Print Page - Thinking of Riding Around Australia?

General Category => LONG DISTANCE RIDING, Proper preparation, Safety and Tips => Topic started by: Streak on October 14, 2013, 04:48:46 PM

Title: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Streak on October 14, 2013, 04:48:46 PM

Thinking of Riding Around Australia?

You have Ridden Australia?

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd499/ozstoc/RidingAroundAustralia_zps47c69ad3.jpg)

Post your Questions, Thoughts, Tips, Ideas, Suggestions here

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Bikebear on October 14, 2013, 05:02:52 PM

If you're gonna ride the roads highlighted on that map you better be riding an offroad adventure bike for that bit around the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria, that is not an ST friendly road.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Streak on October 14, 2013, 05:15:18 PM

Quote from: Bikebear on October 14, 2013, 05:02:52 PM

If you're gonna ride the roads highlighted on that map you better be riding an offroad adventure bike for that bit around the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria, that is not an ST friendly road.

Lol it's just an image to give people the idea :thumb

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: alans1100 on October 14, 2013, 05:50:31 PM

We've thought about doing this for awhile and over two or three months duration but don't know when yet.

In the past we've done the coastal route from Kingston SA to Sydney and back across to Adelaide via West Wyalong and on another trip we've gone as far as Alice Springs.

On my own I've done around from Adelaide to Pt. Hedland via the coastal route but went via Kalgoorlie rather than Esperance and while at Pt. Hedland I did a ride to Broome. So all I need to do is the route from Broome to Sydney.

Due to prevailing wind conditions I think riding anti clockwise would best. I would tend to stay with the tar when going across QLD so Mount Isa is the way I'd go. With the trailer we are able to camp just about anywhere beside and out of site of the road for free. Money is better in our pocket than someone else's, so why throw it away?

We use roadhouse showers every couple days and we have a portable shower (recycle eski water) as well for use at a camp site and we normally take 3 to 4 days spare of food/water etc and top up at supermarkets along the way. A trip of this length would see us do a similar thing because it works for us.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: StinkyPete on October 14, 2013, 06:01:22 PM

Quote from: Streak on October 14, 2013, 05:15:18 PM

Lol it's just an image to give people the idea :thumb

In early 2015 we plan on going from Adelaide, Tennant Creek, Mt Isa, Townsville, Cooktown and back down the coast and home to Adelaide. This trip will complete a circumnavigation of Oz for three of my travelling companions.

My tip?
Camp on unpowered sites in caravan parks and use the camp kitchens for cooking, shelter when the weather is bad, and for catching up with other travellers. Cooking your own meals will save a fortune.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Sabie on October 14, 2013, 06:21:48 PM

Quote from: Bikebear on October 14, 2013, 05:02:52 PM

If you're gonna ride the roads highlighted on that map you better be riding an offroad adventure bike for that bit around the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria, that is not an ST friendly road.

Yep, you have to go down to Tennant Creek Mt Isa and Townsville to stay on the sealed roads. Or alternatively, you can slip up from Charters Towers through Greenvale and onto cairns.

But one important point, travel anticlockwise as it's shorter....... Why?..... Cause it's the inside lane....

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Brock on October 14, 2013, 09:09:31 PM

Which route do you intend to take, the long or the short???

There is a difference, its not much but it is there.. About 1 or 2 ks I think.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Pocket STocker on October 20, 2013, 08:40:16 PM

We are so watching this space, looking to the future for tips and must see places :-++

Pockey :wink1

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Totgas on December 05, 2013, 10:25:05 PM

Consider the time of the year and when it is safe to travel at night. In the top end "Wet " season can see you stuck for months.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Sabie on December 05, 2013, 11:19:46 PM

Hey, some of us are stuck here 24-7 365.....

Quote from: Totgas on December 05, 2013, 10:25:05 PM

Consider the time of the year and when it is safe to travel at night. In the top end "Wet " season can see you stuck for months.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: West Aussie Glen on December 06, 2013, 01:51:17 AM

I have just done it in stages on my GL1500 Goldwing.
Perth to Victor Harbor (OzSTOC AGM)
Victor Harbor to Sydney (Two up Victor Harbor to Melbourne)
Sydney to Darwin (Two up Cairns to Darwin)
Darwin to Perth
All up about 20,600 kms. This included the kms done at the AGM and about 1,000kms in Sydney.
Have started a write up but need to sit down and finish it.
Happy to answer any detailed questions. Basically stayed as close to the coast as possible and generally keetp to the black top and by passed anything that required travelling both ways on the same road. Major exception to this was going in and out of Darwin.
I planned the entire trip on Basecamp with my Garmin GPS. Happy to make these files available to anybody. Found numerous mistakes with the Garmin maps, guess that is to be expected in 20,000 kms.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Dick B "Yewie" on December 06, 2013, 09:49:11 AM

