Savannah Motorcycle Tours

ABOUT OUR CREW

We live and breathe motorcycle adventures.

Andrew Porta
Andrew is a Cairns local and an owner of Portas Bikes and Power, a Cairns motorcycle and power equipment shop. Growing up on a cane farm and cattle property, Andrew has always loved motorcycles. From riding to working on them, he enjoys it all.

He has participated in some competitive events - the Finke Desert race (2 ½ times) and gaining a QLD offroad enduro title in the Clubman class, as well as local races and pony express events. He also holds his own event, the Tully Grass Track, each year on his family property to promote and foster the love of riding in his local area. Andrew is a bike collector and loves to restore old motorcycles to their former glory.

When not working or playing on motorcycles, Andrew loves fishing either out the reef or on his family property.

Eric
Eric has spent a lifetime being passionate about all things motorbikes. He started riding dirt bikes at age 4 in and around Cairns before moving to Brisbane in his late teens.

His achievements include: 5th in the Australian Supercross Championship, 1st North Queensland Championship, 3rd Queensland Road Racing Championship and he holds the current record at Willowbank Raceway for the fastest lap time.

Eric recently returned to Cairns excited to share his love of bikes and knowledge of Far North Queensland and all its natural beauty.

If he is not riding, you will find him fishing on the Great Barrier Reef or watching various Outback Adventure YouTube channels looking for inspiration for new places to explore.

A Taste of the Tablelands: 1-Day Motorcycle Tour

Approx 400km

Day 1: Cairns to Tableland Return      

Morning: Depart Cairns at 8am with a group of 3-9 riders on Honda Transalps.
Mid-Morning: Ride through the winding Gillies Range Road, experiencing its 263 turns and stunning rainforest scenery.
Late Morning: Visit Lake Barrine, a natural volcanic crater lake, for a scenic stop with an early lunch before heading out around the back of Lake Tinaroo.
Afternoon: Explore the Curtain Fig Tree, a unique natural landmark, and continue through historic tin mining towns like Herberton, Watsonville, and Irvinebank. Stop at Australia's only BYO Pub and if you're lucky a chat to the legendary publican and visit Mont Albion, a historical cemetery dating back to 1800's.
Tour ends approx. 5pm
There is so much to offer in the Far North Queensland Tablelands and tours may also include destinations such as Mareeba, Kuranda, Malanda and Yungaburra to name a few. If you have a particular area of interest, please let us know.

The 1 day tour itineraries can change due to weather and other unforseen circumstances.

Savannah Overnighter: 2-Day Adventure Motorcycle Tour Approx 750km

Day 1: Cairns to Chillagoe

Morning: Depart Cairns with a group of 3-9 riders on Honda Transalps.
Mid-Morning: Ride through the winding Gillies Range Road, experiencing its 263 turns and stunning rainforest scenery.
Late Morning: Visit Lake Barrine, a natural volcanic crater lake, for a scenic stop with an early lunch.
Afternoon: Explore the Curtain Fig Tree, a unique natural landmark, and continue through historic tin mining towns like Herberton, Watsonville, and Irvinebank. Stop at Australia's only BYO Pub and if you're lucky a chat to the legendary publican.
Late Afternoon: Arrive in Chillagoe and visit the mineral smelters for a look at early 20th-century mineral smelting technology.
Night: Check into Chillagoe Observatory and Eco Lodge for a comfortable overnight stay. Enjoy a well-deserved meal and cold beer and relax under the stars. For those who choose, you can also participate in a fun and educational night star gazing. With its expansive clear, dark skies, you can wonder at the spectacle of the Milky Way with its multitudes of stars thru the telescope in a purpose-built dome (for additional cost).

Day 2: Chillagoe to Cairns

Morning: Breakfast at the lodge followed by a guided 1-hour tour of Chillagoe Caves, exploring the fascinating limestone formations.
Late Morning: Visit Balancing Rock, a short distance from Chillagoe.
Midday: Ride towards Dimbulah for a hearty lunch.
Afternoon: Experience an exhilarating off-road ride to Mt Mulligan, site of Queensland's largest industrial disaster and a deserted ex-mining town.
Late Afternoon: Begin the journey back to Cairns via the Kuranda Range, enjoying the scenic route and reflecting on the adventure. Arrive back in Cairns in time for happy hour.
This itinerary is designed for motorcycle enthusiasts looking to explore the rugged landscapes and historical sites of Far North Queensland in a unique and adventurous way. The tour provides a blend of scenic riding, cultural insights, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a memorable experience for all participants.

Cooktown to Maytown Discovery: 2-Day Adventure Motorcycle TourDay 1: Cairns to Cooktown

Morning: Depart Cairns early around 7:00 AM to make the most of your day.
Ride to Black Mountain, about a 1-hour drive from Cairns. Enjoy the views and take some photos along scenic Rainforest and forestry trails

Late Morning: Ride to Mossman, Daintree and Bloomfield track and Wujal Wujal Falls.
Continue on the Bloomfield Track towards Bloomfield (Wujal Wujal) Falls. The drive from Black Mountain to the falls is approximately 1.5 hours. Allow time for some off-road riding and to reach the falls and admire the Daintree Rainforest ride along the way which is the oldest rainforest on Earth ten millions older than the Amazon Rainforest.

Midday: Explore Bloomfield Falls.
Spend some time at the falls, taking in the beautiful scenery. There are several viewpoints and short walks around the falls.

