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Where to ride on the North East Coast
Hey Everyone - I'm coming to Australia in late Aug 2010 and need to get some input on where to go. I want to be near a beach and near good mtn bike riding. I'll also need to hire a couple decent bikes for me and my girlfriend. Because it's in the fall, I'm thinking of going to the Barrier Reef area- do you call this North East Coast? Anyway, any ideas on a good place to go, with warm weather in August/September, where I can hire a decent bike and do some fun rides? I'm on a budget, but have been given a timeshare week, so hopefully that will cover my hotel expenses.
The plan is to fly into Sydney about Aug 24, stay a few days in Sydney, the fly somewhere warmer for about a week, then back to Sydney for a day or so before returning to California around Sept 5 or 6.
We ride a few times per week in the summer, and are pretty strong riders.
I haven't been to Australia since the late 1980's, so am REALLY looking forward to the trip!
Any input would be appreciated.
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not sure where in Nth QLD you are staying but if you are in the Cairns area (Port Douglas, Cairns) then you may want to jump onto http://www.cairnsmtb.com/ the local mtb club. Years ago i did a MTB ride with Dan's Mountain Bike tours - they supply the bike if you don't have one, they may even hire you a bike for the rest of your trip not sure. http://www.dansmountainbiking.com.au/
Cairns once hosted a World Championship stage and also used to host those ecco challenge adventure races which included a mtn bike leg.
You have lots of choices available.
If you are riding in Sydney too, you need look no further than the "rides" tab at the top of this page. Most of Sydney's rides (within 30min to 3hr driving distance from home) are described there, so there is plenty to explore. Not every trail is there, so don't hesitate to PM for further information. You may want to inform viewers about your choice of riding... XC, AM/Enduro, Freeride.
The Great Barrier Reef area is massive. It stretches for thousands of kilometres north to southern Queensland. I don't think I have heard anyone call it the "North East Coast", more likely Northen Queensland or Southern Queensland. Basically no-one really goes to the interior of the state, the coast is normally where all the action is. Seeing the distance is so far, you should probably include which cities you are travelling to.
It used to be known as "Far North Queensland" but the marketing people got to it and it is now "Tropical North Queensland" or "TNQ".
I would recommend http://www.mountainbiketours.com.au/
Braden is the guy who runs the company, and I had a good day out riding with him in the national parks. They have Cannondale hardtails for hire and can tailor trips. They are based in Byron Bay, which is North East New South Wales. Quite a long way from the barrier reef, but a brilliant place to visit anyway, and a logical stopping off point between the Barrier Reef and Sydney.