If you feel like investing in $8.95 in the December issue (Issue 10) of the Australian Motorcyclist you will find a write up of our recent round Australia tour (Starting on page 97).
Also, here is the link to the blog we ran while enroute. www.bushellsbikebashes.com (http://www.bushellsbikebashes.com)
Cheers
Ros and Dick

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: STutter on January 08, 2014, 02:45:22 PM

I just did it in 30 days. Started on Nov 23rd and got back Dec 23rd.

The ODO said it was 15840kms of riding.

I'm doing a write up on it and may sell it as a cheapie eBook for under $10 in a couple of weeks with all the photos I took as well. The below is the ST against one of the medium sized road trains in WA somewhere.

(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k240/Darksaber_2006/comparo_zpse9a04830.png)

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: RGardner on March 23, 2014, 12:54:15 PM

Hi,
Done it in 2012 and doing it again in Aug-Sept this year. Big difference is last time I went anti-clockwise and included an interior loop through Ayers Rock, Mt Isa and Longreach. This time I'm going clockwise and doing some slightly different roads where I can.

I give the bike to Mainfreight in mid-July and follow in late August. I'll put a post out with the proposed itinerary closer to the date to see if any OzStocers want to tag along for any bits along the way.

Here's the 2012 post...

I reside in the cooler climates of NZ but lived over your way for 20 years. I’ve just completed a 27,000km ride in and about your fine land in April-May this year on my 2011 ST 1300.

Shipping the bike across the Tasman under ‘carnet de passages’ was remarkable easy. I must say all praise be to Mainfreight as I was able to go from the early morning Wellington-Sydney flight straight to my waiting bike at Mainfreight's Botany depot. After a brief unpack I was riding south through Royal National Park by 11.00am.

I chose to camp at most of my overnight locations. The tent I bought across with me had occasion to fall off the back of the bike on the second day and subsequently got run over by a following truck. That required a quick stopover at the Kathmandu sales to purchase a new one.

The first 2 weeks and 9,160km were spent doing an interior 'loop' which was basically Nowra – Canberra - Snowy Mountains - Murray Valley Highway – Melbourne – Bendigo – Adelaide - Ayres Rock - Alice Springs - Mount Isa – Longreach – Coonamble and back to Sydney.

After a couple of night in the Blue Mountains it was on up the East Coast in the general direction of Queensland again. Torrential rain around the NSW central coast forced a couple of shorter day’s riding than planned and major roadworks for most of the rest of the way up to Rockhampton slowed progress even further. When in Cairns I did the Mount Molly loop up to Daintree and back down to Townsville. I used to live in Townsville and rode a GSX 1100EFE back then so know the Atherton Tablelands as some of the world’s best riding (second to our South Island West Coast on a sunny day of course).

When I left Townsville for the next stretch I was optimistically hoping my back tyre would make it to Darwin. Unfortunately by the time I got to Mt Isa with 1,600km still to go, some suspicious looking lines had appeared which indicated the steel belt wasn't far below. Ended up having to pay a premium for a new one at the Honda shop in Mt Isa. Shouldn’t complain though as the worn tyre had giving me 19,290 good kilometres.

Our oldest son was working in Darwin so I spent four days there which included doing the Kakado NP loop. I couldn't get out to see the Aboriginal rock paintings due to some residual flood waters across the road. For the benefit of others I can reliably inform you that your bike will safely ford a 400mm deep flooded road, but don’t try it if the staff gauge is reading 600mm.

After Darwin the Kimberley's were great scenic riding all the way across to Broome. At one point there was even a sign warning me of 5km of winding road where I had to slow down to 110km/hr to take one of the tighter bends!

Broome I limited myself to a lunchtime stopover - seen one European tourist in skimpy bikini, seen 'em all...

I must say it’s a long, long way from Darwin to Perth and I still fail to see why so many Kiwis are moving to Port Hedland as there’s certainly nothing around there that caught my eye. The beauty of riding that piece of road with no sound system in my helmet is I’d solved most of the worlds’ problems in my head by the time I got to Perth. The brain had somewhat return from its zen-like state once I’d got to WA’s south-western corner around Margaret River where the riding was simply awesome.

