Great Top End Escape
Fully supported cycling tour
When you join the Great Top End Escape you can rest assured that every detail is taken care of from start to finish. While you’re out on your bike soaking up everything on offer, the dedicated Bicycle Network team will be working hard behind the scenes to make sure you have an unforgettable holiday.
What’s included?
- Three-to-four-star accommodation each night
- Breakfast and dinner at our accommodation and an energy-packed lunch along the route in a unique location each day.
- Full on-route support including rest stops with snacks, water, shade and mechanical assistance as well as a 24-hour on-call team if you need us.
- Coach transport, or our SAG (support and gear) bus for those who can’t go on, want a rest or aren’t up to the full distance for the day.
- Special cultural and natural experiences as outlined in our itinerary.
- Unique and scenic routes, marked with our directional signage to ensure that you won’t get lost and have the freedom to travel at your own pace.
- Luggage transfer for the duration of the event and coach transfer between locations when required.
- Daily event briefings, giving you time to ask questions, find out about the riding conditions and prepare for the weather.
- A complimentary event jersey and gift on arrival to commemorate your ride
- All the fun (and more) that you have come to expect from our bike riding tours
Event Info
FAQs
Here are the answers to your most common questions. If your question isn’t in the list, please contact us on 1800 639 634 or via our contact page
What type of bike should I bring?
We recommend bringing any bike that you feel comfortable riding 80km on. If you have a road bike, we suggest using wider tyres of around 28mm-35mm.
Can I ride an e-bike?
Ebikes are welcome on the Great Top End Escape, subject to our event ebike policy.
We will be able to sag your e-bike if required, but because they are heavier than most bikes, our team may need your help to lift the bike. You will be able recharge your battery in your hotel room each night.
Can I hire a bike?
We’ve partnered with Rent My Bike Australia to help take the hassle out of transporting your bike to and from the NT. Visit Rent My Bike Australia for more information and to book your bike.
How can I get my bike to Darwin?
Fly with your bike
With a little bit of planning, flying with a bike doesn’t need to be an overwhelming or expensive option. Most airlines will allow you to travel with your bike for a handling fee. Each carrier has its own rules and pricing structure, which can change with little notice, so it’s best to confirm the latest charges directly with the airlines before purchasing a ticket.
All airlines require your bike to be boxed or bagged which you can learn more about below. Most bike shops will assist with packing your bike, and Bicycle Network can help in Darwin.
Bicycle Network bike transport
Bicycle Network can transport your bike to Darwin and back at no extra cost. Your bike must be in a bike bag, box or wrapped, and the Bicycle Network team will help you reassemble your bike in Darwin.
You will need to drop your bike at our workshop in Sunshine North. Please see bike transport details below for exact dates and times.
What should I pack?
The weather in the NT in June can be both cold and hot. We recommend being prepared for all weather conditions and using layers of clothing so you can easily dress up or down as the weather changes. View our packing list for the essentials.
What is the terrain and total distance of the ride?
Riding in the Top End is mostly flat and will be on the bitumen. However, do expect a bit of dirt when entering and exiting rest stops and going off the road to do some sight seeing at waterfalls and swimming holes.
Our riding times are based of an average of 15km per hour, and riders who have moderate fitness levels should find the riding enjoyable.
The total distance is 196km over eight days.
I'm keen to volunteer. How do I get involved?
We welcome expressions of interest from interested volunteers from the local community. Applications will be assessed on a case by case basis. Please send your details through to volunteer@bicyclenetwork.com.au
How many tickets are available?
Bookings are capped at 120 guests.
When are balance payments due?
Deposits:
$1000 to secure your spot (available until 5pm Sunday 7 January 2024)
Final payments:
Balance payments are due 5pm Friday 2 February 2024
Balance payments not received by this date will be deemed incomplete and Bicycle Network reserves the right to cancel the event participant’s booking.
Getting there
Guests should aim to arrive in Darwin before 2pm on the Saturday. This will allow plenty of time for hotel transfer, check-in and bike set-up.
Darwin Transport – Airport shuttle
Arrival
Bicycle Network will be providing a complimentary shuttle from Darwin Airport to H on Smith at set times on Saturday (arrival day) for riders who have informed us of their flights on that day.
Friday 28 June – Darwin Airport to H on Smith Hotel
- Boarding: from 6:15pm
- Departure: 6:45pm
Saturday 29 June – Darwin Airport to H on Smith Hotel
- Boarding: from 1:00pm
- Departure: 1:30pm
If your flight arrives outside of these times, please look into making your own way to the hotel. Additional airport shuttles and taxi services are also available.
