HU Western Australia Adventure Weekend 2018

Horizons Unlimited Western Australia Adventure Weekend -
Yourdamung Road Retreat, Collie, WA

Thursday 17 May - Sunday 20 May, 2018

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Horizons Unlimited Western Australia Adventure Weekend Schedule

The event is taking place from Thursday 17 May to Sunday 20 May at Yourdamung Rd Retreat in Collie, WA. This great new venue is perfect for riding, and that's the focus of the weekend!

Arrive on Thursday to be ready for activities on Friday morning. Camping is available Thursday night, but no activities or meals provided on Thursday night or Friday morning.

Starting Friday morning, continuing Saturday and Sunday, there will be rider training, ride-outs and a mini-HUMM scavenger hunt. Evening entertainment will consist of 1-2 talks plus films from the WA Adventure Travel Film Festival.

You can download the draft schedule here!

Yourdamung Rd Retreat watering hole.

PLEASE NOTE: The schedule is subject to change at any time! Details of changes will be posted at Registration and other locations.

Adventure Bike Off-Road Rider Training Course - ON SITE!

Want to improve your off-road & adventure riding skills? Join us for the launch of the 1st annual HUWA West Moto Adventures off-road rider training course. This year the folks at West Moto Adventures are offering a basic Adventure Bike off-road training course at the HU Western Australia Adventure Weekend in Yourdamung. This first course is aimed at new riders who want to get the basics of off-road riding on adventure bikes, and for riders who have some experience but want to improve their off-road skills.

West Moto Park Adventure Bike off-road training course.

The course is directed at people with basic riding skills but limited experience of off-road riding. Course will cover:

• Body positioning
• Weight distribution
• Take-off and feet-up drills for difficult situations (e.g. coffee rock or sand)
• Control skills
• Basic balancing drills
• Slow riding and acceleration control
• When to stand, sit and waddle

Training is NOT included in your registration fee, but is a smoking deal! The course will cost $75 per person for the one-day (7 hours) course on Friday 18th May (start time TBA). Camping is available at the venue on the previous evening. Grab breakfast in Collie before you start.

All participants in the course must have their own road-registered bike and all appropriate riding equipment. Maximum number of participants is 40, so please sign up when you register. West Moto Adventures reserves the right to remove people from the course at any stage during the training. Course content may change at the discretion of West Moto Adventures.

For our planning purposes, please sign up when you register!

NEW! MINI-HUMM (Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness)!

HUMM Rockies 2016, riders on trail, pic by Denis Semenov.What the heck is a HUMM?

A unique 2-day motorcycle orienteering / navigation challenge, the HUMM has also been described as an off-road motorcycle scavenger hunt. There is no set course, so you make your own adventure! Winning demands strategy, teamwork, riding and navigation skills and pure fun! www.horizonsunlimited.com/humm for more details.

"The most fun you can have on two wheels!"

How can I get into this?

HUMM Monashees 2017, following Virginia Lane, pic by Ken Delathouwer.We're running full-fat HUMM events in 2018 in Granite Mountain, Arizona (Apr 13-15), Monashees, BC (July 20-22), and Appalachians, WV (Sep 14-16). They're a great way to test your map reading and navigation skills, find hidden secrets, and enjoy fabulous riding. The trails and roads are amazing, the scenery is breath-taking, and the people are wonderful. Come along and bring your friends - if you can handle the competition!

 

But what if you can't get to North America this year, or you're not sure about this whole concept?

For the HU Western Australia 2018 Adventure Weekend, we are offering a taster, the Mini-HUMM. This half-day event (08:30 - 14:00-ish) will be offered on Saturday morning. NOTE: The Mini-HUMM will be on gazetted roads only, so bikes must be road legal and insured.

The Mini-HUMM will be open to all HU Western Australia attendees, and is included in your registration fee. There will be prizes for the winning team donated by Overlander Adventure Equipment & more!

For our planning purposes, please sign up when you register!

Presenters at HU Western Australia 2018 include...

Workshops and Tech Sessions below

Heather Ellis.

Heather Ellis

From Africa to the Silk Road
and The Art of the Travel Memoir

FROM AFRICA TO THE SILK ROAD

Heather Ellis will speak about her motorcycle adventures riding a Yamaha TT600 across Africa and Central Asia presenting stunning images from her travels. Heather is the author of Ubuntu: One Woman's Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa, (April 2016 Black Inc. June 2017 Illuminatio, Poland), a memoir about a life-changing adventure into the soul of Africa that also unfolds as a deeply spiritual journey of personal growth that resonates with all who read Ubuntu, a Bantu word which means the universal bond that connects us all as one.

After Africa, Heather rides her Yamaha TT600 from London to Hanoi along the Silk Roads of Central Asia. The Soviet Union has collapsed and it was a time when this magical world of yurts, wild horses, nomads and towering snow-capped mountains had just opened to the traveller. Heather's second book, based on this journey, will be available in late 2018.

Heather Ellis.

