Ride & Seek is proud to announce the next evolution of its epic 1,300-mile tour through Australia in 2027, incorporating 60,000 years of First Nations history into the 19th-century exploration route it follows. Retracing the geological expedition of Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki, the tour crosses the rugged landscape of the Great Dividing Range from Sydney to Melbourne, then continues on to the island of Tasmania. In 2027, it will also honor the Aboriginal guides whose knowledge enabled Strzelecki’s survival.
“The route of our Strzelecki tour remains inspired by the explorer’s travels, but we’re reframing it in order to deepen its connection to the Aboriginal heritage of the landscape,” said Dylan Reynolds, founder of Ride & Seek. “This new version of the tour seeks not just to explore that landscape, but to more fully integrate Indigenous perspectives into the journey. In doing so, we hope to enrich our guests’ experience and redefine modern adventure travel in Australia.”
In his explorations, Strzelecki covered more than 7,000 miles in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, becoming the first European to discover gold and silver in Australia and to climb the country’s highest peak, naming it Mount Kosciuszko after the famous Polish freedom fighter. Nearing Melbourne on the edge of starvation in 1840, the party was saved by the knowledge and hunting ability of its two Aboriginal guides, Charlie Tara and Jackey.
Divided into three stages, the Strzelecki tour travels from Sydney to Melbourne, then crosses the Bass Strait to Tasmania. Highlights include:
Sydney to Albury (Dharawal Country to Wiradjuri Country): Starting from Sydney’s Bondi Beach, follow the Pacific Coast to Wollongong, turn inland through the rolling countryside to Canberra and its Parliament House, then climb the breathtaking Snowy Mountains to Mount Kosciuszko National Park and navigate picturesque rural landscapes down to historic Albury.
Albury to Melbourne (Wiradjuri Country to Wurundjeri Country): From Albury, head into bushranger country and along the Murray River, then back into the mountains to summit Mount Hotham on Australia’s highest sealed road and descend to the Southern Ocean coast and the fern-filled Yarra Ranges on the way to bike-friendly Melbourne.
Melbourne to Hobart, Tasmania (Wurundjeri Country to Nipaluna Country, Lutruwita): After taking an overnight ferry from Melbourne to Devonport, explore the mountainous heights and rainforests on the west side of Tasmania, then arrive at the finish in Hobart, Australia’s second-oldest capital.
During the tour, guests will enjoy hotels set in stunning locations, meals featuring local produce and wine from vines that parallel the route, and wildlife sightings like vibrant birds, kangaroos and wombats.
In honor of Strzelecki’s Aboriginal guides and the ancient First Nations heritage found along the route, several cultural experiences have been incorporated into the tour, including opportunities to engage with elders from the oldest living culture in the world, a “Welcome to Country” ceremony, and traditional yidaki (didgeridoo) and dance performances. Guests will also carry a message stick specially created for the tour with them. Message sticks with intricate symbols etched on them were often used for long-distance communication between Aboriginal nations.
The tour includes all accommodations, all breakfasts, most dinners and lunches, nutrition for rides, Ride & Seek kit and water bottle, GPS with preloaded routes and knowledgeable guides.
