Motorcycle-Ride Around Australia on my Burgman 650

Summary: Going around Australia has been my dream since I migrated to Australia in 1995. I realised this dream between April and June 2010 riding some 26,500 km in 42 days, on my motorcycle, a Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive.

This and the subsequent pages contain all the information relating to my "Motorcycle-Ride Around Australia on my Burgman 650 Executive", covering the idea, the planning, the execution: 42 days over the distance of 26,500 kilometres.

Please note: Returning visitors would have noticed the ever changing nature of this particular page. It transformed over time from idea, to thinking, to planning, to route version page, ever since its inception in December 2009.
(April 17, 2010) In a weeks time I will be on my way around Australia! 
I will clean up the whole story over the next few months, by reorganising the content, removing the waffle and duplication of themes that have snug in, and would also like to make it a more interesting read. The latter certainly poses a challenge for a left-brainer 

Also: Apologies for not being on the edge of technology (anymore). I just had a query for an RSS feed (thank you Courtney ). Looking quickly into the topic indicates this feature would be very useful. Nevertheless, I have to sensibly refrain from changing the web page code (and do the testing / bug-fixing) just 3 days prior to going on the journey.

This page was updated as the trip progressed.

Feel free to follow the progress of my journey Around Australia on an interactive Google map.
This will be entirely dependend on, whether I get my SPOTII replaced on time, or, whether my new SPOTII arrives prior to the trip (or early into the journey).

Table of Contents

Flag / Map of Australia

• Introduction
• Trip Parameters
• Pre-Departure
• Departure
• Arrival — Back Home

Introduction

Australia is a beautiful country, a continent, an island. Whichever way you see it, Australia is big, comparable in size to North America, bigger than Europe combined. It presents a unique challenge: vast distances. It also offers landscapes not to be seen anywhere else on this planet.

I am sure there are as many ideas on how to go around Australia — what to do, what to see, how long to take, and when to go — as there are towns in Australia. So my suggestion is: once you know you want to do it, figure out first what your objectives are.

My Primary Objectives

• Fulfilling a long-held dream to travel around Australia 
• Enjoying the scenery and nature along the way, in particular the Kimberley 
• Enjoying a long break, which I was unable to muster for the last 25 years 
• Removing myself for a while from the city buzz and all that goes with it 
• Focussing on the non-eastern seaboard states of Australia 

My Secondary Objectives

• Reassessing of what works and what doesn't for me in a long distance context, be it equipment, bike or rider
• Collecting data on routes with regard to speed limits, average speed travelled, number of stops and why, etc.
• Riding a few of the Top 200 Motorcycle Rides — Bear Rides 
• Visiting a few IBEM locations 
• Visiting a few more of Australian Big Things 

Trip Parameters

Pre-Departure

Problems?!

The planning went well; pretty much done in February. There was only one nuisance occurring: the SPOT replacement program. SPOT is my personal satellite tracker I planned to take on my trip to allow family and friends to follow me on my journey Around Australia. I received the SPOT II device in early December 2009. The manufacturer recalled the device, and all that followed was the most ridiculous if not outrages hick-up I have ever experienced. I have to say one support person was extremely helpful, but Murphy's Law was all over it.
To cut a long story short: I have ordered a new device; either the new or replaced unit will arrive on Friday or shortly thereafter. I have catered for the SPOT unit to be shipped to an address I will be passing by en route. Let's see how it all works out.

Departure

T minus 1 Week

I have accumulated 2 days of — what is referred to as — "accrued time off", which in turn allowed me to make Wednesday — April 21st, 2010 — the last workday before my journey Around Australia begins.
Planned: I will take my wife out for lunch on Thursday; a lunch long overdue and a lunch that marked an anniversary, two birthdays and one farewell. Will have a haircut; let's see, whether it will last for the six weeks to come.
Pack the bike on Friday.
Say good-bye and depart on Saturday 0700.

T minus 1 Day

I had a nice lunch with my wife today… also received some updates for the Northern Territory and Kimberley as per April 22nd, 2010:

• The Bungles had opened over Easter, but then had to close again after some heavier downpours. They reopened on the 15th.
• The same thing happened to Bell Gorge, which also had to close. According to what the DEC told on Tuesday, Bell Gorge and the Silent Grove campground should have reopened yesterday (Wednesday).
• The Gibb River Road did open some time after Easter and remained open. Pentecost can still be an obstacle, especially without a snorkel.
• As expected, anything up towards Kalumburu and the Mitchell Plateau is still closed.
• No change in Kakadu: Magella Creek cannot be crossed at the moment. A couple more of the southern walks in Katherine Gorge have opened. Still no swimming at Wangi in Litchfield and the Wangi loop walk is closed as well.

I am hoping most of the waters have receded by the time I get there; pretty much in 8 days.

T Zero

What a day! Last minute panic. I was tinking what to do with SPOT and tracking, and — as a last minute option — posted a message on the FarRider forum last night asking: "Who would give me their SPOT?" This morning (09:00) I picked one up, 40 km south of Brisbane. Welcome to the FarRider community! What a great bunch! Thank you Ian! So… my trip tracking is now (13:00) all set up and running.

Apart from that a normal leisurly day, but and of course I am behind when it comes to packing. Oh well, if I can't get into gear today, I shall start as planned on Sunday morning.

Arrival — Back Home

A few people have asked my, whether I am saddened by the fact this trip is over. My simple answer is "no" I am proud to have completed and achieved what I set out to do. The end = achievement is the culmination of the journey and not the bitter end. Sorry, just the way I think (and work).
I arrived safely at home on June 4th, 2010 at 21:18. The last couple of weeks have seen rainy patches, depriving the environment of its colour, though it also presents natural effects otherwise not seen, such as cloud bands getting stuck in mountain ranges, rain bows, and ealry morning fog, etc.

In a nutshell: This was a very enjoyable journey. I want to thank all who have helped with their wisdom and advice in planning this trip, be it fellow FarRiders or Natalie for the advise on great locations to visit around Australia, just to name a few. A big "thank you" also goes out to my wife for having tolerated my absence for 42 days.

I will need a few days to settle back into normal life — more so rhythm… time to think about my approach to writing the reports, actually wrting the reports, which will take a few weeks, and then publishing these here on my web space (and a summary on the FarRiders forum) — so stay tuned.

Visitor's Comments

Entries are shown in the order of latest first.

Author Date / Time	Comment
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Friday, June 18, 2010 11:00	Yes, heaps of stories to tell, and not enough to tell (write) them. I wish you all the best with your trip planning!
Dan Johnson from Edmonton Alberta Canada wrote on Friday, June 18, 2010 10:13	You did it! Man oh man, the stories you must have to tell. Soon I too will have stories to tell my friends of my trip in your country. Thanks! Dan.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Monday, June 14, 2010 12:00	Thanks Steve! And yes, the Burgman 650 performed flawlessly! While I thougth she would, I am nevertheless impressed by it. I am writing the reports as we speak, and I expect it will take me until the end of August 2010 to complete them all.
Steve from Woodcroft SA wrote on Monday, June 14, 2010 11:05	Great Effort Max! Circumnavigating Australia on the Burgman. Sounds like the Burgman performed flawlessly without any drama. Look forward to your write up and pictures, statistics on fuel economy, tyres etc. Regards Steve
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 12:00	I have sent you my travel log containing all the data. Feel to ask questions. Cheers, Max
Dan Johnson from Edmonton Alberta Canada wrote on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 11:43	I see you used hotels for your travels. What are the prices like? Eddie and I, who are coming over in March 2011 for 6 weeks are trying to set our budget. Any help would be great. Thanks Dan.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Sunday, June 06, 2010 16:53	Thanks John! Please let me know if I can assist you in your possible trip planning  I am and was relaxed throughout the whole trip, hence, I would say "normalising" is on the agenda
John Thurston from Tauranga wrote on Sunday, June 06, 2010 09:50	Well done Max. I have been closely following your adventures and progress. Your meticulous planning paid off. Relax and take it easy for a while.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Saturday, May 29, 2010 21:27	Yes, took me while to do a lap :) Thanks for the well wishes, and I sure we will catch up.
Owen H from Murrumba Downs wrote on Saturday, May 29, 2010 06:48	Hey Max - Got your postcard the other day... wow, you're finally doing it. Just jumped on your website to check out your journey. All the best for the final leg home. Stay safe. Will catch up when you get back and get all the details.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 23:00	Thanks! Yes, there will be pictures. (I only took some 6,000 photos [as per May 27th] ) I would like to write a report per day including pictures; publishing or more so writing takes time.
ScooterMaus from Middle of Japan wrote on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 22:41	Nice work, Max! My friends in Australia and I are enjoying reading of your exploits. Hey, is there any chance of some photos? Maybe they are on the site somewhere but, if so, I have missed them. All the best! ScooterMaus
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 21:00	Thanks Ian... make that 2 weeks or so... :)
Ian wrote on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 07:53	Max, watching with interest. Ride safe mate. See you in a week or so.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Sunday, May 16, 2010 23:05	Yes, Australia has soo much to offer, cannot say it often enough! There is a multitude of ways to get out and explore. As for the temperatures: wind chill at 100 km/h will drop the experienced temperature by 10 °C. an ambient temperature of 15 °C is actually 5 °C on the bike. In short: heated clothing solves the "problem" nicely. I am sure we will catch up and discuss it all
Kim G from Brisbane wrote on Sunday, May 16, 2010 10:34	Your travels are filling me with inspiration Max. Cannot wait to get out there to do some exploring myself… How are the temperatures when you are riding? It is getting to be really chilly here in the mornings and slow to warm up on some days.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Thursday, May 13, 2010 19:46	Hi Conny, the pleasure is all mine! I hope your new Burgman 650 has arrived and you took it for a spin on the weekend … and booking it in for a service on Monday  I am sure you will like it! Let me know how you go.
CP from Perth wrote on Thursday, May 13, 2010 16:46	I met you while you were having your bike serviced. It is great what you have done with the Burgman for the long haul. Good Luck and safe riding. I'll be watching your progress.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 23:13	Google it: you will get more than a million hits
Dan Johnson from Edmonton Alberta Canada wrote on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 13:13	What's an Aussie breakfast? Just to let you know, you have a few more canadians reading and watching your trip. Keep writing, we are all riding with you. :)
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Monday, May 10, 2010 21:52	You are welcome! I would have loved attending Trish's wedding, but she understood my selfish quest to do a loop around Australia.
Kim G from Brisbane wrote on Monday, May 10, 2010 21:31	Hi Max, Got your postcard today; Thank you! I will be sure to check in and follow your travels. Trish's wedding was wonderful… a very happy couple!
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Thursday, April 29, 2010 21:00	Yes, I know… you did your 16,000 km lap in 21 days. Thanks for the well wishes, Russ!
Rusjel wrote on Thursday, April 29, 2010 09:43	Go Max! As you are aware I love this trip and am very excited for you and will follow you around online. All the best!
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Sunday, April 25, 2010 21:00	Well, it took me only decades to realise it. I hope your dream will come true!
John from Tauranga wrote on Sunday, April 25, 2010 20:20	All the best. Something I intend doing myself sometime. Will watch out for your progress and adventures.
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Saturday, April 24, 2010 20:00	All I can say: be prepared; some of the distances covered have hardly any inhabitants; you will be on your own! Best of luck!
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Saturday, April 24, 2010 20:00	I can imagine. But I like watching SPOTs too.
Dan Johnson from Edmonton Alberta Canada wrote on Saturday, April 24, 2010 14:22	Just found your site. My friend, Eddie and me, Dan, are going to come to your country next year in March 2011. We are planning on riding for about 6 weeks. So I wish you all the luck and enjoy yourself. I will be following you on your trip of a life time. We want to ride from Perth to Brisbane.
Clint Lovell from Brisbane wrote on Saturday, April 24, 2010 14:13	Have a great ride Max. We will all be looking over your shoulder. Cheers, Clint
MaxG from Brisbane wrote on Friday, April 23, 2010 22:54	Hi Martyn, you would not be the first to come and visit us for a ride around the country. Give it a go, why not?!
Martyn from London wrote on Friday, April 23, 2010 03:54	Saw your post on BUSA so had to drop in to wish you the best of luck. I hope you have a great time and come back well satisfied and no doubt in awe of the great country you live in. A bit far for me to come and join you though!
Mark from Brisbane wrote on Saturday, April 17, 2010 15:58	Don't worry about the change in content during your trip development... who cares! I am still most envious of your trip! Let us know how you went! I am looking forward to the final trip report (I hope you are going to write one up)!