The Nullabor was pretty cool. Two days to cross with a well deserved beer and some jovial conversation with the local truckies at the Border Village pub. Over the next bit into SA I did get somewhat ‘cliffed out’ stopping and looking at every viewing area of the Great Australian Bight from the WA border through to Port Lincoln.

Through the Adelaide Hills and Coorong I refreshed my teenage memories of riding my red 1983 CB 750 through this part of the world.

Around to Victoria and the Great Ocean Road. Cliffs and coastal erosion had somehow lost their novelty value by the time I got to the 12 Apostles although that road on a sunny day was brilliant.

Melbourne, Portsea, Lakes Entrance and up to Nowra was some excellent riding as it was mid-week with almost no other traffic and not a cloud in the sky. I guess it does get pretty congested along here on weekends though – you guys would know.

Then it was up to Nowra to my father-in-laws place to give the bike a good clean before dropping it off at Mainfreight in Sydney for the return cruise home. It has since been safely returned to my doorstep complete with a few green bugs still stuck in the air filter.

All up the score was:

Distance: 27,193 km
Fuel: 1,233 litres - Ave 4.5 L/100km or 22 km/L. (Sounds a bit low so I may have not recorded a couple of fills)
Fuel stops: 76 or thereabouts.
Maintenance: 2 front & 2 rear tyres. 3 engine oil & 1 hub oil changes.
Average days riding: 735 km
Longest days riding: 11 days of between 900 & 1,110 km
Time in the country: 7 weeks
Days actually riding: 37
Nights in the flash tent: 32
Hottest temperature: 38 degrees somewhere around Pt Hedland.
Wildlife collected: Nothing bigger than a parrot
Closest call: Dingos with their suicidal tendencies chasing dinner beside the highway

My controlled experiment for the trip was to see if your Toll way number plate recognition system picks up NZ registered vehicles travelling under carnet. To date I haven’t received anything in the mail reminding me of the occasional toll I may have ‘omitted’ to pay. I hope the same holds true for any average speed cameras I may have taken liberties with.

Cheers,
Rob

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Brock on March 23, 2014, 02:15:25 PM

Nice write up Rob.

As to accidental transgressions, I think the having to contact Kiwi land to trace the owner, would come under too hard and not cost effective. Send to file 13 (too hard basket)

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 01:50:11 PM

So...any one gone up to Cape York on an ST? I'm planning on going up to Cape York as part of my trip round Oz, and I hear that's a bit of a challenge.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: StinkyPete on July 12, 2016, 02:38:20 PM

Quote from: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 01:50:11 PM

So...any one gone up to Cape York on an ST? I'm planning on going up to Cape York as part of my trip round Oz, and I hear that's a bit of a challenge.

Cooktown is as far as I've been.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Dick B "Yewie" on July 12, 2016, 03:11:25 PM

Quote from: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 01:50:11 PM

So...any one gone up to Cape York on an ST? I'm planning on going up to Cape York as part of my trip round Oz, and I hear that's a bit of a challenge.

We only went as far as Cooktown as well. We generally tried to stay on the bitumen and Cooktown is as far as you can go on the black stuff.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Williamson on July 12, 2016, 04:37:24 PM

Quote from: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 01:50:11 PM

So...any one gone up to Cape York on an ST? I'm planning on going up to Cape York as part of my trip round Oz, and I hear that's a bit of a challenge.

There was rumour of a Hayabusa being ridden to Cape York, could've been on ADVRider - http://advrider.com/index.php?forums/australia.32/, (http://advrider.com/index.php?forums/australia.32/,) might be worthwhile asking there, you will need to sort out the relevant replies and advice from the BS.

If you have not been on ADVRider before, you will quickly learn what I mean by the BS.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Bikebear on July 12, 2016, 06:35:51 PM

Quote from: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 01:50:11 PM

So...any one gone up to Cape York on an ST? I'm planning on going up to Cape York as part of my trip round Oz, and I hear that's a bit of a challenge.

I doubt it and I really don't recommend it, the road is not at all suitable for road bikes let alone one as heavy as the ST.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: ST2UP on July 12, 2016, 06:46:51 PM

Quote from: Bikebear on July 12, 2016, 06:35:51 PM

Quote from: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 01:50:11 PM
So...any one gone up to Cape York on an ST? I'm planning on going up to Cape York as part of my trip round Oz, and I hear that's a bit of a challenge.

