A buddy and I were planning to motorcycle in Australia from Jan 1 to Feb 15 next year. The tentative plan is to go up from Sydney down the coast to a friend's house in Melbourne, down through Tasmania, then back up through the interior via Alice Springs, Darwin, Cairns (taking in national parks in the general area) then back down the coast to Sydney. We could do that in reverse since nothing is nailed down yet.
It all sounded good temperature-wise since I knew "our winter, your summer" but I'm starting to check Oz weather daily and it looks like it may be a little too early since it appears to be raining everywhere, in the north especially. Would putting it off a month till Feb1 to Mar15 be a better idea? We can live with some lower temps but don't want to spend most of the time in our rain suits.
First visit so don't assume I know anything other than in this post. Am going to get a guide book for some ideas but would like input from people who have maybe done a similar route or live along it. If you have alternate route suggestions great but we are on vacation so not planning on any day over 250 miles. We want to look around a lot and take pics not do an Iron Butt. So anything, maybe parallel to the roads I mentioned or a short cut or long cut, that is more interesting we're all for.
As you see from the map it's about an 12,000 km trip which will give us about 300 kms a day which is around perfect for our style of cruising.

Attached Thumbnails

 

The South is great in summer (Oct-Mar), the North is great in winter (Jun-Oct)

The North and East has summer rainfall and it's not so much about riding in rain-suites as it is about roads being closed because they're flooded (I got rained in at Halls Creek and had to wait a week for the waterlevel to drop down enough to cross Starvation creek- then had about 5 x 1m deep x 1km long water crossings to do before getting to Derby- it was pleasantly warm all the way, but everything was still under water.)

The West and South has winter rainfall. It's crap- try and stay out of it.

May is generally a good month all round.

And things like temperature is a very general term- 40C in Perth is one thing, but 35C up North is humid, stuffy and can be unbearable for some. The Central part (Alice Springs) in my experience is a dry heat and not an issue. Darwin heat (in summer) I find oppressing and hard to handle. I don't mind the cold of the South, but generally it doesn't really get cold till June.

Oh, and almost forgot- distance is also relative. you'll find some areas you'll be doing 7-800km/day relatively easily because there's not much in-between (especially central outback), and other areas, like Tasmania- 200km can take 4 hours+

I rather plan how much time I want to spend in the seat, rather than distance. But it's all relative.

But you'll love it all.

__________________
Squily

Having been a resident in Adelaide and done the trip up to the Alice a few times I would never attempt this in Jan Feb. Our average temp has been 39 deg C this year, max 46 and heading north they have hit 50 deg C this year. Under leathers this is nothing short of insane. Plan to hit Adelaide about April and you should be right.

A few years ago I did the main circular part of the route your planning (ie without the Tasmanian southern leg leg or the Darwin northern leg). With a few side trips and detours (like Alice to Ayers rock - surely you are planning that) it was 15,000km and took me 5 weeks at a relaxed pace.

Unless you are planning to race and travel everyday I think you might be slightly over estimating what can be achieved - Tasmania is worth at least a week, especially with the cost of the ferry, and because of the length of the dog leg its not worth going to Darwin unless you spend a few days in the area (and its worth it).

Weather wise - its the luck of the draw. I did it in perfect April weather, but equally I've seen that time of year awash. Just choose your dates(probably as late as you can make it) then if necessary adjust your plans on the go, somewhere will always be nice.

__________________
Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/

Umm the climate in the northern parts of Australia is very different from that in the south. I think you planning is like saying going from Florida through Utah to Chicago and back .. in June/July. You do need to look at the climate .. but at the ends and in the center of your trip. Usually people travel on the shoulders - say August/Sept .. March/April/May to get the milder temperatures. It can be done in summer or winter .. but you'll be very hot or very cold.

If your stuck with Jan/Feb .. you can restrict yourself to Tasmania for say 2~3weeks .. then do Melbourne - Sydney and back without too much trouble with extreme temperatures .. though you can get 40C+ on a hot day unless you stick very close to the coast.

The roads 'you' have selected on the map look to be all main roads ... e.g. Tasmania (Tassie) .. your going the midlands highway .. go around the outside .. the coast! .. avoid the center. You'd arrive by ferry in Devonport - then back roads to Lanceston .. Latrobe (chocolate and good food, wood chopper museum) Scotsdale, St Helens .. down the east coast .. St Marys - Elephant pass (pancakes) chain of lagoons (crabs) Freycinet (Wine Glass Bay for a look, not a drink nor eat), Port Arthur (history) Hobart, then across to the west coast -Queenstown, Strahan, Zeehan (museum is worth stopping for!) if you can take dirt roads - then do the 'western explorer') Cradle Valley, Devonport .. (and there is more if you want .. even the places I've mentioned have more .. except Latrobe perhaps, but the chocolates make up for it. Bmerbird might say more )

Haha and to drink BEER?? Mezo

Well looks like I’ve waited long enough to respond. First, thanks to everyone for replying.

