Best of Down Under CDU2502
Our first riding day in Australia begins—no surprise—at our starting hotel in Sydney. Filled with excitement, well-rested, and ready for adventure, we meet in the morning for our briefing. Joy walks us through the day’s plan with her usual flair. After navigating Sydney’s traffic like pros, the first few kilometers are perfect for settling in. Not only do we get used to our new bikes, but the little sticker on the windscreen also works tirelessly to remind us to keep left! After just a few minutes, it all feels surprisingly natural—almost as if we’d never ridden any other way. Our route takes us out of Sydney and into the famous Blue Mountains. The landscape quickly turns greener, the roads twistier, and the air noticeably fresher. Once we reach the lookout, they’re waiting for us: the Three Sisters—those iconic rock formations surrounded by countless Aboriginal legends. According to one of them, three sisters were turned to stone by a wizard to protect them from three persistent brothers in a neighboring village. Unfortunately, the wizard was killed in the battle over the sisters, and no one else knew how to reverse the spell. And so, the three still stand there today for us to admire. We continue on toward Picton, where we enjoy a relaxed lunch. The town feels like something out of a storybook—charming, friendly, a touch sleepy, and exactly the right place to recharge. After lunch, we stop for coffee at the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Australia. Stepping inside feels a bit like stepping into a time capsule. The interior carries stories from over 200 years—if the walls could talk, they’d probably never stop. Instead of chatting with the antique cupboards, we stick to a cold drink… it’s a hot day, after all! Refreshed, we ride on to the Fitzroy Falls. Usually, powerful cascades plunge over the cliffs here, but today we’re greeted by more of a shy little trickle. The region has been very dry, and the waterfalls seem to be on holiday—perfectly understandable, since we are too! In the late afternoon, we finally reach Nowra, our destination for the day. After a route filled with beautiful scenery, smooth riding, and plenty of fun, we check in—happy, a little tired, and full of anticipation for everything the next days will bring.
Today we're off to Australia's capital, Canberra. Beforehand, however, we're driving through Morton National Park, a sandstone plateau that usually boasts spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately, it's very dry at the moment, so we can "only" enjoy the fantastic views. From Mt. Ainslie, we have a fantastic view of Canberra. We don't stay long in the capital because it's far too hot today. Did you know why Canberra is the capital? Melbourne and Sydney are much bigger, after all. Well, the newly formed federation reached a compromise and agreed on a location precisely between the two largest cities. And so, in 1908, Canberra was conceived on the drawing board. In the afternoon, we're taking the road west to Jindabyne. The lake of the same name attracts countless outdoor enthusiasts. And it's the gateway to the Australian Alps, which we'll be tackling tomorrow.
What an absolute dream of a day! In the morning, the lake in front of our lovely hotel practically invites us out for a stroll. The birds are singing their finest tunes — familiar somehow, and yet unmistakably different from home. After a relaxed breakfast, we gather by the bikes for our daily briefing. Today’s ride takes us into the Australian Alps, and the fun begins just moments after leaving the hotel. We wind our way up along gorgeous, twisty roads. At Dead Horse Gap we stop for a quick photo break. Where the dramatic name comes from? Well… let’s just say a few wild horses were once caught off guard by sudden snow here — and, well, you can guess the rest. We continue on, rolling past landscapes shaped by nature’s wilder moods. This region has seen several fires in recent years, and it’s fascinating to watch how fiercely and beautifully nature is fighting its way back to life. Today it’s not just our eyes getting spoiled — our noses and ears are having a great time, too. The forest smells incredible: earthy and spicy, but never heavy. Notes of exotic wood and bark, a hint of rain in the air — though aside from a few drops, the weather holds for us. And then there’s the sound of the cicadas. Actually, scratch that — it must have been thousands of cicadas. Their buzzing was so loud and so everywhere that even the normally thunderous rumble of our motorcycles sounded like a gentle whisper in comparison. Unreal! The afternoon continues to show off Australia’s natural magic. Lake Hume is dotted with old tree trunks rising eerily from the water — a mesmerizing sight that makes you constantly remind yourself to keep your eyes on the lovely road ahead. But of course, the lake keeps teasing your gaze back. We enjoy one last coffee before riding through charming vineyards on our way to Wangaratta. Michaela is already waiting for us — with a cold beer at the ready.
Today is a special day. We're leaving the mainland. We're taking the ferry to Tasmania, also known as Tassie. But first, we have a few kilometers to cover. We're starting early to give ourselves plenty of time and avoid arriving at the ferry at the last minute. In the morning, we'll have a warm-up drive in the fertile Queenstown Valley, where many vineyards are cultivated. The Eildon Jamieson Road puts a grin on our faces; it's a must-drive. Roads all to ourselves, one curve after another. At Lake Eildon, we find a nice spot for a light lunch. The Yarra Valley surprises us with a fantastic road through an even more fantastic forest. We could do this all day. But we have to get to Geelong, as the ferry won't wait for us. So, we hop on the motorway and drive around Melbourne. Let's go overnight to the island on the Spirit of Tasmania!
