The Proposed Route

Our route and itinerary has been quite loosely planned with no firm dates, other than when we leave and when we come home. The map shows the proposed route, with a couple of options in the Snowy Mountains and northern New South Wales. I’ve ridden some of the Snowy Mountains before, and it very spectacular, but the Great Alpine Road from Lakes Entrance to Mt Beauty via Omeo will be new territory. The zig-zag route back and forth across the Great Divide has been suggested to me by a mate who once lived and worked in Sydney. I'm told it is some of the best riding in Australia. I’m expecting Marcelo to head home from Sydney. Fish and Steve will stay with me up as far as Rockhampton, when we will part company. They are planning on heading west to Longreach and then home. I’ll be travelling on my own from Rockhampton. I’m actually quite looking forward to being on my own, and anticipate meeting lots of fellow travellers who I may not have spoken to it I was still in a group.

There are some potential problems to be dealt with. Flooding closed the Barkley Highway from Townsville to Tennant Creek a couple of weeks ago and it’s still closed in a number of places. The whole road actually got washed away west of the border at a major river crossing, and that has only opened a few days ago. I’ll be there towards the end of the wet season, so hopefully I’ll get through OK. If there’s another tropical cyclone, I may have to rethink going to Darwin, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Cairns currently has an epidemic of Dengue Fever, with over 200 cases reported. This is a fever which is spread by mozzies and can be quite debilitating and even fatal on rare occasions. There have also been a number of reported cases in and around Townsville. Other than not going to those areas, the only way to protect myself is to cover up, and wear plenty of mozzie repellent.

Stay tuned as departure day gets closer and final preparations are made…………

A Great Aventure is Planned

Almost two years ago I started planning a two month trip, exploring east and central Australia by motorcycle. I've done a number of trips to Tassie and throughout Victoria, but this is to be a much longer journey and is to be the realization of a long held dream. The planning started two years ago, simply to ensure that I and my fellow adventurers (Fish, Marcelo and Steve) could get our leave from work to coincide. There is now just six and a half weeks to go before our planned departure on Saturday 14th March. That time will fly by very quickly, but my plans and preparation are well advanced.

I've listed my bike details below and the details of my luggage and equipment for the technically minded:

Bike : 2002 Yamaha XJR1300, accessorized with an Andrew Moorehouse custom touring seat, windscreen, and Oxford heated grips for the cold bits. I have an Autocom communication kit, which gives me "in-helmet" instructions from my GPS and which can interface with an ipod for music on the long hauls.
Luggage: Andy Strapz "Expedition Pannierz", which are waterproof and dustproof canvas roll top panniers, fixed to the bike on custom made frames. These panniers are suplemented with a lockable custom made aluminium top box which doubles as a rack for my other luggage. My sleeping bag, Black Wolfe "Dragon Fly" two man tent, and Thermarest self inflating sleeping mat are all to be carried in roll top waterproof gear sacks, which will be secured on the back of the bike.
Navigation: Garmin Quest GPS and Hema State HandyMaps
Communication: I'll be using my mobile phone as well as a Uniden UHF CB radio which is hard mounted to the bike, and is powered from the bike. The CB radio interfaces with the speakers and microphone in my helmet, and will give me bike to bike communications with the other riders while we are travelling. I'll also be able to chat with the Grey Nomads and get the gossip.
Riding Gear: Drider SummitPro Jacket, Draggin Jeans, DriRider Touring boots, summer and winter gloves, and a Shoei helmet with built in Autocom communication set, will be my daily riding kit, and keep me protected and comfortable.

I'll post a map soon, showing my intended route, so stay tuned for updates as my departure date gets closer..........