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.

Hi Warin,
Using a Garmin car GPS, a nuvi50 that worked fine in India and Europe. Love the 5 inch screen and as long as you disconnect it in the rain it works fine.
Not familiar with OSM. Are you saying I can download an Oz map to it? I have a mac and can follow instructions so if you have more specific info am willing to give it a try to see if it works for me, otherwise will just buy the Oz map from Garmin. As you said, worth the price just to be able to get in and out of cities. Don't need them as much in the countryside.
Yes, we are now flying to Melbourne rather than Sydney. I was under the mistaken impression that everything pretty much revolved around Sydney for bike dealers and flights but seems there are many options for both in Melbourne, plus I have a friend who lives in Heidelberg (suburb of Mel.) who maybe able to help in some respects. So we'll buy the bikes, ride around Victoria to break in the bikes for a few days and get the 1000 km breaking oil service done, then head over to Tasmania. Everything, route and time, will be expanded I think if his wife caves in a bit on the time period otherwise it'll be about 4 days there especially since we like warm weather and it appears that April days are in the 50s temperature-wise which is nipping for me.
Good tip about the east-west and the rain thanks.
If possible will definitely be attending an ANZAC Day parade. Both of us are vets and mindful and thankful for the support from Australia and New Zealand that we Americans often get in wartimes.

You & me both Warin, but sooner or later, ya gunna get caught

for OSM + nuvi50
OpenStreetMap | Skippern's diary | Garmin Nüvi 50 with OpenStreetMap
Garmin/Nüvi series - OpenStreetMap Wiki

The mac I don't know. Do you run some sort of Garmin map software on it? If so you should be able to get OSM working with it..

Suggest you download an OSM map for your area so you can see what it is like for detail. Oh .. OSM is free.

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Thanks Bucket1960, I don't usually speed down in Tassie as I'm too busy lookin .. and speed should have been spend... For others doing their first trip down there .. they don't speed mark their corners too much .. so you can expect the corner to be anything ... a 100km/h road could have an unmarked 50 km/h corner on it .. ride within your limits not those of the speed limit.

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Yep April will be cooler in Tassie. You could skip Tassie if you want and head north for warmth. See how you go. The ferry over there and back is not cheap .. I'd spend longer than 4 days to make it worth while. I take it the wife is not coming too? Pity - Tassie is worth a good look for both.

Spent a little time checking out OSM. Looks complicated enough that I'll stick to my paper map and paying for the OZ map from Garmin. I don't use any software on the Garmin, just plug it in and go when at home. If overseas, I buy the sd card, insert and go. The India one was great and I'd probably still be in Mumbai going around in circles without it. No street names anywhere and most locals don't know past the end of the village.
Yeah I know I'm somewhat tech-challenged but I will take advantage of others' knowledge if shown but to go thru and figure it all out myself is often daunting enough I don't find it worth the time.
Wife isn't coming as she is taking the same time period to visit her mother in Japan.
It appears it will cost us $425 each return for the ferry which is not cheap but it is Tasmania so we'll probably bite the bullet and pay. Depends on the weather too.
Gonna check out my friends and see if any of them use OSM and maybe I can get a lesson so I can get into it. Anyway thanks for trying and the suggestions.

Hi Kuri,

My names Greg and I have been reading this post. I just wanted to say don't give up on Sydney as some people obviously have. It is a great place. I know you and friend are time strapped but a couple of days in the city shouldn't be missed. It is a wonderful place. All places have their problems and their good points as well, and Sydney is no exception. It is not just a bridge and an opera house. There is so much to see and do. "The Rocks" area is a great place to start. On the south end of the bridge. Historic old joints there as well as some great restaurants and shops, some in old converted warehouses. The berth (boat that is) of the replica of HMS Endeavour that 1st arrived here in 1770. Cadman Cruises operating today have their family roots in the rocks from the convict days at Cadmans Cottage. The Lowenbrau Keller is a good spot (german restaurant an bar atmosphere - 'und mit frauleins') There's a pub there I think is called the Nelson or The Lord Nelson which is or is one of the oldest in Australia with a tunnel under the bar that press gangs used. A great walk around the harbour front from there to Darling Harbour. (Great atmosphere there at night with a light show). You can walk up through the CBD of the city from there to the Queen Victoria building and the underground arcades running off in all directions. Circular Quay for ferries and the Opera House (secret of the Opera Hse is on the inside not what the outside looks like). The botanical gardens at the back of the OH. Walk around to Lady Macquarie's Chair in the gardens (cut into sandstone) it overlooks the naval yards whre the 'Mighty Mo' moored on her last trip here and 'The Enterprise' carrier (well the Enterprise is that darn big it had to sit in the middle of the harbour). Take a ferry cruise to taronga Zoo or Manly Beach. Walk 'The Corso' at Manly and check out all the boutiques and different shops there (it's a girls thing-I hate going there with my wife) - munch on a Swiss waffle ice cream cone and see Manly Beach at the end of the corso with its Norfolk Island Pines (trees - big). Lots to do in a couple of days - Hyde Park Barracks in Macquarie Street, Hyde Park itself opposite with St Marys Cathedral. Walk down Macquarie Street back to Circular Quay and ferries, Opera House and Botanical gardens, The Rocks - all accessible from there.

