The 10 most popular cycling tours in Australia and New Zealand
Compare ten classic Australian and New Zealand bike tours by length, days, surface, season and wind, then pick the one that fits your trip.
The short answer
The best cycling routes in Australia and New Zealand are New Zealand's Otago Central Rail Trail, Alps 2 Ocean, West Coast Wilderness Trail, Hauraki Rail Trail and Tour Aotearoa, and Australia's Great Ocean Road, Tasmania's east coast, Munda Biddi, Mawson Trail and Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Most take three days to two weeks.
Key takeaways
- New Zealand's 23 Great Rides cover more than 2,800 km (1,740 miles), mostly off-road.
- Otago, Hauraki and Murray to Mountains are gentle rail trails, good for a first tour.
- The Munda Biddi and Mawson Trail suit autumn and spring; summer there can be dangerously hot.
- Southern summer, December to February, falls in the northern winter.
- Prevailing wind is a starting point; check the forecast for your dates.
Definitions
- Great Ride
- One of the 23 mostly off-road trails in Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails, the national network.
- Rail trail
- A path built on a disused railway line, usually gently graded and closed to motor traffic.
- Riding hours
- In our wind figures, the hours from 08:00 to 17:00 local time, when touring riders are usually on the road.
How did we choose the best cycling routes in Australia and New Zealand?
Two tests: riders search for them, and an official body looks after them. We took five from each country and never estimated rider numbers. This list sits under our guide to the world's great cycling routes.
How do the ten routes compare?
Tour Aotearoa and the two long Australian trails take weeks; the rest fit into a week or two.
| Route | Country | Length, km (miles) | Usual days | Surface | Best months | Prevailing wind (Nov–Mar, riding hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otago Central Rail Trail | New Zealand | 152 (94) | 3–5 | Compacted gravel | Sep–May | NW or N, 11 km/h (7 mph) |
| Alps 2 Ocean | New Zealand | 315 (196) | Up to 7 | Gravel, quiet roads | Dec–Apr | NW to NE, 11 km/h (7 mph) |
| West Coast Wilderness Trail | New Zealand | 133 (83) | 4–5 | Mostly gravel | All year | W or NW, 10 km/h (6 mph) |
| Hauraki Rail Trail | New Zealand | 160 (99) | 3–5 | Smooth trail | All year | SW or W, 16 km/h (10 mph) |
| Tour Aotearoa | New Zealand | 3,000 (1,864) | 5–8 weeks* | Roads, gravel, trails | Any time | W or NW, 12 km/h (7 mph) |
| Great Ocean Road | Australia | 243 (151) | 3–4* | Sealed road | Spring, autumn | SE to SW, 17 km/h (11 mph) |
| Tasmania's east coast | Australia | 220 (137) | 7–14 | Sealed road | Dec–May | Changeable, 19 km/h (12 mph) |
| Munda Biddi Trail | Australia | 1,072 (666) | 18–27* | Gravel, sand | Late Mar–Nov | E or SE, 16 km/h (10 mph) |
| Mawson Trail | Australia | 900 (559) | About 14 | Mostly off-road | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | SW or E, 15 km/h (9 mph) |
| Murray to Mountains | Australia | 185 (115) | 3–4* | Sealed path | All year | W or NW, 9 km/h (6 mph) |
* Our estimate (see method). Wind: Windline's own analysis of ERA5 data, 2015–2024, 08:00–17:00 local time, November to March.
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Which New Zealand Great Rides suit a first tour?
All four belong to Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails: 23 Great Rides covering more than 2,800 km (1,740 miles).
Otago Central Rail Trail
The trail trust gives 152 km (94 miles) from Clyde to Middlemarch, Grade 1, the easiest level. Most riders go between September and May and allow three to five days. See our Otago guide.
Wind: North-west or north, averaging 11 km/h (7 mph).
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
The longest Great Ride runs 315 km (196 miles) from Aoraki/Mount Cook to Oamaru, topping out near 900 m (2,950 ft). Some stretches have no food or water, and NZ Cycle Trail advises extra care near Benmore Dam when it's windy.
Wind: Between north-west and north-east, averaging 11 km/h (7 mph).
West Coast Wilderness Trail
This 133 km (83-mile) trail links Greymouth and Ross. The coast has a reputation for rain, and the Totara Bridge was closed in October 2026, so check alerts first.
Wind: West or north-west, averaging 10 km/h (6 mph).
Hauraki Rail Trail
On the North Island, this 160 km (99-mile) old railway links Thames, Paeroa, Waihi, Te Aroha and Matamata, with a 1,100 m (3,610 ft) tunnel in the Karangahake Gorge. Almost all of it is Grade 1.
