Another visitor coming

[mtkitchn]

Hi Aussie ladies,
My husband and I and another couple are coming to Australia in March. We haven't booked the actual trip yet but are leaning toward a qantas vacation which will give us four days each in Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns.
I don't want my cycling fitness to go completely away during this time so I wondered if anyone had recommendations for bike rentals or tours while I'm in any of those three cities? Unfortunately, I'm the only one of the group who rides, so I have to fit something in while they're enjoying other activities.
Are there bike tours around wine country near Melbourne? Bike trails in Sydney?
I also hope to climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge and snorkel near the Great Barrier Reef while in country.
Thanks all!
Sue

[Thistle]

so excited you're coming downunder!

I dont know about bike riding in Sydney or Melbourne or Cairns.... sorry!

I just hope you have a great trip and if you ever decide to put Canberra on your itinerary (no, not many people do ) we have great bike riding here... but no ocean, no great barrier reef, no sydney opera house or melbourne trams

[crazycanuck]

*sniff* wahhhh..noone ever comes to Perth..

c

[Trekhawk]

*sniff* wahhhh..noone ever comes to Perth..

c

LOL - but we know they are missing out on a great place. Ill come visit CC might not be for another year or two but I promise I will come (besides my mum will kill me if I dont).

[light_sabe_r]

mtkitchn

There are plenty of great places to ride in Melbourne. Victoria's roads are so WELL kept they have no idea what a pot hole is.

Victoria has the hightest percentage of the population that rides. NSW has the lowest. AND Sydney would be the reason why.

You DON'T want to hire a bike in sydney and ride. There's no infrastructure.

Victoria on the other hand is great. Correct me if I'm wrong but bikes can go on the tram lines under the provision that you must give way to the tram?

in any case every trip I make to Melbourne it's just BUSTLING with bikes commuting to work... and in the regional areas such as the great ocean road, there're bikeways (on road and off) which connect the city with the road... and Bike paths and lanes out there! If you're gonna ride do it in Melbourne!

There's a Yarra Valley Bike trail. (where all the wineries are) but I don't reccommend Riding and winetasting. the cops CAN pull you over and they CAN breath test you if you're riding on the road. If you're over the Australian limit (.05%) you will be fined. If you're riding on the footpath you can't be then that's different.

Oh yeah, Melbourne also has "four seasons in a day" so pack everything expecting summer or winter, sleet hail or fine. You could be walking down the street one minute and then get rained on the next but it's not really cloudy...


Meanwhile Cairns is probably a good place to ride (I was born there!) It's considered a big country town. It's gonna be HOT and HUMID no matter what time of the year you go there. So make sure you take SINGLETS and shorts and buy some tropical strength Aeroguard while you're here cause the mozzies and sandflies will annoy the hell outta you.

Umm yeah. Cairns is a tropical paradise! I love it up there. Just be careful of the box jelliefish and irukanji jellifish if you go swimming or snokeling. You can't see them but you will know if you've been stung by one. Also make sure if you're swimming at a beack to swim between the flags and this big floating black thing... (which is the jelliefish free zone)

Have fun!

[Thistle]

mtkitchn

Oh yeah, Melbourne also has "four seasons in a day" so pack everything expecting summer or winter, sleet hail or fine. You could be walking down the street one minute and then get rained on the next but it's not really cloudy...

ha ha ha.... so true

[mimitabby]

mtkitchn

You DON'T want to hire a bike in sydney and ride. There's no infrastructure.


Meanwhile Cairns is probably a good place to ride (I was born there!) It's considered a big country town. It's gonna be HOT and HUMID no matter what time of the year you go there. So make sure you take SINGLETS and shorts and buy some tropical strength Aeroguard while you're here cause the mozzies and sandflies will annoy the hell outta you.


Have fun!

Questions!!
what do you mean, there's no infrastructure? as in the roads are not repaired or as there are vigilantees running around shooting people??

and what is a singlet??