Australia Enduro Tour
A continent spanning adventure beginning in the Northern Territory, heading south via Uluru [Ayers Rock] and the dusty ‘red centre’, to South Australia & Victoria. Haunting desert scenes, World Heritage Areas, a ride along the Great Ocean Road, intricate landscapes and fascinating people. A smattering of off-road riding via the famous Oodnadatta desert track adds a touch of adventure. It all adds up to one of the most iconic rides there is!
Australian Outback Guided Motorcycle Adventure
20 Days / 19 Nights – 5500 km/3300 miles
Darwin to Melbourne
From the tropical delights of the Northern Territory through the iconic red centre of Australia, along one of the greatest outback tracks around and through the lush scenery and along the incredible biking roads of Victoria. If you’re going to cross a continent, then this is the way to do it!
Darwin
Is the capital city of the Northern Territory. A population of 111,300 makes it by far the most populated city in the Northern Territory but the least populated of all Australia’s capital cities. Laid back, multicultural, tropical and easy on the eye – all in all, a great place prepare for the trans-continent adventure that awaits. Get to know the bikes around the city, take in the relaxing tropical atmosphere and enjoy a harbour cruise and a hearty meal before setting out.
Kakadu National Park
Is the world heritage listed jewel of the Northern Territory. Incredible wildlife with big crocs, stunning bird life, water buffalo and an amazing variety of plants and trees can be found in this wetland paradise. Watching the sunset over the wetlands at Ubirr is magical and exploring the caves and aboriginal artwork at Nourlangie from 60,000 years ago provides an amazing insight into the country and the connection the aboriginal people have to it.
Two nights are spent in the park, giving ample time to explore this fascinating spectacle of nature.
Further south is Katherine
The third largest town in the Northern Territory and famous for Katherine Gorge which is a series of 13 linked gorges along which you can take a boat ride, or explore via canoe. Located in the Nitmiluk National Park just to the north east of town. We leave the northern tropics behind, heading south for the iconic dusty red outback. Lush green landscapes make way for sand, soaring temperatures and epic swaths of breathtaking
Nitmiluk National Park – Motorbikes generally not waterproof, so best explored by canoe or flat bottomed boat!
The Devil’s Marbles [Karlu Karlu]
A small but spectacular National Park situated north of Alice Springs, is the next notable encounter on our expedition south. The length of time it must have taken for the wind, rain and sand storms to weather the rocks into these spherical and rounded shapes is just incredible.
The first week of this expedition draws to a close at the thriving outback town of Alice Springs.
Alice Springs
Set deep in the harsh outback, ‘the Alice’ is a modern oasis in an otherwise inhospitable desert. Ideally situated next to some of Australia’s great wonders, it makes an ideal base from where you can explore the surrounds at your leisure. Hard to believe a week has already passed, but there’s much more to experience as we continue south.
Leaving Alice Springs we ride through a landscape of spectacular geological formations rising up from the shimmering deserts and into the huge blue skies, as we reach one of the world’s most iconic sights: the incredible Uluru (Ayres Rock).
Uluru [Ayers Rock]
One of the most recognisable landmarks on the planet, Uluru doesn’t disappoint. The route north takes you temptingly close to the monolith and a day spent exploring its many hidden delights is a must. Witnessing sunrise, sunset and watching as the rock changes colour before you is one of life’s great moments.
The Olgas
Only 30km from Uluru and are just as impressive. There are two walks that you can take around the Olgas. The ‘Valley of the Winds Walk‘ is an amazing 7km track that circles several of the rock outcrops. If the temperature is due to be 36 degrees or more then this walk is closed from 11am so get there early. There is also a shorter walk (2km) which takes you into one of the many gorges. The ride continues along the legendary Stuart Highway into South Australia, before branching off along the dirt of the famous Oodnadatta Track.
Oodnadatta Track
This desert amazing track follows a traditional aboriginal trading route, providing travellers with some stunning desert riding. Numerous mound springs feed water from the Great Artesian Basin along the way, affording the occasional palm fringed oasis. Eventually progress brought the Central Australian Railway to the endless Gibber Plains, opening up the outback to travellers. Remnants of the many long abandoned railway sidings and overland telegraph repeater stations can still be seen along the track – some of the best preserved are at the Curdimurka Siding.