Squily - Good weather advice thanks. Looking more like do the bottom half rather than the eastern half if we want to stay warm but not humid or stinkin hot. You’re right about relative for distances. You may think “7-800 km/day relatively easily” however we never plan to ride 500 miles a day regardless of how easy it is. That either involves a hell of a lot of hours or a lot of excess speed both of which both of us try to avoid. Next question for you is - you have 6 weeks, want to ride but not excessively far or fast each day and your main idea is to see as much of OZ’s natural wonders and beauty as possible while staying warm and dry. What would be your route? We’re noobs as I said so any ideas you have are welcome.

Mezo - Good mosquito advice thanks, both of us detest them. Don’t understand why you think 200 miles a day is over ambitious. Most people say we’re wusses for going such a short distance every day. We’re both into the natural wonders aspect of Oz so no plans to spend any nights in any big cities. Camping in national parks suits us fine. We want to see coast and inland. But we don’t want to spend more than one day in any one place because we both really like just riding, stopping, riding etc. and there are so many places to see. Same question as to Squily - give us the trip you would do in those 6 weeks based on what I’ve said about heat, rain and national parks.

Lisa_Ann - Thanks for the Alice advice. Sounds like going thru the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas in summer. Done it but prefer not to. So we’ll forget that part of it. Same question - what route would you plan for 6 weeks based on our criteria?

Navalarchitect - “it was 15,000km and took me 5 weeks at a relaxed pace”. “Unless you are planning to race and travel everyday I think you might be slightly over estimating what can be achieved”. Our plan is less than the 15,000 you said you did leisurely in less time than we have so our plan should be no problem. You're the second person to mention April so maybe putting it off a little is a better idea. Same question as for the others plus do you recommend your trip to us after Lisa_Ann’s comment about temps in Alice?

Warin - Thanks for the advice. “If your stuck with Jan/Feb .. you can restrict yourself to Tasmania for say 2~3weeks .. then do Melbourne - Sydney and back without too much trouble with extreme temperatures .. though you can get 40C+ on a hot day unless you stick very close to the coast.” This maybe sounds like a good plan. Can you elaborate any on that plan as to routes and things to see please? I am getting a guide book to look up things along the routes I put on the GPS but maybe you know some roads or places specifically of interest to motorcyclists. The map roads I chose are as much off the main roads as possible but when shrunk to map seem like main roads. The coast roads I picked are those closest to the coast. And the Tasmanian route I planned out pretty much echoed your route but Google wouldn’t let me put that many points in so I just put Hobart.

So I’ll check with my buddy but he seems to think it would be really a thrill to celebrate his birthday Feb 8 and mine Feb 7 in Oz and as he says “with my arm round a kangaroo” or some such notion. So for now we’ll go with Jan/Feb unless he can be convinced to change. Thanks again to all for contributing and giving me stuff to consider and discuss with my bud who is computer-challenged so everything goes thru me.

Kuri

In response to your question: well just how long is a piece of string?

I don't like people too much, so try and avoid all the well-travelled routes and prefer the wide open spaces to touristy/trendy spots. So from that perspective- I can't agree with Mezo's statement "Forget going up the middle past Alice to Darwin & then over to Cairns, there is nothing to see, waste of time and gas money"

But Mezo is right: where do you start from and to and on what bikes? That'll dictate a lot of what you can or cannot do.

So under assumption you'll be on a larg'ish DP-bikes and not looking for a desert-adventure like crossing the Simpson unsupported, I'd stick to South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. That way you're limiting your overall distance to around 5-8000km (depending on how much you ride etc), you're staying within 'civilization' and don't have to plan for remote traveling, extra fuel, etc. BUT you've still got plenty of options to see excellent geographical areas (such as Flinder's ranges, Lake Eyre, Alpine National Park) where you'll be alone and not trampled by the masses.



This area will also allow you plenty of maneuvering room to 'find' good weather should things get a bit downcast.

Lastly: an atlas like this might give you some good ideas on where to go, what to see:
Hema Books - Australia Motorcycle Atlas - Spiral Bound @ ExplorOz Shop

