9,000 kms – 5 states – 30+ days

Into Birdsville

Dropped our tyre pressures to 8 & 10. And the front tube started to move & 8lb. 

A fab camp fire & a very cold night. @ 6:30 am it was 1 degree. So potentially it got to minus something. 

Yes my foot fitted into the boot .. So off we go. About 40km to Big Red. 

A few gnarly soft dunes but mostly hard packed. Had a rest thinking we still had a way to go before Big Red, however low & behold it was 2 dunes away. 

Much contemplation was had on who should go first, which path to take. There were also half a dozen 4bys doing the same thing. Mark went first, gunned it in 2nd @ 40km. Complete with panniers he made it to the top. 

Talking through our intercoms he gives  me instructions & off I go ……….. Dodging the hard packed mounds on the road I pick my line, already in 2nd with plenty of revs I keep to the right as I ascend Big Red. 

The hill is lined with spectators who have previously made it. 

I increase the revs slowly with the steering damper tracking true. Oddly enough it us one of the least bumpy dunes we’ve done. 

Nearing the dog leg left at the top & much to my dismay my concentration lapses & the revs decrease, the DR swerves hard left then right – then its another (perhaps not so elegant) off. Bugger!! 

I roll out from the bike, Mark is there & we pick her up. Started her & bounced her in 1st to the top. 

Denis is next in the Prado. Nicely done – hardly broke a sweat. 

It’s Darryl’s turn … & Mark needs to have another go on another track. 

Darryl uses my bike – kits up, rides down & off he goes …. Guns it (even standing) & makes it up no trouble!

I don’t see the need to go down a hill I’ve just come up to only come up again – anyhow I am aware I’m on a ‘boy adventure’. On Marks 2nd hill he falls short & walks the bike backward all the way down the hill. Gets it on his 2nd attempt nicely all the way to the top.  Both Denis in the 4by & Darryl on my bike have to try that hill too. Both make it with ease. 

Then, not satisfied with those tracks Mark continues to climb the hills @ the top. Yes he makes those … Only just in the soft sand. Having now worn himself out he’s satisfied. 

Off we go to Birdsville. 

By the way there is a HUGE lake on the east side & tons of bird life. Black Swans (a favourite). A large detour was in place. 

We stop & pump our tyres & continue to the pub for beer & lunch. 

Woohoo. The much talked about crossing is done. 

Now it’s shower time … 3 1/2 days with only bird baths … Someone’s a bit smelly. 

Birdsville is a hive of activity, ready for the races a week away. We’re off to Innaminka tomorrow. We did 1/2 plan for the races, however covering the distance we have we couldn’t be sure we’d be here. 

FUEL : we filled our safari tanks @ Mt Dare & had 30L spare. Having mostly used 1st & 2nd gear Mark put an extra 5L in each bike this morning just to make sure. After filling @ Birdsville we used 13.5km/L. He filled @ Birdsville with 29litres. 

To Thargarmindah 

It was hard to leave camp with that lovely fire. 

The dirt road improved immensely & we’re still seeing heaps of traffic going to Birdsville. 

Arriving into Innaminka we crossed Coopers creek – after crossing all those dry creeks it was weird to see this flowing river – we think it comes from from the lake catchment – there were pelicans on the bank waiting for breakfast to flow through. 

At the servo ran into some KTM 690’s & 990’s.

We have been seeing heaps more bikers since I last posted. 

The 690’s were bought new for the trip (couple weeks ago) these guys were from Sydney. 1 x 690 had fuel problems do it was on the support vehicle.  The others were pretty standard except for extra fuel tank & air hawk (or similar). There was comments that the 990’s would be for sale upon return. Great on the long stretches. But not as good (nimble) as the 690’s.

And then just when we were contemplating good bikes bad bikes along came a loaded postie bike. OMG!!! No one had anything to complain about. What a mission. 

Off we went – to the Dig Tree – another border crossing (that we missed as it was poorly signed & we couldn’t turn around). Wow into Qld & it’s tar. 

A visit to the Dig tree now costs something about a $11 fee.  Its clearly an amazing place – a history lesson from Denis-pedia & also lunch time  … will this be our last tomato & cheese sandwiches????   & on excellent Birdsville Bakery bread. 

So now 3hrs to thargomindah – on boring tar but we’re covering some ground. One right turn @ a T intersection & we’re getting closer. If I thought those gravel chucking 4bys were a concern, this driver on the single tar road takes the cake. 