Wind: South-west or west, averaging 16 km/h (10 mph).
Can you cycle the length of New Zealand?
Yes: Tour Aotearoa runs from Cape Reinga to Bluff and suits experienced riders with five weeks or more.
Tour Aotearoa
Jonathan Kennett's 3,000 km (1,864-mile) route strings nine Great Rides and 12 Heartland Rides together with backroads, 4WD tracks and singletrack. Read how far to bikepack in a day before setting stages.
Wind: West or north-west, averaging 12 km/h (7 mph).
Which Australian coast roads make a good tour?
Two sealed road tours with sea views, shared with holiday traffic.
Great Ocean Road
Visit Great Ocean Road gives 243 km (151 miles) from Torquay to Allansford, near Warrnambool. The region's cycling guide favours spring and autumn, as summer traffic is heavy. See our Great Ocean Road guide.
Wind: Between south-east and south-west, averaging 17 km/h (11 mph).
Tasmania's east coast
East Coast Tasmania gives the Great Eastern Drive as 220 km (137 miles) from Orford to St Helens, via Swansea and Bicheno. It suggests at least a week at about 60 km (37 miles) a day.
Wind: Changeable in direction (calm 5% of riding hours), averaging 19 km/h (12 mph).
Which Australian trails take you off-road?
Two remote trails for experienced riders, and one sealed rail trail for anyone.
Munda Biddi Trail
The foundation gives 1,072 km (666 miles) from Mundaring to Albany, with 12 shelters every 40–60 km (25–37 miles). Plan food: the first town, Jarrahdale, is 103 km (64 miles) in. See bikepacking food and water.
Wind: East or south-east, averaging 16 km/h (10 mph).
Mawson Trail
Trails SA gives about 900 km (559 miles) from the Adelaide Hills to Blinman, usually ridden north in about 14 days. The northern third is rocky and remote.
Wind: South-west or east, averaging 15 km/h (9 mph).
Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
Visit Bright describes a fully sealed 185 km (115-mile) network linking Wangaratta, Beechworth, Bright and Harrietville in Victoria's High Country. Autumn colour starts in late March.
Wind: West or north-west, averaging 9 km/h (6 mph).
Which one should you pick?
Match it to your time and season.
- First tour: the Otago, Hauraki or Murray to Mountains trails.
- One week: the Alps 2 Ocean or Tasmania's east coast.
- Northern winter: any Great Ride, December to April.
- Autumn or spring: the Mawson, Munda Biddi or Great Ocean Road.
- A month or more: Tour Aotearoa.
Like rail trails? Compare our Europe, North America and Africa lists.
How do you plan any of these routes?
Plan the stages, choose a direction with our prevailing winds guide, then check the forecast for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
When should northern-hemisphere riders cycle in New Zealand?
During your own winter or the shoulder months around it. The seasons are reversed, so New Zealand's summer runs from December to February. The Otago Central Rail Trail Trust says most riders go from September to May, and NZ Cycle Trail calls December to April the Alps 2 Ocean's peak season. Winter snow can close parts of the Alps 2 Ocean.
Do you need a mountain bike for the Munda Biddi and Mawson Trail?
Yes, or a sturdy bike with wide tyres. Trails SA calls a hardtail mountain bike with low gearing the standard choice for the Mawson Trail and says road and hybrid bikes don't suit large parts of it. The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation describes red pea gravel in the north and loamy soil and fine white sand in the south.
How hot do Australia's long trails get in summer?
Hot enough to be dangerous. Trails SA warns of 45°C (113°F) days in the Flinders Ranges on the Mawson Trail, and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation says its northern jarrah forests can top 40°C (104°F). Even New Zealand's Otago trail can reach 35°C (95°F), says NZ Cycle Trail. Start early, carry extra water and follow official warnings.
Is the Great Ocean Road safe to cycle?
With planning. The region's official road cycling guide says early morning is safest, and advises avoiding weekday peak traffic and riding from midday on weekends and public holidays. Coastal roads are busiest at the height of summer. Ride single file where traffic builds up, and check VicEmergency for fire and road warnings before you set off.
Where do you sleep on these routes?
It varies. The Munda Biddi has 12 trail shelters every 40–60 km (25–37 miles), and the foundation advises carrying a tent in case one is full. NZ Cycle Trail says Tour Aotearoa riders stay anywhere from campgrounds to five-star lodges. Rail trails pass towns most days. See [wild camping rules by country](/blog/wild-camping-rules-by-country/).