Good morning, Tasmania! We made it across the river safely, thanks to the mercy of the sea gods. Typical Tasmanian weather awaits us: cold and rainy. But hey, there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. So, first things first: out of the harbor and a delicious breakfast. Afterwards, we're off to the mountains, to the Cradle Mountains. At 1,545 meters, they are located in St. Clair National Park and are considered the most important landmark in Tasmania. Although Tasmania lies at the same latitude as Rome and Barcelona, it's cooler and wetter here. This is why there are so many different types of rainforests. The most famous animal, besides kangaroos, wallabies, and wombis, is of course the Tasmanian devil. We get to visit one today. It's really amazing to see an endangered animal. We brave the rain, wind, and cold and drive towards our destination for the day. In an unassuming little café, we found what locals claimed were the best pies in all of Tasmania. We still had a little challenge: the Henty Dunes. They don't just look tall, to climb them, it takes a strong will. Eric followed me as I set out to walk up there. Respect, Eric, we did it. thunderous applause from our viewers. When we arrived at the hotel, the sun actually came out, and we had a fantastic view of Strahan's harbor.
We enjoy a slow, cozy breakfast with a gorgeous view over the harbour of Strahan. But wait… where are the donuts? Ah well. Even without donuts, we hop on the bikes full of excitement—because an absolutely fantastic riding day awaits us! We cruise leisurely toward Christchurch, a cute little town that looks like it was borrowed straight out of an old Western movie. From there, it’s just a stone’s throw to the Iron Blow Lookout, a former mine now filled with brilliant turquoise-blue water. An unreal, stunning sight! And suddenly—it’s cold! After the scorching days in NSW, we’d practically forgotten what cold fingers feel like. Believe it or not, today the winter gloves make their grand comeback! Wild. We arrive at Lake St Clair right on cue with the rain and quickly hide from it in a café. Hot chocolate warms our chilly fingers and boosts our already excellent mood even more. The road then winds beautifully toward Russell Falls, a breathtaking waterfall tucked inside a lush nature reserve. We wander through moss-covered rainforest, breathing in the crisp air. Birds chirp above us, and the closer we get, the louder the gentle rush of the waterfall becomes. It’s almost too romantic to be true. Before we head off to Hobart—Tasmania’s capital and our destination for the day—we make a spontaneous stop at a berry farm. The ice cream is phenomenal: raspberry, strawberry, currant, blueberry… basically every berry you could possibly dream of. A perfectly sweet finale to a perfect day! By now, the sun has decided to join us again, and our warm jackets disappear back into the motorcycle panniers. Arriving in Hobart, we’re treated to one last highlight: the spiral drive up the parking garage. With great style and zero hesitation, we swirl our way up to the 8th floor.
Today is a rest day in Hobart. But that doesn't mean we're doing nothing. We have a few ideas. You could sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast. Or you could stroll through Hobart with all its lovely shops, the Botanic Gardens, or the Japanese Garden. Or we could do something completely crazy: ride a motorbike. And here they are, the three musketeers, not afraid to head to the historic prison site of Port Arthur. We're going through Tasman National Park. The former prison was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. It's one of Australia's most important historical sites. But we have more to see. The Blowhole was very quiet today. So was the Devil's Kitchen. The Tasmanian Arch was also well worth seeing. And the fish and chips were especially delicious. On the way back, we rode along azure coastlines that made it hard to keep our eyes on the road. The "Garden Gang" went on a walking tour today and explored the beautiful Botanical Garden. They photographed many flowers and even some rare animals. In the evening, everyone gathered again for a cozy Guinness. Dinner was delicious, too. Tomorrow we're heading north along the east coast, and the weather has finally turned nice again.
Today is going to be a long day. We're driving from the wild west coast to the rugged east coast. Granite cliffs await us on white sandy beaches with a sea shimmering in shades of blue and emerald green. The Tasman Highway is our road today. It's not the highway you usually imagine, but a beautifully winding road that circles Tasmania. Before heading into Freycinet National Park, we're stopping for coffee somewhere in the middle of nowhere. What a lovely spot! We're driving along the coast with such beautiful blue water that it's hard to keep our eyes on the road. Our lunch stop today is a fantastic place on the coast: Lobster Shack. And what do they serve there? Seafood at its finest. Our highlight now is the upcoming Elephant Pass with its tight and sweeping curves in a combination that's simply fun. Okay, 45 minutes after lunch seems a bit early for coffee, but you simply have to stop at the Purple Possum Café. Time seems to stand still here. A place full of wonders, whose owner has been running this authentic shop for 27 years. Before we arrive at our accommodation today, I give customers the opportunity to browse and shop in the local Harley shop with a small museum. A long day with lots of sun and great impressions is coming to an end. Good night and see you tomorrow with a new adventure!
