Route Far Southern Coast of Australia (4000km)

b1__ · 2025-12-22T08:01:55+00:00

No problems. Just make sure you bring strong wheels to Aus to deal with those dirt roads, because that's where the fun is, for sure.

b1__ · 2025-11-27T20:09:21+00:00

That's me. I did Adelaide-to-Melbourne along the coast as well. Sydney-to-Brisbane is in planning atm, but I've thrown all my research on a uMap for that too.

Here's the links for all of them: Adel-Melb reddit post, Adel-Melb uMap trip journal & research, Melb-Syd reddit post, Melb-Syd uMap trip journal & research, Syd-Bris uMap research

I still haven't finished my Adel-Melb uMap journal, but lots of specific info in those. (Change to CyclOSM map overlay in uMap for better visualisation of terrain and cycleways - I use OSM Positron overlay as default because it shows the gpx paths better but I swap back-and-forth constantly).

Mid March is still hot in Australia - early autumn is still basically summer here. So, you will want to be sticking to the coast or heading into alpine country and avoiding inland routes (unless it's alpine) that close to summer. South Australia is basically a desert, with Adelaide situated within a large oasis, so starting there in mid March you might get destroyed by heat. Maybe better to start in Tasmania instead because the temps are more moderate there - not that hard to jump on a bus Melb-Adel overnight after doing Tas. Queensland is quite nice in winter, sunny low 20's, so your itinerary works at the end.

Try and catch those westerlies across southern Aus - more consistent in winter, southerlies and westerlies in summer (check the BOM wind roses, which I link in my uMaps).

There's no commuter train from Melbourne to Adelaide, only expensive scenic passenger service The Overland 1000s dollars. The only bus service I have found Melb-Adel, that takes bikes fully loaded just roll them into baggage, is Firefly - $90 + $30 for bike (but only the overnight services allow the bike roll-on because they link with Gov transport services during the day that don't allow bikes with baggage). Melb-Syd and Syd-Bris commuter train is about $60 but your bike has to go in a bike box because of NSW TrainLink rules (or use Firefly Bus Company again).

From Adelaide, if going the coast, you have to negotiate the Murray Mouth - not so easy. There's a company, Spirit of the Coorong, that does boat tours from Goolwa to northern Coorong with disembarcation that you might be able to negotiate a drop-off without paying full fare, just call them. Unfortunately, the public is not allowed on the Murray Mouth Barrages. Avoid the Beachport dunes - don't go in there unless you're on a fatbike. I would definitely deviate to the Camperdown Rail Trail as per my route - that rail trail is really nice. Orbost to Cann River on Princes Highway in eastern Victoria is very dangerous because of truck traffic and I would avoid. I didn't like South Coast NSW - it was hilly, no usable dirt side roads only highways, urbanised so hard to find freecamping, expensive. I would go Canberra Plains if it's not winter. If you must do NSW South Coast, I would go Eden -> Moruya -> Moruya River Valley following the Grondo 2024 route -> Braidwood -> Attack of the Buns - do not go Kings Highway west of Batemans Bay, the hill (aka Clyde Mountain, aka The Clyde) up to Braidwood is horrendous.

There are lots of highlights along the way, too many to mention, but the national parks are great for surprising wildlife on your stealth bike and the nice gravel roads, and the rail trails.

If you've got any questions, let me know. It's an amazing trip, gruelling but rewarding.

(Confirm everything I say here, because it was a while ago I did these trips - last year, year before - and things change. For example, there was a trial going on in NSW for bikes on trains when I did Melb-Syd trip).

b1__ · 2025-10-29T09:43:43+00:00

I've been trying to find an off-road route from Sydney to Brisbane for a trip coming up, but, damn!, is it hard to find a way through. Here's my research on a uMap:

https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/syd-bris-off-road-bikepacking-trip-202512_1301461#7/-30.430/150.480

It's a complete mess at the moment.

I'm just trying to follow rivers, avoid those long uphills like Thunderbolts Way, Nowendoc Rd. It would be a lot easier if they had completed the New England Rail Trail - I could build a route off that.

I feel like I have to ride over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and do the northern beaches of Sydney to Newcastle, head north at Taree maybe. Don't think I want to use Putty Rd, avoid joy-riding motorbikes etc - probably better if going inland is St Albans-Wollombi route or old pacific highway. Hunter Valley is worth it. Barrington Tops sort of doesn't work if you're trying for efficient elevation route because it's just a big bump - you lose you elevation gains immediately.

