Route Navigation Information
The embedded Google Maps routes on this page are provided as a convenient visual guide only. Unfortunately, Google Maps may recalculate scenic motorcycle routes when opened for navigation — particularly routes that use twisty backroads, mountain roads, or avoid major highways such as the M1.
We have done our best to shape these routes using multiple waypoints and route markers, however Google Maps may still alter the route depending on traffic conditions, app settings, road closures, updates, or device behaviour.
For riders who want a more accurate motorcycle navigation experience, we also provide Calimoto route links where available. Calimoto is designed specifically for motorcycles and generally does a much better job of preserving scenic and twisty riding routes as intended.
Please note that while Calimoto can be downloaded for free and may allow routes to be viewed, turn-by-turn navigation may require a paid Calimoto subscription. This is outside our control, so please check the app’s current access requirements before relying on it for navigation.
Over time, we also plan to provide downloadable route files for other motorcycle navigation apps and GPS devices.
Before departing, we recommend reviewing your selected route carefully and checking that:
- the route follows the intended roads;
- your navigation app has not automatically recalculated sections of the ride;
- “Avoid Highways / Freeways” is turned on or off as required for that specific route;
- you are comfortable with the route, road conditions, and riding time.
Most importantly — enjoy the ride, ride safely, and take the scenic way whenever possible.
Numinbah Valley & Tomewin Scenic Loop
Leave the Gold Coast and head into the beautiful and twisty Numinbah Valley — a road that feels like it was built specifically for motorcycles.
Wind your way through the hinterland before arriving in Murwillumbah, a great spot to stop for lunch, coffee, or a wander through the town’s many cafés and hospitality venues.
The return leg takes you home via the equally scenic Tomewin range roads, through Mudgeeraba and over The Panorama, offering some of the best views back towards the Gold Coast skyline — all while avoiding the M1 wherever possible.
This is one of our favourite shorter rides and remains extremely popular with local riders looking for the perfect mix of twisty roads, scenery, and relaxed country riding.
Approximate riding time: 2.5 to 3 hours
Approximate distance: 150 km
Three Mountains Run
Set out from our Southport base and ease into the ride as you head towards Maudsland — the perfect opportunity to get comfortable with your motorcycle before the real fun begins.
The first climb takes you up to Eagle Heights Hotel on Tamborine Mountain, where sweeping views over the Gold Coast skyline and hinterland open up around every corner. Take your time exploring the mountain’s cafés, restaurants, boutique shops, rainforest walks, glow worms, or the famous Skywalk.
From there, cross the mountain and descend the legendary Goat Track into Canungra — one of the great motorcycle roads of the region, packed with tight hairpins and flowing bends. While in town, stop at the iconic The Outpost Cafe, widely regarded by many riders as home to some of Australia’s best pies.
The ride continues up Beechmont, winding through spectacular mountain roads with breathtaking views across Hinze Dam and the surrounding valleys. After descending back into the stunning Numinbah Valley, you’ll follow the edge of the Gold Coast’s water catchment area before tackling the long and scenic climb to Springbrook.
At the top, there are countless lookouts, waterfalls, and rainforest attractions to explore, or you can stop for refreshments at the popular Springbrook Cafe.
The final leg takes you down the twisty curves of Springbrook Road before finishing with an unforgettable run across The Panorama, offering some of the very best views back across the Gold Coast.
This ride is one of the ultimate Gold Coast hinterland motorcycle loops — combining mountain climbs, technical twisties, spectacular scenery, and iconic rider stops all in one unforgettable day.
Approximate riding time: 3.5 to 4 hours
Approximate distance: 170 km
Byron Bay Hinterland Run
Leave the Gold Coast behind and head south through the beautiful Numinbah region, enjoying one of the best motorcycle roads in the area as you wind your way through rainforest-lined mountain roads and sweeping hinterland scenery.
The ride continues through the charming Northern Rivers countryside towards Billinudgel and Mullumbimby, offering a fantastic mix of flowing country roads, lush farmland, and relaxed coastal hinterland riding.
Pass through Myocum before arriving in iconic Byron Bay — the perfect place to stop for lunch, coffee, shopping, or simply to soak in the atmosphere and beaches the town is famous for.
This route focuses on avoiding the motorway wherever possible, favouring scenic hinterland roads and a far more enjoyable riding experience.
Please note this is a one-way route to Byron Bay. To return to the Gold Coast via another spectacular scenic route, pair this ride with our return Byron Bay touring map.
This is a brilliant coastal hinterland ride combining twisty mountain roads, relaxed country scenery, and one of Australia’s most famous coastal destinations.
Navigation note:
When opening this route in Google Maps, please check your route options before departing. For this ride, Avoid Highways / Avoid Freeways should be turned OFF. If it is left on, Google Maps may redirect you away from the intended route.
Approximate riding time: 2.5 to 3 hours (one way)
Approximate distance: 140 km
Byron Bay Scenic Return Run
After soaking up the atmosphere of Byron Bay, this spectacular return route takes you back to the Gold Coast via some of the best scenic motorcycle roads in northern New South Wales and the Gold Coast hinterland.
Leave Byron Bay through the relaxed hinterland roads of Myocum and Mullumbimby before continuing north through beautiful countryside towards Pottsville.
From Pottsville, follow the stunning coastal run north towards Cudgen, offering glimpses of the coastline and a relaxed contrast to the tighter mountain sections of the ride.
The route then turns inland through North Tumbulgum and climbs into the twisty mountain roads around Tomewin — a favourite section for local riders thanks to its flowing corners, elevation changes, and stunning hinterland scenery.
