First-Time Bicycle Touring Guide: Australia & New Zealand 🇦🇺🇳🇿

The following is a collection of top tips from the Cycling Oceania WhatsApp Group

(Claire Wyatt)

🇦🇺 Australia

🏕️ Accommodation & Camping

• Warmshowers: Fantastic along the East Coast.

• Campgrounds: Often significantly overpriced, especially for solo riders, and they accept cash only.

• Hotels/Hostels: Significantly overpriced, bad value for money on average.

• Wild camping: Technically illegal, usually tolerated. Safer to camp near others.

• Trusted House Sitter + Aussie House Sitters

🚆 Transport

• Brisbane trains: $0.50 incl. bike. Use first/last carriage.

• NSW coaches: Bike must be boxed.

• Greyhound: No box needed.

• Riding on footpaths: Legal in QLD, not in VIC (rarely enforced).

📱 Connectivity

• Telstra: Best coverage overall.

• Free national calls from Telstra phone boxes.

💳 Money & Shopping

• ANZ ATMs: No withdrawal fees (Visa).

• Card payments: Surcharge of 1–3% common everywhere.

• Aldi: Cheapest groceries, only in larger towns.

🚲 Road Safety

• Rear-view mirror and hi-vis vest: Essential—especially near traffic and trailers.

• Use a bell on shared trails and blind corners.

• Don’t ride busy highways (like Eyre) without a mirror—truckies won’t thank you.

🌞 Environment & Gear

• Sun protection: Sunscreen, cap under helmet, buff for neck warmth.

• Flies: Brutal in outback—bring a head net.

• Plastic groundsheet: For breaks and under your tent (keeps ants/mud off).

🚴‍♂️ Suggested Bike Trails

• Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

• Northern Rivers Rail Trail (incomplete)

• Inland route to Gladstone from BVRT

• Check out more user made bikepacking routes over on bikepacking.com/routes

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🇳🇿 New Zealand

🚗 Roads & Safety

• Drivers are bad—especially on North Island. Avoid main highways where possible.

• Mirror + hi-vis vest are strongly advised.

• Good alternative: inland route via Mt Lyford instead of Hwy 1 after Kaikoura.

🗺️ Route Planning

• Use Cycle NZ for road profiles, route suggestions, and camping tips:
  cyclejourneys.co.nz

• Aotearoa Trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff

📱 SIM & Groceries

• 3-month SIMs widely available.

• New World app: Worth it for grocery discounts.

Any suggestions or want to update this list? Drop a comment below!