Photos are up

Well for all those people who have been following us, I have finally got around to putting up some of the photos from the trip.

Hope they make sense.

Regards
Tim & Geri.

All over bar the cleanup

Well we made it. 6829 km later we pulled back into the driveway in McCarthy street, to the welcome arms if two dogs who had forgotten both of us. 
The first order of business was unpack the bike, turn on the airconditioner and have a shower to get of the sweat and grim from today.
The highway from Toowoomba to Bundaberg was hot, at times touching 37 degrees. Many stops were required to put the water back in and wake up.
The next thing to do is finish the blog and put up the photos. This will be tomorrows job as today, I need a rest. 

The final day

Well here we are on the final day of the ride. We are heading from Warwick to home in one final push.
Yesterday we left Dubbo early and headed north. We left the highway taking another GPS shortcut. This one proved to be worth it, but luckily we were following cars, as the first tine on the trip we saw quite a few wallabies.
After travelling most if the morning we found the signee were looking for - WELCOME TO QUEENSLAND, and we finally hot back te hour we had lost all those days ago when we entered NSW. Bloody day light savings!
From here to Warwick was mostly uneventfull, although both of us were really starting to feel te heat, which made both of us tired, nut as we had gained the extra time, we didn't need to rush and stoppped and many of the roadside stops.
Getting close to Warwick we had a run in with another Prado driver. These to me are the new Volvo drivers. Geri got me to calm down and we followed him all the way into town. If you heading to Warwick watch out for a gun metal grey Prado with personnalised plates.
Well as I said, today's the last push, so tonight photos and the final blog. Till then sports fans.

Longer than you think

After leaving the boat successfully we headed pulled over to pack the bike and plan the way forward. 
Unfortunately every destination we plugged into the GPS took us straight through the heart of Melbourne, and during morning peak hour, this was not a good idea.
We eventually made our way back to the boat and decided to follow the street signs instead. Again not a good idea. The plan that worked was blind luck. On finding the Hume we also found a side wind of about 70 kph. This combined with the trucks made for interesting riding that wears you out quickly, and after the late night on the boat, the stops were frequent. 
Eventually we left Victoria and crossed into NSW, stopping for the night in Narrandera.
The next morning I let Geri sleep in and we ended up leaving around 9:30 with the aim to made Tenterfield. A quick lunch at Parkes became a trip to the telescope. We got talking to a couple who recently moved to Tasmania and gave us sone great tips if we were to do the same. Before we knew it, the kiosk was closing for the day, and we still had a long, long way to go. The decision was made - Dubbo for the night followed by a day at the zoo. 
Again I let Geri sleep in and we got to the Zoo at around 10.
We started to ride and Geri thought it would be a good idea to walk since we hadn't any exercise for a while. By luch we were feeling the heat and had only gone 1 k of the nearly 6 k's! Back to the bike and try again. The temp on the bike registered 40 degrees. We eventually made it round and enjoyed it, but if you plan to see the zoo, do it on a cooler day.  We now have the air conditioner set on 18 and are not venturing outside till it is cooler.
The plan now is to make Warwick tomorrow night via Moree rather than Tamworth, then from there to home Tuesday morning.
Very close now!

And back to Devonport

Well we have made is successfully through the wilds of Tasmania, successfully navigated the twisting, winding roads and managed to have the times of our lives.
We spent quite a bit of time in Stanley as i is a beautiful place. We looked around the town before heading out to the highcroft house overlooking the town and nut.
We saw some of the photos of the place before it was restored.
This is another must see place, and we will be back again as soon as we can.
We will spend the afternoon looking around Devonport before making our way to the boat sometime around 6:30 tonight.
We have had a fantastic holiday and learnt some things as we went.
Once we reach Melbourne the idea is to push as far as we can each day to make it to Bundy as soon as we can. While we both had a great time, being the only one who can ride the bike has been tiring.
The next time we come to Tassie, we will either hire a car or (god forbid) hire a camper van(yuck), and will take it slower to hopefully see even more of this place.

Last Night in Tassie

Well this is it sports fans - our last night in Tasmania. We have had an amazing time.
Tonight we staying in the shadows of the Nut at Stanley.
Their is so much to see and do around here, that we decided to make as much time as possible here.
We left Strahan late after the very late night with the Penguins, and made our way through some forest country that changed with each corner.
Stopping at waratah to see the waterfall in the middle of the town was well worth it and both of us have fallen in love with this part of the country, or any part that is a small town. The lady who runs the cafe came to Tassie for a holiday 18 months ago and hasn't left yet. Her husband is from Cordalba and she didn't think we would ever have heard of it - what a small world. (for those who don't know, Cordalba is between Apple Tree Creek and Bundy.
After lunch we travelled to Stanley for the walk over the nut. Very much worth it, even if we did cheat by taking the chair lift.
As a treat for our last night in Tassie, we have treated ourselves to not only a room with a spa, but nearly 1/2 a kilo of beautiful Tasmania Crayfish. (I wonder what the poor people are doing)

Back on the mainland soon.
Tim & Geri.