__________________
Squily

Mezo And Squily,
Thanks for continuing the dialog.
We plan on buying 400 Shadows new from a dealer in Sydney then selling them probably in Sydney since flight will be to and from there. I'm figuring after looking at bike prices on Oz forums that we will probably lose about what we would pay in rent but would have new bikes and warranties with a low chance of problems. He's on a 6 wks or else pretty much with his wife. Mine's way more accommodating as in "you don't have to come back you know" so I can always stay with my friend in Melbourne till they are sold without taking a bath on the price.
Only in Sydney to take off/land and buy the bikes. Only in Brisbane passing thru. Other than friend in Melbourne we have no desire or need to visit any big cities. We want to do a lot of coast for seafood and sightseeing but also inland to visit the national parks. Since we like riding though not at race speeds or all day long we figure 12,000 kms for the trip would be relaxing and give us time to see stuff but neither of us are hikers or want to be and we don't plan to stay more than one night per place. I think that's probably where our time/distance discrepancies arise, Mezo. Sounds like you like to hang in one area for a while so can spend 6 weeks around the Reef but we want to be on the road every day. Our motto is "every day is a new adventure especially in a new country".
So your suggestions of the south and the east sound good. Hopefully the weather will cooperate enough to get to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. We're not going offroad on this trip but would go Alice Springs way if we had positive weather reports for the north over to Cairns. Unfortunately Mezo, this will definitely be the last trip to Australia for him and probably for me too. No matter how great Oz is, and I fully expect it to be fantastic, I've only got a certain amount of riding years left (we're both 65) and I want to ride as many different places as possible. New Zealand and South Africa are my next two on the list. Thanks for the parks and islands tips. Agree with you Squily about Alice and the road less travelled but it'll mostly be weather-dependent. Being from Calif both of us enjoy and are used to driving in the desert without all the traffic of our daily lives. But we live for hot and sunny, no rain or cold wanted.
Last November I went to India for a month, bought a new Bajaj 220cc for $1500 and sold it for $1000 when I left. No bike problems but return-trip problems because I bought a return ticket. This time, if Oz permits it we'll come one-way so that there is no need for the changing ticket hassle. Ended up costing me the savings I made by buying roundtrip. Round trip is only good for when you have an exact date in mind and need to keep to it. Otherwise the open ticket is very little more for both ways but gives you so much more latitude, such as being able to buy in Sydney but sell elsewhere.
Thanks again guys, hope you can show us a favorite road maybe when we're there.

In 2010, December, the town of Mackay in Queensland received SIX INCHES (150mm) of rain. Now 6" of rain in the Tropics is not unusual; but to have the rain last 6 minutes!!!!
Yes folks, that's 1" (25mm) of rain per minute.

Bring your snorkel & Flippers.

Cheers from Oz.

__________________
I'm not getting older; I'm just progressing through LIFE!! Harleys do not have a throttle- they have VOLUME control!!!

You seem hell bent on doing this trip in Jan/Feb. Do as others have said and put it back a couple of months. Hot as hell down south and up the middle and hot and wet, that is cyclonic, equatorially, torrentially, stuck between flooded rivers, type wet. Of course you could get lucky, but your 6 week time frame, although doable, does make the above even more pertinent. The south, including Tassy is good up untill April/May.
Also Jan/Feb is peak tourist time in a lot of places.

You did say critique

Graeme.

Hey Kuri

Look mate, forewarned is forearmed. If you're bent on going north, then plan for it, but keep your plans flexible. Some images below (picked at random of then net). Flooding up north is no isolated incidents- it happens every year. the people living there have adapted to it and quite blase about spending a few days next to a swollen river before continuing with their journey. It's all part of the excitement, but it's not so much fun if you're running against a deadline. I visited Cairns a few years ago in April, but couldn't go north beyond Daintree- everything flooded. So had to turn back. The Atherton tablelands made up for it though. Beautiful country no matter where you decide to go.

Just some pointers on your last response (which you may or may not know and please forgive me if I patronize you):

• The Great Barrier reef is a few hours by boat off-shore in most places. IMO: forget about a day trip, as you'll spend 10-15% of the day on the reef, the rest in transit and the seas can be quite ruff. Best way is an over-nighter on one of the boats that stay on the reef. Scuba (and snorkel) is excellent. Food is great. Atmosphere terrific and works out much cheaper than daytrips.
• Staying close to the ocean and eating seafood- hmmm... About the only place I could really manage that was Tasmania. Seafood can be quite expensive in Australia (compared to lamb and beef, it's two-three times more)- I know I'm generalizing, but I live at the ocean and we only eat seafood we catch. Just too friggin' expensive otherwise. Also- way up north, there is no towns or centers where you CAN buy or eat seafood. The northern coast of Australia is really sparsely populated.
• 
• The roads in the center and remote(r) areas are no what you'll be used to in California. Even some of the 'bigger' more well-traveled roads can be classed as tracks, not roads. They're dirt, corrugated and sandy. The country out there is great, but if you're planning to see anything of it, don't expect a sealed road going to it.
• Fuel range on your Shadows might be an issue. I could be wrong, but I thing they only have a 14l tank. That's around 200-300km. There will be some areas on your marked route where you'll need 400km at least (without a safety buffer). Most roadhouses on the main routes are <200km apart, but not always. And in the center, there's nothing in between roadhouses. And on the development roads, fuel could be 600km apart. Plus you might need to go off the highway to explore some of the sights.

You've got 6 weeks and you're starting in Sydney. Why not head south 1st and see how you like it. Plenty of isolated spots not too far inland on sealed roads (Broken Hill, Bourke etc) that'll give you a taste for waht you can expect.

__________________
Squily

Kuri

Reading Squily's last post we did carry five litres of spare fuel, Diane's bike does 300km and we only got low once, as everywhere be prepared.
we don't like sand or gravel riding, all of Oz was on the tar.

drop me an email andrew.fenn@hotmail.co.uk

regards

Andrew

Well I talked my buddy out of the "kangaroo and him" birthday pic. He's agreed to go last 3 weeks of April and 1st 3 weeks of May so now we're in the right weather window. Next off to the library for Oz books and will get back here after I have pulled together some kind of route using as many of your suggestions as possible. Hope you'll all be just as helpful in re-critiquing me when I return. Thanks again all and will be back here soon.