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 (bike hire available)
- Breakfast hamper
- 2 lunches
- 2 dinners
- Ride snacks and water on board the support vehicle
- 2 nights twin 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 40 km / 600m elevation / 45% gravel
Approx 10am collection from Brisbane. After your morning transfer to Crows Nest, we’ll arrive in time for lunch and get ready for your first gravel ride adventure in the Northern Downs.
Start on tarmac through rolling pastoral land and gentle climbing up out of Crows Nest to get the legs working. We turn off the main road and our first taste of Northern Downs Gravel. Coursing along a ridge line we rise to our highest peak at 750 m where the views stretch out forever.
Expect to see wallabies and if we are lucky koala in the tall gums that line the road.
We leave the gravel for a super fun tarmac descent before turning off again for a beautiful gravel section that winds its way through the farmland, finishing with an old highway section and the descent back into Crows Nest.
We visit a local Distillery and sample their unique hand crafted range of gin and vodka. A perfect gift idea to take home!
Dinner at our local Italian restaurant.
Day 2
Ride 50km / 800m elevation / 45% gravel
This ride is in an undiscovered gravel paradise and our route has everything you could dream of. A network of beautiful tall timber lined backroads with expansive country views. Rewarding gravel that ranges from wide dirt roads to meandering double track.
We will stop for lunch to refuel in one of the country towns before tackling the 2nd part of the ride. And remember – vehicle support is with you all the way!
In the cooler months we will spread routes across the day making the most of the mild temperatures.
Dinner at the Crows Nest pub.
Day 3
Ride 33km / 550 m 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.
Upcoming Tour DatesNorthern 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 $155
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.
