So I finally found the supposedly set-in-cement school term dates and it looks like they will fit perfectly for our trip.
I figure we arrive around the 8th of April, buy the bikes, visit my friend and then start off on Monday the 13th when all the kids in Victoria go back to school. We'll do inland Victoria and then head to Tasmania on the 19th so that we start the island when their kids go back to school on the 20th. Week later back to Victoria and arrive in South Australia just about the time they go to school on the 27th. From then on all the kids everywhere will be back in school so accommodations and things we want to see should be less crowded and hopefully cheaper. By the time we get to the furthest north point just past Tennant Creek where we turn east towards Cairns should be first week of May and hopefully all dry. Last 3 weeks of May down the coast and in and out of the interior to see Natl Pks we are interested in.
Ambitious plan I know but with no hotel reservations and no deadlines (our tickets will be open-ended or one-way) other than his wife's order to be back in 6 wks we have a lot of flexibility for routes.
So unless I hear anything different to change our minds that's our tentative plan for now.
The buying the bikes bit in such a short time is taking into account that I have set the purchase up in advance with a dealer so that they will be registered, licensed and insured before hand so that we arrive with $, sign papers and leave. As the time gets closer will be in contact with the Melbourne dealers and hopefully get my friend involved if necessary. I trust her enough to send the money on ahead if necessary.
As always suggestions and criticisms welcome.

Sounds good, will be a lot of riding - 10,000kms plus. But very doable.


Whatever bikes you decide upon make sure that you have sufficient fuel range for the Adelaide - Tennant Creek - Cairns stretch. I think there is a 500km bit without fuel - so watch the "Next Fuel" signs.


The North of Australia from late April can be quite busy with grey nomads as they head from the Southern states to warmer climes, especially the Queensland coast.


I would allow myself a couple of days to get over the jet lag before heading off or at least some easy days in the first week.

Thanks for the tips Roger. From what I can see the longest stretch will be between Glendambo and Coober Pedy at 254 kms which is about 150 miles and will result in us running on fumes so we'll try to secure an extra gallon container for that part of the trip.
Where is the 500 km bit you spoke of?
We will be spending a couple of days visiting my friend and getting the bikes so hopefully any jet lag will be gone by then. I've traveled many times to Japan and never had any jet lag but can't speak for my buddy who has never been on a flight over an hour I think.

If you take the road from Normanton across the bottom of the Cape to Cairns, that's the one. Its a great road but you miss the lava tubes at Undara.

Our plan was to go thru Mt Isa and turn north on 62 to join the 1 going n and e to Cairns. However if you're recommending that Normanton road enough for us to prepare for the no gas thing is there anything we'll be missing on our road that we'd regret? Google maps appears to show that road is not dirt at all, correct?
Looks like we can go to Undara either way with a little backtracking.
Thanks Roger

Thanks for all the advice and tips. Moving to this Australian forum that is for the bikes we are buying. It's also divided up into states for more specific issues. Here's a link if interested -http://hondashadowriders.proboards.com/thread/4231/yanks-coming-april-asking-suggestions
Have noted many of your names and where you are so hope to contact some of you to meet the faces behind the words.

Ok - questions back
A) Are you going to use a GPS? I'd advise you too use one .. helps so much in cities! If so - what one ? With a Garmin you can use OSM to get a good free map of OZ. It is fairly comprehensive.

b) Are you now starting in Tas? Or Sydney?

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The link to that site works .. but it will not let you see the detail without registering .. reluctant to do that for a one off.

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I'm not resident in Tas .. but have relos there and have traveled there many times. And hope to do so again. There are lots of good places/roads in Tassie so I'm certain I'll never run out of things to do. It really concentrates a lot in a small space compared to the rest of OZ ... little like the UK that way. I'd like to speed 6 more months riding in Tassie .. and probably still not see it all.

Route around Tassie... when you arrive .. if it is raining in the west head east - the east has a 'rain shadow' .. so they get less rain there. If fine in the west go there first. The weather can change rapidly - coming in from the west.

You'll be here for April the 25th .. ANZAC day. Where every minor town probably will close their main street for a respectful parade. I'd suggest attending a 'dawn service' ... about 4am .. ask at the place your staying at on the 24th. But travel on the 25th may be slow.

Some dates to note if it falls within your time-series:

End of April: Flinders Classic in South Australia. Great get-together for rides around the Flinders ranges. Good company etc.

Early June: Finke desert race in Alice Springs.

The're on your route, but just a question of timing...

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Squily

Thanks for the info Squily. If we're there and it's the right day, as you said
"just a question of timing".

Gooday, it's been a while since I visited this thread. But I see that your plans continue a-pace. As mentioned previously I work at sea, as a marine engineer. But there is a fair chance I will be home around May when you maybe down my way, here on the far south coast of NSW. I would still be pleased to host you guys, just drop me a line at gpdotkldotperkins@gmail.com Obviously substitute the "dot" for . and with a bit of luck I shall be home, just give me as much notice as you can. Oh my ph no is 0422916339.

Cheers

Graeme

Me too. Getting all my ducks in a row. Thanks for the offer Graeme. Will be posting more as deadline approaches. My daughter finally got her graduation from college date confirmed so we're coming a little early since I must be back on May 22. So now we're looking at coming the 3rd week of March. Since we're doing Tasmania first that won't be bad since it's the first place to get cold. Still debating on whether to go clockwise or counter. Plus and minus on both sides.
Chris

PS - As far as I can tell there are 2 possible visas for us; the one that's free for 3 months and is an e-visa and the $135 one that's good for 6 months. If the free is obtained in minimum time without problem that's obviously the one to get though it means waiting to get a plane ticket till almost the last moment. The other one we could apply for next month. Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

Well I've got my visa, turns out it is only good for 3 months and almost free ($20 of paper work) but the great part is you can get it up to a year ahead of time. You can use it as often as you want for a total of 3 months during that year. So soon as I got it I got a plane ticket. We're coming on March 24th on a one-way so we have lots of options for the trip back including a possible Fiji visit.
After looking at the website it appears that my US license is sufficient for this trip. I don't see any requirement in any of your states for an International Drivers Licence unless your home country one is not in English or has no photo ID. Hopefully someone can confirm this.
After the holidays we'll get going on the bike buying. Looks like there are lots of accessories/options available for the Honda VT400. Fortunately I can buy them in Oz from here but have them delivered to my friend in Melbourne. Shipping costs to here are ridiculous and I would just have to take them in my suitcase. These include windshield, saddlebag standoffs and backrest/backrack combo. One option I've heard of but I can't seem to get any info on is ordering this bike with mag wheels (with tubeless tires) instead of spokes to make flat tires less of an ordeal in the outback. Anyone know of anyone who has mags on their VT400?
Happy holidays to all here.

Hi kuri77,

Been reading the posts and your route, if you pass through adeladie in south Aussie be sure to get in touch, work shop to work on the bike if needed, hot shower, cold available and plenty of stories to swap, i rode london to oz few years back. Anyway more than welcome

cheers
Robbo

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www.hardwayhome.blogspot.com

I'd stick with something that has tubes, far easier to fix a flat tyre with a tube and hand tools.


Glad to see that the trip is all coming together for you.