Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers Seeking Travellers
Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010 Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers Seeking Travellers Meet up with other travellers on the road, or find someone to travel with to the ends of the earth!
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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Aug 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Posts: 4
Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010
I'm doing a slow lap of Australia from 11 September 2010, starting in Melbourne and going clockwise via South Australia and the Nullabor to Perth then up to the NT and Queensland. I should have reached Adelaide by mid November and would like to do the Oodnadatta Track but as this is mostly a dirt track and I've never ridden further up a dirt track than somebody's front door, I'm not that keen on doing it alone. I'm thinking it will take about 1-2 weeks to go there and back so if you're free mid-late November and fancy going this way, give me a shout. Don't know what bike I'll be riding yet as I'll need to buy one when I arrive in Oz, but if anyone has any suggestions they'd be appreciated too. Also, if you've already done the Track then some feedback on what to expect would also be good.

Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Aug 2010
ozhank's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Texas, QLD
Posts: 27
Info
I live in Alice Springs. The track will be hot during November/December and could be closed as this is the start of the storm season. Last report I had of the track was just graded but with large,loose rocks in several sections. Contact me closer to your trip time and I will endeavour to find out more for you.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Nov/Dec is not a time to be wandering around that part of Australia without understanding the risks involved. The road is now used a lot but in Summer its use decreases substantially as its just too bloody hot for comfort - even inside an air conditioned vehicle.

Without sufficient water doing anything physical can be life threatening - just laying around and you need to drink about 4 litres of water during the day. That trebles if you are working hard.

Just be aware that whilst the maps show names - not all names on maps are towns or roadhouses, often a road junction to a nearby station which may have closed in the 1930s!!

If you want to do the Oodnadatta, do it in September and reverse your trip. Go up through the Centre, then to WA. You'll avoid some of the wet season up North as well.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Aug 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
You are going the wrong way at the wrong time.

North during November onwards is the "wet" season. A lot of roads are closed, the cape, sometimes Darwin and other minor roads are also closed due to heavy persistent rain.

It is stinking hot at that time and 100% humidity, sometimes 110%. That is the time to be riding south, stay at the bottom half of the country and stay off bush tracks in the middle of nowhere. Think about checking out Tasmania as your start point, then the lower parts of Oz mainland, working your way north by about April, it will still be hot, and some roads may not be open still, but for a bonny lass from Scotland to attempt the heat of the outback in high summer, you may get a tad red!

I was traveling around north QLD and NT in September 2008 [url=http://travellingstrom.com/2008/08/31/]2008 August 31
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Aug 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
The above post keeps getting truncated, I have retyped the damm thing 4 times now and it is still not posting correctly, I will try again later!!!

[url=http://travellingstrom.com/2008/08/31/]2008 August 31
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Aug 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Posts: 4
Thanks for this information. I wasn't planning on going north until your autumn/winter and intend to stay in the south till then. The trip up the Oodnadatta Track was just a thought to fill in some time until I headed west to Perth in January. But by the sounds of it, even November/December will be too hot, so perhaps I should leave it until I make my way back down south again next year sometime. Its been a few years since I've been in Oz and I've spent the last 6 years freezing my bits off riding in Scotland and Europe so I forget how hot it can get down under! Looking forward to a bit of heat though!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 Aug 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 190
Hello Bonnygirl

I went around Australia solo from October 2008 until May 2009, pretty much the same route you are intending to do yourself.

Choosing the off-route roads to do the bulk of my distance, Including the Maree and onto the Oodnadatta, which I rode in late November.

The Bike I used was a standard road spec Suzuki DR650 SE ( hire bike for 7 months ...about £10 a day ) with nothing more than a bashplate, panniers, knobbly tyres and a bargain/end of line car GPS wired to the bike.

It is do-able, But I would suggest a few things to take/do before you give that stunning trip you have planned a go.

Either send me a message through this site to talk about it, or if you want to go into more depth...send me a message for my email and I can email you across some of the maps that I was using etc.
Attached Thumbnails
Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010-4281_112226223792_704143792_2620330_4683159_n.jpg  

Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010-4281_112226238792_704143792_2620333_50028_n.jpg  

Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010-3136_103633683792_704143792_2477105_7616589_n.jpg  

Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010-3136_103631673792_704143792_2477061_5235844_n.jpg  

Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010-3136_103629833792_704143792_2476995_1482764_n.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Aug 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 190
Messege
Sent you an email, Bonnygirl.

If my pathetic computer skills have failed to actually send you the mentioned email, I will post up any stuff you need on this forum for you.

Andy.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Aug 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
It may be useful if you posted the info here, rather than doing so behind closed doors so to speak? That way it could be read by others who are also contemplating something similar?

That is what this forum is about of course, exchanging information

Just a thought

Cheers
TS
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Riding Buddy for Oodnadatta Track - Nov/Dec 2010 Bonnygirl Australia / New Zealand 7 23 Sep 2010 07:45
Riding Buddy For 2010 Allanawilson Travellers Seeking Travellers 9 11 Jan 2010 15:56
Riding Buddy in Scotland Allanawilson Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 30 Dec 2009 20:56
Mexico Riding Buddy dKw1 Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 1 Feb 2009 23:22
Oodnadatta track swaino Route Planning 7 7 Jun 2007 04:21

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:28.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top