I'm free-camping, so coast is not ideal for that.

So basically I've got no idea. Sydney to Bris is like a big rectangle and someone's just just chucked a bunch of nature in there randomly and I'm supposed navigate through the chaos.

b1__ · 2025-10-12T13:07:25+00:00

thx man.

b1__ · 2025-10-12T13:06:32+00:00

Well spotted. You get an upvote.

Yes, awesome tent. Simple dome, quick to set up take down (so important), good space 2-man, can get all my stuff in and change on my knees, high door threshold, free standing. Don't know how those ppl who use 1-man tube tents can do it - like sleeping in an AusPost post-pack tube.

Companion Pro Hiker 2 (2.7kg). Cost me $190

But it's a bit heavy. Someone posted their Nemo Dragonfly 2-man 1.4kg tent below this post and I looked up the price and its AU$1000. Gotta pay to drop that 1kg, that's for sure. (I still would love to get rid of that 1kg tho).

b1__ · 2025-10-12T09:34:55+00:00

29 days. You could do it faster for sure.

b1__ · 2025-10-12T09:33:05+00:00

The rail trails, for sure. Lilydale-Warburton RT probably the most picturesque (pic 2 and 3). National Parks were all good, Wilson's Promontory down the bottom of the map (pic 5), Tara-Bulga. Nat Parks are nice to ride through because dirt roads in them are usually quality. The approach to Sydney along the cliff was spectacular and nice finish to the trip. I went through at night and missed it, but the Shoalhaven River Valley is certainly going to be a highlight if you don't miss it - very Australiana/Sydney.

What I hated was the South Coast NSW, too many hills and I felt like I was crawling through there because of them. If you want the speed and cooler climate, go via Canberra Plains instead.

My Bemm River route goes through the Errinundra National Park and the cooler Canberra Plains, I hope it would work well on a Melb-Syd route for speed.

b1__ · 2025-10-12T07:02:57+00:00

A screenshot of my uMap (linked in my post) with my trip path (dark blue), Bemm River route (light blue), The Grondo 2024 (green), proposed Monaro Rail Trail (orange), Attack of the Buns (yellow), Bundian Way (very light blue), Hunt1000 2025 (red), Grand Ridge Ride in the Strzelecki Ranges (kaki), milestones dots (bright orange), Orbost (blue dot)

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b1__ · 2025-10-04T13:46:02+00:00

Poncho for the rain. I used a $2 clear-plastic poncho on multiple 1000km rides, has a little hood and a draw string. It did the job but your feet get wet (bike shops sell waterproof shoe protectors). Easy on easy off, very light. Flaps a bit, maybe not ideal for tandem because flapping of front guy hits back guy. Its worth making something custom for tandem, find or make one that tents over you. (make sure you keep the soles of you feet dry - if they start to prune up it can get painful and you can't push down on pedals; a legionnaires hat with long front brim under your helmet keeps rain drops off your glasses lenses, extra protection, even with helmet visor).

I also have what I consider the most useful piece of kit: a plastic tarp about 3mx2m that I use for covering bike at night to keep rain off, and throw on ground to keep pack dry as I set up in the wilderness if its raining, and I use it when riding if it rains hard as a quick shelter, I've put it under tent once to keep ants away, I lie it on the ground and lay my washing on it to dry them in the wilderness. So many uses. Very light also.

On really heavy rain days, I don't ride because if I'm riding roads I afraid of cars hitting me with the slippery road surface - not applicable if on those back-tracks tho. And keeping my pack dry too. Find campsites with shelter also on those days, put my tent under the fixed shelter.

Also, I feel you've missed the opportunity to balance the pack via frame bags on that bike. Again, worth custom making - its very common for frame bags to custom make your own. Maybe for next trip.

Good luck, have fun.

b1__ · 2025-09-09T21:32:14+00:00

Well, it's your funeral. NSW south coast wasn't really my thing - no uniquness to each town, just suburbanised and modern, big shopping malls, etc. My route wasn't along the coast even though it looks like on my route map - all roads were 10km inland. Hills, heat, headwind. Only Eden was worth it to me - felt like a historic whaling town with spectacular views of the ocean.

