Singapore cyclist and influencer Tiffany Lau Hei Tung during her ride through the Illawarra. Photos: Supplied.
Singaporean cyclists are now selecting Wollongong as their new cycling tourism destination of choice, thanks to the lasting legacy of Wollongong’s 2022 UCI Road World Championships.
EU Holidays’ cycle tour coordinator Vincent Ang and sponsored cyclist and influencer Tiffany Lau Hei Tung, both from Singapore, were part of a familiarisation tour organised by Destination Wollongong, Destination NSW, EU Holidays and Cycle Tours NSW in May.
Vincent and Tiffany’s trip featured some of the Illawarra and South Coast’s best cycling routes, including riding the 2022 UCI Road World Championships held in Wollongong.
As a result, a Singapore cycling tour group has been booked for November this year, with another already planned for May next year.
Wollongong’s UCI Bike City ambassador and international cyclist Samara Sheppard, who helped host the Singaporean ‘family’, said the experience blew the visitors away.
“We took them on a ride to Mount Kembla and Mount Keira,” Sheppard said.
“Where they are in Singapore, their longest climb is 59 metres. Singapore is flat. So getting to experience that for them was incredible. It was a beautiful day, too, so the view and the descent were amazing.
“We think these things are normal, but descending Mount Kembla and stopping at the Retro Roast Coffee Van to have a coffee in the grass and sitting on tree stumps was super novel for them. It was a great few days.”
She said for her, it was great showing off Wollongong’s variety of riding experiences.
“They really enjoyed following the UCI blue line from Helensburgh to Thirroul and experiencing where that road race went – that was a highlight for them,” she said.
Among the recent Singapore tour group were Fred David from Cycle Tours NSW, UCI Bike City ambassador Samara Sheppard, Singaporean cyclist Tiffany Lau Hei Tung and EU Holidays’ cycle tour coordinator Vincent Ang.
She said they then rode the shared pathway into Wollongong, the highlights being the coastal scenery and watching surfers in action off Bellambi Point.
“During COVID, a lot of people in Singapore bought bikes, and now they are looking for great cycling experiences, which we can offer,” she said.
“This is the terrific legacy of the world championships and another step in Wollongong’s journey as a UCI Bike City.”
Destination Wollongong’s business development manager Tracey Pascoe said the tour itinerary was designed to showcase the Illawarra and South Coast as an easy access point from Sydney.
Ms Pascoe said that after a day in Sydney, the group spent three days in Wollongong, one in Kiama, and the final day in the Southern Highlands.
“It’s showing our region is a safe and beautiful place to cycle in NSW, and they all know the world championship course,” she said.
“These are super keen cyclists who are used to doing over 100 km a day, and Samara and Cycle Tours NSW have been fantastic about showing them where they can go.
“And this is just the start. We’ve just been to the Australian Tourism Exchange in Melbourne for four days and spruiking Wollongong as a destination for cycling among other things.”
She said while Singapore was a niche market for Wollongong, there was potential in attracting those from Europe who were likely to have longer stays in the region.
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