Known as the Sunshine State of Australia, according to the licence plates and persistently beautiful weather, Queensland is a fine place to discover by bike with pretty much guaranteed sunshine throughout the year. However, you may find summer to be a little too intense with high humidity and bum-blazing saddles but, that being said, Queensland spans a large section of Australia with incredible variation within the state lines. From the south-east densely populated Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Brisbane and the charming hinterlands, up to sandy Fraser Island, tropical Hervey Bay, the Great Barrier Reef, divine Whitsundays and Cairns, the coastal climes offer some relief from the heat and are wonderful regions to play, bike and discover year-round.
In the north eastern reaches of the state, you can explore the lush Daintree, the oldest rainforest in the world with this part of Queensland also boasting a monsoonal climate. Activities abound here with zip lining, mountain biking, hiking, wildlife encounters and watersports just some of the tantalising options to choose from. Cuddly koalas, kangaroos, wombats and even crocodiles can be safely visited at the many wildlife reserves in the state, the iconic Australia Zoo being worth a look. Started by and still run by, the late Steve Irwin's family, Australia Zoo is a bit of an institution with a strong focus on conservation and education and is a fantastic stop off on your way through.
Further inland, you can explore the vast outback with rural hospitality, small towns and lonely highways punctuating the landscape and giving you an experience like no other. Dry inland ranges, gorges, indigenous culture and wildlife proliferate here, you may even stumble across some outback camels. If you happen to be travelling in July, head to Boulia for the legendary Camel Races, an annual event that also brings together a host of unusual activities such as the Great Australian Ride-on Lawnmower Race. Pure gold. In the outback you can also discover the big Australian skies, the night bringing a star-filled undisturbed canvas to feast your eyes upon.
Mountain biking is gaining increasing popularity in Queensland with heaps of local trails to be ridden as you explore the sunny state. Rail trails are also surging in popularity with the epic Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) spanning 161km and thus being Australia's longest. Situated not far from Brisbane in the Ipswich region, the BVRT is easily accessible and offers a spectacular rural journey, suitable for all ages and abilities with plenty of accommodation from camping to hotels, towns and villages, and scenic countryside vistas along the way. Four legged friends are also welcome.
From city tours via e-bike to MTB black trails through state forests, casual meanderings along an iconic rail trail to E-mtb in the Daintree or cruising along the Gold Coast boardwalks, cycle touring Queensland is an experience not to be missed.
