From: guy@trofis.tfrc.csiro.au (Guy Carpenter)
Subject: Re: Renting bikes in Cairns area (was Re: Melbourne Ride )
Organization: CSIRO Tropical Forest Research Centre
Distribution: aus
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 00:20:51 GMT

mawson@aldetec.oz.au (Graeme Mawson) writes:


>I'll be heading up to the Cairns/Port Douglas area in November with my
>girlfriend and would dearly love to ride through the tablelands area on a
>rented bike.  Do you (or anyone else) know how / where I can rent a bike?

I didn't know (and I'm 100kms from Cairns) but according to the phone
book:

		Jolly Frog Moke and Motorcycle Rentals
		2/101 Esplanade Cairns (070) 312 379
		Road bikes from 250cc to 1100cc +
		motor scooters and mountain bikes.

>What about restrictions ... age, number of months/years held licence, etc ??

Don't know.  Call them (or if you are really poor drop me a note and I'll
do it.)

>I have an "L" class licence -- i.e. up to 250cc (is this the same system
>throughout Australia??  i.e. "L" is <= 250cc, "K" is open).

Licencing codes are apparently different.  I think the endorsement
in Qld for <=250cc is BN, and open is just B.

> Also, where are the best places in this area to ride?

Boy where to start.  Get out of Cairns, it's hell to drive in.  Disregard
that if you drive in Melbourne :-)  I just don't like big wide unmarked
intersections & trusting other folks to give way.  The drive along
the Cook Hwy North is nice.  My favorite section takes you between
sandy white beaches & the rainforest (actually wet-schlerophyll I suppose).
I like to take visitors for a dip at Ellis Beach, but watch for stingers
in Nov.  How far to go?  Port Douglas is pretty close, though it's not
a very special destination.  Mossman Gorge might be more reasonable
(for a freshwater swim?) or if you are keen head up to the Daintree.
I know a guy with a new Harley who rides to the Daintree and back for
a day trip (from the Tablelands), so the roads mustn't be too bad.  I
haven't been up for years.

A much shorter ride from Cairns that might be interesting is up to
Copperload dam behind Cairns.

Then of course there's the Tablelands : head north out of Cairns
and turn up to Kuranda, pop down to the Barron Falls for a look,
shoot on out past Mareeba (but don't stop!) and go find Lake Eacham.
There's a great spot for a cup of coffee at "The Homestead", turn
left of the Mareeba-Atherton road just past Tolga.  Head out and
find the Peeramon Pub for a cold one (all roads lead to Peeramon),
and maybe stop by Lake Eacham for a dip.
Behind Lake Eacham there are zillions of little farm roads which
are fun - look out for occasional gravel sections!  Actually you
Then, Before dark, head down the Gillies.
You can cruise around the Tablelands for days; it's a maze of twisty
passages, all alike.  Very pretty.

One more quick plug - the Paluma Range road just north of Townsville
is great - though from Cairns it's 4hrs of ugly road to get there.

>You mean that you get PAID to work in Atherton and to study Tropical Forests??
>Lucky man!!!

Yeah - and look I'm late for morning tea too.  Better go!  :-)

Cheers,
Guy.

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