Whats your plan for NR2016.

[ST2UP]

What's your ride plan to attend NatRally 2016 

Are you going to point and shoot or have you studied a map, consulted google, researched a plan to see noteworthy places along the way  after all if your coming in from the eastern states it may be a long time before your in this part of the world again.


Do you know of any locations worth telling your fellow travellers about......or if you have travelled through the bottom of the of Australia before what are the must see hot spots ??


lets see your ideas and hear your thoughts



 

[alans1100]

My rally plans for next year are at the moment cancelled due to the need to register the car while the bike is off road waiting for its new battery to arrive which will take more cash. The joys of being on a fixed income; though a WA trip is still on the drawing board for later in the year to see my sis.

This was/is my planned route https://goo.gl/maps/nwRpQEP8A8G2 (looks more like a kinky arrow.....lol) The highlight being The Twighlight Beach Road at Esperance https://goo.gl/maps/s27dtSbkAeR2 . I would have returned via a modified northern route to Kalgoorlie in case I felt like visiting the bros in law.


In Peterborough we have for anyone travelling through;

Steamtown http://www.steamtown.com.au/index.php?id=1

Motorcycle Museum http://www.pbmcm.com/

While in Perth I was going to check out;

Hotham Valley Tourist Railway http://www.hothamvalleyrailway.com.au/

When we first went to WA we stopped off at the tree top walk near Denmark on the way back http://www.valleyofthegiants.com.au/

[WendyL]

My general plan at this stage is a couple (or more) IBA rides on the way down.  Depending on how I'm feeling, it'll be a SS2000 to Coober Pedy on day 1, Centreline 36 complete on day 2, SS3000k also on day 2, finishing at Kimba where I'll stay with a girlfriend, who I haven't see for many years, for a couple of days. From Kimba, I'm not sure what I'll do time-wise, it will totally depend on how I'm feeling after the first couple of big days.

After Perth, depending on weather in the North West, I'll either make it a leisurely trip up the west coast (I've only driven as far north as Denham this way), taking 6-7 days, stopping for pics and sight seeing. If there's nasty weather brewing, I'll just do more IBA rides across the bottom and up the centre....

[ST2UP]

Our original plan was simple enough......Bike, Trailer, Camping gear and go West by the most direct route and come home again but with some detours in WA and SA and perhaps into Vic just because we can 

But a plan "B" is being hatched......it's by no means in place but being considered 


We are toying with the idea of driving over.....still camping with the gear that would be going in the bikes trailer, so no change in that respect. This gives us the advantage of checking out a few other destinations on the way home that aren't ST/Trailer friendly.

Since this plan has us taking the car we may as well throw the bike recovery trailer on behind us. Chatting with a few East Coast members who are not into longer distance travel say that one of the reasons that they are not heading over to WA is the distance and the concern of being so far from home and the questions that go with it....."Is the bike up to the task, am I up to the ride, Is my health up to it etc" and simply having an issue so far from home gives them real concern.

So we figure we will take the recovery trailer and all the appropriate tie downs for an ST with us, it may give some a little peace of mind to make the journey....."IF" we do decide on this plan "B" we will also take spare fuel, ST tyres and some basic spares and tools and be contactable by the RAN mobile.

But to be clear, we are on holidays to so we won't change our plans drastically......but if a travelling member gets caught out we may be in a position to assist you in some way.

So if having a trailer and some spares on the road travelling a similar route to the one you are taking would give you some peace of mind let us know 

[spanner]

allan,

Whats the speed limit on that straight stretch of road in WA?  Are there often police patrolling that section?

[alans1100]

Maximum limit in WA is 110 K/H state wide or as sign posted otherwise. The exception to that is if you are towing anything by anything then it's 100 k/h. Eucla police patrol from the border to about half to Kalgoorlie and due to the remoteness probably at least daily. Highway Patrol from Kalgoorlie no doubt runs out that way as well.

I should add that if you're not used to road trains then you might come across 4 trailer ones carrying gold ore from the mines between Norseman and Kalgoorlie.