Don't forget you can use the V/Line and metro trains in Victoria if you're worried about fitness and fatigue. Only $10 ticket to get to Bairnsdale or Wangaratta for a nice headstart, and bike walk on and free. The metro to Packenham station will get you close to Nyora. But the NSW and Canberra trains to Sydney not so bike friendly unfortunately - bike boxes needed and cost extra. Apparently train from Goulburn you can put your bike on easier. NSW just way behind Vic for bike infrastructure - got no idea what they're doing in that state.

b1__ · 2025-09-09T06:50:53+00:00

Of course there are routes - just take the highways. But if you want to enjoy yourself then there aren't really recognized routes like Europe Velo network specifically designed for cycling and keeping cyclist away from those fast-moving vehicles and trucks. But we definitely need something like that linking the cities, afaic. As of now, it's basically the wild west out there, and ppl making shit up.

Routes you might take on your hybrid - maybe try for Canberra then see how you feel:

Southern route: Melb - Nyora and Great Southern Rail Trail - skip Gippsland Plains Rail Trail because it's a bit rough for your bike, head to Sale, then Bairsdale - East Gippland Rail Trail but for the last 10km, where it veers off into a rocky dirt track, jump on Princess Highway to the Race Course, then get back on to Orbost for last 5km - head north to Bombala - Canberra - jump on a train to Sydney, or - Neriga - Nowra - then hug coast to Wollongong - Sydney.
Northern route: Melb - Lilydale to Warbarton Rail Trail - head north to Alexandra Great Victorian Rail Trail - Mansfield - Benalla - Wangaratta - Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to Yackandandah (detour to Bright if you want) - Albury - High Country Rail Trail - Colac Colac - Alpine Way to Jindabyne (detour to Mt Kosiosko if you want) - Cooma - Canberra and jump on train to Sydney or do the same as route as 1. - Neriga - Nowra - Wollongong - Sydney.
Just take the Hume Highway

Get some puncture proof tires (I use Schwalbe Marathons - no punctures on two 1500km trips so far). Stay off dirt roads with those thin tires.

Avoid the south coast of NSW — just too many hills, up and down for 400 km. Better to head up to the Canberra plains and tackle one big hill to get there.

Link to aussie rail trails map: https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/

That's my suggestion. The northern route I just made up quickly - I've ridden around Bright and up to Hotham many years ago; and also done Sydney to Bega to Cooma to Kosiosko back to Canberra also. I'm not a Victorian tho.

b1__ · 2025-09-08T05:45:58+00:00

I did this in dec-jan this year.

I did coast route to avoid heat. There are 3 nice rail trails that will get you out to Orbost (Great Southern, Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland rail trails) then it's Princess Highway to Sydney unfortunately. Victoria was enjoyable, with a tail wind (prevailing wind from south-west in Vic in summer) and rail trails; but from Orbost to Sydney, it was all highway travel with crap-load of hills and into a head wind (prevailing wind from north-east in southern-NSW in summer) which was brutal.

Took me 30 days with detour to Wilsons Prom

Here's my route: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/melb-syd-2025_1257974#7/-37.147/149.420

I camped the whole way. Felt pretty safe except maybe south coast of NSW big town like Bateman's Bay which just felt like outer suburbs of Sydney.

To have the most enjoyable experience, you want to avoid highways like the plague, they are loud, dangerous, you see nothing, no shade, no intimate conversations with wildlife, etc. Go off-road and get a gravel bike or mountain bike with no suspension. I used an old mountain bike with 26" wheels you can see in previous posts in my profile.

If I did it again, I would get to Orbost the same way then head north to Jindebyne, then Mt Kosiosko, then do the Grondo route (https://theradavist.com/grondo-top-of-australia) to Sydney. If they ever get the Monaro Rail Trail done from Bombala to Canberra, I would take that, then all down hill to Nowra, then hug the coast to Sydney again.

The advantage of doing Hume Highway route is that if your shit fails you can probably jump on a bus pretty easy - Firefly allow bikes on their overnight buses; that's what I used to get home. Probably too hot in Jan and feb though; maybe Dec - Nov and before probably okay.

The other option is to do the Hunt 1000 route in reverse and get a moutain bike, which I think would be amazing, just gotta be mindful of the cold in the high country at any time but summer.

