Go Over For Bike Tour Down Under

Q. I am traveling to Australia in February. Do you know of any bicycle touring companies there, including Tasmania?

A. Advances in cycle technology have brought cycling, both as a racing sport and as an active pastime, back to prominence in Australia over the past decade, according to the Australian Tourist Commission.

Judging from the number of touring clubs, special events and operators, Australia is something of a cyclist’s nirvana.

Victoria and New South Wales, with their larger populations and more extensive road networks, are the most active cycling states. But Tasmania, with rich agricultural country and historic country houses, is an active cycling state, too.

For the individual planning a tour, the commission recommends “Cycling Around Sydney,” published by the Bicycle Institute of New South Wales, P.O. Box 272, Sydney, New South Wales 2001, Australia. The institute has a number of other books available, too.

The following organize and sell tours:

Centennial Park Cycles, 50 Clovelly Road Randwick, New South Wales 2000, Australia.

Mount ‘N’ Beach Safaris, 1 Plunkett Street, Naremburn, New South Wales 2065, Australia.

Youth Hostel Association, P.O. Box 5276, Sydney, New South Wales 2001, Australia.

Paddy Pallin Kosciusko Adventures, Snowline Caravan Park, Kosciusko Road, Jindabyne, New South Wales 2627, Australia.

Fact sheets and brochures about cycling in Australia can be obtained from the Australian Tourist Commission, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, Calif. 90067; (310) 552-1988, fax (310) 552-1215.

Q. I will be spending a week in Toronto in April. How can I obtain theater information for that time so I can buy tickets in advance?

A. There is no single published list of Toronto’s 44 theaters, according to the Metropolitan Toronto Convention and Visitors Association, which adds that one of its travel counselors would be able to tell you about individual theaters over the phone.

Productions that are running now include “The Phantom of the Opera” at Pantages Theater, (416) 872-2222; “Forever Plaid” at The New Yorker Theater, (416) 872-1111; and “Sunset Boulevard” at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, (416) 872-2222.

By Feb. 1 a travel counselor will have information about April productions.

At this point, they include “Three Tall Women,” by Edward Albee, due at the Royal Alexander Theater, (416) 872-1212, from April 9 to May 18; and “A Little Night Music,” by Stephen Sondheim, at the Canadian Stage Company from April 8 to May 11, (416) 368-3110.

The visitor association, which is offering Value Plus Packages until April 30 that include accommodations and entertainment selections, including theaters, can be reached at 207 Queens Quay West, Box 126, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 1A7; (800) 363-1990.

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, QUESTION & ANSWER - Travel Q&A