The 59-year-old man, from Glenbrook in Sydney, and his son were riding their motorcycles about 10.30am Saturday on Swampy Plains Creek Road, off the Alpine Way.

The father’s death was one of 18 recorded on Australian roads over the holiday period since midnight last Monday night.

The older rider lost control on a sweeping bend, crashed into a rock face and was thrown from his bike.

The son, 27, attempted first-aid but his father died at the scene.

Albury Insp David Cottee said the two men had been touring the region on their motorcycles and both were in full protective clothing.

There was no indication at this stage of what caused the crash, he said.

“They were travelling at the speed limit and keeping in touch with each other on the Bluetooth, when suddenly he has lost control on this sweeping bend,” Insp Cottee said.

The son was taken to the Corryong hospital to be treated for shock.

“Obviously you have to feel for the son, who has witnessed his father die after administering first-aid,” Insp Cottee said.

“We also thank those who attended the scene while waiting for emergency services to arrive, given it is quite a remote area.”

The national Christmas road toll reached 18 after a cyclist, 21, died in Tasmania after he collided with a utility on the West Tamar Highway in Launceston yesterday morning.

Also in Tasmania, a German woman tourist, 18, was killed on Friday when a vehicle rolled in the remote Leven Canyon area.

Half the deaths nationally were in NSW, despite a police enforcement campaign against drink driving and speed.

In two of the worst offences, a man at Liverpool was charged after allegedly returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.219 while another was found driving 117km/h in a 60km/h zone at Rozelle.

NSW Police highway patrol Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said simple safety messages were being ignored.

“Drivers taking unnecessary risks on the roads should remember that there is no such thing as breaking the road rules ‘safely’,” he said.