Cycle tourism is emerging as one of Australia’s quiet economic powerhouses — and Western Australia is well-placed to benefit.
New data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) highlights just how valuable cycling-related travel has become, with millions of visitors choosing to combine their trips with road riding, mountain biking, rail trails or cycling events.
In 2024 alone, Australia recorded 4.6 million cycling-inclusive trips worth $6 billion. Western Australia captured a strong share of that activity, welcoming 553,000 cycling-related trips that delivered $799 million in visitor expenditure.
For regional operators in particular, the opportunities are significant: seven in ten cycling trips take place outside capital cities, bringing new customers to local businesses year-round.
TRA’s data also shows that cycling visitors are high-value travellers. They stay longer, undertake more activities and spend a larger share of their budget on accommodation, food and drink — providing direct benefits to the tourism and hospitality sector.
Key insights
The data reveals the following key insights:
- There were 533,000 cycling trips in WA in 2024; this equates to 6.2 million nights
- Cycling-related travel generated $799 million in spending across Western Australia
- Compared with average travellers, domestic overnight cycling visitors are more likely to spend on accommodation (36%) and food and drink (34%)
- Domestic day trip cycling visitors are more likely to spend on transportation (31%), food and drink (48%) and entertainment (11%)
- Those visitors who cycle on trips do more activities than average, including eating out, going to the beach, and visiting national or state parks
- Road cycling, mountain biking, and trail riding each peak at different times, helping make WA a year-round destination for cycling enthusiasts
- Seven in 10 cycling trips occur in regional Australia, driving activity outside metro centres
- In 2024, the largest numbers of cycling visitors to Australia came from the UK, New Zealand, China, India and the US
How operators can tap into cycle tourism
As domestic and international interest grows, cycle tourism offers operators in Western Australia a clear opportunity to diversify demand and attract high-value visitors throughout the year.
Here are a few quick ideas:
- Install secure bike parking racks and clearly signpost them
- Offer water refill stations, basic repair kits and pump facilities
- Provide early breakfasts, grab-and-go meals or cyclist-friendly snack packs
- Promote nearby trails, cycling routes and local ride events on your website and socials
- List your venue as “cycling friendly” on key tourism platforms and visitor guides
- Partner with local bike shops, cycling clubs or event organisers to create packages or special offers
- Offer luggage transfer or bag-holding services for multi-day riders
- Provide drying areas for wet gear or a simple “mud-friendly” outdoor seating area
- Create a short cycling-specific page on your website with maps, tips and services you offer
- Consider offering e-bike charging points where feasible
- Develop mid-week or off-season cyclist packages to drive shoulder-period demand
For more information
Read the full report here.