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18 May 2018
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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We checked out a few motel and several were quite expensive and sketchy. At one the disheveled desk attendant propositioned Daniel, while I was looking at the less than ideal room. In the end we found a “vending” machine hotel where you book and check in at the kiosk. It is new and very clean, with modern decor and fast wifi (rare in Oz).
IMG_2636 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We walked the 1.5 km into the centre to the mall and then the dollar store so Orvar could replace his stock of reading glasses. The last broke this morning. We then decided on a real Australian cultural “experience” with dinner at the RSL. Visitor must check in with ID and we of course had the roast pork special all round. One visit was enough for us all. The food is hospitalish at best and the drinks no cheeper.
Oz in general is very expensive, not as bad as NZ, but close. We stopped at Woothworth on the way home for supplies and a few more  s. What a relaxing evening in our swank pad with time to catch up on the web.
North Queensland-44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
IMG_2639 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Daniel fixed us an amazing smoked salmon eggs Benedict to start our big day of 663 km from Mount Isa to 3 ways.
IMG_2640 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 14.49.27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We started as usual with a full tank and noted they sell OPAL here.
IMG_2642 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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18 May 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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Just as we left town we saw the first road marker for Darwin!
North Queensland-46 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
The route today varied quite a bit. Some stretches were hilly, treed, and quite green. Others were flat grassland. We stopped in Camooweal the small town just before the Northern territory border for some gas. We met Daniel riding east. He warned us that we MUST buy bug hats here even at the inflated 10$ each. He said you can not stop anywhere in the next 400 km without going crazy from the flies.
North Queensland-47 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
North Queensland-48 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
North Queensland-49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
North Queensland-50 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Just out of town we crossed the border and stopped at the sign. The flies here are insane!
IMG_2645 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Darwin_-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Last edited by saralou; 9 Jun 2018 at 14:07.
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18 May 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,579
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Now it is just another 185 km to Warumungu or 3 ways and it is 34 degrees. It is more flat and desolate here and the number of dead Kangaroos does not help.
North Queensland-54 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
North Queensland-56 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We are late in the day and riding west directly into the sun, which is never fun. It was sort of cool to arrive at the Stewart highway at 3 ways where the roads meet.
NT-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
It is just another 300 m to the roadhouse. It is staffed like most of the places we have been in the last 4 days by non Australians. Here there are a bunch of rude German students, who laughed when we asked if there was a fridge for the use of the campers. The camp ground is the worst we have seen in OZ. The pool is green and not in a goon way, but cold so we could put our left over  s in there to cool. The camp kitchen is tragic and so the guys ate in the cafe. We were woken up by the yelling from the next tent. There was a family there with young kids and the mom had had 6-7 Jim beam and cokes last night. To top it off the camp was littered with spines from some tree and 2 of the expeds now have tiny impossible to see holes in them.
NT-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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19 May 2018
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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The birds are what usually wakes us at dawn, but they were quiet today. We made up some breakfast and tolerated the few flies not very well and so packed up quickly and fueled up and left going north!
We have about 990 km to go to Darwin and will try to get over half way today. The roads today are STRAIGHT! it is hot and mind numbing riding. We had a stop at Elliott for lunch of some not too bad steak sandwiches.
NT-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had to rest again at Larrimah at the lazy lizard for a cold drink.
NT-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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19 May 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,579
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We arrived to the Mataranka Homestead/thermal spring at 4. This is a nicer camp ground with good showers. They have no kitchens, but have a fun restaurant and live music tonight as well. We set up camp with the occasional kangaroo running past. Then we walked 300 m to the thermal pools for a therapeutic dip. There are quite a few pea hens wandering about, which is a bit weird. In the night it was quiet except for the thundering whomp whomp whomp when the kangaroos stormed thru the tents.
NT-20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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19 May 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,579
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It is the final stretch today as we ride up the 412 km to Darwin on another very straight stretch of road.
Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 14.52.35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
NT-29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
It is also getting hotter and more humid by the km. We fueled up in Mataranka and then rode the 206 km to Pine creek where we stopped for lunch.
NT-30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had to get a drink and a snack in Adelaide River and both us and the bikes were on our last legs. We are getting terrible fuel economy with the wind and the 110-115 speed to try to kill the miles ASAP.
This just left 71 km to get to Noonamah where we planned to meet our host David. He led us home to his amazing place in Palmerston, where Johan from Norway and German from Argentina were also staying. They have been here a week, but their bikes arrived from Dili 1 month ago. They are still waiting for an inspection from Quarantine!!!
We had a great evening hearing about everyones past adventures. We really appreciated getting first had knowledge of the route and ferries in Indonesia from these guys. Johan has been several times to Indonesia and had great advice on where to go.
NT-31 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)

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(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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