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Long weekends are precious things – those rare windows where you can properly switch off without burning through your annual leave. If the idea of something less fast-paced (and arguably more satisfying) than a city break appeals, a few days on two wheels might be just the ticket – especially if you have someone else handling the logistics (and the luggage).
Australian Cycle Tours is one of a few tour operators who have nailed the brief, with a series of three-day cycling holidays that fit perfectly into a long weekend. These are journeys for everyday riders, not Lycra-clad pros: e-bikes are available, luggage transfers are included and the routes are built around great food, scenery and places you’ll actually want to explore.
Here are three of the best three-day cycling trips in NSW to bookmark for your next long weekend escape.
RELATED READ: These are the best weekend getaways close to Sydney
Northern Rivers Rail Trail and Tweed Coast Short Break
Distance: Around 80–100 kilometres over three days
Location: Northern Rivers / Tweed Coast
If your ideal long weekend involves subtropical scenery, cute hinterland towns and the odd beach dip, this one’s the go. Along the converted railway line, expect lush farmland, old-world railway corridors and a good share of coffee stops. It’s an easy, varied ride that packs a lot into three days without ever feeling rushed – perfect for riders who want maximum payoff for minimal effort. We’d suggest booking a post-cycle soak at Banya in nearby Mullumbimby, or heading into Byron for an excellent feed overlooking the ocean (Raes on Wategos is a top contender for the most beautiful dining room in Australia).
Mudgee Cycle Short Break
Distance: Around 90–120 kilometres over three days
Location: Central West NSW
This is a cycling trip for people with a penchant for long lunches and excellent wine. Based in Mudgee, this trip threads together quiet country roads, rolling vineyards and cellar doors. Days are spent cruising through farmland and wine country, with ample pauses for cheese tastings, winery lunches and a glass (or two) of the region’s best drops. The riding is gentle, the food and wine are the real stars, and the whole experience strikes the balance between active and indulgent.
Kiama to Huskisson Self-Guided Cycle
Distance: Around 130–150 kilometres over three days
Location: South Coast/ Shoalhaven
For those who like their cycling with stellar ocean views, this South Coast classic delivers. Starting in Kiama, you’ll pedal past the famous Blowhole (the biggest in the world) before rolling through Berry, Nowra and on to Huskisson, right on the edge of Jervis Bay. Along the way there are beaches for swimming, cafés for refuelling, vineyards for lunch stops and even the option to detour to the Fleet Air Arm Museum or jump on a dolphin-watching cruise. It’s a greatest-hits tour of the Shoalhaven area – active, scenic and super satisfying over a long weekend.
Keen? You can check out more routes and get the logistics sorted over here.
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