Top six post-iso destinations

With the country beginning to emerge from the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time to start planning your post-isolation bike trip. As restrictions ease, interstate (and possibly even Trans-Tasman) travel will be given the green light.

There is no doubt that many motorcyclists will be itching to saddle up and hit the open road, and fortunately our island home has many of them. Here are a few riding destinations that are definitely worth paying a visit.

Tasmania

Imagine a place where the roads are made for motorcycling and every corner hides another photo-worthy vista. Imagine that place is free of crowds and traffic, and you can see historic towns, towering mountains, tranquil farmland and rugged beaches all in the space of a couple of hours.

Well, that place exists, and it’s called Tasmania. Whether you prefer tarmac or dirt, there is something for everyone on the Apple Isle. Jump on the Spirit of Tasmania with your bike, and ten hours later you are in motorcycling paradise.

The historic ‘cities’ of Launceston and Hobart are definitely worth a visit, but places like Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, Strahan, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur and St Helens should all be on the list too. Meander down the beautiful East Coast, roar down the wild West Coast, or just do it all – it is hard to plan a bad trip in Tassie.

Victoria High Country

The High Country is a bucket-list item for many adventure motorcyclists. Snow-capped mountains, barren high plains, ancient forests and meandering waterways all make for an unbelievable backdrop as you make your way through this historic area.

The Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Bairnsdale is a great start for road riders. Beautiful mountain roads and peaceful country towns make for a pretty amazing ride.

Off-road riders have access to unfathomable terrain throughout the Alpine National Park and surrounding areas. Start in Bright and head to Dargo, Omeo, and even all the way to Thredbo in NSW. The tracks around here are challenging and remote, so make sure you are properly prepared.

Cairns to Cape York

If there is one ride that every motorcyclist should do in their lifetime, its Cairns to Cape York. The famous trek from Cairns is a lot easier these days thanks to much of the route being sealed, but it still attracts many adventurous souls looking to tick the ‘Cape’ off their bucket list.

And if you know where to go, or have a good tour guide, there is plenty of challenging detours – none more famous than the Old Telegraph Track. When you finally make it to the Tip of Australia, and crack open a beer (or bottle of champagne), you’ll understand why this ride is so rewarding.

Red Centre

It is a long way from anywhere, but Central Australia is place that you have to visit to understand its appeal. For many, it is just boring old desert and dusty towns, but to others, there is something spiritual about this fascinating place.

Of course Uluru and Alice Springs are the focal points, but if you’re feeling adventurous (and you are well prepared), a trek into the desert will reveal many wonders. For off-road riders, the Simpson Desert crossing is the ultimate test.

For those wanting to stick to the tarmac, a ride from Port Augusta to Darwin along the Stuart Highway is a grand adventure – just be prepared for long straight roads, minimal fuel stations and a lot of nothingness. Trust us, its more rewarding than it sounds.

New England High Country

The New England High Country is a motorcycling mecca, with many stunning routes to tackle. The Northern NSW destination includes many famous towns like Glen Innes, Armidale and Tenterfield, as well as epic national parks full of waterfalls, gorges and spectacular roads.

Thunderbolts Way, Waterfall Way and the Oxley Highway are just some of the routes that travel through the New England High Country.

New Zealand

I often say that Tasmania is a miniature version of New Zealand, but that probably doesn’t do either destination justice. The truth is, New Zealand is one of the most spectacular places on earth, and fortunately, it is still a bit of a secret.

The Lord of the Rings franchise turned the country into a tourism mecca, but New Zealand still feels like one big country town. There is no traffic, the locals are incredibly friendly and there is a welcome lack of excessive commercial development. Even the major cities have a rural charm to them.

Tarmac or dirt, it doesn’t matter – there is loads of riding to be down in Kiwiland. Both the North and South Islands are full of bucket-list destinations, but in our opinion, the scenery on the South Island is worth the trip alone. If you’re game, why not do it all? Start in Auckland and do the long haul down to Queensland or Invercargill. Thank us later.

Related Reading: 
COVID-19: Can I ride my motorcycle? 
COVID-19: Green light for motorcycling in NSW and QLD
12 things we learned travelling NZ's South Island
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