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Melbourne to perth solo ride in early February 2018 Melbourne to perth solo ride in early February 2018
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  #1  
Old 12 Nov 2017
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Melbourne to perth solo ride in early February 2018
I will be riding a rented R2100gs from Mebourne to Perth in early February 2018.
I would be the most grateful if somebody could give me the info regarding the best route .
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  #2  
Old 13 Nov 2017
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You are probably travelling in the hottest time of the year, although who knows what the weather is doing now.


You don't have a great many safe choices if you are travelling solo as there is really only one East West road from Pt Augusta to Norseman, although there are a few side trips to do.


From Melbourne take the Coastal route to Adelaide via Mt Gam.
Adelaide upto the Flinders Ranges - but very hot in Feb.
Then head West to Pt Augusta, Whyalla and the road to Pt Lincoln, North from there to Ceduna.
Ceduna to Norseman - Nullabor Plain.
Norseman South to Esperance then around the coast to Perth.


Going via Alice Springs and the Outback Way is just not viable or safe in February.
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  #3  
Old 13 Nov 2017
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Like Roger said there is only one road west but i would agree on Norseman South to Esperance then around the coast to Perth once you have crossed the plains.

Mezo.
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  #4  
Old 13 Nov 2017
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Thank you so much dude,I will make some homework regarding the route suggested.
200-300km per day would be fine I guess.
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  #5  
Old 14 Nov 2017
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The other thing to do is goto any of those websites that compare the sizes of the continents as world maps distort the size of Australia and make it look substantially smaller than it is - Mercator Projection.


200 to 300kms a day is very easy to do, following around the coast you may get sidetracked - beaches, national parks, various "BIG" things. Once on the Nullabor Plain and with scenery not changing a great deal and only limited access to anything either side I think you'll find that a 1000km day is not out of the question.


Don't ever - EVER - ride at dusk or dawn unless you wish to have a large kangaroo share the bike with you.


Road trains use the Nullabor - about 50m long. Treat with caution, don't stop on the road.


Water - make sure you carry enough to cope with a 2 or 3 day delay/breakdown on the Nullabor. If you go in February you'll need 4 litres a day just riding, you can really dehydrate in high temps sitting on a bike, if you have to do any hard physical activity that can go up to 8 litres a day. Cover up, never get tempted to ride without gloves and good clothing even if its hot.
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Old 15 Nov 2017
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The basic suggestions above are to stick to the coast and follow that around. If you find it cool temperature wise then you can go inland a bit - as soon as you feel it hot return to the coast.
I'd advise taking a gps to help navigate the cities at least.
From Port Augusta to Norsman fuel stations are few and far between .. there should be signs warning of how far it is to the next fuel stop. This section include the 'Nullabour' .. there are short tracks off to coastal views - these are worth doing to see what is there.

Shortest route is 3,420 km... 5,100km if you stick closer to the coast. That is a little too long to recommend a single route. Particularly when you don't give an indication of what you want to see.
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Old 15 Nov 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerM View Post
The other thing to do is go to any of those websites that compare the sizes of the continents as world maps distort the size of Australia and make it look substantially smaller than it is - Mercator Projection.
Absolutely correct.

Australia is around 95% as big in area as America’s lower 48 states. Exclude the USA's share of the Great Lakes (Superior-Michigan-Huron-Erie-Ontario) and you'll probably find that the comparable land masses of Aus and the contiguous states are very similar.



America’s Lower 48 = 3,119,885 square miles (8,080,464 sq km)
Australia = 2,941,300 square miles (7,617,930 sq km)

[Source: Wikipedia]
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  #8  
Old 15 Nov 2017
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Across the Nullarbor, there are two weather patterns - 70kmph winds west to east, and errr, errr. Well, maybe just one.
There are alternative routes including via Alice Springs and the great Central road, but not in February. AND great central road has bigger things to avoid than kangaroos
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  #9  
Old 16 Nov 2017
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Originally Posted by Warin View Post
The basic suggestions above are to stick to the coast and follow that around. If you find it cool temperature wise then you can go inland a bit - as soon as you feel it hot return to the coast.
I'd advise taking a gps to help navigate the cities at least.
From Port Augusta to Norsman fuel stations are few and far between .. there should be signs warning of how far it is to the next fuel stop. This section include the 'Nullabour' .. there are short tracks off to coastal views - these are worth doing to see what is there.

Shortest route is 3,420 km... 5,100km if you stick closer to the coast. That is a little too long to recommend a single route. Particularly when you don't give an indication of what you want to see.
I would prefer to ride along a the costal road(GOR) is a must.
Will ride in slow pace and sure will stop before dark.
I really want to enjoy the scenery road for 20 days on the bike !!!!!
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  #10  
Old 4 Dec 2017
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As other have already said, it's the worst time of year for this journey. If you ride in protection gear you will be very hot. If you ride with bare arms and legs you will end up with wind burn.


I highly recommend a visit to Koonalda, an abandoned cattle station a few km from the highway. You can sleep inside the house or cottage and see the huge auto graveyard. The gravel road in was rough and not signposted when I was last there. There are several videos of the place on Youtube.

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  #11  
Old 4 Dec 2017
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I’ve done this route 3 times on the bike, the quickest being 3 days. Works out at 1300km a day, wouldn’t advise it. The Nullarbor is boring, in fact the whole ride is. If you don’t need to come to Perth head up the flinders, much more interesting. I live south of Perth and love it here in WA and have ridden all round oz. If you are just sticking to the main roads the ride from Melbourne to Perth is not much of an adventure. This is only my opinion.


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  #12  
Old 6 Dec 2017
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Homework for that journey is halfway done, since February is not the good time to ride,I am almost certain will book the bike for that ride in the middle of April 2018.Anyone wanna join the ride? halfway will do hahaha
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Old 8 Dec 2017
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Good thinking!

Check out the Grampians after the GOR. Definitely take a side trip up through the Flinders ranges, maybe up to Arkaroola or out to William Creek & lake Eyre too. If you enjoy camping even a little definitely go set up for that, Oz has so many cool campsites.

Cheers
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  #14  
Old 8 Dec 2017
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April much better ...
Grampians, Halls Creek
Finders Ranges - Hawker

Possible Oddnadatta track to Ayres Rock ..
R1200GS ... umm not the Great Central by your self unless you like lots of sands riding on an over weight bike. So back to Port Augusta and on to Perth.

Bring camping gear.
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  #15  
Old 14 Dec 2017
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Eyre Highway.
Some good advice on this thread.
I have ridden across 14 times now and have never found it boring.
Certainly give February a miss. If you did cross at that time of year you would need a cool down vest and well vented riding gear. Don't forget a hydration pack to wear on your back and keep sipping every 10 mins, don't wait utill you are thirsty to drink. Dehydration seriously affects you judgment and concentration, not good.
Again I have ridden the great central on my BMW 1100GS more than once without issues. You need permits to ride the great central, one from WA and one for the NT section. Wild camping on Abouriginal land is forbidden. Some sort of emergency communication is a must, e.g. a tracking device so someone can keep an eye on you or an emergency beacon.
Both of these rides will if you have not experienced remote rides be an adventure. Research, research prepare and ENJOY. Wish I could join you, I expect to be overseas then on the bike.
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