Lake Eyre
The lowest point anywhere in Australia but a definite high point on the tour, can be glimpsed from the track as we pass, although don’t expect much [if any] water, this is the desert after all! We rejoin surfaced roads at Marree and round out the week at Wilpena Pound, a vast natural amphitheatre ringed with sheer cliffs and jagged rocks that are constantly changing colour.Two nights are spent at the renowned Prairie Hotel at Parachilna, where the permanent population also sometimes only numbers two. Internationally recognised as some of the best outback accommodation and one of only two restaurants in Australia to be recognised by ‘Hip’ magazine as serving the best ‘bush tucker‘ available in Australia. Some of their culinary delights on offer will raise a few eyebrows for even the most season foodie traveller.
The final week of the expedition will see us enter one of Australia’s best known wine regions, the Barossa Valley.
The Barossa Valley
This area is home to over sixty wineries, some of which have been in operation for nearly 160 years. The ride takes us over the rolling hills, along twisting, vineyard fringed roads and deep amongst the valleys where the wine flows freely.
The Adelaide Hills
This area is a biker’s paradise of winding twisting roads and you’ll be hard pressed to tear yourself away when we stop at Mannum. It’s worth breaking the momentum for though, Mannum has some fascinating paddle steamer heritage and is situated right on Australia’s greatest river, the Murray.Last stop in South Australia before entering Victoria is the stunning Coorong National Park, a sanctuary for innumerable species of birds, mammals and of course fish. We can arrange an optional beach fishing excursion from here if you want to get a bit closer to some of the specimens that call the park their home, with the chance to catch Mullet, Shark and Salmon to name but a few.
Bidding South Australia farewell we cross into Victoria and enter another world entirely, one filled with ancient forests, fern lined gullies, fast flowing creeks and shimmering lakes as we explore the 400 million year old Grampians National Park.
Grampians National Park
This area has towering granite highlands jam packed with wildlife, epic lookouts and amazing waterfalls. The biking roads are pretty great too and on a clear day you can see 150 km to the coast and the Great Ocean Road that awaits.
The full-stop to this incredible expedition is riding along one of the world’s finest coastal routes, the Great Ocean Road.
The Great Ocean Road
One of the most scenic coastal drives in the world, words can’t describe the spectacular scenery on this amazing section of road. Every motorcyclist should ride this road at least once in their life!
You have the amazing coastal scenery including the world famous 12 Apostles on one side, with the temperate rainforest of the Otway Ranges on the other. Dotted along the way are quaint, friendly small towns with great cafes and restaurants that are perfect for a coffee break and a chance to take in the atmosphere.
Two days are spent meandering at a relaxed pace along this epic coastal road, before rolling into the welcome cosmopolitan embrace of Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city. It’s a world apart from the remote splendor experienced on the ride here, but a fitting end to an epic adventure.
Bike Choice | 2019* |
Suzuki DR650 | £4985 |
BMW F700GS | £5180 |
BMW F800GS or F850GS | £5485 |
BMW R1200GS | £5785 |
What’s Included in the Australian outback guided motorcycle adventure: Rental bike of your choice, support vehicle for luggage transport during the tour, complete with qualified first aider on board, fuel, 19 nights of accommodation during the tour in comfortable, high quality resorts and hotels. Most breakfasts and lunches are included in the tour, some exclusions do apply. Breakfasts: 19 / Lunches: 15 / Dinners: 10. Lead rider and expert guide, who will share a wealth of knowledge about the flora, fauna, geology and history of each area. A boat trip along the Nitmiluk Gorge including dinner and a boat trip on Yellow Water in Kakadu National Park. Airport transfers are included in the tour price.
Not Included in the Australian outback guided motorcycle adventure: Flights, visas, lunch, dinner and drinks (including from hotel mini-bar).
If you are riding in hot temperatures, you may wish to consider our Mesh and Hyperkewl products.