Gravel riding in New South Wales, Australia — Bongil Bongil National Park and beyond

When you think of Australia, you may have long desert gravel roads in the dust and heat in mind, but not necessarily lush tropical forest. It's at the beginning of April this year that my wheels landed in New South Wales, between Brisbane and Sydney.

My aim: to get to Bongil Bongil National Park and explore the natural wonders of the Coffs Coast and the hinterland. Tropical forests classified as world heritage, panoramic views, single tracks, crystal-clear creeks, and long white beaches... Just like on the postcards.

This is my second trip to this part of the world, where some of my family lives. It's with a gravel bike that I decided to discover more of the region. Here I’d like to share three gravel routes starting from the coastal village of Sawtell.

These three rides take about three to five hours each. The gravel is very different than in Europe; it goes from well packed gravel to wet forest trails across the rainforest. For me, it felt very exotic to be surrounded by such verdant vegetation and surprising animals while riding. And that’s in addition to the local kangaroos crossing the road without ever stopping for you.

I really recommend the Sawtell to Bellingen route – definitely one of my favorite rides. It crosses three very distinct gravel sections, including the Gleniffer portion when you leave Bonville. It’s a very rolling and large gravel road winding its way in the middle of a palm tree forest. The faster you ride, the more fun it is. A word of advice: beware of the kangaroos.

As for the equipment, be prepared for all kinds of weather because the rain is no joke in this part of the world. The light changes constantly too, so I like to wear glasses with wide and ventilated photochromic lenses like the Julbo Fury. As for the bike, a gravel bike set up with tubeless tires will do the job. A 40mm width works well and is fun to ride on these types of roads.

Last but not least, take the time to stop in the villages to try a good coffee. The coffee culture is strong here, and coffee always comes with a large choice of excellent pastries. You’ll find some recommendations in the Highlights.