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Circumnavigation of Australia Circumnavigation of Australia
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 30 Dec 2016
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Circumnavigation of Australia
Hi
Looking for advice. I am planning on circumnavigating Australia This time next year...Any tips or advice would be appreciated
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  #2  
Old 30 Dec 2016
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Suggest first you research climatic conditions and use thatvinformation to come up with possible routes and starting positions and dates for each stage, set them out here and then get specific advice
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  #3  
Old 31 Dec 2016
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Just hop on your bike and ride, no special planning required. I have done this ride a number of times in summer. As an example, in November 1999 I changed employers and had 17 days free before the new job started. Not wanting to twiddle my thumbs for that period I headed off that morning on my then Bandit 1200 and did an 'almost circumnav' (didn't follow the coast entirely).

Bike was bog standard except for a throttlelock, Ventura rack, highway pegs and sheepskin seat cover. Took a tent and camped either in campgrounds or by the side of the road, spent 2 nights in backpackers accommodation (Darwin and Perth) when the need for luxury became too great.

November and December are HOT, but generally pretty dry (I know it is supposed to be wet up north but in my experience it has not been the case).

Watch out for animals, NEVER ride at dusk or at night (you won't believe the amount of fauna on the road) and take plenty of caffeine pills with you as it is very easy to become drowsy (particularly after lunch) in the saddle.


Good luck!
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Old 31 Dec 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
November and December are HOT, but generally pretty dry (I know it is supposed to be wet up north but in my experience it has not been the case).
I've been in Darwin for the last half of December. My experience - 50% chance of heavy rain around 4 pm each day. 32C is normal temp ... any time of year up there, the thing that changes is the humidity, and the rainfall of course.

Take a good camera and stop to use it.
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  #5  
Old 31 Dec 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David1961 View Post
This time next year...
To hot this time of year, for me today its 42°C

Winter is best, chilly nights but awesome cool sunny days.

Mezo.
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  #6  
Old 31 Dec 2016
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Hello


Fall, after the floodings when the tracks reopen.


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Old 31 Dec 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831 View Post
Fall, after the floodings when the tracks reopen.
Umm ... up north the 'floods' usually are with the wet season ... they don't really have a 'fall' (autumn). If you stick to the sealed roads any 'flooding' will only block the road for less than a week.

'Floods' in the south .. pretty much any time, but seldom experienced. Again if you stick to the sealed roads there won't be much delay.

Any unsealed road can become impassable after rain ... never mind a flood!

I'd not worry too much about rain/floods .. if it is wet or forecast to be wet stick to the sealed roads.

I'd not go in winter - days are short and nights are long and that reduces riding time. The shoulder seasons are good as a compromise between the two extremes if you can manage it.

If you start mid winter then I'd start up north and stay north until winter starts to wane.
If you start mid summer than I'd start in the south and stay south until summer starts to wane.
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