On the high seas

We spent the day off the bike first off touring the Gordon river then finding the Fairy Penguins on one of the islands.
THe first tour was the Gordon River tour which goes out the heads through Hells Gate for a look then back up the harbour and up the Gordon River. We have heaps of photos which I will put up (more than likely now when we get back to Bundy) but the tour was really well done. They stop twice - once on Sara Island (the setting for the book For the Term or His Natural Life) which is full of amazing stories of killings torture and revenge, then on to a wilderness stop. Lunch is put on at this time and the feed even left me full.
When we got back we had a look around Strahan, where I picked up a really nice piece of Huon Pine which will become a cheese board (hopefully!)
At 7:30 we were off to see the Penguins which are found on a small island in the harbour. This is a smaller group of only 8 people at a time, and we found it really great fun.
We got so close to the little guys, and apparently I have a real talent for spotting fairies!

Day 6 - The Wall

After posting as much as we could before the laptop battery ran out, we left the McDonalds at about 9:30 and headed out of Hobart heading for Derwent Bridge. The GPS took us on a short cut and ended up getting itself confused and lost, so we had to find out own way back to the highway, and lost about 3/4 of an hour.
We pushed on to Derwent Bridge and The Wall. No photos are allowed, but we have the book so will copy and send some photos soon.
From here we made our way to Queenstown. The road in is one of the best for corners I have ever seen. In fact we actually did it three times.
Queenstown is a fantastic place and very cheap to live. The town has the barron parts, but also has some great scenery.
From here we pushed on late in the day the final 40 k's to Strahn, arriving just before 6:30. We have booked in for cruises tomorrow so will have a break from the bike. The next post should be some pictures, but the net is a bit flaky, so I'll have to see how it goes.

Till Tomorrow.

Day 5 - Walking on Air

We set off early this morning for the air walk and rode throught some beautiful if not cold scenery and saw plenty of places we would move to if we had the money. We turned off the highway and went down the forest roads for 22 km, to the point where the GPS ran out of road.
The air walk is another one of those things you need to do in Tassie. The size of the trees and the different paths you can take make a very enjoyable day. To finish the day we both went teathered hang gliding, even Geri.
Another must to ticked off the list.
From here we made our way to Dover for a look around then followed our nose and took the Esperance coast road. A great road with very little traffic.
Making our way back to Hobart, we turned again and headed up Mt Wellington for something different.
Just over half way up, we reached the cloud cover and the temperature dropped by about 10 degrees. We have some great photos from the top of the mountain showing nothing but white.
Back to the motel for dinner and packing up. Tomorrow we are off to Derwent Bridge, Queenstown & Straghn, so hopefully we will find more wifi as we go.

Day 4 - Devils Everywhere

We left the cottage at around 8:30 as the devil feeding park Geri wanted to see was just up the road. It wasn't bad, but a bit expensive for what you get. We did see the devils getting fed.
We got kitted up for the ride to the Chocholate factory which turned out to be almost across the road. We spent almost an hour sampling the chocholates, looking at the timber in the building and hearing about the grand kids of the women who makes the chocholate.
As we left it started to rain as we headed to the Blowhole, where unfortunately the tide was out and the hole wasn't working.
Around the corner to the Tasman Arch & Devils Kitchen where we took heaps of photos which hopefully we will get up soon.
We came back to SOrel and headed down the highway to Hobart to try and catch the markets, but we just missed them, trying to find out where our motel was.
We ended up having fish and chips at Constitution dock before collapsing for the night. I never realised just how small Constitution dock is.

Running Low

I had hopped to get all the posts up today, but the battery in the laptop is getting low. We are well and having a great time and the mobile is working OK. The plan is to post everything else tonight at Strahn.

Thanks for all your messages etc.

Tim & Geri.

Day 3- Fire, Food and Ghosts

We left St Helens early and headed to the Bay of Fire. The rocks have lichen on them that is orange, red and black, giving them the look that they are on fire. It was stunning and the rocks went on for miles.
From here to the elephant pass pancakes, something we had been told not to miss. The building is amazing, but is nothing compared to the pancakes. Another must do in Tassie.
From here we made our way to Bicheno and down to Sorell for surplies. We continued to Port Arthur and stopped to unload at our cabins, which were at the end of a dirt road. The parking for the bike was worse then the road, but the cabin was very cozy.
From here to Port Arthur itself, another must see. We were too late for the guided tours and had to wander around by ourselves. This was good and for once daylight savings worked in our favour. The seperate prison is very eerie. This is where the convicts were sent who were too bad for the work gangs. They had to wear masks at all times and could not speak. The guards also had to wear masks so no prisioner were able to see any faces. The one hour exercise was done in seperate yards, again with no contact with others.
That night we took the Ghost tour and if the day had been eerie, the night was down right spooky. Tassie's most haunted house was just the start, and while nothing happened, it was only a build up to the doctors mortuary and the seperate prision. Here something touched the back of my neck. Do the Ghost tour. Worth it.
The ride back to the cottage at 10:30 was spooky and slow, but luckly we didn't see anything, either spirit or wildlife.