Departure
Bicycle Network will be providing a complimentary shuttle from H on Smith to Darwin Airport at set times on Saturday (departure day) for riders who have informed us of their flights on that day.
Saturday 6 July – H on Smith to Darwin Airport
- Boarding: from 10:00am
- Departure: 10:15am
If your flight arrives outside of these times, please look into making your own way to the hotel. Additional airport shuttles and taxi services are also available.
Bike transport
Bicycle Network can transport your bike to Darwin and back in at no extra cost. Your bike must be in a bike bag, box or wrapped, and the Bicycle Network team will help you reassemble your bike in Darwin.
Location: Bicycle Network Workshop – 11 Hawthorn Ave, Sunshine North VIC
Drop off dates: 9am-12pm, Wednesday 19 June & Saturday 22 June
Pick up dates: 9am-12pm, Saturday 13 July & Wednesday 17 July
Flying with a bike
With a little bit of planning, flying with a bike doesn’t need to be an overwhelming, or expensive, option.
Most airlines will allow you to travel with your bike for handling fee. Each carrier has its own rules and pricing structure, which can change with little notice, so it’s best to confirm the latest charges directly with the airlines before purchasing a ticket.
All airlines require your bike to be boxed or bagged – learn more below.
Bike hire
Rent a bike and have it waiting for you in Darwin!
Our friends at Rent My Bike Australia offer premium bike rentals in commuters, mountain bikes, road bikes and E-bikes.
Learn moreWhat to pack
Packing list
The weather in the NT in June can be both cold and hot. We recommend being prepared for all weather conditions and using layers of clothing so you can easily dress up or down as the weather changes.
Here’s a list of the essentials:
- Riding gear (consider all conditions)
- Helmet
- Bike lights
- Water bottles x 2
- Bike lock
- Spare tubes, repair kit, bike tools
- Gloves
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Swimwear
- Swimming towel
- Small day pack – for change of clothes on swimming days
- Neat casual clothing for evening meals and non-riding activities
- A torch (you will need this for the descent at Mount Ubirr).
- E-bike riders – please bring the key to remove your battery from the bike.
Packing your bike
You can normally scrounge a cardboard bike box from your bike shop, and for a fee, they may also pack it for you.
The standard way of packing for a bike box is to remove the front wheel and pedals, drop the seat post down (or remove it), loosen the handlebar and turn it parallel to the frame, and take some of the air pressure out of the tyres.
A spacer to go between the front forks is a good idea (ask your bike shop for one) and be sure to cover or pad the bottom of the forks. Also consider using bubble wrap or foam pipe on vulnerable parts of your frame, cable ties to secure detached items to the frame and plenty of packing tape to keep everything secure.
Remember to:
- Place any loose accessories into a bag then place in the box
- Seal the box and label with your name and phone number
- Ensure no part of the bike is protruding from the box
- Take photos of your bike in the box for records in case of damage
- Pack some tools for reassembly, but don’t worry too much as we’ll have a team members on hand to help.
Riding on event
Road and route
We’ll be there to support you along every kilometre. On some days, guests will travel on buses from the hotel to a location to start riding. We’ll start together, with a big cheer!
Luggage will be transported on buses each day. We recommend guests carry a day pack with them when riding including; water, Bike pump, Spare tube(s), Warm/Rain layer, Sunscreen and any other essential items (e.g. medication, etc). There will be signage, rest areas, nutrition, water and mechanics along the route. And, if it all gets a bit too much, give us a call and we’ll come pick you up and bring you back to the accommodation.
Each day, the riding route will have an official close time. Times will be based on a slowest riding time of 15km/h, plus plenty of time to stop for photos and admire the scenery. The times will have you back at the accommodation ready for activities and evening meals. It also allows the Bicycle Network team to pack down and set up the following day, plus enjoy the evening with you.
Road conditions
The ride will mostly be on bitumen. There will be the odd bit of dirt as you enter/exit a rest areas or should you wish to venture off the route for some extra site seeing.
Keep in mind the surface is likely to be very course and the edges of the road can be a little uneven. We recommend bringing any bike that you feel comfortable on for riding 100km+. If you have a road bike, we suggest using wider tires of around 28mm for the best riding experience. It would be ideal to carry one or two spare tubes with you each day.
Our mechanics will be available at the rest sites to help you out as much as possible, however stock and resources will be limited.
On-event bike transport
Some days on event we will be transporting your bikes to the start location. All bikes will need to be packed onto the trucks between 5:00pm – 6:00pm the previous night as we head off early each morning and bike loading will not be possible. Your luggage will be packed on the buses each morning as you hop on the bus.
Bikes do not need to be packed away in boxes during the event. We will assist with packing the bikes each night.
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