Lunch: Lions Den Hotel.
After visiting Bloomfield Falls, head to the Lions Den Hotel for lunch (approx. 1.5 hours from Bloomfield Falls). Enjoy a hearty meal and the historic ambiance of this iconic pub.

Afternoon: Ride to Cooktown
From the Lions Den Hotel, drive to Cooktown (approx. 1.5 hours). This leg of the journey is scenic and easier compared to the off-road section.

Evening: Arrive in Cooktown
Check into your accommodation. Enjoy dinner at a local hotel, and kick your boots off and relax after a day of adventure.

Day 2: Cooktown to Cairns

Morning: Explore Cooktown.
Visit local attractions such as Grassy Hill for panoramic views or the Cooktown History Centre (approx. 1-2 hours).

Late Morning: Ride to Palmer River. Depart Cooktown and head towards Palmer River (approx. 2 hours). Take in the scenic and historical aspects of the region.
Lunch: Palmer River before heading to Maytown.
Continue to Maytown (approx. 1.5 hours). Enjoying this iconic gold mining settlement in this historic gold mining town and iconic place for Cape York travellers

Afternoon: Ride back to Cairns via Mt Carbine.
From Maytown, head to Mt Carbine and back along the coast road back to Cairns. Enjoy the coastal views along the way.

Late Afternoon: Complete your journey back to Cairns. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy a cold beer back at HQ.

The Best of the West: 4-Day Motorcycle Tour

Approx 1600km

Day 1: Cairns to Chillagoe

Morning: Depart Cairns with a group of 3-9 riders on Honda Transalps.
Mid-Morning: Ride through the winding Gillies Range Road, experiencing its 263 turns and stunning rainforest scenery.
Late Morning: Visit Lake Barrine, a natural volcanic crater lake, for a scenic stop with an early lunch.
Afternoon: Explore the Curtain Fig Tree, a unique natural landmark, and continue through historic tin mining towns like Herberton, Watsonville, and Irvinebank. Stop at Australia's only BYO Pub and if you're lucky a chat to the legendary publican.
Late Afternoon: Arrive in Chillagoe and visit the mineral smelters for a look at early 20th-century mineral smelting technology.
Night: Check into Chillagoe Observatory and Eco Lodge for a comfortable overnight stay. Enjoy a well-deserved meal and cold beer and relax under the stars. For those who choose, you can also participate in a fun and educational night star gazing. With Chillagoes expansive clear, dark skies, you can wonder at the spectacle of the Milky Way with its multitudes of stars thru the telescope in a purpose-built dome (additional cost).

Day 2: Chillagoe to Forsayth

Morning: Breakfast at the lodge followed by a guided 1-hour tour of Chillagoe Caves, exploring the fascinating limestone formations and nearby Balancing Rock. Alternatively, if you're a Ford enthusiast, speak to the guys about visiting the Ford Museum.
Late Morning: Depart Chillagoe heading further west towards Tate and Lynd River and the mineral rich natural thermal waters of Talaroo Hot Springs.
Afternoon: Travelling thru Georgetown with its rich mining history and natural beauty keep your eyes peeled for gemstones. Later we'll arrive at Charleston Dam, anyone for a quick swim or try your luck catching a Barra?
Late Afternoon: Arriving in Forsayth, established during the late 1800s gold rush, we check into The Goldfields Hotel where dinner tonight is in Finnagans Restaurant.

Day 3: Forsayth to Undara

Morning: Today we head to Gilberton, then Kidston before getting to the Copperfield River Crossing.
Afternoon: Arriving at Einasleigh's Copperfield Gorge, keep a look out for rock pools and small waterfalls and the wildlife that come down to cool off.
Late Afternoon: Travel towards Mt Surprise.
Evening: Arrive in Undara, one of the longest and best-preserved lava tube systems in the world. These tubes were formed approximately 190,000 years ago when lava flowed from the Undara volcanic vent, creating tunnels that extend for kilometers underground. Accommodation tonight at the Undara Lava Tubes.

Day 4: Undara to Cairns

Morning: Leaving Undara we head to the serene Valley of Lagoons.
Late Morning: Reedy Brook - Saltern Lagoon and onto Mt Garnet.
Midday: Ravenshoe, Australia's highest town where we'll stop for lunch.
Afternoon: Riding into Innot Hot Springs, the chance to ease the weary saddle bones in the therapeutic thermal waters.
Late Afternoon: Arrive back in Cairns, concluding the tour with a sense of accomplishment and adventure and a cold beer of course.
This itinerary is designed for motorcycle enthusiasts looking to explore the rugged landscapes and historical sites of Far North Queensland in a unique and adventurous way. The tour provides a blend of scenic riding, cultural insights, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a memorable experience for all participants.

*Tours are subject to change due to weather or other unforseen circumstances.

Licence Requirement: Open unrestricted or learners permit

Bike types: Honda 750 Transalp (we also have a few Honda CRF300 Rally available for L plate riders licened to ride 300cc)

Max:  9 pax 

Min:  1-2 Day tours Min 3 pax

4 Day tours Min 4 pax

Riders to supply own gear: Helmet, Gloves, Motorcycle Boots, Goggles, Jersey and/or Jacket, Nylons, Hydration Backpack - minimum 2L.     

Alternatively, you can hire out riding gear (jacket, boots, helmet, pants and shirt) for $250 per day.