I doubt it and I really don't recommend it, the road is not at all suitable for road bikes let alone one as heavy as the ST.

I haven't done the Cape yet.....next year ;-*

But been doing loads of research.....I recon staying on the PDR it is do-able....but and a massive BUT, you will get damage, you won't want to own the bike after you have finished it "IF" you make it back to Cooktown and "IF" you don't make it back the recovery fees will be substantial.

Don't do it Al ;-*

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 07:08:28 PM

Thanks for the encouragement guys. LOL! But all good feedback. I'll have to rethink those plans now. I think I'll just go as far north as I can (Cairns or Cooktown), then I'll look at alternative ways of getting to The Tip. :nahnah

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Gadget on July 12, 2016, 10:30:53 PM

Quote from: A2Z on July 12, 2016, 07:08:28 PM

Thanks for the encouragement guys. LOL! But all good feedback. I'll have to rethink those plans now. I think I'll just go as far north as I can (Cairns or Cooktown), then I'll look at alternative ways of getting to The Tip. :nahnah

It is bitumen to Lakeland Downs, but from there the the road to Weipa is loose gravel and bull dust with deep corrugations most of the way. Regular "dips" at creek crossings.

I drove it in a 4WD and saw bits rattle off another 4WD I was traveling with.

There are also 3 trailer road trains to contend with and the dust they kick up gives 5 metre visibility.

Park the bike somewhere secure, and do a flight or tour bus.

sent using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: mr2u on September 04, 2016, 03:48:46 AM

This is something i am seriously thinking of doing before its too late.
As im Perth based, i would start and finish there. The plan is to go clockwise, only because ive already done the bottom half of Australia (Albeit in a car).
I have 10 weeks of long service leave and 6 weeks of annual leave up my sleeve in which to do it in if i was to go now.
My thoughts were to start in spring to avoid the heat and wet season in the Upper North and try and make it to Tasmania by mid to late summer :H.

Just got to sit down and work out how much it would cost (Then double it). :think1
2 sets of tyres - $1600 ($800 a set including fitting)
fuel - $2000 (that will cover about 25000Km)
20 nights in hotels (the rest either in a tent or with friends/family along the way), $2500
food - $2500 ($40 a day x 60 days)
breakdowns - $1500

Hmmmmm, this is getting costly. :o

Mr2u :blk13

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: StinkyPete on September 04, 2016, 07:46:47 AM

I've done several long trips around Oz, and have a couple of tips that may help to keep costs down. My trips have been done for under $100 per day, including fuel.

* Sleep in a tent in Caravan Parks and use Camp Kitchens for meal prep and socializing with other travelers. There will usually be power points in camp kitchens to use for recharging your devices.
* Buy food at the supermarkets on arrival at your destinations, cook your own meals (Camp Kitchen) and make your own lunches.
* Take a small gas burner to boil up a cup of tea or coffee rather than buying coffee's
* Drink water and not expensive bottled drinks. If you want some flavour, but a small amount of cordial in the water.

My $100 per day did not include tyres (I didn't buy any) or buying a new motorcycle while half way around. :grin

I broke these guidelines regularly when I was feeling lazy or it was raining, but the concepts worked well. My 51 day, 16,000 trip in 2009 averaged $85 per day. See http://halfwayroundwithpete.blogspot.com.au/ (http://halfwayroundwithpete.blogspot.com.au/) for the full story.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Scarlett Thunderbolt on September 04, 2016, 08:57:23 AM

Thanks everyone for your tips on doing long trips on our STeeds. Given that we'd never be able to do a lap, short of winning the lottery, we especially relate to Pete's frugal tips for camping trips, long or short.

We’re currently in the process of refurbishing our trailer (post to follow) and look forward to getting out there and sharing our own insights.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: West Aussie Glen on September 04, 2016, 10:42:48 AM

On my lap I used a lot of self contained cabins in caravan parks.
If you join the Big4 Caravan Park group, $40 for 2 years, you get 10% off.
mr2u, BigTed is also planning on doing a lap and we are going to catch up to discuss mine, maybe the 3 of us should get together sometime?

