Driving motorbike around Australia in 2015

AUSTRALIA 2015

Motorcycle: Triumph Tiger Explorer

Where: Bunbury WA to Herberton QLD via Outback Way and return via Savannah Way

When, how long and how far: April 2015, approx. two weeks, then return Sept 2015 approx two weeks, total 11,000km

Comments: : Having been around Australia on the bitumen, decided to do it (as much as possible) on unsealed roads. Brought a new Triumph with shaft drive and cruise control for the purpose. It was ok except that it didn’t like sand / bull dust, and I dropped it eight times in total, and it was too heavy to pick up on my own. Carried a PLB for emergency and had to use it once. Carried a new motorcycle swag, fuel bladder and jack on the bike. The temperature on the outward trip was perfect during the day and cold at night, until the QLD coast. On the return trip it was really hot. Left the bike with a friend in Herberton for four months, and flew to Perth and back in between.

Route map: Bunbury / Hyden /Coolgardie / Laverton / Warburton / Docker River / Uluru / Kings Canyon / Alice Springs / Boulia / Winton / Charters Towers / Townsville / Magnetic Island / Port Douglas / Daintree / Cooktown / Cairns / Herberton. Return: Herberton / Croydon / Karumba / Burketown / Lawn Hill / Hells Gate / Borroloola / Katherine / Kununurra / Gibb River / Derby / Broome / Marble Bar / New Norcia / Bunbury NB: Google maps does not recognize the road between Docker River and Peterman as existing hence the gap