Ledgerwood

Day 2 - Didn't Get Very Far

After sleepingin again (bloody day light savings) we got away about 7:30 and headed up to Deviot for a photo of the sign.
From here up to Beaconsfield and on to Beauty Point to see the Platypus and Seahorses. The seahorses were worth it, the platypus and echidnas were OK. Geri has fallen in love with the Echidnas and wants to bring one home as a friend for Molly.
From here we travelled to Batman Bridge, but had no luck finding the cave. A local who also owns a couple of bikes helped us out by showing which roads we should take. We headed back to Launceston and up to Scottsdale, stopping at a lookout called the Sideling for lunch. Very pretty and bloddy cold, and only half way to Scottsdale. We have learnt quickly that while the distances between places might be short, it is a lot slower because of the winding roads.
We finally got to Ledgerwood, something I have been looking forward to for a long time. It was amazing.
While taking photos (which will be in the next posts) I got talking to a local called Russell who turned out to be the president of the restoration committee. He told us the story behind the carvings, the hassells they had with the council and the plans they have for the rest of the site. It is completely community driven, maintained and mostly funded. They were given the old railway site, which has been cleaned up and they have put in a memorial garden for those who have died in the area. The place is amazing and a must see in Tassie.
From there the plan was to go to Bicheno, but due to the time, ended up only making St. Helens. This was also due to the fact it had started raining again. The accommodation at the local pub on the sea front was like stepping back in the 50's, and it was all original, but clean and dry.
The food at the pub was fantastic and would go again just for this.
End of another fantastic day in Tassie.

Day 1 - I need a rest

the call came through very early in the morning for people to go to the cars. Maybe it was the beer from the night before, or the rocking of the boat, but things were very slow in the Sayre cabin.
We made the dash to the wrong level, but eventually found the bike.
Of course everybody had done this before and soon the bikes in front were gone and we were holding the others up.
At 6:30 we rolled off the boat and froze. After getting through customs, we repacked the bike and headed out of Davenport for Sheffield where the murals and marbles are. On the way we stopped at the Devils Gate gorge. The peace and quiet was unbelievable.
As sheffield the camera got a work out as we took photos of the heaps of murals. When we can, I'll post some of these up.
The marble place is a must if you are going to Sheffield. We came out with a couple of amazing looking marbles.
We then decided to change the plans and head straight to Launceston, rather than Beaconsfield for a bit of a rest and washing as we were both getting low in the undies department. Finding the accommodation at about 11:00, but the room not ready till 2:00 we had a bit of a walk around Launceston and found the Tasmanian Automobile museum. (photos later)
The rest of the afternoon was spent washing and repacking, and we even managed to send home a large box of stuff we no longer needed.
With the batteries fully recharged, we promised each other to set off early the next day and see the sites we had missed.

Can you guess what happens next??

Ready to go overseas

We left Jindabyne around 7:30 after taking a short walk to take some photos of the lake.
Up the alpine way, which is bikers heaven. The road wound its way past Threadbo and Mt Kosiosko and the scenary was nothing short of spectacular
Then came the corners.
The warning sign said 55 km of winding road. Towoards the end I started to wish for a straight to give my arms a break. But as they say, "becarefull what you wish for!"
We had a short stop at Murray 1 power station and got photos of the information.
From there to Wodonga where we made the decision to go a bit further before we refulled ourselves, which ended up being Wangarratta, a very pretty place.
Here unfortunately where the batteries in the headsets ran out.
Then onto the Hume highway and I soon regretted by wish earlier in the day for a straight, as for 3 1/2 hours all we had was straights. A corner please!!
Eventually made Melbourne and the GPS took us straight through the middle. Trams a foot away are amazing to see. We made it through with our sanity intack (just), and found the spirit.
The plan had been to get something to eat then board, but this went out the window.

Well will write more soon. I am writing this from Bisheno as this is the first place we have found with internet.

Tim & Geri

Sprit of Tassie

Well we made it Geri and I are currently sailing out of Melbourne to Devonport to start the holidays. This is just a very quick blog to let everybody know that we are well - all be it very tired from the day. We left Jindabyne and took the Alpine way - 55km of winding roads - FANTASTIC.
Eventually I started longing for a straight to stand up and stretch the legs.
The road had to end and we ended up at Woodonga and from here it was a straight run to Melbourne via the Hume highway. 2 hours into this I was praying for a corner to break it up. We also had fun with the temperature - the Alpine way got down to 14 while the Hume got up to 37!!
Well we will write and post more later.

