Hi there --

My husband and I brought our big, heavy tandem with us all the way from the U.S. to the Baleares to ride around the islands of Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. We took the ferry from Barcelona to the islands. When you are flying on international flights, they aren't supposed to charge you for bicycles in boxes. I'm not sure which airline you are flying on, and the rules may well have changed since we did that, but I am wondering if you really want to buy your bikes in Australia rather than taking your own with you?

Glee

Nothing is cheap in Australia! I think the cost of shipping your bike is going to be far cheaper than buying even a 2nd hand bike here. Even buying a decent 2nd hand bike in Mallorca, bringing it to Oz, and then selling it before you go should be considered. You could even profit from this. Have a look at ebay.au to get an idea of what Ozzie prices are like. Some airlines do allow for a bike (eg Qantas). We now use folding bikes to make life a little cheaper, but I realize how you would want a more serious machine under you when crossing a continent. cheers and good luck, Rob

Nothing is cheap in Australia! I think the cost of shipping your bike is going to be far cheaper than buying even a 2nd hand bike here. Even buying a decent 2nd hand bike in Mallorca, bringing it to Oz, and then selling it before you go should be considered. You could even profit from this. Have a look at ebay.au to get an idea of what Ozzie prices are like. Some airlines do allow for a bike (eg Qantas). We now use folding bikes to make life a little cheaper, but I realize how you would want a more serious machine under you when crossing a continent. cheers and good luck, Rob

Hi there; here are a couple of sites you may wish to check, and maybe comment on for more information on this:

http://www.bv.com.au/forums/index.php
This is Bicycle Victoria, there is a buy and sell, general and also touring section.

http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/index.php?sid=eaa0591efb9b14ff26449253...
This is Bicycles Network Australia with similar sections.

Most people touring here bring their own bikes with them to Australia, in a bike box. That is discarded, and when they leave they get another for free from a bike shop, or at the airport for $20 - it may be worth looking into this in more detail. Feel free to ask questions on the forums above - people are really helpful and friendly.

If you are planning to camp, and carry panniers, you will also have to set up racks etc. That will be an extra cost on a 2nd hand bike. If you are planning a lot of distance, then you will need to find bikes close to the right size for you - another limitation.

Mira yo acabo de llegar de dos anos de tour en Aussie y NZ y es muy barato volar la bici con Air New Zealand o Air Asia que es es vuelo mas barato que vi. No me acuerdo cuanto por la bici pero no mucho y el vuelo desde Christchurch, New Zealand a Paris fue 800 dollares New Zealandeses.
V ale la pena que chekes por sino has comprado boleto ahun.
Suerte y dusfruta, tienes que hacer Great Ocean Road y los Grampians que es un bosque con unas vistas increibles especialmente la ruta en si y el cielo de noche.

We fly out of perth many times with the bikes to the other side of the world, but pick the right ailrline.
Forget Qantas
Emirates allows 30Kg per person plus 7kg carry on.

Air Asia now fly out of Paris and London, and you can pay for the bike and extra luggage ahead of time.
Both allow to combine weight if traveling together
Don't forget to put as much as possible in your pockets and carry a jacket over your shoulder.

We've used both and just follow the weight rules and all is good.
Forget about buying the bike in Oz, its too dear. We get our stuff out of the UK online

Hi, we always take our own bikes, we have toured in Europe the last two summers. We fly Emirates allows 30Kg per person plus 7kg carry on. so we take bikes and camping gear in that allowance. Be wary of Air Asia, when booking make sure that you book sporting equipment and not just luggage its two separate things. Come to Tasmania great cycling.

Second hand bikes are cheap almost everywhere, even Australia. The problem that you will have is that only a small fraction of bikes are suitable for a cross-Australia trip. I assume that you have looked at the map and the distances between towns? I assume that you understand that you will have to carry food, water, tents, spares etc.? In several places it is 80-100km between towns, and hundreds of kilometers between bike shops.

Reliable touring bikes do not appear very often on the second hand market. Your best bet will be a MTB with only front suspension but then you will find it difficult to fit a front rack. It might be possible to find a MTB without suspension. Then you will have to add racks, more suitable tyres, at least two water bottle carriers, lights and a pump.

If I was in your position I would seriously consider bringing a bike with you, even if you have to leave it in Australia when you depart. You can sell it second hand which will probably cover the cost of the extra baggage fee. As someone pointed out, be careful about which airline, as there is a HUGE different in luggage allowance and costs.

We have taken bikes to Europe for touring and often choose Emirates because of their better luggage allowance but that will only work for some Australian destinations.