We’ve passed our fair share of Britz & rental campers & most are pretty good – this one WELL … Marks in the lead, me 2nd Denis 3rd. I see him coming … I don’t know he’s going about a 100. 

On these single tar roads I normally slow my speed & move left while still staying on the tar & the on coming car slows & moves 2 wheels on to the dirt. 

Not so for this car … It was a section of road with 2 bends. He met Mark on the first bend. Didn’t slow down or pull over. I gasped in my helmet watching this happen. 

I immediately slowed keeping on the tar & waited. Nope didn’t slow down for me nor pulled over. Not that it helped but I cringed in my seat & my thumb accidentally found the horn button (ooops ) whoosh the rental camper van hurtles passed & Im still not sure how it didn’t knock Mark panniers cause I’m sure I felt the closeness of the side mirror. 

Denis was next. This’d be interesting. They were going to pass each other near a grid crossing. The report from Denis was that this driver didn’t slow down or move left, Darryl who was driving had to put 4 wheels onto the gravel. 

Heaven help them if they meet a road train in their travels. 

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The countryside is constantly changing & I find this amazing.

Its a bit sad, this will be our last camp night. We set up on another dusty red camp ground while having our traditional beer. 

Having had our last meal on the river last night we go to the roadhouse for a sensational steak sandwich or works burger. 

It’s become common to retire early. No TV (not missing that at all) – & tired from riding. 

Tomorrow we split up – us to Lightning Ridge – Darryl & Denis to BrisVegas. 

Almost 8,000kms

To Lightning Ridge

It was a Funny start to day – Darryl was up first, that was a first for the trip – someone cant wait to get home. 

We normally get up when we hear Denis put the kettle on (lol). However this morning when we poke our head out of the tent it’s not the sun that’s up but the fluro on!! It’s not even 6am!   Darryl is doing the coffee / teas. Haha. & it’s cold. 

Sitting there having a 2nd coffee Darryls 3second tent (which he has now mastered) is packed & ready to be loaded in the car. 

We all continue to pack & we’ve made sure we have all the necessary tools ect from the car. 

To note it is a 13 hour drive to BrisVegas from here. 

With no brekky we Left @ 7:30 – our earliest start. 

We are extremely cautious of all the wildlife that we may encounter on our 2hr ride to Cunnumulla. 

It has gone from cool to very cold now that we’ve started riding. Thankfully have my thermals in. 

Denis in lead – me 2nd Mark 3rd. There was measured amount of road kill – including emus, however we still see quite a few hopping : running around including stock – Sheeps – Cattle – Goats. 

Keeping good pace we get closer to Cunnamulla & in my travels I have never seen so many emus & emus with chicks.  All in there little groups.  

We all fill up & start looking for brekky. 

On the outside Cunnamulla seems like a town time forgot with some of the buildings. 

Normally we’d feel that a small country town would have a good bakery. Well from personal experience DON’T go there! Please. 2 doors up us a new cafe – go there. 

We all should’ve known better walking in to the bakery. Behind the counter was a lop sided bread rack, to the right was a wooden cot. (that’s right – a child’s cot). 

The elderly lady (presumably the owner or wife) handles the ‘delicious mince pies’ with her gloveless hands. The table we sit at has wooden extensions so they can fit into the old booths. I could go on, however I won’t. We decided we would’ve said something however out of respect to the age of the lady we ate (partially) our pies & vanilla slices (which were ok) & left to go sit next door & sip our coffees while shaking our heads as to what possessed us to eat at that bakery. 

We set of with the next 2 hours to the Bollon turn off. 

Goodbye Denis & Darryl end of trip together. . 

Having travelled 4hours they had 9 to go (roughly) we had only about 2 1/2. 

Well that was until we struck More dirt – the DR as always handled well. Coming into Dirranbandi we pass roadworks – cotton farming – lovely flowing river with the Grey Nomads. They have returned!! 

Woohoo 133ks to Lightning Ridge. We hightail it there with only a brief stop @ the NSW border to make our 5th state.

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Yeah here

I guess to date it is about 8,500Km

3 days of rest & the artesian bores. Then home. 

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Thanks Keith – it was fabulous experience – we saw so much & met some great people.

The best part was going supported – it made everything so much easier.

We’ll plan another one (not as extensive) for 2014.

Perhaps to Cape York although Mark really wants to do more in WA.