The day begins in the most relaxed way possible with the breakfast buffet at the Country Club Launceston – the perfect foundation for another wonderful riding day through Tasmania. Soon after, we hop on our bikes and enjoy beautifully twisty roads leading us up to the Sideling Lookout. The view is spectacular and once again reminds us just how diverse this island in the south of Australia truly is. Tasmania is often called the green soul of the continent: wild, untouched, and full of surprises. The route continues through dense forests filled with extraordinary trees, some ancient, some oddly shaped, all of them fascinating – it feels a little like riding through another world. Around midday, a delightful surprise awaits us: Michaela magically produces a picnic, set up right by the sea. With endless ocean views, fresh salty air and a wonderful atmosphere, everything tastes twice as good. The seagulls clearly agree and show great enthusiasm for our lunch. In the afternoon, we dive into the strange and wonderful world of the platypus at the Platypus Museum. Absolutely fascinating – and also quite amusing when we learn that platypuses close their eyes underwater and hunt purely by sensing electrical signals. And as if that weren’t bizarre enough, they are one of the very few venomous mammals in the world, with the males carrying a venomous spur on their hind legs. From there, it’s about an hour’s ride to Devonport. We end the day with a fabulous dinner at the Fifteen Table restaurant, where the lemon tart deserves a special mention – simply outstanding. While the ferry takes its time, we pass the waiting hours with great conversations and good company. Hard to believe that our time in Tasmania has already come to an end – an island that leaves you wanting more.
We enjoy a relaxed, gently rocking breakfast on the ferry. Since we only chugged off rather late yesterday, we arrive in Geelong a little later today as well—which leaves plenty of time for a stroll around the deck and, of course, a second coffee. Finally, engines are fired up. At least ours are… the Harley rider next to us isn’t quite as lucky—dead battery. Oops. Our first stop of the day: Bells Beach. A name that instantly makes every surfer’s heart beat faster. From Bells Beach, we continue along the legendary Great Ocean Road. And naturally, we stop at the famous gate for a proper group photo. The Great Ocean Road is, just as expected, absolutely breathtaking… and just a little crowded. So we escape inland, heading through the forest toward Colac, where we’re rewarded with stunning combinations of curves. A proper little dance with the bike begins. In Colac, we discover a fantastic Lebanese bakery and treat ourselves to a delicious pastry—whose name we all promptly forget :) But at least now we know exactly where to find it again. From Colac, similarly beautiful twisty roads lead us back to the Great Ocean Road. By afternoon, we arrive in Apollo Bay, a lively little beach town buzzing with life. After a “boat beer” and a “shower beer,” we head out to explore the streets. There’s so much to discover! We round off the day at the Graze Restaurant—a truly wonderful place. Have you ever eaten kangaroo? A few of us can now proudly say yes. And would probably do it again. 🦘
Apollo Bay is a good starting point for exploring more of the Great Ocean Road. First, though, we're heading to Cape Otway, home to Australia's oldest lighthouse. We're hoping to spot koalas along the way. The road is beautifully winding, but unfortunately, only one kangaroo crosses our path. Perhaps we'll have better luck tomorrow. The eucalyptus forests are spectacular, so we also take the treetop walkway. Being 30 meters high in the gigantic trees is breathtaking. After this little hike up and down the hills, we're hungry. And lo and behold, Julia is standing in the middle of the forest and has prepared a wonderful picnic for us. Thank you! We continue our journey along the Great Ocean Road, battling strong crosswinds. The world-famous Twelve Apostles are a must-see. Unfortunately, there are only seven left, as erosion is taking its toll on the rocks. Even though many others agree, the roaring sea makes our photos even more spectacular. Even the "London Bridge" is now just a rock. But still beautiful. Our final destination today is Warrnambool. There you might meet people who were on a tour in Europe with you. ;-)
Hard to believe, but true: our Australian adventure is slowly coming to an end. One last, beautiful riding day lies ahead of us. From Warrnambool we head back to Melbourne — though, of course, not by the shortest route. Instead, perfectly winding mountain roads await us, along with one final, breathtaking stretch of the Great Ocean Road. Before we hit the road, we treat ourselves to a fantastic breakfast at the Pavilion Café. And naturally, a proper Australian Flat White is an absolute must on our final riding day. For anyone still wondering what that actually is: a Flat White is an espresso-based coffee — stronger than a cappuccino, topped with a thin, velvety layer of foam that sits flush with the rim of the cup. Hence the name: flat and white. Enough coffee theory. We stroll past horses enjoying a morning swim, hop on our bikes, and set off on our last day of riding. The morning leads us along dreamy, twisty roads through dense jungle — the kind of riding you never want to end. Coffee stop number two awaits at the Fat Cow. From there, we continue on narrow, nimble backroads to our lunch stop. Today is all about riding pleasure, pure and simple. After a delicious pie, we leave the forest behind and roll back onto the stunning Great Ocean Road. You simply can’t get enough of this road — and compared to the weekend, this Monday treats us to blissfully light traffic. Absolute perfection. Soon, the Melbourne skyline appears on the horizon, smiling at us from afar. Handing over our motorcycles is done with heavy hearts, but at our final dinner together, we relive the highlights of an unforgettable journey. It’s incredible how much we’ve experienced in just two weeks. Saying goodbye isn’t easy — but our luggage is packed with souvenirs, the cloud is full of photos, and our minds are overflowing with memories that will last a lifetime.