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Make a free ride page →Sources and method
- Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (2026). The New Zealand Cycle Trail story
- Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (2026). 23 Great Rides
- Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (2026). Otago Central Rail Trail
- Otago Central Rail Trail Trust (2026). Frequently asked questions
- Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (2026). Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
- Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (2026). West Coast Wilderness Trail
- Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (2026). Hauraki Rail Trail
- Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (2026). Tour Aotearoa
- Tour Aotearoa (2026). Tour Aotearoa
- Visit Great Ocean Road (2026). Frequently asked questions
- Surf Coast Shire (Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast) (2017). Great Ocean Rides, the region's official road cycling guide
- East Coast Tasmania (2026). Cycling the Great Eastern Drive
- East Coast Tasmania (2026). Travel times
- Tourism Tasmania (Discover Tasmania) (2026). Best time to visit Tasmania
- Munda Biddi Trail Foundation (2026). About the route
- Munda Biddi Trail Foundation (2026). Multi-day end to end
- Trails SA (2026). Mawson Trail
- Santos Tour Down Under (South Australian Tourism Commission) (2026). Grand Tour: Mawson Trail
- Rural City of Wangaratta (2026). Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
- Visit Bright (Alpine Shire) (2026). Rail trails
- Visit Bright (Alpine Shire) (2026). Frequently asked questions
- Copernicus Climate Change Service (ECMWF) (2026). ERA5 hourly data on single levels from 1940 to present
- Copernicus Climate Change Service (ECMWF) (2026). ERA5 hourly time-series data on single levels from 1940 to present
- Natural Earth (2026). Terms of use (public domain map data)
How we chose: we started from the routes that recur in top search results and touring guides for Australia and New Zealand, kept those with a managing body, official trail network or official tourism site that publishes a length and a riding season, and then balanced the list by country (five each) and by type (rail trails, long off-road trails, coast roads and one end-to-end route). We did not estimate rider numbers, and search-volume figures were not available to us, so they did not decide the list. Lengths, surfaces, seasons and day counts were read on each official page on 10 October 2026 (see the sources). The Great Rides count (23) and network length (more than 2,800 km) are NZ Cycle Trail's own figures. Where bodies differ we say so: the Mawson Trail is about 900 km for Trails SA and 896.9 km in the Tour Down Under atlas; the Munda Biddi is 1,072 km on the foundation's route page and 1,000 km on its end-to-end page; the Great Eastern Drive is 220 km on East Coast Tasmania's travel-times page, whose town-to-town legs (including the Coles Bay side road) add to about 230 km. Best months are each body's own wording where it gives them; for the Hauraki, West Coast Wilderness and Murray to Mountains trails, "all year" summarises NZ Cycle Trail's and Visit Bright's statements that the trails suit every season, and for Tasmania, Dec–May joins Discover Tasmania's sunny, dry summer to the autumn it calls the best touring season. Days marked * are our estimates where no body gives a whole-route figure: the Great Ocean Road at 60–80 km (37–50 miles) a day, so 243 km takes 3–4 days; the Murray to Mountains network at 50–70 km (31–43 miles) a day, so 185 km takes 3–4 days; the Munda Biddi at one shelter-to-shelter stage a day, 40–60 km, so 1,072 km takes 18–27 days; Tour Aotearoa at 65–90 km (40–56 miles) a day plus one rest day in ten, so 3,000 km takes 37–52 days, about 5–8 weeks. Conversions use 1 mile = 1.609 km and 1 m = 3.281 ft, rounded; °F = °C × 1.8 + 32. Prevailing wind: Windline's own analysis of hourly 10 m (33 ft) wind from ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus Climate Change Service, ECMWF), 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2024, downloaded from the Copernicus Climate Data Store, for riding hours 08:00 to 17:00 local time from November to March, the southern touring summer, on every route, at three sample points along each route (near the start, middle and end; for Tour Aotearoa, four points spread along both islands), using the nearest 0.25° grid cell. The two directions given are the commonest of eight compass sectors, with their combined share of riding hours; hours under 5 km/h (3 mph) count as calm. Where the two commonest directions are not neighbours and the hours barely agree on a direction, we call the wind light and changeable and draw no arrow. These are averages of past seasons, not forecasts. Credit: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (ERA5, 2015–2024); neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use of this information. The overview map's route lines are approximate lines through town waypoints, not official route maps; basemap from Natural Earth (public domain).
About the author
Wes Thomson, Founder, Windline. Wes Thomson builds Windline, live wind and weather forecasts timed to when riders reach each stretch of road. He built it for his own 2,093 km tour from Pont Drift to Cape Town, and writes these guides with the same focus: what the wind will do to your ride, and how to plan around it.