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: PC on September 04, 2016, 06:22:50 PM

When NavGirl and I traveled to Perth we towed a camper trailer we were away for 50 day's
We spent 15 nights with club members 8 nights in cabins (5 were in Perth at Nat rally $108 a night)
The rest were in the camper at caravan parks we had Smoko's and lunch's in parks from the fridge ,cooked in the camp kitchen's or on a small cooker. Stayed in some show grounds ,they are sometimes a cheaper ,option
Costs
Fuel. $1250 10c per km. The bike used a third more fuel towing so it was an extra 300 to tow
accom. $1500. $$42.85 per night for 35 nights cheapest camp site $11 dearest $52 with ensuite
Food Wasn't really recording this but somewhere around $1000 - $1200. $22 approx per day

A new front tyre went all the way and I took a spare rear that I had fitted Half way $50 the rear was not new when I left
Hope this helps with planning
Peter

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Me_3 on September 05, 2016, 08:59:38 PM

im looking at a trip to Perth in the coming months, and coming from
North QLD it's nearly a full trip around. I will have around 3 weeks for the trip, and will be towing the trailer for my accommodation. Once I get some more planning done I'll post up details and will keep everyone up to date with a ride report.

Looks like it will be an awesome trip!

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Sabie on September 05, 2016, 09:41:36 PM

Good stuff Ben, just make sure that articulated motorcycles are allowed in each state with the that long trailer of yours..... ;-*

Quote from: Me_3 on September 05, 2016, 08:59:38 PM

im looking at a trip to Perth in the coming months, and coming from
North QLD it's nearly a full trip around. I will have around 3 weeks for the trip, and will be towing the trailer for my accommodation. Once I get some more planning done I'll post up details and will keep everyone up to date with a ride report.

Looks like it will be an awesome trip!

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Shiney on September 05, 2016, 09:41:57 PM

Quote from: Me_3 on September 05, 2016, 08:59:38 PM

im looking at a trip to Perth in the coming months, and coming from
North QLD it's nearly a full trip around. I will have around 3 weeks for the trip, and will be towing the trailer for my accommodation. Once I get some more planning done I'll post up details and will keep everyone up to date with a ride report.

Looks like it will be an awesome trip!

:popcorn :popcorn :popcorn

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Sabie on September 05, 2016, 10:02:15 PM

Hungry Dave?

Quote from: Shiney on September 05, 2016, 09:41:57 PM

:popcorn :popcorn :popcorn

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Shiney on September 05, 2016, 10:11:55 PM

Quote from: Sabie on September 05, 2016, 10:02:15 PM

Hungry Dave?

Quote from: Shiney on September 05, 2016, 09:41:57 PM
:popcorn :popcorn :popcorn

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/70/e3/e9/70e3e9951a877fc10fd7729e942003b0.jpg)

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Sabie on September 05, 2016, 10:31:12 PM

A blindfolded horse????

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Shiney on September 05, 2016, 11:32:03 PM

Quote from: Sabie on September 05, 2016, 10:31:12 PM

A blindfolded horse????

Either that or some :popcorn while I wait for more reports on Me_3's awesome trip :thumbsup

Quote from: Me_3 on September 05, 2016, 08:59:38 PM

im looking at a trip to Perth in the coming months, and coming from
North QLD it's nearly a full trip around. I will have around 3 weeks for the trip, and will be towing the trailer for my accommodation. Once I get some more planning done I'll post up details and will keep everyone up to date with a ride report.

Looks like it will be an awesome trip!

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Gadget on September 06, 2016, 03:36:39 AM

Quote from: Sabie on September 05, 2016, 10:02:15 PM

Hungry Dave?

Quote from: Shiney on September 05, 2016, 09:41:57 PM
:popcorn :popcorn :popcorn

Not after all that :popcorn, it's filling don't you know. :grin

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: StinkyPete on May 20, 2019, 10:20:35 AM

My own lap in 2019 took me 59 days/19,500km, and of them 44 were traveling days.
Accomodation was either in cheap caravan park cabins, staying with OzSTOC friends using the "Shed, Bed & Fed" offers, or camping in my tent (not as often as I planned)
Final stats and costs are listed below.
Distance Travelled - 19,500km
Total fuel used - 958 litres
Total Fuel Cost - $1,559
Total Accomodation Cost - $2,913
Food and other costs - $1,360
Bike Maintenance (One overpriced service in Darwin and two sets of tyres) - $2,028

The only expense that I could have minimised was accomodation by spending more nights in my tent, but some persistent aches led me to sleep in a bed whenever possible.