[STroppy]

allan,

Whats the speed limit on that straight stretch of road in WA?  Are there often police patrolling that section?

Max WA speed limit is 110 kph unless otherwise marked, but if towing a trailer, (includes motorcycles towing a trailer), the speed limit is 100 kph.

I have only ridden from Canberra to Albany/Perth/Kalgoorlie 3 times on my ST1100 and twice on my ST1300.

My experience with the Honda ST's has been that if you do the routine maintenance and set out with good rubber, you should not have any problems . .

There seems to been a keen enforcement presence around Border Village and Eucla . . . Allow 50 ks either side and again 50 ks out of Norseman. However one does occasionally encounter the odd enforcement vehicle anywhere along the road. And of course there are a number of areas with aerial surveilance.

I have never had an infringement issued to me . . However I don't really speed . . Usually cruise around 120 with spirited bursts around 140 but not for very long at that speed and at chosen times/places.

In the past, I have usually gone  . . . day 1 Canberra to Mildura, day 2 M to Wudinna or Streaky Bay or Ceduna, day 3 on to Norseman day 4 to Perth . . Of course if you haven't done it before I would take an extra 3/4 days and (more if you can) and once at Norseman tourist travel via Esperance, Albany, Pemberton, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury . . Plenty to see . . A month or more would be better . 

[Cerebral Knievel]

Due to the ignorance & incompetence of my employers management i am now flying over.
Trailer purchase is off for the foreseeable future,but i have a yet to be fitted towbar & a spare set of PR3's to remind me of what could have been 

[Lionel]

Heading east towards Eucla I have been pulled over a couple of times by Eucla-based police.
The first time I didn't understand why a policeman with a clipboard was flagging me down as I had not been speeding.
It was a licence check. They check licences and record your details.
I usually set my cruise control to 118 kph between Port Augusta and Norseman.
If you are unlucky enough to get pulled over for speeding the good news is that under 10 kph over the speed limit the fine is only $75 and NO points. Don't ask me how I know.

[DBfive]

At this stage the plan is take 10-12 days (relatively relaxed 500-600km per day except for the Nullarbor) leaving Bundaberg around 28 February arriving in Perth on Thursday 10th.  Most likely staying at motels/pubs/caravan parks etc.  As I'll be flying back, I thought I'd do Esperance/Albany on the way over having already been to Albany and Margaret River.  There is also a bunch of cousins I'll be catching up with post-rally.  At this stage, I may have company (but no pillion!!), that's still to be confirmed.

Planned route is shown in attachment (or in Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/SYmmxX4YwWu )

If any others are planning to ship their bikes back, please PM me as I've been in contact with Honda Shop in Perth but have yet to lock anything in.

Cheers




 

[Dick B "Yewie"]

We are planning a fairly leisurely 21 day round trip with two bikes both carrying pillions.

This is our planned route.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jVtzt0iegvpBd6CS35YictLL25AzCjtB-2VY_K8SB5g?feat=directlink

[WendyL]

Looks like I may now be flying.  I have 2 possibilities for employment next year, and both would mean shortage of time to ride.  First is I've been offered an extension of my current contract to the end of March, they wouldn't want me taking 2 weeks off in early-mid March.  My other alternative is that I have an interview for a new job which will commence in mid Feb, once again, this means getting 2 weeks off will be difficult.  Combined with this, I've been looking at air fares, and it's only $450 for me to fly return, much cheaper than riding.

[WendyL]

Looks like I may now be flying.  I have 2 possibilities for employment next year, and both would mean shortage of time to ride.  First is I've been offered an extension of my current contract to the end of March, they wouldn't want me taking 2 weeks off in early-mid March.  My other alternative is that I have an interview for a new job which will commence in mid Feb, once again, this means getting 2 weeks off will be difficult.  Combined with this, I've been looking at air fares, and it's only $450 for me to fly return, much cheaper than riding.

It's confirmed, leave is unapproved 

Flights booked, so at least I'm still going to be there.  One of these years I'll actually be able to ride to a national rally......

[StinkyPete]

It's confirmed, leave is unapproved 

Flights booked, so at least I'm still going to be there.  One of these years I'll actually be able to ride to a national rally......

