Australia East to West
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Australia East to West
Has any one done Australia coast to coast? Sydney - Adelaide - Perth.
Especially interested in Nullarbor National Park on the BIght where there seems to be no villages or even gas stations for 300km. So how does anyone get water and snacks?
Also are snakes and spiders rife on this stretch or are they mainly in Northern Territories/Queensland?
Estimated time? 90 days?
Especially interested in Nullarbor National Park on the BIght where there seems to be no villages or even gas stations for 300km. So how does anyone get water and snacks?
Also are snakes and spiders rife on this stretch or are they mainly in Northern Territories/Queensland?
Estimated time? 90 days?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queanbeyan, Australia.
Posts: 4,135
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3450 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
289 Posts
I cant answer all your questions but I will tell you this. The prevailing winds in this part of Australia (due to the polar vortex) is always West to East. Riding East to West will be committing yourself to a Headwind the whole 3,700 KM.
Good luck on that.
Everyone rides it Perth to Sydney.
And yes, you will need a lot of supplies. Not something to take on lightly.
And,
Due to COVID-19 you won't be allowed to do it at the moment anyway.
Good luck on that.
Everyone rides it Perth to Sydney.
And yes, you will need a lot of supplies. Not something to take on lightly.
And,
Due to COVID-19 you won't be allowed to do it at the moment anyway.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks. Didn't think of that and Windy.com shows that today, albeit north west winds. Yeah, I believe you can do 14 days quarantine in Oz but maybe moving inter-states would be an issue. I'm more dreaming up an adventure so this would be a year from now when it's cooler there. Was thinking of Kathmandu-Agra-Goa but feels like a health hazard with disease and traffic.
Still not sure how someone can go lots of km's with very limited food and water, and nowhere to stop in the mid section, except the occasional gas station.
Still not sure how someone can go lots of km's with very limited food and water, and nowhere to stop in the mid section, except the occasional gas station.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queanbeyan, Australia.
Posts: 4,135
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3450 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
289 Posts
Thanks. Didn't think of that and Windy.com shows that today, albeit north west winds. Yeah, I believe you can do 14 days quarantine in Oz but maybe moving inter-states would be an issue. I'm more dreaming up an adventure so this would be a year from now when it's cooler there. Was thinking of Kathmandu-Agra-Goa but feels like a health hazard with disease and traffic.
Still not sure how someone can go lots of km's with very limited food and water, and nowhere to stop in the mid section, except the occasional gas station.
Still not sure how someone can go lots of km's with very limited food and water, and nowhere to stop in the mid section, except the occasional gas station.
People do do it though. West to East.
#5
Senior Member
Last year this Tasmanian family did the full mainland lap on 2 tandems with 2 young kids...!!
https://www.swagfamily.com.au
https://www.swagfamily.com.au
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Walyalup, Australia
Posts: 1,389
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Mukluk, Riese & Muller Supercharger GT Rohloff (Forthcoming)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 102 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times
in
22 Posts
Wind: The Bureau of Metrology wind roses are a helpful tool in respect to wind ... Wind roses for selected locations in Australia
Carrying supplies: I have loaded up out of Carnavon/Gascoyne Junction (Western Australia) with seven days of water (35 litres) and 15 days of food. I was riding my Surly Long Haul Trucker and pulling an Extrawheel trailer. Crossing the Nullarbor would not require as much food or water so doable for sure.
Resources: I suggest checking out the touring sub-forum at the Australian Cycling Forums for local advice. Also, CGOAB will I am sure have lots of trip reports which will be helpful.
Personally I would ride West to East because of the winds. I would also take an alternative route through Hyden to Norseman before crossing the Nullaboor but then I am local and have been to Kalgoorlie before.
Carrying supplies: I have loaded up out of Carnavon/Gascoyne Junction (Western Australia) with seven days of water (35 litres) and 15 days of food. I was riding my Surly Long Haul Trucker and pulling an Extrawheel trailer. Crossing the Nullarbor would not require as much food or water so doable for sure.
Resources: I suggest checking out the touring sub-forum at the Australian Cycling Forums for local advice. Also, CGOAB will I am sure have lots of trip reports which will be helpful.
Personally I would ride West to East because of the winds. I would also take an alternative route through Hyden to Norseman before crossing the Nullaboor but then I am local and have been to Kalgoorlie before.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,060
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 529 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 255 Times
in
185 Posts
Don't do it. The risk of being squashed under a truck is too great.
If you did do it, you would need to carry a huge amount of water for the long stretches. Get someone to film you riding up hill with all that water.
If you did do it, you would need to carry a huge amount of water for the long stretches. Get someone to film you riding up hill with all that water.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Walyalup, Australia
Posts: 1,389
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Mukluk, Riese & Muller Supercharger GT Rohloff (Forthcoming)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 102 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times
in
22 Posts
I have carried 35 litres of water and 20 days of food all on gravel and rough roads. Not the end of the world. That is what outback riding can involve here in Australia.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: India
Posts: 52
Bikes: Trek 4300
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Last year this Tasmanian family did the full mainland lap on 2 tandems with 2 young kids...!!
https://www.swagfamily.com.au
https://www.swagfamily.com.au
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queanbeyan, Australia.
Posts: 4,135
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3450 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
289 Posts
I don't want to speak for Cooper, but honestly Australia hasn't been open since he first asked for information. Even an Australian local couldn't do the trip because Western Australia has remained closed to this day to the rest of Australia.
Likes For AnthonyG: