
TO THE BIG RED ROCK
AUSTRALIA
Sydney, NSW
Alice Springs, NT
18 Day ADV Tour
~4,500 km
From the Glamour of Sydney, to the Harsh Outback, History Awaits
If you want to be challenged, this tour is for you, riding what is arguably one of the best, most demanding, remote and stunningly beautiful environments on Earth.
We ride from the glamour of Sydney, through two States (NSW, & SA) into the Northern Territory, as we skirt the edge of the Simpson Desert, follow historic aboriginal trade routes, and explore modern Australian history, on our way to the Big Red Rock that is Uluru.
Expect a demanding ride with big distances on loose surfaces. You need to be ride-fit, and confident riding off-road on this epic tour that takes you through some of the best riding and scenery that the Australian Outback has to offer.

FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK, SA


HIGHLIGHTS
We have ridden this land for years, with a fascinating variety of cultures, flora and fauna, modern history, and incredibly diverse landscapes, we believe this is one of the best and most challenging adventure-riding destinations you could ever do, everyone who is serious about adventure, should come and ride this amazing country at least once in their lives.
We will be travelling to some very remote areas on this trip; accommodation will be a mix, where we can stay in a hotel/motel we will, but do not expect 5-star luxury here, this is a seriously remote trip. There will be multiple nights of camping in the Desert, if you want a hotel every night, this tour is not for you. What we can promise you, is a great time, cold beer, good food and great company.






ROUTE

ITINERARY
Due to the nature of travelling in remote Australia, we may need to adjust the planned itinerary en route. Several stopover days are included where we explore an area. This gives us flexibility to adjust as needed, plus it gives riders time to relax after what can sometimes be big days. It also gives the group (i.e., you, the riders) the ability to make decisions to adjust.
Day 1 - Race Tracks & Telescopes (~380km)
We leave Sydney and cross the Great Dividing Range, passing through country towns and twisty roads before visiting the Mt Panorama Race Track for a lap of the track and Lunch in Bathurst. Then we take the back roads to the town of Parkes for the night, famous for its part in receiving signals of the first Moon Landing in 1969. Today will be all sealed road surfaces as you get used to riding in Australia and for some, riding on the left-hand side of the road.
Day 2 - Ivanhoe (~380km)
We continue heading West as we follow the course of the Lachlan River, expect a mixture of good sealed and dirt roads to get you used to riding on the unsealed roads of the Outback. This part of the NSW is known as the bread basket of Australia, it is characterised predominantly by farming and is lush with green as the fields are irrigated by the Lachlan River to Ivanhoe
Day 3 - Silver Town (~320km)
Leaving Ivanhoe, we head to the Menindee Lakes, a series of 9 shallow lakes that are a bird watchers' paradise. In the afternoon we head on to the historic silver mining town of Broken Hill.
Day 4 - Mad Max Country (Free Day)
Free day today to explore Broken Hill and the surroundings.
Maybe head out to Silverton, the filming location of Mad Max 2 and have a beer in the Silverton Hotel, visit the Mad Max Museum, or maybe have a look around the Outback Sculpture Park or visit the Line-of-Lode. There is a lot to explore in and around Broken Hill
Day 5 - Flinders Ranges (~400km)
Today, we head down the Barrier Highway to Yunta when we again hit the dirt and make our way cross country towards the Flinders Ranges, one of the oldest landscapes on Earth, with formations dating back over 540 million years. Tonight, we are sleeping at a working Sheep Station (No New Zealanders allowed :-) ).
Day 6 - Wilpena Pound (~300km)
Today we explore the stunning Wilpena Pound, a huge, stunning natural amphitheatre 17 km long and 8km wide. The peaks of the pound offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Wilpena Pound holds cultural importance for the Adnyamathanha people, the traditional custodians of the land. There are several Aboriginal rock art sites in the area
Day 7 - The Ghan (~320km)
We are now following the route of the Old Ghan with its rich railway, aboriginal, and camel train history, we stop to explore historic railway and aboriginal sites such as Farina Sidings, Maree, and Natural Springs before we cross the edge of Lake Eyre and the lowest point in Australia at -15m below sea level. Tonight, we spend the night in the world's most remote hotel (Their claim, not ours)
Day 8 - Opals (~170km)
Today, we have a short(ish) day, so there is time for a leisurely morning, maybe take to the air in a private plane (not included in the price) and see this country from a different perspective before we head west to the unique and fascinating town, often referred to as the "opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy, where we spend the night sleeping underground in a cave.
Day 9 - Pitch Black (~100km)
We spend a second night at Coober Pedy and head out to the rock formations that are called the Breakaways. This area of the country is where the movie Pitch Black was filmed and we can visit a few of the filming locations there are still several Movie props hanging. If you're not up for that, have a wander around Coober Pedy and try your hand at finding an Opal in some of the Mullock Hills
Day 10 - Painted Desert (~230km)
We head to the town of Oodnadatta via the Moon Plains the Painted Desert. The landscape of the Painted Desert is classic badlands country, for those that have previously been to Dakota in the U.S.A. you will know what we mean. Oodadatta once claimed to be the hottest town in the world with a summer temperature of over 51c recorded one year, is home to the iconic (in Australia) Pink Roadhouse and its famous "OODNABURGER"
Day 11 - Hot Springs (~185km)
Turning off the Oodnadatta Track, we pass through cattle stations and salt pans before we get to Dalhousie Springs, a remarkable natural oasis located in Witjira National Park on the western fringe of the Simpson Desert. We will spend 2 nights camping here in the desert, the nearest town being Alice Springs, a 600km ride away
Day 12 - Soak & Chill (Free Day)
Free day today, spend the time relaxing, soaking in the 35c water of the hot springs, or maybe head into the Simpson Desert on your bike to Purni Bore (70km each way).
An absolute must is to have a soak in the springs at night (hopefully there will not be a full moon) and stare up at the stars of the Milky Way as you have never seen them before.
Day 13 - Gravity (~350km)
We call in at Mt Dare (also claiming to be the most remote hotel in the world) and head to Finke, a small aboriginal community that every year hosts the halfway point of the Finke desert race. Here we can ride some of the Finke Desert Race Track before heading to the gravitational centre of Australia, also referred to as the "Geographical Center" or "Centre of Gravity," a fascinating concept that represents the point at which the continent would balance if it were a flat, uniform plate. Our overnight stay tonight is at the most central pub in Australia.
Day 14 - A Big Red Rock (~345km)
Depending on how the group is feeling, we can take the tar or the more Adventurous dirt/sand road to Uluru (Ayres Rock). Along the way, we will stop at Mt Connor and Curtain Springs before heading on the Uluru.
Day 15 - The Big Red Rock (Free Day)
Feel free day to do as you please today, maybe just hang around the resort and recharge, go for a ride/walk around the rock, and explore the Olgas, also known as the Valley of the Winds.
If you head to the Olgas, please don’t turn left down the Tjukaruru Rd, also known as the Great Central Road, it's 1,126km and ends up in Western Australia, we are not coming to get you.
Day 16 - Palm Trees, in the Outback? (~310km)
Today, we head back to Curtain Springs along a good sealed road and then turn North along the now also sealed road that takes us to Kings Canyon. We should make good progress and have time to take in the Rim Walk for a bit of a trek. Yes, there are Palm trees here. If you are not up for a walk, maybe take a helicopter flight (not included in the price) for a view from the air.
Day 17 - Gaps & Gorges (~360km)
We ride the Western McDonald Ranges, also known as Tjoritja, they are a breathtaking mountain range with some of the most spectacular scenery the NT has to offer. Our journey is filled with stunning waterholes and gorges, including Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge, and Glen Helen Gorge which are popular for swimming, picnicking, and hiking.
In the afternoon/evening, we will reach Alice Springs for a well-deserved feed, some grog and a rest.
Day 18 - The Bloody Alice (Free Day)
Depending on the time of your flight back to Sydney, there are a couple of choices today. We could jhead to the Arltunga Historic Reserve and tour the Eastern McDonald Ranges or just have a free day spending time exploring Alice Springs. Some attractions around Alice Springs include the Old Telegraph Station, Museums, Botanical Gardens, Camel Farm/Rides, etc.
What's Included |
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4x4 Support vehicle to carry your luggage |
All Accomodation |
All Meals When Camping |
Camping Equipment (Excl Sleeping Bag) |
Detailed GPX file for your navigation device |
Detailed Itinerary |
Local Guide |
Local Tour Guide |
Mechanic with full toolkit |
Motorcycle Hire (If chosen) |
National Park entry fees |
Ride Leader |
Welcome Dinner and farewell celebration feast |
What's Not |
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Alcohol |
Entrance fees other than mentioned above |
Flights |
Lunch |
Petrol |
Travel Insurance |