You can ride when you choose to host a National Rally in Darwin.   

[PC]

We are leaving Warwick on the 13th of Feb to start our trip to NR Western Australia. The following dates are our overnight stops.  If anyone would like to meet up and say gday  or join us on our travels that would be great    LOOK OUT PERTH HERE WE COME!!
       
              13/14 Feb Nambucca  RTE
               15      Singleton area
               16/19 Little Hartley
               20      Padstow
               21      Little Hartley     Mill Hotel Breakfast RTE
               22     West Wyalong
               23      Toolebuc
              24/25  Renmark
          26/2 Mar Adelaide
             3/4      Port Agusta
               5        Ceduna
               6       Border Village
               7       Balladonia
              8/9     Kalgoorlie
               10      Perth
      Peter & Marian

[StinkyPete]

...........
             3/4      Port Agusta
               5        Ceduna
               6       Border Village
               7       Balladonia
              8/9     Kalgoorlie
               10      Perth
      Peter & Marian

P&M are staying with us in Adelaide for a few days, and we plan leaving on Friday 4th to meet P&M meet at Port Augusta.   Chris & Marlene are driving the ute and I'm on the ST and we'll meet up at the end of each day.  We're taking our time going over and will have time to smell the roses.    If the weather is a stinker, I'll probably leave in the very early hours to get most of my riding done before  the worst of the heat.

[Dick B "Yewie"]

We are leaving Warwick on the 13th of Feb to start our trip to NR Western Australia. The following dates are our overnight stops.  If anyone would like to meet up and say gday  or join us on our travels that would be great    LOOK OUT PERTH HERE WE COME!!
       
              13/14 Feb Nambucca  RTE
               15      Singleton area
               16/19 Little Hartley
               20      Padstow
               21      Little Hartley     Mill Hotel Breakfast RTE
               22     West Wyalong
               23      Toolebuc
              24/25  Renmark
          26/2 Mar Adelaide
             3/4      Port Agusta
               5        Ceduna
               6       Border Village
               7       Balladonia
              8/9     Kalgoorlie
               10      Perth
      Peter & Marian

Hi Peter,
Unfortunately we will be a day behind you but here is our plan in case we coincide with anyone else on the way.

3 March Leave Sydney
3 Narrandera
4 Torquay
5  Mount Gambier
6 Clare
7 Streaky Bay
8 Eucla
9 Balladonia
10 Kalgoorlie
11 Perth

Ros and Dick (with David and Sue)   

[StinkyPete]

I'm sure that we'll encounter plenty of ST on our various travels.   

[Brock]

Not to be picky, but are you actually detouring into Kalgoorlie, or stopping at Coolgardie.  Its only 40 Ks to Kal though, and more accommodation choices..

[Dick B "Yewie"]

We thought we would go the extra K's into Kal. Might even drop by the Super pit if we get in in time.

[Brock]

 

[West Aussie Glen]

Think you will find Border Village/Eucla to Balladonia is a very very easy days ride due to the open spaces/straight road. Going on to Norseman gives you better options for accommodation and places you within a days ride of Perth if you aren't looking at going into Kal for any reason.

If you decide to stop at Norseman check out:-

http://www.therailwaynorseman.com.au/

[johnnyYTED]

 
  my plan is left out of home in Picton heading weST on the 8th arriving Perth sometime Fri Arvo..
 I might get there before.. 
 STranger wont be towing anything..  to save on rubber and fuel. 

  thinking do I need a planB ,, muST ring a mate.

[PC]

 Going to do the touristy thing in Kal on the way over

[Cerebral Knievel]

  my plan is left out of home in Picton heading weST on the 8th arriving Perth sometime Fri Arvo..
 I might get there before.. 
 STranger wont be towing anything..  to save on rubber and fuel. 

  thinking do I need a planB ,, muST ring a mate.

Don't leave yourself without a option B Johnny.
Please post up your daily progress and intended destination.
If you don't have a active spot please post on FB for tracking purposes.I will be flying over in the 2nd week & will be following your progress