The Route and Itinerary
Hey guy's, this is the MUD MAP of our route that we'll be taking.
Below this map you will also find our Itinerary, it's just a brief overview but it will give you an idea on some of the places that we will be riding through along our travels.
The Route:
The Itinerary:
Please note that when mentioned "Dirt road" covers all types of surfaces: DIRT, GRAVEL, SAND, ROCKS, CLAY, BULLDUST etc. You can have all the surface types listed above in just a 30km stretch.
The condition of roads in the Australian Outback can change overnight and without warning.
The following is just a brief overview of what we have generally planned out for ourselves.
| DAY 1 |
| Bendigo to Burra - 736kms - Asphalt road all the way |
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Well this is gunna be a long day in the saddle with the simple purpose of getting to where all the good stuff starts.
We will more than likely stay in a motel somewhere in Burra just for the ease of it after a big days riding.
Also day 2 requires an early start, as we want to get to Rawnley Park Station well before sunset, as it promises to be a real show watching the ranges change colour. |
| DAY 2 |
| Burra to Rawnsley Park Station - 354kms - Asphalt road all the way |
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Again just another day on the black top, but the scenery should be a lot better and it will also be all new territory for me (Mark)!
Not to mention it will be an easy ride with plenty of time to stop, turn off and explore things along the way.
We will camp at Rawnsley Park Station, which is in the Flinders Ranges.
Bring on the light show! |
| DAY 3 |
| Rawnsley Park Station to Marree via Gammon Rages - 278kms - A bit of Asphalt and the rest is Dirt road |
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Ok... so this is the morning we'll be excited to wake up too, knowing that the end of the black top is in sight and we wont see it again for another 7 days!
We'll first take the scenic route to Blinman, then another scenic route through the Gammon Ranges.
This will bring us to the last bit of black top and onto Marree which is where the Old Ghan Railway and Oodnadatta Track starts.
We will camp the night at the local Caravan Park. |
| DAY 4 |
| Marree to Oodnadatta - 409kms - All Dirt road |
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The Oodnadatta Track! ...in my mind this is one of those legendary roads in the outback.
Kens new territory starts today and I can't believe I'm finally going to travel this road too, let alone on a motorcycle... the boy within is now alive!
This can end up being an easy day or a long hard day depending on the road conditions. Conditions can change very quickly out there!
We will camp the night at the local Caravan Park. |
| DAY 5 |
| Oodnadatta to Dalhousie Springs via Mount Dare - 336kms - All Dirt roads |
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Now we are really getting into the back tracks!
The object is to find our way to Mt Dare to fuel up for the very last time before trying to get across to Birdsville following the French Line.
We will stop at Dalhousie Springs for the night and enjoy the hot springs before leaving in the morning for the start of the hardest part of the ride!
We will Camp at Dalhousie somewhere! |
| DAY 6 |
| Dalhousie Springs to Knolls Track & French Line via the Lone Tree - 307kms - All Dirt road and Sand track |
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Holy Crap... 520kms till our next fuel stop at Birdsville, we will have already traveled 70kms from our last fill up and within the next 520kms we have about 350kms of sand dunes!
I really do hope we have worked out our fuel usage!
We hope to find our way to the "Lone Tree" that is out there defying mother-nature.
We will be camping in the desert like wild dogs. |
| DAY 7 |
| Knolls Track & French Line to Birdsville - 215kms - All Dirt road and Sand track |
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The end of the sand dunes is in sight, but one big thing stands in our way... BIG RED!
Big Red is the sand dune that stands 40 metres high and just taunts you saying "Go on mate give it a go, show me what your made of".
There is a 2km detour to avoid Big Red, but you know we'll be trying everything to make it over.
We'll be camping at the Birdsville Caravan Park. |
| DAY 8 |
| Birdsville to Innamincka via Cordillo Downs & Dig Tree - 452kms - All Dirt & Sand road |
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Well if we have made it this far, there will be a sore head or 2 after a lot of celebrations of making it across the Simpson Desert by way of the French Line... oh and the bikes will get a big drink too!
I know for me (Mark) it will be a real achievement.
The riding from here should be a bit easier on us and the bikes.
We will be camping at Innamincka |
| DAY 9 |
| Innamincka to Tibooburra via Stresleki Track, Cameron Corner and Warri gate - 430kms - All Dirt & Sand road |
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WOW day nine and we are still in the middle of no where and the roads just keep on going.
We'll pass through Cameron Corner and head back out the way that Harry (Boulevard C50) and I left with our tails tucked between our legs.
Ken wants to see me go through Warri gate (Dingo Fence gate) with my head held high and no limp to be seen.
Camp at Tibooburra or near by somewhere. |
| DAY 10 |
| Tibooburra to Broken Hill - 334kms - Asphalt and Dirt road |
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This will be an easy day of riding, so depending on how we are feeling we might take the back roads to Broken Hill and stop for a beer or two at the Silverton Hotel.
It would be great to see the MAD MAX cars again.
Might grab a motel for this night as we will have a big ride home the next day. |
| DAY 11 |
| Broken Hill to Bendigo - 700kms - Asphalt road all the way |
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Well this is the day that is always bitter sweet!
On one hand you don't want the adventure to end, but then on the other hand you are looking forward to getting home and seeing the loved ones.
Either way I hope Ken and I make it to this day with no real dramas!
Hope this gives you a little idea of what we are doing. Cheers... Mark & Ken |
