PART 1 - AUSTRALIA
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| Definitely a bit trickier with the added weight, but I couldn't help myself. |
On the 10th of January
2015 I left Perth for my 2 year motorcycle journey around the world, first
destination Darwin, NT Australia! My good mate Tom joined me for these first 4500
km and we departed in the morning with a massive entourage of motorcycles, friends,
family saying farewell... it was an incredible feeling. On the first day we
travelled 560 km and set up camp in ‘the granites’. This was just beyond Mt
Magnet, a mining town set up in the 1880’s.
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| First day tripod testing |
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| Cooking tuna and rice on the first night at the Granites |
The following morning we
traveled 617 km to Newman, vast barren landscapes with intense side winds
accompanied us for these first two days. On the way to Newman Tom’s Harley
decided to shut down in the small town of Meekatharra which involved us tearing
away at its electrics in the 35 degree midday sun. That night we stayed in the
Newman caravan park, interestingly this town was only built just over 50 years
ago, again due to mining. Here we met a wonderful couple from Broome on their
way South for their daughters birthday.
Day 3 was a short 200 km ride
into Karijini national park for a day filled with hiking, climbing and
swimming. That night sleeping under the stars again and met a wonderful family
as neighbours. Average temperature so far 32 degrees with hardly a cloud in the
sky, perfect.
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| Beautiful Pilbara views |
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| Karijini hiking |
Day 4 was planned for more hiking
but due to recent rains the rest of the Karijini gorges were closed and we
decided to continue on travelling 690 km up through Port Hedland and on to the
Sandfire Roadhouse. The day was hot, filled with road trains and our very first
rain, but it was refreshing and we pined for more.
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| Port Hedland, hot hot hot |
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| Just after our first bit of rain, 30 seconds of refreshing bliss |
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| Flooded National parks forced us to continue on to a drier camp site |
After a sleepless night, thanks
to peacocks and generators, we moved on for a half days ride to Broome 321 km
ahead. We were welcomed with palm trees, long beaches and an unmistakeable
holiday feel. We set up tents and prepared to head for the pool. Unfortunately
this is when I noticed my indicators were no longer working and my bike had
developed a serious oil leak so instead of relaxing that day the bike was
stripped and the oil leak fixed... then I wanted to swim, so the indicators had
to wait for Darwin. Pool followed by pizzas and drinks on the beach rounded off
the day and relaxed us perfectly for the long, hot, humid days ahead.
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| Sandfire road house, middle of no where! |
Sleep in, swim in the pool, fuel
up and we’re back on the road riding 500 km to a free camp halfway to
Kununurra. Thunder storms in the distance, a view that reminded me of an
African savannah and the mild evening made a perfect camp spot... or so we
thought. Everything was amazing here until around 11 PM when we were woken by a
car full of aboriginals arriving late yelling at one another and carrying on
about our motorbikes. Finally there was quiet again, if only for a few minutes before
the wind started. At first the breeze was very welcome, a short respite from
the stifling night heat... and then the rain, thunder and storms began.
Frantically we shot out of our tents to re-tie knots, secure rain covers and
waterproof leaky areas. Intense doesn’t even begin to describe this night, 2-3
hours being all we managed to get sleep.
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| Broome maintenance and tinkering |
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| Stunning sunsets, pizzas and beach relaxing... amazing after a few days of riding |
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| I guess my bike is just a motorised camel |
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| Having a thrash around, hoping the oil leak doesn't return |
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| Selfie time |
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| Stunning camp location outside of Fitzroy Crossing, almost at Halls Creek |
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| No words |
5 AM we were up due to our noisy
neighbours, but that was alright.. it meant an early morning on the road with us
riding into the sunrise by 7 AM after coffees and liquid breakys. This day had
us cover 700 km past Kununurra and into the Northern Territory of Australia.
Winding, hilly roads through lush green expanses of land made the day fly by
with incredible views and pure joy. The pictures just cannot capture the
colours playing in the sky and across the green landscape. Temperature still
around 33 degrees, however real feel of around 40. Another free camp in the
rain that night, albeit with a lot more sleep.. life was good and we were 2 days
ride from Darwin where friends, showers and air con await!
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| Cockatoo Bridge, the first river with water in it! |
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| Perfect, beautiful roads... a dream to ride |
Day 8 and we were off early again
flying along the 130 km/h limit roads, although they were rough and with winds
we were a tad slower. We made it roughly 200 km that morning when we came
across the biggest obstacle of our trip so far. The roads had flooded overnight
with over 900 mm height in some areas, and it wasn’t just flooded... it was
flowing fast. After waiting on the side of the road for about 3-4 hours with
other travellers it was finally getting low enough to attempt the crossing. A
big thank you to Jim and Barb who allowed us to follow in their caravans wake
and made sure we made it safely, absolute legends!
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| Another amazing camp location |
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| Kununurra fuel and food stop before the rains came in |
Our plans changed a lot this day
considering flood delays, Toms bike stalling in some water crossings and my
bikes starter no longer firing. From here onwards Tom kindly push started my
bike for the last 1000 km leg to Darwin. That night we free camped again and
guess who turns up at the same spot, Jim and Barb! After drinking Jim’s beer
and enjoying their great company we had a good sleep ready for the last 400 km
up to Darwin.
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| Hiding from the rain |
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| The first of many water crossings on the road |
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| Tom pushing his bike across one flooded section after it stalled halfway across, hilarious |
The 9th day we set off
at a leisurely pace passing through Cadel Evans’ birth town and were hoping for
a swim at Edith falls, due to the flooding the pools were closed as crocodiles
may have made their way in, so we continued on and arrived at Brenton and
Ashlea’s home that afternoon with a fantastic BBQ and a drink (or 6) in their
beautiful green backyard.
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| Stretching our legs |
This first entry can hardly begin
to describe the moments experienced on this 4500 km leg of the journey. It’s
impossible to describe the stifling heat, humidity, sore arses which transitioned
into ideal nights, stunning vistas and an incredible sense of accomplishment.
Some quick facts to finish off the first part: $395 spent on fuel, $40 spent on
food, $40 spent on accommodation and $100 of alcohol. I’m now as I’m typing
here in Darwin awaiting my passport, parts for my bike and shipping information
for the next part through East Timor and Indonesia.
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| Oil leaks, starter problems, more stuff to take care of before shipping to Timor Lest |
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| A final photo of us entering the Northern territory |
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| Trip to date |
