The Great Northern 6 Pack starts in Cairns on Saturday 1 September 2018. The course travels north to Mossman and the Daintree Rainforest, before heading up the Rex Range to Mareeba and Atherton. After some great riding on the Tablelands, head back to finish in Cairns on Thursday 6 September 2018.
Riders tackling the Half Carton (660km) return to Atherton, then start their big ride on Friday 7 September. The Half Carton travels via Innisfail, Tully and Mission Beach to finish in Cairns on Saturday 8 September 2018.
Getting to Cairns – Cairns is readily accessible by air, with both domestic and international terminals located about 6km from the city. The start/finish area on Cairns Pier is about 6km from the airport.
Pre-ride registration and dinner – Pre-ride registration will take place on Friday 30 August 2018 at the start area at the Salt House on the Cairns Pier (Cairns Esplanade) from 4pm until 6.30pm. Participants can collect their information packs and lighting checks will be conducted. Enjoy a pre-ride meal on the foreshore, watch a tropical sunset and have a chance to meet other riders.
Pre-ride accommodation – Pre- and post-ride accommodation is available from the Harbourside Holiday Inn for a discounted rate for Audax riders. This motel is on the Cairns Esplanade and has views to the ocean. It is an easy walk or ride along the esplanade pathways to the city centre. It is 4.5km from the airport and a short ride from the starting location. The Holiday Inn has a restaurant and bar, and a pool with views across the foreshore. Bicycles are permitted in motel rooms and free car parking is available next to the motel for the duration of the event for motel guests (at owners risk). Participants can book pre-ride accommodation directly through Holiday Inn and indicate that they are Audax participants to claim the discounted rate (email –sales.cairns@ihg.com).
Start and finish locations – The Great Northern 6 Pack will start on at the Cairns Pier (Cairns Esplanade) at 6.30am on Saturday 1 September 2018. The 6 Pack and Half Carton will finish at the Holiday Inn (Cairns Esplanade).
Accommodation en-route – Accommodation has been pre-booked in Mossman, Mareeba and Atherton. In each site, there are shared cabins or motel rooms.
Cabin and motel room configurations vary, and will include double beds, single beds and bunks, with two to six riders per room or cabin. Most have shared bathrooms and some have kitchenette facilities. Riders will be allocated to cabins or motel rooms by the Ride Organiser.
Or you can opt to do your own thing and organise your own accommodation in each location.
Overnight accommodation has been pre-booked for Half Carton riders during the 600km in Tully. Riders can opt for pre-ride accommodation in Atherton (Thursday 6 September 2018) or post-ride accommodation at the Holiday Inn in Cairns (Saturday 8 September 2018) while registering, or organise their own pre- and post-ride accommodation.
Gear Transport – Riders’ personal gear will be collected from the Cairns Pier or Holiday Inn, and transported between locations in a vehicle provided by the ride organisers. A limited number of seats are available in vehicles for riders having a day off, or otherwise needing a lift between venues.
Event jersey – Orders have now closed for the event jersey. Jerseys will be available for collection at registration (unless you have opted to have it posted to you). 
Weather – September is normally the most beautiful time of year in Far 
North Queensland. The wet season has finished, the storm season is yet to begin, and the daily temperatures are generally pleasant. Some mornings and evenings on the Tablelands can be a bit cool, but light jumpers and jeans will suffice. Any rain that does fall will be warm, so raincoats are rarely worn. Most riders are comfortable in arm warmers and a gilet, which are stripped off by mid morning . Sunscreen is a must.
Meals – All breakfasts are provided (excluding Saturday 1 September), as well as most evening meals and snacks during rides. (For full details, see “The Rides”). Please note any special dietary requirements while registering.
Gear Storage – Bike boxes and extra luggage that riders do not need during the series can be stored in Cairns. Bring your extra gear to the pre-ride registration area on Friday 30 August 2018, or it can be collected from the Holiday Inn on either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Bike boxes will be returned to the Holiday Inn on Thursday 6 September 2017 (following the Great Northern 6 Pack) and Saturday 8 September 2018 (following the Half Carton).
Safety – Lighting inspections will be undertaken during the pre-ride registration on Friday 30 August 2018 or at the start of each ride. Audax lighting rules and reflective garment rules will be in place for all riders during the series.
Please wear your brightest, most visible cycling kit during the series ! If you’ve got it, flaunt it !
Helmets and bells are compulsory in Queensland for all cyclists. Check the full version of Queensland Road Rules for Cyclists.
Sightseeing options
Cairns has a myriad of possibilities for visitors, including day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Kuranda Village and Skyrail. Extend your trip and enjoy !
Mossman – Visit the beautiful Mossman Gorge, learn about the indigenous cultural heritage, ride through cane fields.
Daintree – Check out the rainforest, taste some tropical fruits, or take a croc spotting cruise.
Mareeba – Go hot air ballooning, visit coffee plantations, see the new wind farm and taste locally grown tropical fruits.
Atherton – Too many amazing options – Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, Tinaroo Dam, the Afghanistan Avenue of Honour, Yungaburra, the Curtain Fig Tree. Ride the country’s best mountain bike trails, ride the Atherton Rail Trail, check out the rainforest, enjoy local coffee, chocolate and tropical fruits.
Anything else ??? We want you to enjoy a relaxed and trouble-free series. Please contact the ride organisers if you have any special requirements or other questions.
Contact us: info@audax6pack.longrides.bike