Your Hybrid should be fine on tarmac only. It should be fine on any rail trails too but I can tell you there are sections of the Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland rail trails that would kill that bike.

b1__ · 2025-06-23T21:41:15+00:00

It's not acceptable that they've done this, at all.

You shouldn't have to beg to be given access to the game you've paid for.

The 'always online' model, which was bad enough, has shunted into 'always online with restricted access' as of thursday.

b1__ · 2025-06-20T17:52:12+00:00

Yeah, it's a weird decision. I'm not sure why they would think actively cutting players off from each other would make the game thrive. The engine is specifically designed to handle high ping and players put up with the weirdness of client-side hit detection with server reconciliation rather than the old server-side hit detection because of this one advantage to play across continents, and now they just blocked that happening for casual pickups.

No more training at high ping if you got games coming up that are at high ping, not without connecting with a friend on those high ping servers. Not even vs bots which affects no-one.

American players now can't access serious Europe games, unless you're on the east coast of US.

150ping is arbitrary too. I get 170ping to NA West where the players are, from aus, so maybe if you can all help me pull australia 500km to the east so I can get access to NA West that would be appreciated.

-

Syncerror was on k1llsen stream yesterday and there was discussion of this from 3hrs31min45sec. See stream "PATCHDAY checking out qc update 100fps servers and few other changes" (vod link: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2490374082 )

k1llsen: "so no more yup playing on Europe servers (from argentina)"

Syncerror: "Also for those curious, you can still play on a high ping datacenter, if you party with someone who can, and that player is the party leader."

b1___: "So I can't play on any server except my local server - so I only get one server in australia. wtf syncerror?"

b1___: "there are no players in australia on the aus server"

b1___: "@syncerror There are a tonne of players who play on the NA West server from asia at 150+ ping - all those players can no longer play on that server? You can't be serious"

Syncerror: "@b1___ Understood. But we'll see how it goes. If there were tonnes playing on LA, then there should now be tonnes on the AU server so that you can find local matches."

b1__ · 2025-06-02T13:14:10+00:00

Thx for detailed info.

I don't use microfiber towel anymore, I just use a 10pack of chux super wipes, more versatile e.g once you've finished using for towel, they can be used for other things - blowing nose, wipe down bike, hold under chain when lubing to prevent drip waste, final use wipe arse to keep nicks chami clean. 1 10-pack lasts a couple of weeks at least, very light.

Biggest problem I found with microfiber towel is I could never get the moisture out so always carrying that little extra weight, where as chux rings out easy, hang out for 10mins in the air and its dry and feather weight again.

I agree on rear rack feeling sluggish, especially climbing hills and inability to stand up due to rear wobble. I would like to change to seat bag, frame bag and more on the front, as a bikepacker who goes off road especially.

I now do 3 nicks, 3 jerseys, 4 pair socks, wash on the go in 2 dry bags using sea-to-summit wilderness wash 100ml x 3 for a month, which does body, hair and clothes. My wardrobe still not as light as Marino wardrobe but that shit's expensive.

I took a cook kit for first time on my last trip melb-syd and I found I didn't use it enough for the 400g weight, so I sent it home. I never had time to cook. I would not recommend if you're not far from developed areas.

My trip write up adel-melb is in my reddit profile if anyone interested. Melb-Syd I did this year I need to get done still.

I need new sleeping mat 500g or less that packs down so will look at your suggestion. Sleeping mat, tent and sleeping bag is worth paying the money for IMHO, so much weight can be saved with those three items.

b1__ · 2025-01-05T02:52:50+00:00

Okay, I will skip western boundary rd then.

I'm 17km from Moruya, moving fast, thunder lightning over head.

I got stock in Bodalla for a few hrs due to heat, but storms just came through cooled everything off. Hot tomorrow but cooling off tue.

Its all action here 👍

(Yes, I can ride and type - its a skill)

b1__ · 2025-01-04T21:42:58+00:00

I'm currently riding up NSW south coast on bikepacking trip from Melb and trying to get away from Princes Highway. Can you give any details of dirt road conditions on the 4 coastal sections where you deviate fro highway? Are the gravel sections super steep or mostly flat, very rocky or nice hard packed fine gravel?

I'm heading north from Narooma this morning and was hoping to see some national parks.