THE ART OF THE TRAVEL MEMOIR

Subjects covered include the 'travel diary'; identifying your 'core message'; planning your story arc; the importance of structure and theme; key elements of creative non-fiction; and how to approach publishers.

Heather has worked as a radiation safety technician, a motorcycle courier in London, a journalist for News Ltd and media officer for the NGO, Plan International. She lives in the Yarra Valley near Melbourne with her three children, and still rides motorcycles. Her next adventure on her beloved Yamaha TT600 will be South America and beyond.

Educational Sessions

...because Horizons Unlimited meetings are about information, not just inspiration!

Dave Buffinton

Dave Buffinton

Bike Modifications: Show-and-Tell

Bring your bike to the car park and show off your mods, customised tech, tips, and tricks!

Dave with his bike

John Lizamore

John Lizamore

Bike Ergonomics

To get the most out of your motorcycle, it should feel like an extension of yourself. When you picked up your new motorcycle, did the dealer take time to make it fit you? Do you adjust a car seat to fit you after someone else has driven it? So why not do the same with your bike? You'll learn the amazing difference a properly set-up bike makes to your riding fun.

John Lizamore

HUWA Adventure Weekend

HUWA Adventure Weekend Team

How to Lift a Fully-Loaded Travel Bike

Does the idea of dropping then having to pick up your loaded bike give you the heebie-jeebies? Have you tried to pick up your bike and found recommended techniques just don't work for you? Bring along your bike and willingness to find a helpful technique or two for the next time your bike decides to take a nap!

Loaded bike on its side in the desert

Xander Kabat

Xander Kabat

Fix That Flat! Tyre Changing Workshop
a.k.a. Don't let flats deflate you

Xander covers everything tyres: how to prevent flats in the first place; fix them when you get one; the best tools and how to use them for tubes and tubeless tyres; hands-on practical experience for beginners to experts. No need to feel deflated about flats ever again. Xander's tips will get you rolling and back on the road in no time!

Xander's tyre-changing demo

Stay tuned for more presenters...

Facilities for a Fantastic Weekend!

The event is taking place at Yourdamung Rd Retreat near Collie, WA.

708 Yourdamung Road
Collie WA 6225
-33.252263, 116.278153

Please be aware there is a 7km gravel road (in good condition) to access the venue.

Yourdamung Rd Retreat hosts events and holiday retreats. The area consists of self contained living areas, a watering hole, stage, camping area, function area, and much more!

 

Yourdamung Rd Retreat - Swimming area and stage.

When you're not riding, you can soak in the Aussie bush atmosphere - view wildlife, swim in the waterhole or take a leisurely bush walk.

Accommodation

Youradmung Rd Retreat has camping, self-contained rooms and caravan space on site. The nearby town of Collie has a number of hotels/motels and bed & breakfasts to suit every budget. See listing on this page.

Camping (Pre-book when you register)

Yourdamung Rd Retreat camping area.

Lovely area with grass and trees for camping

Weekend (Thurs/Fri/Sat night) Camping: $25 per tent. (Not included in registration fee). You can also pay just $10 per tent per night if you're only staying Fri/Sat nights!

Other Accommodation On-Site

There are a very limited number (10) of Self contained rooms. Please book these directly with the venue: (0408 224 562 or 9734 3056) as soon as possible.

Bring your own caravan. Power is available.

Toilets and showers

Yourdamung Rd Retreat - showers and toilets.

Toilet and shower facilities

Food (Pre-book dinners when you register)

We have arranged to have fully catered dinners for Friday ($28) and Saturday ($28) nights, so you don't have to wander around finding food! Quantities will be limited, so don't wait to book!

Friday dinner: $28 Pre-booked Pig-on-a-Spit with vegies/salads and vegetarian option (vegi option MUST BE pre booked also $28)

Saturday dinner: $28 Pre-booked Hangi with vegies/salads and vegetarian option (vegi option MUST BE pre-booked also $28), fire pit.

Yourdamung Rd Retreat outdoor BBQ area.

Outdoor barbecue area

Saturday and Sunday breakfasts will be available (PAYG to venue). $10 Bacon and eggs or $7 continental. Coffee/ tea juice. Note: Breakfast is NOT available on Friday morning.

Indoors - Entertainment area (Not a working bar, but you can BYO)

Yourdamung Rd Retreat indoor entertainment area.



 

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 

days to go!

Join the discussion:

On the HUBB!
On Facebook!


HU Western Australia Adventure Weekend is sanctioned by Motorcycling New South Wales.

Sanctioned Event

HUMM - the most fun on 2 wheels!


What happens at HU events?


HU South Africa


You can help!

If you have a few minutes, please download the poster (Adobe pdf format) and print off a few and hand them round your club or your local bike shop or anywhere seems like a good place.

Poster in pdf format (455 kb) full colour Event poster:

HU Western Australia 2018 Adventure Weekend poster.

Hi-Res poster (1.5 MB)

POSTCARD - NEW!

Postcard in pdf format (719 kb) full colour Event postcard.

HU Western Australia 2018 Adventure Weekend postcard.

Can be printed 4 to page (696 kb)

You may need to right click and choose "save target as..."