Cross back into Queensland and continue through Mudgeeraba before tackling the beautiful climb towards Springbrook and back down via Pine Creek Road.
This final section delivers spectacular rainforest scenery, sweeping mountain views, and some fantastic twisty riding before descending back towards the Gold Coast.
Designed as the perfect companion to our Byron Bay Hinterland Run, this route allows riders to complete a full scenic touring loop without relying on the motorway, maximising the riding experience from start to finish.
Navigation note:
When opening this route in Google Maps, please check your route options before departing. For this ride, Avoid Highways / Avoid Freeways should be turned OFF. If it is left on, Google Maps may redirect you away from the intended route.
Approximate riding time: 3.5 to 4 hours
Approximate distance: 190 km
Boonah Loop
Leave the Gold Coast behind and head for the countryside via Beaudesert, before escaping the traffic entirely through the winding rural roads around Kerry and Hillview. This route delivers a fantastic mix of flowing country roads, rolling hills, and tight mountain sections as you make your way towards the Scenic Rim.
Cross the range through the quieter back roads near Mount Barney and the Lost World region before arriving in Boonah — a perfect place to stop for lunch, coffee, or a wander through one of the many cafes and country pubs.
The ride home continues through more scenic back roads and farming country before climbing back toward Tamborine Mountain for a fantastic run across the mountain. Enjoy the cooler mountain air, rainforest sections, sweeping corners, and spectacular hinterland scenery before descending back toward the Gold Coast via some of the region’s favourite motorcycle roads.
A brilliant all-round Scenic Rim ride combining twisty sections, open sweepers, mountain climbs, and relaxed country cruising — all while avoiding the motorway wherever possible.
Approximate riding time: 4.5 to 5hours
Approximate distance: 300 km
Scenic Rim & Queen Mary Falls Adventure
Escape the Gold Coast and head deep into the heart of the spectacular Scenic Rim on one of the most diverse and rewarding motorcycle rides in South East Queensland.
The ride begins with a relaxed cruise through Beaudesert before continuing towards Boonah, a favourite stop for riders thanks to its country hospitality, cafés, bakeries, and mountain scenery.
From Boonah, the roads become increasingly scenic as you pass through Charlwood and climb towards the breathtaking Queen Mary Falls region. We highly recommend stopping to take in the falls and surrounding rainforest scenery — it’s one of the standout natural attractions in the Scenic Rim and well worth stretching your legs for.
This section also delivers some fantastic winding roads, sweeping mountain views, and cooler mountain air, making it a favourite among local riders.
After taking in the scenery, continue south-west through the ranges towards Woodenbong before enjoying the flowing mountain roads back towards Rathdowney.
The final leg winds through the beautiful rural roads around Kerry before returning to the Gold Coast after a full day of twisty roads, mountain climbs, country scenery, and classic Australian motorcycle touring.
This ride combines some of the very best elements of South East Queensland riding — quiet backroads, mountain passes, waterfalls, sweeping valleys, and relaxed country towns — making it one of our favourite full-day touring loops.
Approximate riding time: 6 to 6.5 hours
Approximate distance: 380 km
Woodenbong and Kyogle Two State Twist
Start with a run through the Gold Coast hinterland before heading west towards Beaudesert and into the beautiful rural roads around Kerry. From there, the route opens up into a longer touring ride through rolling countryside, mountain sections and quiet backroads as you make your way south towards Kyogle.
Kyogle makes a great stop for lunch, coffee or refreshments before continuing east through the Northern Rivers hinterland towards Uki. This section offers some fantastic country riding, with sweeping bends, open farmland, rainforest pockets and views across the surrounding ranges.
From Uki, the ride heads deeper into the border country before looping back north through the Numinbah region. Expect a great mix of twisty mountain roads, lush rainforest scenery and classic hinterland riding as you work your way back towards the Gold Coast.
The final leg through Numinbah Valley and back into Southport is a fitting finish to a longer ride that combines Queensland backroads, Northern NSW countryside and some of the best motorcycle roads either side of the border.
A brilliant full-day ride for anyone chasing distance, variety, scenery and plenty of proper motorcycle roads.
Approximate riding time: 5.5 to 6 hours
Approximate distance: 350 km
Somerset Dam & Mount Mee Grand Loop
Set out from the Gold Coast and head inland through Beaudesert before settling into a full day of classic South East Queensland motorcycle touring through country towns, mountain roads, and spectacular dam scenery.
The route winds north-west towards Walloon before opening into beautiful rural riding country on the approach to Somerset Dam. This area offers sweeping lake views, quiet roads, and some fantastic flowing riding through the Somerset region.
Continue on towards Kilcoy, a favourite stop for riders looking for fuel, coffee, lunch, or a break before tackling the next section of twisty mountain roads.
From Kilcoy, the ride climbs through the forested roads of Mount Mee — a well-known destination among local riders thanks to its smooth corners, elevation changes, and beautiful hinterland scenery.
The route then heads towards the stunning Wivenhoe Lookout near Dundas, offering spectacular views across the surrounding valleys and waterways.
From there, the ride turns south through more scenic country roads towards Kalbar and back through the Scenic Rim region to Beaudesert before returning to the Gold Coast.
This is a serious full-day motorcycle ride combining scenic dams, mountain twisties, country highways, and some of the best inland riding South East Queensland has to offer.
Navigation note:
When opening this route in Google Maps, please check your route options before departing. For this ride, Avoid Highways / Avoid Freeways should be turned OFF. If it is left on, Google Maps may redirect you away from the intended route.
Approximate riding time: 6.5 to 8 hours
Approximate distance: 550 km
