)
From Swan Hill, we take small by-roads along the Murray River to Mildura, where we will stay overnight. You will have the opportunity for a wine tasting session and a sunset kayak trip on the river in the evening.
Day 4:
280 km (174 mi)
We will leave Victoria and cross the border to South Australia. On our way to Morgan, we will see the rough side of Australia when the first harbinger of the Outback appears. Morgan itself boasts an interesting museum village.
Day 5 & 6:
370 km (230 mi)
From Morgan, we head for the Flinders Range National Park. Here, we will have our first day off to enjoy the beauties of this exceptional national park. You will have the opportunity for short walks and long hikes, scenic flights, horse rides, go ballooning, and much more. The Flinders Range are crossed by a net of well-maintained gravel roads, which are easily mastered even by riders with no prior off-road experience.
Day 7:
275 km (171 mi)
On our way to Gladstone, we will see old Aboriginal rock paintings. We will stop in Port Augusta, where we recommend a visit to the Outback Centre, which gives a thorough insight into the hard life of early settlers in Australia's Outback over the last 200 years. After having lunch in Melrose (a beautiful little town), we will arrive in Gladstone.
Day 8:
390 km (242 mi)
The next day takes us farther South. We will circle Adelaide and visit Hahndorf, a German settlement, where even today Kassler and Sauerkraut are served, and the Barossa Valley, the wine region of South Australia. Our night stop for today is Meningie.
Day 9:
410 km (255 mi)
From Meningie, we follow the coast along the Coorong National Park. In Kingston SE, you will see the Giant Lobster. From there, we will stick to the coast. The picturesque coastal town of Beachport is the perfect spot for lunch and a refreshment by the sea. From Millicent, we turn inland and reach our destination for today - Casterton.
Day 10:
150 km (93 mi)
Day 10 takes us to another highlight of this tour: the ride from Casterton to the Grampians National Park. The stretch becomes more winding and wooded by the minute. We will venture into the magnificent national park in the south. While getting to our next stop, Halls Gap, we will have a permanent view of the ancient rock formations that make this park so unique.
Day 11:
This day is our second day off. The park offers a wide range of activiites and attractions. Must-sees include the McKenzie Falls and the Balconies where sunset offers unforgettable motifs. The park is famous for its rich flora and fauna: koalas, wallabies and cockatoos will be your constant companions. And for the motorcyclist: bends, curves...
Day 12:
340 km (211 mi)
This day will lead us to the sea again. From Halls Gap, we head southwards to reach another highlight of the tour: the Great Ocean Road. From Warrnambool, one breathtaking coastal landscape will follow the other. Don't miss out on a detour to Cape Otway Lighthouse - Cape Otway National Park offers the only opportunity to see the only cool-temperatured rainforest in Victoria. For dinner, you can choose between one of the numerous cafés and restaurants in Apollo Bay, while the beach invites you to enjoy a late-night bath.
Day 13:
295 km (183 mi)
We will take some last curves on our way from Apollo bay back to Castlemaine. The stretch goes through ancient forests, which make the decision whether to drive the curves or just stare in awe nearly unbearable! We close the evening and finish off this unforgettable tour with a goodbye dinner in Castlemaine.
Note: We reserve the right to make changes.
 Ready to ride? Book here
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