Fancy owning a bicycle tour company? We know a good one!
Posted on March 31, 2025
“There’s always one item a business has for sale—and that’s the business itself.”
That advice was given to us nearly 30 years ago, not long after we first started working for ourselves. At the time, it felt like a throwaway line but over the years, we’ve come to appreciate the wisdom in it.
Now, it’s our turn. After eight wonderful years of running Mulga Bicycle Tours - an Australian-based business offering fully supported, small-group cycling holidays - we’ve made the decision to sell. Not because anything’s wrong but because it’s time for us to step back, breathe a little deeper, and make room for new adventures of our own.
Our love of cycling isn’t going anywhere, but it’s time for someone new to take the lead in our adventure tourism business.
It’s very much business as usual at Mulga. We’ll continue scheduling tours into the future, and all current tours will go ahead as planned. It’s important to us that the values Mulga was built on remain strong, so we’ll continue to run the business as we always have - with care, integrity, and a commitment to delivering the high quality experiences you know and trust. We’ll be working closely with the new owners to ensure a smooth transition, so you can book and ride with confidence, knowing the Mulga experience will continue without compromise.
A Tourism Business That Grew from the Road
Mulga didn’t start as a business idea - it was founded in adversity. After years of running a multimedia and event management company, we took a sabbatical to cycle around Australia, visiting every capital city. It was a personal reset.
The further we rode, the more we heard a recurring phrase from people we met:
“I wish I could do what you’re doing.”
At first, we said, “You can!” But we quickly realised it wasn’t just about physical ability or time. It was about planning, confidence, and most of all, support.
After returning home, we settled back into our business but not long after, everything changed. Mark developed chronic neck pain and could no longer continue in that line of work. It was a confronting time, and cycling, something that had always brought us joy, became a form of therapy, escape, and reflection.
And during those rides, the memory of those roadside conversations kept resurfacing:
“I wish I could do what you’re doing.”
Slowly, a new idea began to take shape. What if we could help people, ordinary riders with a sense of adventure, experience the kind of journeys that had changed our lives?
That’s how Mulga Bicycle Tours was born.
Built For Safety, Backed By Experience
From day one, safety has been the cornerstone of how we operate, particularly when it comes to situational awareness for both our riders and other road users.
Every tour is accompanied by support vehicles fitted with amber flashing lights, ‘Cyclists Ahead’ signage and two-way radios. We maintain real-time communication between our riders and approaching traffic, especially heavy vehicles, to ensure everyone feels safe, visible, and confident. This two-way flow of information helps keep everyone alert and aware, ensuring the ride is as safe as it is enjoyable.
Our second Mulga Tour, this time St George to Emerald via the Carnarvon Gorge, confirmed thoughts from the first one - only way to go! We used the bikes provided by Mark and Denise - excellent - and knowing that they were checked and serviced at the end of each day was reassuring.
The attention to safety for all participants is second to none, with 2way radio contact between the front and rear vehicles and the cyclists in the middle, providing a clear idea of any changes in road conditions.
Morning and afternoon munchies with tea and coffee- mmmmmmmmmmm
Having the possibility of the bus if legs complaining too loudly post lunch stop is a fine little thought bubble to help along the way - no judgement!
👏👏👍👍😄
We’ve always said that one of the best indicators of our risk management is how rarely the first aid kit gets used. Most of the time, we’re replacing items because they’ve expired, not because we’ve needed them. And that’s exactly how we like it.
Creating an environment where riders feel safe and supported is one of the reasons our guests return, often bringing friends or family members along with them.
Not Just A Ride – An Experience
What makes Mulga truly special is the richness of the experience. We don’t just take people for a bicycle ride, we take them on a journey filled with stories, conversations, and quiet moments that endure long after the tour ends.