Thanks!

Join the Volunteer Crew

From welcoming travellers at the gate, to taking care of the campsite and making sure all the presentations run smoothly, the success of every HU event relies on the enthusiasm of its volunteer crew.

Dee Masters, volunteer extraordinaire!

"What a wonderful bunch of people. I had no idea how much fun I'd have by helping out!"

"It was my absolute pleasure to be able to give something back to the HU community and working with such great folks really made the event special."

Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, get more involved with Horizons Unlimited and have loads of fun! You can sign up to volunteer when you register for the meeting, OR click here if you have already registered and want to add volunteering.

HU Western Australia 2018 Venue Location

Yourdamung Road Retreat
708 Yourdamung Road,
Collie WA 6225

Ph: 0408 224 562 or 9734 3056

-33.252263, 116.278153


Distances:

Perth - 211 km
Margaret River - 170 km

Information about the area

"Collie is a modern thriving community of approximately 9500 residents. It's large enough to offer all the services expected of a regional centre, but small enough to retain its country charm and hospitality - It is a warm and friendly community surrounded by forests, rivers and lakes.

Collie offers excellent shopping facilities, with two supermarkets (Coles and Woolworths), Target Country, gift shops and lots of specialty stores. Two medical practices and dental surgeries, allied health services including physiotherapist, chiropractors, podiatrist and Silver chain all support the modern Collie District Hospital."

Collie Visitor Centre

156 Throssell Street, Collie WA 6225,
Ph: 08 9734 2051, Fax: 08 9734 7518,
info@collierivervalley.org.au

They provide:
• Free WiFi
• Free accommodation booking service and advice
• Rail, coach and accommodation bookings
• Tour bookings
• Collie shirts, hats and souvenirs
• Outlet for local crafts
• Large range of maps and guides
• Complimentary storage of packs and parcels for Mundabiddi Cycle Trail users and Bibbulmun Track walkers
• Register and notice board for those using the Mundabiddi Cycle Trail or walking the Bibbulmun Track
• Potable water for a donation.

Medical Centers

• Collie River Valley Medical Centre 24-28 Harvey St, Collie, WA 6225 (08) 9734 4111
• Collie Medical Group 17 Johnston St Collie, WA 6225 (08) 9734 1233

Supermarket

• Coles 49 Johnston St · (08) 9734 1633
• Woolworths Collie 534 Johnston St · (08) 9735 2600

Petrol stations

• Caltex 124 Throssell St (08) 9734 7938, Open until 9:00 pm
• Coles Express 57 Johnston St (08) 9734 2002 Open until 10:00 pm
• Gull Coronation Collie 143 Throssell St (08) 9734 2830 Open until 3:00 pm
• Shell 57 Johnston St

Restaurants & Wineries

8 Thai Ladies (52 Cherry Street, Cardiff - Reservations are a must and can be made by phoning 08 9734 4538)
Harris River Estate Winery, (08)97344042

Cafes

• Collie Boulevard Café
• Colliefields Coffee Shoppe & Tea House
• Jax's Corner Deli & Diner
• Kiosk at the Dam
• McDonald's Café
• Wagon 537

Takeaway

• Jax Corner Deli & Diner
• Kiosk at the Dam
• McDonald's Family Restaurant
• Wagon 537

Pub Counter Meals

• Club Hotel
• Crown Hotel
• Federal Hotel
• The Victoria Hotel

Local Hosts

Xander and Tam Kabat have found this great new venue and will be organising the 1st HU Western Australia Adventure Weekend.

Tam and Zander Kabat in Morocco.

We can always use help on the day - please volunteer to help out for a couple of hours when you register (above)!

HU Events Refund Policy

We know 'stuff happens', and you know we have financial commitments to venues and caterers!

If you're unable to attend an event, please let us know (by e-mail reply to your confirmation e-mail from us) so we don't worry that something has happened to you...

Up to 30 days prior to event start, we will refund all fees in full less a $10 (or €9 or £8) fee for handling and PayPal charges.

Up to 15 days prior to event start, we will refund camping/accommodation and food packages in full less a $10 (or €9 or £8) handling fee. We will apply your registration fee to any subsequent HU event in the year or following year. If you have purchased a t-shirt, let us know your mailing address and we'll send it out.

Within 15 days of the event start, there will be no refunds, but we will apply your registration fee to any subsequent HU event in the year or following year. If you have purchased a t-shirt, let us know your mailing address and we'll send it out.

New to Horizons Unlimited?

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80 G/S motorcycle. The website, HUBB forum and regular events across the globe have inspired thousands of people to follow their dreams and take the road less travelled.

Susan and Grant Johnson
Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - Show you're proud to be a Horizons Unlimited Traveller!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love overland adventure travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events such as this one (18 this year!); we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, the HUBB or to receive the e-zine. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.

You can join at a reduced rate as part of your meeting registration. Note that new Memberships with your Meeting Registration are applied as of the Meeting date or as soon as possible thereafter, not earlier, unless you make a special request in the Comments box when you register.