The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Departures
For the team at Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, it’s not just about riding a motorcycle, it’s about reconnecting with your confidence, your joy, and your adventurous spirit. Photographer: Grant Kitto.
Why adventures are essential for the soul
Briefly …
Cape York Motorcycle Adventures offers award-winning, eco-responsible rides through one of Australia’s last great frontiers, giving solo travellers the freedom to explore our limits with expert support. For many, the journey becomes a reset and a powerful reminder that adventure restores confidence, clarity, and the soul.
Founded in 1990 by Roy and Renae Kunda, Cape York Motorcycle Adventures is based in Cairns, Far North Queensland, at the very edge of Australia’s last true frontier. Since 1990, Roy and Renae have been guiding riders through one of the world’s most rugged, remote and culturally rich landscapes – from rainforest to reef, from river crossings to red-dirt tracks, all the way to the iconic Tip of Australia.
“We’re the pioneers of off-road motorcycle tourism in Cape York,” Renae proudly tells The Solo Traveller, “and the only operator with over 35 years of continuous experience riding, exploring and protecting this region. Cape York is our single biggest inspiration. It’s a vast and ancient landscape, stories shared with us by the Traditional Owners, and the resilience of the people who call this place home remind us daily why we protect and respect this region so fiercely.”
“We’re also inspired by the travellers who come to ride with us, because everyone has a story and a reason for taking on this adventure. It’s really inspiring to hear the varied stories. We especially love those who arrive nervous and leave unstoppable. Their courage reminds us why adventures are essential for the soul.”
One of our guides, Jordan, supporting one of our guests as she navigates a safe crossing of the river. Photographer: Grant Kitto.
With a passion for eco-responsible adventure tourism and the protection of Cape York’s fragile environments, in 2006 Cape York Motorcycle Adventures became the world’s first eco-certified motorcycle tour company – a commitment that the team have proudly upheld ever since. “Every tour follows strict environmental guidelines, supports local communities, and helps preserve the unique ecosystems and cultural sites that make Cape York extraordinary.”
“Our tours are purpose-built for travellers who want to arrive alone and leave with a crew of new mates. From the moment you jump on a brand-new, expertly maintained bike, everything is taken care of – flights, accommodation, beachfront cabins, campfire-prepared meals, national park permits, and a support team who know every bend and bulldust patch by heart.”
The Cape York Motorcycle Adventures support vehicle and our beautiful camping locations. Photographer: Grant Kitto.
“Solo travellers have the freedom to ride their own adventure, with the comfort of knowing our expert guides, remote area first aid responders, and support vehicles are with you the entire way. Whether it’s conquering the legendary Old Telegraph Track or watching sunrise from a secret spot only we have access to, every day offers a personal milestone waiting to happen. Our team’s commitment to creating these transformative experiences was recently recognised when we won the Gold Adventure Tourism Award at the Queensland Tourism Awards on 14 November 2025. It was a proud moment for all of us – a celebration of more than three decades of pioneering, safe, and unforgettable adventure in Cape York.”
As solo travellers, we celebrate freedom and the space to follow our own rhythms, trust our instincts, and step out of our comfort zones, and for many of us, the decision to go on a true adventure can mark a turning point in our lives. For Renae, travelling solo is “a declaration of independence, courage, and curiosity. We’ve seen time and again that when someone steps into the unknown alone, especially in a place as raw and powerful as Cape York, they rediscover parts of themselves they didn’t even realise they’d lost. Creating an environment where solo travellers feel supported, capable, and welcomed is at the heart of what we do. It’s not just about riding a motorcycle, it’s about reconnecting with your confidence, your joy, and your adventurous spirit.”
“Creating an environment where solo travellers feel supported, capable, and welcomed is at the heart of what we do. It’s not just about riding a motorcycle, it’s about reconnecting with your confidence, your joy, and your adventurous spirit.”
Just one of the character-building challenges that Cape York has to offer. Photographer: Grant Kitto.
“One rider came to us after a difficult period in his life. He was self-employed and burnt out, unsure of himself, and travelling solo to ‘clear his head’. On the second day, after navigating one of the more challenging creek crossings, he took off his helmet and simply burst into laughter. Not relief, just pure exhilaration.”
“There’s something about those moments, when the track demands your full attention, when the splash of cold water shocks your senses, when your heart kicks a little harder, that strips everything else away. The fear of mortality, in its smallest, most honest form, has a way of clearing out the noise. Suddenly, the worries waiting at home don’t matter. You’re just alive, present, and utterly connected to what’s in front of you. By the end of the tour, he told us he’d rediscovered something he thought he’d lost forever – his confidence. He left the Tip of Australia with new lifelong friends and a renewed belief in what he was capable of. Stories like his are why we do what we do.”
Achieving the iconic photo that marks a ‘bucket list’ item complete. Photographer: Grant Kitto.
The Cape York riding season runs from May to October, when the weather is dry, the tracks are open, the river levels are perfect, and the landscapes are at their most breathtaking. “This window offers the safest, most enjoyable, and most accessible conditions for riders, who want to experience the region at its absolute best.”
Kicking up the red dust of Cape York is a rider’s dream. Photographer: Grant Kitto.
One of the greatest gifts from the experience is to learn that adventure doesn’t have an age limit, a fitness requirement, or a personality type. “You don’t need to be the fastest or the most experienced rider. You just need a willingness to show up, breathe in the wild air, and let Cape York do what it does best – challenge and change you.”
Renae’s top 3 tips for solo travelling success
1. Trust your instincts and trust your preparation. Confidence grows from knowing you’re capable, mentally and physically.
2. Choose operators who genuinely care about safety and community. Look for licensed, insured, eco-certified businesses with strong local connections.
3. Say ‘Yes’ more often. Say ‘Yes’ then figure it out later. The best things happen on the other side of fear! Step outside your comfort zone.