Due to some very strict traffic laws – especially for motorcycles and bikers – the one thing that Queensland is not very well known for is on-road motorcycle tours. The truth is though, that with miles and miles and MILES of beautiful roads winding along the coast, through lush rainforests, around mountains, and past some of the , Queensland is truly a dream come true for bikers.
Queensland is massive, so you would need at least a month to tour it all, and it can be daunting to decide which destinations are must-sees and which are the best roads to travel. Plus Queensland has so much to offer – from the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef off the Sunshine Coast, to the culinary delights and exciting nightlife of Brisbane, to the breathtaking beauty of the Daintree National Park.
image by Mountain / Ash via
So, for those of you who want a little taste of everything, here are two of my favourite breakfast runs in Queensland. For those of you who don’t know, a breakfast run is essentially a one-day tour that is usually around 200 km long. We call them breakfast runs because we depart quite early, but with all the stops we make the trip can last most of the day – making them perfect for weekend adventures.
Before we get started though:
Remember that biker laws are strict here, so make sure your helmet complies with regulations and you’re !
Route 1: Sunshine Coast Hinterland Breakfast Run
Thanks to the Great Barrier Reef, the Sunshine Coast in Queensland is an extremely popular destination for ocean lovers around the world. But the hinterland is where the true hidden beauty lies and this 158 km trip takes full advantage of every twisting curve it has to offer!
You can start your journey anywhere along the route, but we always start and end at the iconic Rick’s Garage and Diner in Palmwoods. Packed to the rafters with motoring memorabilia, this is a favourite hangout for bikers – probably because it is considered the gateway to the hinterland and some of the best motorcycle roads in the country!
From there we travel to the historic Eumundi Market which is held every Wednesday and Saturday, and is Australia’s largest produce and craft market. To be a stall holder here, whatever you’re selling has to be handmade, baked, sewn or grown so it’s the nesting place to go for local goods.
Plus there’s always street performers and amazing musicians that are definitely worth seeing. When we stop here, we always eat at the Bohemian Bungalow with its quirky decor and on site smoker (the brisket bun and smoked ribs are to die for!).
From there we head to Kenilworth, an adorable little rural town nestled in the Blackall Range. We usually just head for the Bellbird Creek Cafe and Teahouse to eat. With a massive outdoor area and some hilarious decor, this destination attracts bikers from all over Queensland.
From Kenilworth we head for Maleny, an adorable little village with a bohemian air that calls to your inner flower child! We normally pass right through, but if you have time and you are an experienced rider then you should definitely try out the route that was proposed for the Sunshine Coast TT (which has unfortunately been axed for now), and then its time to head back to Rick’s Garage or home (depending on how late it is!)
image by Andrew Sutherland via
Route 2: Mount Glorious to Queensland Raceway Breakfast Run
Mount Glorious is a tiny mountain hamlet that is surrounded by lush rainforests and boasts some of the most beautiful views you could ever hope to find. We start this 203km trip from The Lodge in The Gap, a tiny restaurant with a menu full of delicious vegetarian dishes and coffee that is out of this world.
Then we head out on what is probably one of the best motorcycle roads in Queensland, passing through Mount Nebo and then on through some fast sweeping corners combined with technical sections that demand your utmost attention up to Mount Glorious itself.
We always stop at Mount Glorious Cafe (not to be confused with Cloverlea Cottage), a charming biker friendly venue that serves breakfast all day. Besides the fact that the food is amazing, the best thing about this cafe is the crow’s nest and the breathtaking view that allows you to see as far as Moreton Bay.
Often we’ll only stop for a drink and to stretch our legs, then head on down to The Old Fernvale Bakery for some of the best traditional Aussie Pies you’ll ever taste (they have over 50 awards to prove it!). When you look at the menu, you’ll be overwhelmed by the choices – but take a breath then ask about that day’s selection!
Once our tummies are filled (and the fuel tanks topped up) we usually head for the Queensland and Willowbank Raceways. With a variety of special events every year, you can enjoy just about any kind of high speed motorsport here – although I personally prefer the motorcycle events or local racing championships.
By the time we leave, we’re usually starting to get a little hungry again so we normally head for Aspley Central Tavern for a late lunch. Don’t let the name fool you though, you might be expecting a hole in the wall but the decor is modern, the deck is inviting and the food is scrumptious!
There are plenty of other great motorcycle breakfast runs around Queensland, but these two are by far the ones I enjoy the most and once you’ve experienced them for yourself you’ll understand why! So why not dare to do something a little different this year and plan a motorcycle tour in Queensland?
This is a guest post by Laura Knight.
Over the past 10 years, Laura Knight has been a motorcycle rider. She has built up an incredible passion for travelling by motorbike and always wishes to contribute to motorcyclist and traveler community. This is the reason why she created where her passion is turned into useful and interesting information to the motorcyclists and travel lovers.
