Discover the Northern Downs High Country
Ride with us ...
Northern Downs High Country Gravel Bike Tour
Ride with us and discover the picturesque backroads of the High Country
Cycling Tour Overview
1 Roo: I’m relatively fit and comfortable on the bike and happiest on mild gradients or the flat.
2 Roo’s: Fitness and health is my life. I ride regularly on a weekly basis with friends and on weekends I’m not daunted by rides of up to 5 hours for a few days back to back.
3 Roo’s: Riding is my life! I’m not interested in racing, I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I love the challenge and the idea of where my legs and bike can take me. My friends and I are always looking for the next cycling adventure. Want to know more about the VéloRoo Roo levels?
We’ve brought together the best network of undiscovered backroads around Crows Nest, Qld, to give you a great cycling weekend getaway.
Located on the crest of the Great Dividing Range, Crows Nest in Queensland is surrounding by rolling hills, farmland and awesome riding opportunities. Get away from the crowds and surround yourself in beautiful countryside, all only 2hrs from Brisbane.
Whether it’s the challenge of the long gentle climbs, the anticipation of the big country views to be enjoyed, or the exhilaration of zooming down a beautiful country gravel road with the fresh country air on your face and the crunch of gravel under your bike tyres, you’ll have three days of pure joy to fully immerse yourself in this remarkably diverse region.
With GraVeloRoo you don’t need to look at a map, just ride with us on hand selected routes. The security of vehicle support means you don’t need to worry about running out of water, and with a small group of like minded people to share the experience, all you have to do is enjoy riding through the diverse landscapes from rustic pastoral farmland to tall timbered forest. Here, you’ll smell the earthy aromas of the farmland and iconic Australian eucalyptus forest and hear the sounds of nature without the noise of passing traffic.
Small Groups and Big Experiences
In contrast to the more crowded bike riding destinations in SE Queensland the GraVeloRoo Northern Downs weekend is limited to approx 10 guests. Bottom line? A more inclusive experience from connections with the locals to the small country town publican.
See what most are missing
Discover picturesque landscapes, native flora and fauna and stunning vistas completely overlooked by the mainstream with your small group peloton. These are the memories you’ll look back on fondly.
It probably won’t be your only time!
The most amazing thing about gravel ride adventures are the connections you make with your peloton and the local communities. When you reminisce, you have a desire to return, it might be to experience the region in another season, or visit a local festival you heard about, but one thing is for certain, you will look forward to your next time!
- 3 guided rides on our hand picked routes
- Vehicle support – no need to weigh yourself down like a pack horse
- Return minibus transfers from Brisbane to Crows Nest for you and your bike – no need to drive (gravel bike hire also available – including e-bike hire)
- Breakfast hamper
- 2 lunches
- 2 dinners
- Ride snacks and water on board the support vehicle
- 2 nights twin share 4 star motel accommodation
- all the planning and logistics are taken care of – just enjoy the rides!
Northern Downs High Country Gravel Bike Tour
Routes, itineraries, meals & accommodation are all hand picked by us for your enjoyment. Itinerary is subject to modification to suit the road & weather conditions.
Day 1
Ride 31 km / 400m elevation / 53% gravel
10am Departure from Brisbane. Excitement fills the air as we embark on our adventure West to the Northern Downs High Country.
12:30pm Arrival in Crows Nest. We gather for a delightful lunch at “Lily’s Artisan”, soaking in the country town vibe.
2pm After lunch, our first ride begins! We set off to the south with gentle climbing, rewarding us with picturesque views overlooking Crows Nest. The pace is relaxed, allowing everyone to take in the beauty of the countryside.
5pm After our invigorating ride, we make our way to the local Distillery for some well-deserved gin and vodka tastings. We raise our glasses to a day of exploration and camaraderie.
7pm Dinner awaits us at the local Italian restaurant, where we share stories and laughter over delicious food and drinks, embodying the spirit of “Live, Laugh, Ride.”
Day 2
Part 1 – Ride 52 km / 500m elevation / 61% gravel Part 2 – Ride 30 km / 400m elevation / 66% gravel
8am We start our day with a short drive to Goombungee for a morning coffee at the Vintage Cow cafe, as we prepare for another day of adventure.
9am Part 1 of today’s ride begins! A loop to the west awaits us, offering gentle terrain and expansive big sky views over pastoral countryside dotted with geological curiosities. We pedal at a comfortable pace, enjoying the serenity of the landscape.
Lunchtime Loop back to the Vintage Cow cafe, where we refuel over lunch, ready for the afternoon session of our ride.
1pm Part 2 takes us eastward, through rolling farmland and captivating views. In complete contrast to this morning’s ride this loop is full of twists and turns as we follow the contours of the rolling countryside. The scenery inspires us as we pedal along, feeling the rhythm of the road beneath our wheels. Finishing back at our start point, Goombungee, and then a short drive back to base.
7pm We wrap up our day with a well-deserved dinner at the local pub and toasting to another day of unforgettable memories.
For our July tour – we have a special Christmas in July dinner & Trivia night
Day 3
Ride 33 km / 550m elevation / 54% gravel
Our last morning’s ride offers spectacular views and completely different landscapes from our previous rides
After enjoying our morning coffee in Crows Nest our ride heads easterly and takes us from beautiful remnant forest to lush farm lands. We spend the first 10 undulating km’s on tarmac, perfect to warm up the legs.
We take a turn off the tarmac onto a gravel road that is easily missed to wind through the beautiful remnant forest as we follow the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range. Get ready to be wowed by the expansive views on offer from our lofty height.
Our return route to Crows Nest has a little bit of back tracking before we enjoy the mostly down hill wide gravel we’ve come to love all the way back into Crows Nest.
Finishing up with lunch at a delicious French inspired cafe with choices of bakery classics – home made pies, sausage rolls or sandwiches and of course sweet treats.
Our return back to Brisbane will be full of chatter as you share your weekend riding stories with your fellow cyclist friends. We’ll be back in Brisbane by mid afternoon.
What sort of cycling experience do I need?
VéloRoo Adventures are not about setting the fastest time, but having the best time! If you are comfortable and have some experience riding in a group, you’ll be fine. Our adventure peloton sizes range from around 8 – 12 people. You need to be comfortable riding at least 50 kilometres in a day. The area around Crows Nest is not mountainous, but undulating. We’ve researched the best routes to navigate the hilly countryside. There’s no mountain biking rocks and jumps, but by their nature, unpaved roads can offer soft or loose gravelly sections or areas that may have some slight erosion after seasonal weather.
What sort of bike do I need?
You will need something that can handle dirt and gravel roads: a Gravel Bike, Mountain Bike or Electric Mountain Bike. Give us a call to discuss the suitability of your bike if you are unsure. Bike Hire available If you don’t have your own bike that’s suitable for the gravel riding, don’t worry! We have gravel bikes for hire, just contact us for more details. We can also arrange for e-bike hire.
Northern Downs High Country Gravel Adventure
Discover the peaceful country roads of the Northern Downs High Country on a tour that’s all about Smiles per Hour.
- Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Costs
Ready to ride? VeloRoo can make your dream escape a reality.
pp twin share
Single supplement additional AUD $170
Northern Downs High Country Gravel Bike Tour
Our Tourism Partners
Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation VeloRoo acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We acknowledge the Jarowair’, Garumga, and Dalla People as the Traditional Owners of the Crows Nest area. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
