Every great story has a great origin…
Some 25+ years ago, AllTrails led one of Australia's first long-distance supported cycling tours. Over 100 cyclists rode out through Melbourne's northern suburbs on route to Sydney. More joined along the way. What started as a bold experiment became a legacy, and the flagship stage of the AllTrails’ ‘Australia Ride’ — our long-running concept to circumnavigate the entire continent by bike. Fully supported. Twenty stages. Nearly 20,000 kilometres. Some riders join just one stage; others are quietly ticking them all off. Melbourne to Sydney remains the jewel — our most popular and requested tour — and the one most central to the epic AllTrails story. Join us; see where it all began…
From bluestone to yellowblock, you’ll be amazed by the transformation in geology, climate, scenery and landscapes as we explore Australia’s Southeast wonderland. With some big kilometres and some big climbs, this is a stunning challenge ride through the forests of Kinglake, the gold rush towns of northeast Victoria, the wild upper Murray Valley and the heart of the Australian Alps, visiting no higher ground on this continent than the mighty Mt. Kosciuszko! Traversing alpine plains, with glorious descents to the coast, we will arrive triumphant at the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House for a well-earned group photo, before making our way to our accommodation at Darling Harbour to celebrate in style.
It's a genuine challenge — big kilometres, real climbs, and terrain that covers a remarkable cross-section of south-eastern Australia. Everything is taken care of, so you can put your energy where it belongs: into the ride.
THE TOUR AT A GLANCE
Dates: 31 March – 12 April 2027 (12 nights)
Distance: 1133km
Average Daily: 113km (ride as much or little as you want, a support bus is always behind you)
Expected Avg Speed: 25kmh (on flat terrain)
Bike Type: Road Bike is best
E-bikes: Welcome (e-gravel/road bikes available for hire)
Surface: Good sealed bitumen roads
Terrain: Undulating, hills, some mountainous terrain
Difficulty Rating: 8.5/10 — a few days over 100km and some decent climbs
Group Size: 15–20 approx
Meals: 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 9 dinners + on-road snacks and morning teas
Accommodation: Overall a good standard; 4-star city hotels and welcoming country and rural motels
Weather Averages: Low 20’s Celsius (mid/high teens in Alpine areas)
Pricing (AUD)
Twin share from $7290 pp
Single room from $8590 pp
Groups of 3 or more: deduct $100 pp
The ride in detail
Our ‘Tour Brochure and FAQ’s’ PDF (below), contains the ‘day to day’ itinerary, daily distances, map, answers to common questions and full pricing details.
Visit the Highest Point in Australia - Mt Kosciuszko
This tour is an ‘Australia Ride’ stage (click here for more on the Australia Ride concept)
Why We Love It (and We Think You Will Too)
• The first long-distance city-to-city tour AllTrails ever ran — a defining part of our story
• One of the flagship stages of the AllTrails Australia Ride — 20,000km around Australia
• Ned Kelly country — Glenrowan, Beechworth, and the gold rush towns of northeast Victoria
• God's Country — the wild upper Murray Valley and the heart of Kosciuszko National Park
• A rest day in Thredbo — ride the chairlift or walk to the highest point in Australia
• The desolate, windswept beauty of the Monaro Plain — big sky country at its most compelling
• A spectacular 700-metre descent from the Great Dividing Range to the NSW South Coast
• The iconic Seacliff Bridge, Seven Mile Beach, and the Illawarra coastline into Wollongong
• Through Royal National Park into Sydney, finishing at the spectacular Darling Harbour
Cycling the peaks and plains to the pacific
Conquer the Snowy Mountains
…and that famous AllTrails Camaraderie
Who Is This Tour For?
Melbourne to Sydney is for cyclists who want to earn their destination — riders with a solid base fitness who are ready for big days in the saddle, real climbs, and some of the most varied and rewarding country in south-eastern Australia. If you've been building toward a genuine challenge ride, this is it.
Quick FAQs
Where does the tour start and finish? The tour begins in Melbourne at the Mantra on Jolimont Hotel, with a compulsory orientation briefing at 2:30pm on Wednesday 31 March. It finishes at the Aiden by Best Western, Darling Harbour in Sydney after breakfast on Monday 12 April.
What level of fitness is required? A strong base fitness is recommended. Daily distances average 113km with a difficulty rating of 8.5/10, and several days exceed 100km with significant climbing. You should be comfortable riding close to that average distance for two consecutive days before joining the tour. A support vehicle is always available if you need a rest.
What type of cycling is involved? All riding is on sealed bitumen roads. Terrain is undulating through Victoria, mountainous through the Snowy Mountains, and mostly flat to rolling along the NSW coast. A road bike is recommended, though gravel and e-bikes are also welcome.
What is the AllTrails Australia Ride? The Australia Ride is AllTrails' long-running concept to circumnavigate the entire continent by bike — 20 stages covering nearly 20,000km, each available as a standalone tour. Melbourne to Sydney is one of the flagship stages.
How much does the tour cost? Early bird twin share from $7,290 pp, and single room from $8,590 per person. Groups of 3 or more receive a $100 per person discount. See the Tour Brochure for full pricing details.
What do previous cyclists say about this tour? Past riders consistently highlight the challenge, the scenery, and the quality of the AllTrails crew. See what they say below, or visit our Testimonials page for more.
What Our Cyclists Say
"The trip I did still brings a smile and many fond memories. It truly was the best holiday I have ever had. What you do, you do so well. Plus the camaraderie amongst strangers who share the passion for cycling is deeply special. When I can again make a space in my life, I would love to join you again." Yasmin H (SA)
"AllTrails is the benchmark of cycle touring in Australia and for a first timer you need look no further. Their background work to each ride has every detail, the rides flow with confidence, the support and rapport is even and ready — all making for a friendly experience over and above the joy of the chosen ride. Just book and pedal on." Peter (WA)
"Thanks again for a terrific week on the road. It was a real challenge, particularly those long days in the middle, however it appears we are pretty tenacious riders. The crew certainly put in plenty of hard work and this was appreciated, from terrific overnight stays down to that yummy carrot cake. Thanks again for an amazing experience and we'll catch you next time." Fay and Rich (NSW)
"Thank you so much for a memorable and eventful trip! The level of organisation and attention to detail was excellent. As for the crew, there wasn't anything that they were not prepared to do for us — even on their rest days! Well done on getting such a fantastic team together." San (UK)
Read hundreds more testimonials from our rides at: alltrails.com.au/testimonials
Melbourne to Sydney 2027 Gallery
If you have any further questions regarding this tour, please feel free to contact us.