Tim & Geri (at sea)

The mountain calls

bikes at Nambucca

Seeing is beliving

Well we are here - the home of motorsport, the land of red or blue - BATHURST!
We left Nambucca at 6:30 and for something different, it was raining. Both my helmet and glasses fogged up, and in an unknown place in the rain, seeing might be important. Things continued in this vain until we turned off the highway and went to Gladstone. This turned out to be a sunny haven surrounded by dark heavy rain clouds. With the photo taken, it was to the highway and the rain until we stopped for breakfast at Port Mcquarie.  I would have posted this then, but no wifi!
While the skys looked dark & ominous looking south, we were lucky to only really have the odd shower. A quick fuel stop for both the bike and us turned into something longer - waiting for feeling to return to the legs, especially those of she who must be obeyed.
After a LONG TIME we made it through the outskirts of Sydney.  Travelling over the Hawkesbury through the cuttings was amazing. I know you need to take the highway to see it, but this nearly makes it while!!
From here things turned for the worse. From the outskirts of Sydney to Lismore we had rain, torrential rain, fog, bitterly cold fog followed by the ultimate cold fog with heavy rain!
The gods had obviously had enough of tormenting us as from Lismore to Bathurst was fine. 
Even though it had been a very long day, I convinced Geri that because it was sunny we should do a lap of the mountain today in case tomorrow it was raining.  2 laps,  heaps of photos and the biggest grin ever we finally got off the bike for the day, ready to do it all again tomorrow. 

Far Riders finally

Well we made it.  We are now officially Far Riders!
All up we have done 1017 km. We are resting up at the white albatross in Nambucca for the afternoon and as a surprise, it's raining.  The once full car park is now empty as those bikes who rode for lunch have headed out to finish the ride home, or those that have finished have put theirs into the accommodation. 
The ride down was a mix of cool weather, wet weather & cool wet weather. But the surprise of the morning was the fantastic road in we took up behind Dorrigo. Even though the road was wet, the corner and hills still put a grin on our faces. We stopped outside Dorrigo at a fruit, veg and fuel stop, which seemed a very unique combernation.  
From their it was a leisurely drive to Nambucc heads, and thanks to the previous days laser shock therapy dolled out by the nanango establishery, was taken at a moderate clip.
The afternoon was spent in good company with good food and cold beer, swapping stories and jokes through to the evening.

end of day 1

After 618 kilometers we finally stopped for the night.
Leaving bundaberg at 11:31 according to the docket, we pulled into our accommodation in Tenterfield at 7:10pm (8:10 local time).
For our friends in Bundaberg, the rain stopped before we got to Childers, but by that time we were DRENCHED!
From their it was the occasional skud showers and by the time we got to Nanango, I had the wet liner out of the jacket, and was well and truly dry by the time Toowoomba came into view with its 32 degrees!
Talk about 4 seasons in one day - the last hour into Tenterfield saw the temp drop to 21 degrees.
Tomorrow we will get an early start to the day - 5:00 start (4:00 here) as we head to Nambucca Heads.
For those ringing us - we aren't ignoring you (honestly) - the headsets and phone aren't playing together well. Hopefully I'll get it working tonight, if not we will return your calls when we can.

Bring on tomorow.

All Set to go......nearly

Well the hour is nearly at hand. While things haven't gone according to plan, what with flat tyres and such, Geri has just told me she is packed.
With only a few things left to do before setting off, it still doesn't feel like it yet. Maybe this is the leaving at 11:30 thing.
Checking the weather radar, and the clouds are starting to build, but hopefully will hold off until we have left. Just in case, both of us are wearing wet weather gear.
Our first stop is Tenterfield tonight, and if we don't get caught in the rain, it should be a great trip.
Well my turn to pack.

Oh nearly forgot - google maps is playing up, so the updated map won't be updated before we go. With any luck I'll have them updated before we hit tassie.

Tassie here we come!

Rain Galore

Well as most people will know, its raining nearly everywhere down the east coast of Austraila, and at this time, doesn't look like letting up until we are in Tassie. Needless to say, we are packing the wet weather gear.
THe bike is in getting the cruise control fixed and the tyre patched, and should get that back tomorrow. Hoping for a break in the weather to give it a trial run, but I'm not holding my breath.
Have made a couple of changes to the route, which I should get up before we go. We are now leaving at 11:30 due to day light savings in NSW, and will go through to Tenterfield instead of Warwick. If the rain has set in, that will make the run to Nambucca Heads easier.
The other change is we have decided to miss Dubbo Zoo. We will try and fit this in another long weekend.
Getting close now!!