I trust this information will help others who may be planning or considering riding a lap. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but probably not on my own, and certainly not without the blessing of SWMBO.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Dick B "Yewie" on May 20, 2019, 10:49:36 AM

Well done Pete,
Makes me want to go again on the Tracer :clap

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: StinkyPete on May 20, 2019, 11:22:48 AM

Quote from: Dick B "Yewie" on May 20, 2019, 10:49:36 AM

Well done Pete,
Makes me want to go again on the Tracer :clap

Nice to hear from you again, and I stil have a copy of the mag with your article. The costing that you sent me some time ago were very helpful in my planning stage.

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: STroppy on May 20, 2019, 07:17:06 PM

Along with 3 others, I did a big lap in 2008 at the tender age of 62.

Two of the four bikes towed trailers full of camping gear and food.

We found that we could share the cost of renting a cabin in a caravan park or a room at a pub for a similar cost as camping, so that is what we did over almost 3 months on the road.

We did a number of touristy things in light aircraft, coaches, very large boats etc as much as we could which of course added a fair bit to our costs.

We did in the vicinity of 26,000 ks, 2 sets of tyres and oil n filter changes.

I would do it again tomorrow, just need to find another 3-4 riders to accompany me!

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Nigel on May 20, 2019, 08:38:06 PM

Not yet , but it sits on the to do list :grin..................

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: johnnyYTED on May 20, 2019, 08:38:55 PM

:blk13 :dred11
Well Done Stinky Pete.
I'm STill trying to leave and keep going,. I think I may soon have another option to tow the coffin and hopefully will complete my lap sooner than later. A Spyder RT not a Daytona.. keep eating :popcorn
it'll happen wonday. Hallelujah brother
:eek

Title: Re: Thinking of Riding Around Australia?
Post by: Scarlett Thunderbolt on June 03, 2019, 02:22:46 AM

Quote from: StinkyPete on May 17, 2019, 09:10:01 AM

... ScarlettThunderbolts took a series of photos of how I packed on the bike.
Here's my packing information....

Left Pannier (This was the dirty or wet compartment)
Blackwolf Gobi dome tent, stored in a pannier liner
Tent Poles
Pegs and hammer
Waterproof outer jacket and pants
Jacket liner
Seat cover, waterproof
Spare gloves

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/99263b716be3728ae6275c64f5f02a3c.jpg)

L/H Pannier Lid.

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/b54502bebf858d2aa9a70ae29c21dcf4.jpg)

Inside L/H Pannier.

Right Pannier (Bed, Bedding and other stuff)
Blue poly tarp to go under my air bed inside the tent
Down sleeping bag
Exped air mattress
Cotton sleeping bag liner
Air Bed Pump
Inflatable Pillow (It was awful to sleep on)
First Aid Kit

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/90d8444df548ee5bfd07aaf85ff8bcf0.jpg)

R/H Pannier Lid.

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/8489c42296973ff32c69404dbdf0876c.jpg)

Inside R/H Pannier.

Top Box (Divided into three compartments to keep stuff accessible and organized)
Food etc (Canned tuna, Gingernut biscuits, mueslei, dried fruit and nut mix, tea and coffee, long life milk, several freeze dried meals for emergencies, cutlery, crockery, tea towel, pepper and salt, vegemite)
Two one litre containers of drinking water

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/9fd4e28f873786e181866cce90bdfdf5.jpg)

R/H of Topbox:... Missing item - tasty gingernut bickies last seen near John…

JetBoil stove and gas bottle

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/35efb5925199fa4186fa4f0f82505ba9.jpg)

R/H Topbox:... Jetboil Butane Stove

Hema Motorcycle Atlas
Folder with all my necessary documents
I also had a green supermarket bag in which I stored and carry stuff that would come out every night, such as camera, phone, wallet, tablet, notebook & pen, chargers, shopping bag, GPS, Spot Gen3, CB Radio.

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/cdb1af1de350e2ee71cca7359f99cc7e.jpg)

L/H Topbox.

Back Seat
Shadecloth groundsheet for under the tent (not used on this trip)
Kermit Chair (not used on this trip)
50 lt waterproof bag for clothing, shoes, thongs, toiletries bag, meds, “electrical” bag, tools and tyre pump, nd whatever I could not fit anywhere else

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/906f4d5562c784fa44ce33595accd6eb.jpg)

Strapped to Pillion Seat.

Glove Boxes (These are tiny on the Beemer)
Spare ear plugs
Cleaning cloth
Puncture repair kit
Sidestand plate

(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/05/16/57f6ccf09a4fe69aa76e221f4cce8af4.jpg)

Pete & Kate.