Capital Country Floriade

Tour Itinerary

Leaving Australia’s oldest inland city, famous for its rich history, agricultural heritage and the iconic Big Merino, we’ll set off at a relaxed pace across the relatively flat southern end of the Goulburn plains.

We’ll ride through the tree-lined village of Lake Bathurst before arriving at Tarago, known most recently for its renewable energy projects and impressive wind towers.

We’ll jump back on the bikes for the undulating climb and a final, rewarding descent into Bungendore, home to a thriving local arts scene, galleries and plenty of top-notch cafés.

Tonight we’ll settle back at the historic Carrington Inn, built in 1885 as a stopover on the Cobb & Co. route, now a cosy getaway.

Except for the short climb up Smith’s Gap, today is a relaxed, rolling, downhill ride into Canberra.

With this relatively easy day done, we’ll have plenty of time to explore the National Triangle, an area in the heart of Canberra that includes the Australian War Memorial and ANZAC Parade, and Canberra’s oldest building St John’s Church.

Other sites around Lake Burley Griffin include the National Library of Australia, Questacon, and the National Gallery of Australia with its stunning sculpture garden.

We’ll finish with a circuit of new Parliament House before arriving at our accommodation in Kingston, known for its lively restaurant and café scene.

Today we’ll visit the colourful splendour of Floriade. Marvel at the splendid mass plantings of tulips and other seasonal bulbs in dazzling displays. Admire sculptural flower arrangements, the fascinating native and veggie gardens, and pick up some unique handmade treasures at the Floriade marketplace.

In the afternoon, you are free to enjoy Canberra’s many treasures. Explore the hipster haven of Braddon, take in an exhibition at the National Museum of Australia or visit the Canberra Glassworks. If you feel like cycling today, Canberra has many on- and off-road cycle paths, or a tour around Lake Burley Griffin is a great way to unwind.

Today we drive up to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, where we’ll cycle around the 16km loop road and immerse ourselves in the rich natural surroundings before stopping to enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is located on the fringes of Namadgi National Park in Canberra’s south-east and joins the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park in NSW. Together, these parks and reserve form the northern part of the Australian Alps. They play a vital role in the conservation of endangered indigenous species like the Northern Corroboree Frog, the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and the Eastern Bettong.

Tidbinbilla is home to a multitude of stunning native birds as well as kangaroos, emus, wallabies, echidnas and koalas. It provides a rare opportunity to experience Australian birds and wildlife in a range of habitats, from wetlands to alpine environments. After lunch, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the predator-proof Sanctuary enclosure, where you’ll have the chance of a close encounter with brolgas, pelicans and magpie geese, and may even see a platypus.

On our way back into Canberra, if time permits, we may also visit Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex and the new Cotter Dam.

Although it’s the longest of the tour, today’s ride is very achievable and begins on the relaxing shared pathways and off-road cycleways of Canberra.

We’ll take an easy roll through the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, keeping a lookout for the abundant birdlife, before a short cycle through the Royal Military College at Duntroon to see Duntroon House and the Changi Chapel.

From Duntroon, we’ll join part of Canberra's newest bicycle infrastructure, the off-road cycleway alongside the new Majura Parkway, which will take us out to the Federal Highway.

Lunch today will be at historic Gundaroo, a unique town in the Yass Valley that has retained its special 19th-century character.

After lunch, we’ll tackle some steady climbs affording gorgeous rural views. This is an area famous for its wind turbines, and these sometimes controversial structures dot the surrounding hillsides. We’ll arrive in the peaceful town of Gunning in time for a well-deserved afternoon tea.

Today takes us to the highest point of the tour. Crookwell is nearly 1,000m above sea level, and while short, today’s cycle features a steady, constant climb with a reasonably kind gradient (although a few short sections will challenge the legs!). You will be rewarded, of course, with stunning views across the countryside, as well as a lovely, four-kilometre descent to our destination.

On the way, we’ll pass through Grabben Gullen, named after the local Aboriginal term for ‘small waters’. This town is known for its gem fossicking, and treasures can still be found in the many streams that feed through the area into the Lachlan River.

We’ll arrive in Crookwell in time for a late lunch, after which you are invited to tour a famous Crookwell landmark: the Lindner Sock Factory. Here colourful, Australian socks, including hand-dyed local merino versions, are made by this family-owned company.

Today we’ll cycle through quiet backroads to Goulburn, reaping the benefits of yesterday’s climb and finishing the tour with a mostly downhill run into one of Australia’s first inland settlements.

We’ll arrive in time for a late lunch, and you are invited to spend an afternoon relaxing or exploring the town before we meet again for our end-of-tour dinner.

Today the tour concludes at checkout. You may wish to spend some time exploring the many fascinating architectural gems around town before heading home.

If you like your cycling tours with a healthy dose of rural charm, historic insights and floral spectacle then don’t delay. Book your spot on this tour now.

NB: If you are looking for a shorter bicycle tour in the Canberra region we also have a three-day option.