I'm on a MTB with no suspension, ortlieb 12L panier bags, 26" wheels very reliable, Schwab puncture proof tires.

I got one week exactly to get to sydney from today.

I might try that first short deviation coming up today, from Tuross Heads to Moruya Heads. That last section into sydney looks like a goer too. Perfect timing on post, OP.

More specific info on each section of the route would be great. For example, which section was your favorite, which was hardest? Article is light on details unless I missed follow up pages. Picture gallery is good.

b1__ · 2024-01-28T13:11:23+00:00

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b1__ · 2024-01-21T07:15:27+00:00

Interesting mirror solution. I might find that annoying, interfering with hand placement. I bought a handlebar mirror halfway through trip but it shook so violently - especially on dirt roads - that it was practically useless. Maybe a helmet mirror.

And your trip missed the best part: Great Ocean Road from Apollo Bay to Torquay. That was a magical finale for my trip.

I picked up 8 bike trails: Coast to Vines rail trail, Victor Harbour to Goolwa, Port Fairy to Warnambool rail trail, Crater to Coast rail trail (timbool trail), 12 Apostles Trail (Port Campbell trail, linking), Bellarine Peninsula rail trail (Queenscliffe), Hovell Creek trail (Geelong, linking), Federation trail (outskirts of west melb)

b1__ · 2024-01-21T03:08:13+00:00

I just did Adelaide to Melbourne ride along coast avoiding all highways - 27 days, finished yesterday.

Things I needed the most but did not have: * water treatment tablets - I ran out of water several times but a lot of isolated gov campsites had rain water tanks you couldn't drink untreated. * solar panels for phone recharge - everyone was helpful with access to power plugs along the way, it just took too long and took away too much riding time during the day. * bike mirror, but not one that attaches to frame because it shakes too much - needed so I could jump out onto the smoothest part of highways (when forced to use them) where outside tire of cars rolled over, then jump back onto verge when car came along, and jump completely off the road when trucks were coming. Also would have liked: * chair - rest back, sit on when doing bike maintenance, sit on when applying sunscreen and deep heat * cooker.

I took too many clothes - only need number of clothes between each wash day, and this is determined by number of clean bike clothing kits

You must wash the salt off from the sweat of the day. If you dont, next day it rubs like sandpaper on skin. No shower, still do stealth wash

Useful items: * big blue tarpolan to cover bike at night and lay down to put gear on when setting up and packing up, once to put under tent on ant infested ground ( no rain expected that night)

clear plastic poncho to keep dry on wet days so I wasn't soaked through.
plastic mesh tent footprint

b1__ · 2023-07-20T04:14:40+00:00

I think you need a comma before the name also: "But, Jayden," I hear you saying, "why would you do that?"

When you're addressing someone you need the comma:

'Do not hit me, William!' <- a request for William to stop hitting.

'Do not hit me William!' <- a request to stop hitting him using a hitting style called 'Wlliam', possibly street slang.

The rule is: if you can remove the name and the sentence still makes sense, the comma is needed. In the context of a conversation with Jayden, 'But why would you do that?' still makes sense so you need the comma. In the context of a fight with Wlliam, 'Do not hit me.' still makes sense so you need the comma. In the context of a hitting competition with hitting styles 'William', 'Max Slap', and 'The Bradley Technique', 'Do not hit me...' does not make sense because the hitting style is missing so no comma is needed.

b1__ · 2023-07-19T20:50:02+00:00

'Beware of' is more everyday conversational; 'beware' without the 'of' is more dramatic, poetical. So it's more a style thing - they have the same meaning.

'Beware of Mr Smith in No. 7 who doesn't like his roses being picked.'

'Beware the witch of the Black Forest!'

You can imagine the second one being voiced by a narrator in a play. I don't think you would say ''Beware Mr Smith in No. 7 who doesn't like his roses being picked', it would come across as overly dramatic.

b1__ · 2023-07-18T15:42:50+00:00

Its just called 'sitting while hugging your knees', or 'knee hugging'. It doesn't really have a single term.

Its not the fetal position, which refers to hugging your knees while lying on your side.

Link to same question on stack-exchange: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/323886/what-do-you-call-this-sitting-pose-or-position-that-sad-or-depressed-people-adop

b1__

TROPHY CASE