Absolutely outstanding! Mark & Denise guided us on a tour of the Eyre Peninsula. Their knowledge of the area, attention to safety, quality of equipment and selection of accommodations were all exceptional. We particularly enjoyed the unhurried and flexible atmosphere that Mark and Denise brought to the group. A highlight for me was driving back, with Mark, to Murphy's Haystacks (after a long day of cycling) to take a nightscape photograph. I was so grateful to Mark to add that treat into his long day. What a great trip. I can highly recommend Mulga tours to anyone considering a seeing parts of Australia from the back of a bike!
Whether it’s the 'Dish to Dish' tour between Tidbinbilla and Parkes in New South Wales, a sunrise at the Undara Lava Tubes in Queensland, oyster tasting in South Australia’s Coffin Bay or a simple morning tea at our own 'Bill’s Roadside Café', every tour is carefully curated to connect people not just with the Australian landscape, but with themselves and each other.
A Connection To History - And Possibility
In 1894, Sarah Maddock became the first woman to ride a bicycle from Sydney to Melbourne. In 2019, to honour the 125th anniversary of that achievement, a modern-day Sarah Maddock asked us to help recreate the journey and this ride has now become one of our most meaningful tours. For those who take part, it’s far more than a cycling holiday. It’s a connection to history and a sense of achievement that comes from doing something once thought impossible.
Having recently cycled Sydney to Melbourne with Mark and Denise I would confidently choose Mulga Bicycle Tours for another tour. Safety was assured with vehicles front and rear, and with radio communication for all. Plan B was always possible should need or circumstance dictate. My hired road bike was well maintained and I found it a pleasure to ride. The gearing was sufficiently low when the hills appeared. Thanks Mark and Denise for your care, attention to detail and careful planning. It was a great experience, and a lot of fun.
One moment that has always stayed with us was at the end of a tour in Karumba. One of our guests stood with his bike held high above his head. Looking out over the Gulf of Carpentaria, he turned to us and said, “I couldn’t have done this 12 months ago.” Understanding what that ride meant to him made the moment even more powerful. It was a quiet reminder of the personal journeys that happen alongside the physical ones and why we love doing what we do.
Why Sell? And Why Now?
Quite simply because it’s time.
We’ve typically run four or five small group bicycle tours a year, often in remote and spectacular places like Cape York, the Eyre Peninsula, Victoria’s High Country and Regional New South Wales. We’ve loved every minute, but we know there’s room for someone with fresh energy to take things further.
Mulga is well positioned for growth. Interest in gravel riding, regional travel, and active holidays is growing. There’s also potential to develop custom tours for social groups, clubs, workplaces, and schools, and to explore new regions of Australia.
What’s Included In The Sale Of The Business?
We’re offering an established Australian bicycle tour and holiday business with everything required for someone new to step in and take the lead:
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A professionally built website for Mulga Bicycle Tours
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Registered Trademark and associated domain names
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A detailed Operations Manual covering all aspects of tour planning and delivery
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Fully developed, field-tested itineraries for a wide range of multi-day tours
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A branded trailer, fleet of well-maintained hire bikes, and essential touring equipment
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A supported handover period to ensure a smooth and confident transition
Whether you’re a cyclist, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone with a background in logistics and hospitality, this is an opportunity to take on a mobile outdoor lifestyle business with a strong reputation and room to grow.
Could This Be Your Next Adventure?
You don’t need to be an elite cyclist to run Mulga. What matters most is that you care about people, love the outdoors, and want to offer something that helps others experience Australia in a truly memorable way.
The business can be run from anywhere in Australia. It’s flexible, mobile, and designed to move with the seasons - and your lifestyle.
Interested? Let’s Talk
Are you ready to own an adventure tourism business and continue the journey we started?
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, or someone you know, give us a call on 02 6154 6359, or leave us a message here. We’d love to talk about what’s involved and how the handover could work.
Mulga has given us so much: unforgettable stories, amazing guests, and a deep connection to some of Australia’s most beautiful places.
We’re proud of what we’ve built and excited to see where the road leads next.
Thanks for being part of our adventure,
Denise and Mark
