Gilles highway - Northern Queensland
Just south of cairns the Gilles highway runs from Gordonvale up the Lamb range to the Atherton Tableland. It has a reputed 258 corners in the main 19km section and is the premium ride in northern Queensland.
I traveled to Cairns and the nearby areas a few times when I was younger and I would love to return there and ride the Gilles, Parmerston and Kuranda Range and around the Tableland area - but its simply too far north for me to ride with only straight highway between here and there. It is however on my short list of places I am thinking of flying to and hiring a motorcycle (along with Tasmania and New Zealand)
The nearby Parmerston highway is also an exceptionally good road with more open sweepers and roller coaster rises and dips and you would have a wonderful loop if these were combined. Kuranda range is the third climb up to the Tablelands and also a nice ride but shorter and with more traffic.
Anyway until I can get there and get some up to date photos enjoy this virtual ride up the famous 'Gilles' - it may be very far away from most people but its definitely one of the best motorbike roads in Australia.
Map
This is AWESOME !!!!!
ReplyDeleteI looked at having my bike shipped up from Brisbane - $4-500.
So i'll have to allow more time and just ride up there one day !!
ROck on!!
I have ridden around the Brisbane area and love it to bits. The Somerset Dam loop is definatley my favourite so far. Mount Mee, Mount Sampson, Mount Glorious, Mount Nebo and Somerset Dam all in a days ride. Sensational and only 4 sets of traffic lights and 3 intersections..(!)
ReplyDeleteBrisbane is only 2500km from the Gilles!! :D
ReplyDeleteI have been going to do a fly and ride long weekend in Cairns for some time. It just seems to have slipped off my radar with all the other travel I do.
ReplyDeleteAlso cost is just that bit extra than hopping on your own bike and riding off for a few days but I am still looking to do it.