Australia is a big country. And one perfectly suited to long-distance bike rides. Whether you're moseying along the coast, through the hinterlands or doing a lap of the whole big island, what you want is a touring bike.

These machines are built for long hauls, with a comfortable riding position, low centre of gravity for easy handling, plenty of storage racks for carrying your gear and a durable frame to handle the wear and tear of constant riding.

The Cannondale T800, manufactured in the U.S., has a long touring pedigree. It's built around a strong aluminium frame with a long wheelbase for good performance and durability. It comes stocked with some nice large wheels and puncture-resistant tyres and is well-equipped with three water bottle mounts plus storage racks. All you need is a long flat road, and there's no shortage of those in the land down under.