For Reece Jones, taking over Tropical Trike Tours wasn’t just a business move, it was the realisation of a childhood dream.
A true petrol head with a lifelong love of motorbikes and classic American muscle cars, Reece grew up dreaming of open roads, roaring engines, and the freedom that comes with the ride. So when he and his wife Aviv bought Tropical Trike Tours in April 2025, it marked a full-circle moment, years of passion and planning finally coming together.
The couple had visited Port Douglas every year for more than two decades, ever since Reece’s father moved here in 1997. Each visit only deepened their love for the region.
“I’ve wanted to do something like this since I was a kid,” Reece says. “We’ve been coming to Port Douglas for more than 20 years,” Reece says. “And every time I’d think, ‘One day, I’ll do something here with bikes.’ Now we’re here, and it feels like the stars have lined up.”
"I like to show off where we live, and make sure they’re having a bloody good time doing it.”
Before the trikes, Reece ran a successful trucking company in New Zealand. But after more than a decade in the industry, he was ready to slow down and reconnect with what made him feel alive.
That spark reignited over drinks one night when a mate, Laurie, casually described his job doing trike tours as “getting paid to ride a dream”. That was it, Reece was sold. He reached out to the previous owner, and not long after, he was leading tours through his favourite place on Earth. Laurie, now part of the team, is still out there too, sharing the ride with visitors and helping keep the dream rolling.
With Reece at the handlebars, guests aren’t just sightseeing — they are connecting. Easygoing and passionate, he makes everyone feel like a mate. “I’m not here to give a rehearsed tour,” he says. “I want people to feel the place, to get a sense of the stories, the history, the vibe of Port Douglas. Basically, I like to show off where we live, and make sure they’re having a bloody good time doing it.”
One of the biggest drawcards is The Gangsta, a custom-built V8 trike believed to be the only one of its kind in Australia approved for tourism.
Reece found the beast in Perth and rode it more than 5,000km across the country to bring it home to Port Douglas. The trip wasn’t smooth sailing, bad fuel and a water crossing near Windorah seized the engine and turned the trip into a full-on saga. But Reece stuck with it. Today, The Gangsta is the crown jewel of the fleet. “It’s a beast,” Reece grins. “The sound, the size, people love it.”
Tropical Trike Tours offers a mix of experiences, from quick town loops and coastal runs to Ellis Beach, to rainforest escapes to Mossman Gorge, and custom trips to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures or Daintree Village. Guests can even book a “Surprise Me Tour” where Reece tailors the ride based on the day and the mood, croc sightings included, if luck’s on your side.
They even offer airport pickups and drop-offs, turning your arrival or departure into a rockstar moment, with luggage towed behind in one of their custom-built trailers.
But for Reece, it’s never just about the ride. “We tell people the stories of Port Douglas,” he says. “The local history, the culture, the little secrets.” What he loves most is showing off his favourite place in the world. From the coastline to the rainforest, sharing the beauty of the region never gets old.
Reece never tires of the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive. “That moment you round the bend at Pebbly Beach and the ocean comes into view, it gets me every time,” he says. “And watching people’s faces light up when we cruise that coast road, you just know you’ve given them a memory they’ll never forget. Riding a trike in the tropics with the wind in your face and the scent of fresh air all around. Passengers hop off with huge smiles, it’s the best feeling.”
“The best part of my job? That it doesn’t feel like a job,” he laughs. “Most of the time, it feels like you're just hanging out with mates. We’ve enjoyed every person we’ve had on the trikes, some even give us a hug at the end.”
“Every ride is different,” Reece says. “Every person brings something new. I just love it. This is me.”
To learn more or to book a tour, click here.