Defining Australia’s Adventure Riding Regions
- Vern
- Oct 22, 2025
- 3 min read
A simpler way to make sense of where we ride
One of the best things about riding in Australia is how quickly the landscape changes. In a single day, you can go from alpine twisties to red dirt, from coastal cliffs to open plains.
But when it comes to talking about where we ride, the language has always been a bit messy.
Some people use council names, others use tourism zones, and many rides are described as “somewhere out near the ranges.” That works fine in conversation, but when you’re trying to find rides, tours, or events, it can get confusing fast.
So we set out to make it simpler.
Over the past year, we’ve been working on a new way to categorise rides across the country — not by administrative boundaries, but by the landscapes and experiences that define them.
The result is what we now call the MotoRides Adventure Riding Regions: 23 key areas across Australia (plus two international riding frontiers) that make sense from a rider’s perspective.
Why we did this
Our goal wasn’t to create an official system — just something clear, relatable, and helpful.
When you talk about the Flinders Ranges, High Country, or Far North Queensland, every rider instantly knows what kind of terrain and adventure you mean.
That shared language helps people find rides, compare tours, and understand what to expect — whether they’re new to adventure riding or seasoned travellers.
The Adventure Riding Regions of Australia
From south to north, and east to west, the regions flow in a way that mirrors how riders naturally move through the country.
Sydney & Surrounds – Coastal Ranges
Blue Mountains & Tablelands – Escarpments & Valleys
Hunter Valley & Barrington Tops – Forest Ridges
Southern Highlands & South Coast – Coastal Cliffs & Valleys
Snowy Mountains & High Country – Alpine Passes
Brisbane & Sunshine Coast Hinterland – Forest Loops
Gold Coast Hinterland & Border Ranges – Ridge Riding
Fraser–Capricorn Coast – Islands & Coastal Ranges
Far North Queensland – Cape & Gulf Adventures
Top End & Arnhem Land – Billabongs & Floodplains
New England Tablelands – Open Plateaus
Victorian Goldfields & Grampians – Rocky Ranges
Great Ocean Road & Otways – Coastal Forests
Murray River & Mallee – River Country
Melbourne & Yarra Ranges – Forest Roads
Tasmania North East – Coastal Trails
Tasmania West & Central Highlands – Wild Tracks
Adelaide Hills & Fleurieu – Vineyards to Coast
Flinders Ranges – Rugged Gorges
Corner Country – Desert Crossings
Red Centre – Alice Springs & Desert Ranges
Great Desert Tracks & Nullarbor – Long Crossings
Perth Hills & Avon Valley – Wheatbelt Edge
South West WA & Kimberley – Gorges & River Crossings
And for riders venturing further afield:
25. New Zealand – Alps & Sounds
26. Himalayan Frontier – India, Nepal & Tibet
How they connect
The regions are ranked in a natural flow across the country, following how riders typically move:
Start in Sydney, trace the Great Dividing Range south through the Snowy Mountains, or north through the Hinterland and Cape.
Cross the Tablelands and Outback belts into Flinders, Corner Country, and Red Centre.
Push west through the Great Desert Tracks, or chase the coast to WA’s forests and gorges.
Or take it international, with rides through New Zealand’s alps or the Himalayan passes.
It’s not an exhaustive map of every road, track, or town — just a simple, rider-focused way to talk about the landscapes that make Australian adventure riding unique.
Why it matters
When you’re planning a trip, searching for tours, or just daydreaming about your next ride, having a clear, consistent set of regions makes it easier to navigate the adventure scene.
Operators can list their rides in familiar terms, and riders can instantly recognise what kind of terrain they’re signing up for.
It’s not about drawing borders — it’s about creating shared language for the community. A way for riders across Australia (and beyond) to describe where they ride in a way that feels as natural as the ride itself.
Explore the Regions
You can explore all 23 regions — including interactive maps and featured rides — at motorides.com.au/region