I'm an older fuss pot and some places I wouln't go - not interested and young peoles stuff - but there's plenty there to see. Check out the Marble Bar (drinking hole) in The Hilton hotel - Victorian era built in roman style (I think) with a marble bar made from about 100 tons or more of some european marble (its not where it was originally built; later moved to The Hilton). Anyway enough of the history lesson, the point is there is a lot to do and enjoy, same as there is in Brisbane and Melbourne (you'll love 'em both).. For me though it's Sydney - Iworked there and walked around it's CBD for a lot of years and luv it.

Regards Greg O

Hi Greg,
Thanks for posting so much info. Would appreciate it if you could winnow that down to something that would be 15 min max at a time. My buddy is war-wounded and not able to walk far or fast. 15 min would be about all he could handle at a time, then we'd have to stop for a and a snack for an hour before the next 15 min or so. Or we could just call you maybe when we get to town if you'd like to be a Sydney ambassador? Always look forward to meeting new bikers and having them show off their part of the world.

Hi Kuri
If I recall your plan (without reading all the pages again), you are going in a circuitous route and returning back to Sydney, is that right? If so Jo (my wife) and I can be at your service if you wish to do a car tour of the city (with some walking involved). Sydney is not motor vehicle friendly, like all bigger cities as you probably know; however the interesting bits you have to walk around. Hyde park and cathedral area near the mentioned Hyde Park barracks is an easy 2 hours time spent in a close proximity. Plenty of seats and eateries around to rest at, nothing is more than 15 mins away on foot in that area (5-10 at most). Centrepoint Tower is 10 mins away (Empire State building of the city, but not as big). The Rocks area is so loaded with stuff you can walk for an easy 15 and see lots and rest up at any 1 of dozens of cafes, restaurants etc. Same applies around Opera House and Circular Quay. Circular Quay is the ferry terminal (very busy area with travellers and locals); it has plenty of eateries and is about 15 mins slow stroll to Opera House. Botanical Gardens may be a bit hard on your mate though as some is up stairways to interesting parts, but there is a walk aound the waterfront to Lady Macs Chair and thats flat (from Opera Hse about 1/2 hr easy stroll and plenty of places to rest - not too good food wise in that area, but there may be mobile vendors there now - I havent been there for about a year. Plenty to see and do in Darling Harbour (all within an easy 10mins of each other); between the rocks area and, lets say Circular Quay, but taxis and buses abound to get up over the hill into the other parts of the city. I(we did have a mono rail that sorted that problem out but in 'their' wisdom they tore it down). The Manly Ferry suggestion is about 1/2 hr walk along The Corso to the beach. Plenty of rest stops along the side and middle area of Corso.

But as a suggestion, Jo and I live about 1 1/2 north of the city on the Central Coast and if you want to be chaperoned around the town we would be happy to help out and can make a day of it or two. Also close by to us is the Hunter Valley and city of Newcastle, great wineries and other bits and pieces going on; great atmosphere. We have a 4 bedroom house and there is only the two of us so if you want some accommodation ('cause the pennies are getting low) you are welcomed here. Safe place to store the bikes, and all guarded by an American Staffy Terrier (that should make you feel at home).

Alternative is doing it when you hit town. I have a trip planned myself across 3 desert roads from Queensland to Western Australia around the time. (too early is too hot and too late is too cold at night).

have a think about it - not an issue if it doesnt fit in the plan (always stick to the plan)
Regards Greg

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