Bike and Hike Whitsunday South Molle Island Experience (Bring My Own Bike)

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Ride the only mountain bike trail in the Whitsunday Islands National Park, on South Molle Island, on your own electric mountain bike.

Days

5 hours

Age

12+ (min 155 cm and 45 kg)

Group size

Small group, max 9

Start / finish

Departure point advised (own transport) / South Molle Island and back

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Your own electric mountain bike; return boat from Shute Harbour to South Molle Island

Meals

Snacks and drinks

Route

Map of Bike and Hike Whitsunday South Molle Island Experience (Bring My Own Bike)

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Included experiences

South Molle Island — guided mountain bike trail ride
Mt Jefferys, Spion Kop and Balancing Rock — lookouts
Island cultural sites and wildlife
Sandy Bay — swim and cold drink

Bike and Hike Whitsunday South Molle Island Experience (Bring My Own Bike)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: SHUTE HARBOUR TO SOUTH MOLLE ISLAND

This is the bring-your-own-bike version, so you make your own way with your electric mountain bike to the departure point you're given before the day, usually for an early start around 7:30am. After a safety briefing, a short boat ride crosses from Shute Harbour to South Molle Island, the largest of the Molle group and part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park. The island's trail is the only mountain bike trail inside the national park, and groups are small, with no more than nine riders and your guide carrying a radio to keep everyone in touch.

ON THE TRAIL: THREE LOOKOUTS

The trail flows rather than climbs hard, through open grassland, hoop pine and eucalypt, and your guide sets the pace to suit the group. It leads to three lookouts, with a stop at each for snacks, a drink and photos. Mt Jeffreys is the island's high point at about 200 metres, with views across the Whitsunday group. Spion Kop shares its name with a Boer War battlefield in South Africa. Balancing Rock is the third. Around two and a half to three hours of riding is spread through the day, so there is time to stop, look and catch your breath.

CULTURE AND WILDLIFE ON THE WAY

Along the trail your guide points out cultural sites from the island's long history. The Ngaro people lived across these islands for thousands of years, and South Molle holds one of their stone quarries, where fine-grained volcanic rock was worked into axes and tools traded along the coast. Keep watch for the island's wildlife too: sea eagles riding the wind over the headlands, goannas in the leaf litter, and the bright, noisy birds of the dry forest.

MIDDAY: SANDY BAY AND BACK TO THE MAINLAND

The ride finishes at Sandy Bay on the island's south side, where an icy cold drink is waiting. While you wait for the boat you can swim in the bay, so pack swimmers or a stinger suit, which is worth wearing in the warmer months. Then it's back across the water to Shute Harbour, about five hours after you set out.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Bring-your-own-bike riders make their own way, with their bike, to a separate departure point, advised before the tour.
Departure time: Around 7:30am; the time depends on the boat transfer schedule and any change is confirmed 48 hours before your tour.
Duration: 5 hours, with about 2.5 to 3 hours of riding.
Minimum age: 12 years, due to minimum height and weight of 155 cm and 45 kg. Maximum participant weight is 110 kg.
Fitness: This is not a learn-to-ride tour: you must be able to ride a mountain bike on an undulating surface. Tours are graded green to blue to black for experience and fitness, and tailored to the group.
Please note: Closed-toe shoes must be worn on tour and eye protection while riding. Non-electric bring-your-own-bike tours are available on request, with a minimum of 3 guests.

What to bring

Your own electric mountain bike in good working order, with spares and tools (tubes, pump)
Closed-toe shoes
Sun protective clothing, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses or other eye protection
Camera
Light jacket or raincoat on overcast days
Optional swimwear or stinger suit and a small towel
Some cash for extra refreshments — there are no shops where we go

What is included

Return boat transfers to South Molle Island from Shute Harbour Marine Terminal
Safety helmet, gloves and glasses
Safety briefing before departure
Small backpack with a cooler bag of drinks and snacks, and a two-way radio
1 litre+ water bottle and an icy cold drink at the finish
Locally produced snacks
Guide
National park, marine park and local fees

Not included

Bike — you bring your own electric mountain bike, spares and tools
Shuttle bus pick-up and return — you transport yourself and your bike to the departure point

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 22 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

AI summary of 22 reviews

Travellers consistently praise the guides' knowledge of South Molle Island's history, plants and trails, along with their friendliness, clear communication and ability to cater to a wide range of fitness and ability levels. The tour stands out most often for its spectacular scenery, particularly from the island's peaks, the well-maintained electric bikes that make hills manageable, and the seamless organisation of the entire experience including the boat transfer, packed supplies and safety gear. The only caveat is that one traveller experienced a minor incident after slipping off a bike, though this was promptly attended to by the guide.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

My sister and I did the South Molle Island tour and it was great fun. The views were amazing and Dylan was friendly and explained everything clearly.

Natasha Kwiatek Verified· Travelled 15th October 2025

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(5/5)

Huge thanks to Dylan for giving my brother-in-law, visiting from the UK, such an exhilarating e-bike ride on South Molle Island. He saw a side of the Whitsundays most people miss and hasn't stopped raving about it.

Tolita Dukes Verified· Travelled 13th October 2025

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(5/5)

My family and I had an amazing day mountain biking on South Molle Island. Dylan was friendly and made sure we all had a great time, and he patched me up after I slipped off my bike.

Leanne Ballintyne Verified· Travelled 18th August 2025

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(5/5)

The mountain bike tour was well organised with all the gear we needed, and Dylan shared plenty of South Molle Island's history. Our family group had a great day and would do it again.

adrian ballintyne Verified· Travelled 18th August 2025

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(5/5)

An amazing day riding around South Molle with Dylan, who set up each bike for its rider and stopped to point out whales and the tricky spots on the track. With the island mostly to ourselves, the scenery was spectacular.

Ebony Ballintyne Verified· Travelled 16th August 2025

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(5/5)

After doing Dylan's rainforest tour years ago, we came back as a family of seven aged 25 to 60 for the South Molle Island tour. Taking the boat over with our bikes was cool, the packed backpacks and radios were well organised, and Dylan let the stronger riders go ahead while helping the rest.

Dannika Harris Verified· Travelled 16th August 2025

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