Scenic Rim:
Epic motorbike rides
Hire a motorbike and explore the Scenic Rim from an unbeatable vantage point. These three routes meander through the picturesque region, cater to a range of skill levels and are also car-friendly if you prefer four wheels over two. Clear your schedule, fill up the tank and let’s go for a ride.
Warm Up at Gallery Walk
If you’re a new rider or haven’t ridden beyond the city limits in a while, start with this easy route. At the crest of Tamborine Mountain lies Gallery Walk, an arts, crafts, food and tourism hub with 70 specialty shops and traders. It is the perfect anchor for a refresher ride as the road gradually increases in difficulty, turn by turn. You're likely to find yourself behind a campervan or slow driver on this route at least once so take it easy and wait for an overtaking lane.
Take the Pacific Motorway down to Exit 67 for Tamborine Oxenford Rd. There are several roundabouts and some basic urban riding before you kick into gear for single-lane riding at speeds of 70km/h or faster. The roads have marked centre lines the whole way to Tamborine and you won’t have to worry about complex turns too soon. Ride on to Eagle Heights where you can stop, relax and enjoy the town’s excellent coffee.
Eagle Heights is bordered by Tamborine North and Tamborine Mountain so you can ride on and enjoy the excellent views from St Bernard’s Hotel and stop in at Gallery Walk for great food and art.
From here you can take a more difficult route home or retrace your steps if you’re not looking to push things further. Head for Tamborine Mountain Rd for a winding route north where you’ll sit patiently at 60km/h most of the way. Consider visiting Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk or Thunderbird Park if you want to stop and stretch your legs.
Make your way down the mountain and head towards Tamborine township, keeping your eyes peeled for Piano Rock. Head north on Beaudesert Beenleigh Rd and enjoy navigating some long and lovely bends. Detouring along Stanmore Rd helps you avoid suburban areas and leads you to the famous Yatala Pies for a quick bite before taking the M1 home.
Breakfast at Canungra, Coffee at O’Reilly’s
Now you’ve blown the cobwebs off, carve your way back to Tamborine but this time keep heading south-west on Beaudesert Beenleigh Rd. Take a left onto Mundoolun Connection Rd and pass through the small towns of Boyland, Wonglepong and Benobble before reaching Canungra. Stop at The Outpost Café and meet dozens of other riders taking advantage of the handy halfway point. There are plenty of other great cafes serving breakfast in the hinterland town including Bean In Canungra, Café Metz and Canungra Cozy Café.
From here, head south towards Lamington National Park Rd. This is a beautiful part of the country, perfect for exploring on two wheels but always take care when riding in rural areas. The roads are mostly well marked and clear but watch for unfriendly road and traffic conditions. Debris can wash onto the mountain roads after rain, slow-moving agricultural vehicles can slow traffic and high-speed lanes can have low-speed intersections.
Test your skills on the squiggly sections of road on this route before you head out. It is a complex section heading up the mountain so be prepared for very slow corners. Wind your way to the top where you’ll find O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, breath-taking views and quality coffee. Rest your legs and recharge at O’Reilly’s Mountain Café with a coffee, tea and scones or a bite to eat from the tasty lunch menu.
O'Reiley's Rainforest Retreat, Scenic Rim
Heading home downhill is easier than the climb but it can still present a challenge. Ease your way down the mountain and then enjoy the country cruise back home.
Head south of the border
Head south of the border for a day of exploration and exhilaration following a fast and beautiful route with a variety of technical sections.
Take any route south to Nerang then exit onto Nerang Murwillumbah Rd to wind your way out of town. Make your way to Advancetown and consider popping over to Hinze Dam for captivating water views and a quick coffee at View Cafe. The ride picks up here with incredible long corners along Advancetown Lake that reveal stunning scenery with each twist and turn.
The road straightens after the lake on the way to Numinbah Valley. Continue south and stop at Natural Bridge to admire its spectacular waterfall. Further down to the border, you’ll find an excellent lookout spanning both states. As you cross the border, the road is renamed Numinbah Rd, the speed limit slows and conditions become a bit twisty before Numinbah itself so take it easy, especially on corners.
Ride past Chillingham and Crystal Creek until you reach North Arm Rd. These roads are picturesque but do have some surprisingly tight corners that aren’t always signposted. Follow it past Bray Park and stop in Murwillumbah for a well-earned lamington and wander along the main street. This journey takes several hours so consider taking a simpler and faster route along the M1 home.
A motorbike is a magical way to explore the Scenic Rim. If you’re a novice, take an experienced friend and if you’re hiring a bike on holiday, ask the locals about road quality and any recent weather events or roadworks that may affect conditions. If you’ve been riding for years and know these roads and routes already, remember the basics. And above all, ride safely, take it easy and have fun!
Elabana Falls, Scenic Rim
