Around Australia by Motorbike - The Wrap Up

How much does it really cost to ride around this great country? How much fuel did I use? Is it a good idea? The answers to these questions and many more are contained within this relatively boring video.
Please note that this is a re-upload of the original video with new music that is not copyrighted (the original music wasn't either but their seems to be a booming industry claiming that copyright free music is yours in an attempt to make money). In an endeavour to monetise my videos (they show adds on them anyway so I may as well) I needed to remove the old music which was copyright claimed by god knows who. Feel free to watch this again if you like but it hasn't changed apart from the photo of my tent which I couldn't find so I downloaded a slightly different one instead!

[@AudioTones67]

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this trip of yours. I watched the entire series in one sitting yesterday. Annoyingly, I missed the "motorcycle lifestyle" boat and I think I'm probably too old to take it up seriously now. So I live vicariously through people like you. Thanks again...

[@abitofadetour7315]

It’s good to know you enjoyed coming along for the ride. There isn’t time in this life of ours to do everything but it’s worth giving it a red hot go I reckon.

[@johnbradley1599]

Yep, inspirational. Thanks for sharing your journey. 👍👍

[@guymorgan4930]

For those of you who want to do a shorter run and cut out the dirt, apart from road works, take the inland hwy and skip the big city's. Just duck to the coast and back if you need to. Less traffic, Mr police is more understanding, better scenery, more wildlife though, so one must still pay attention. Accommodation can be cheaper, but carry a small tent and sleeping bag. When you get up north and heading across to the west, I came across heaps of animals on the road. Horses, Camel, cows, goats, eagle's that span the width of the lane when they take off. I actually stalled one eagle's take off as I went passed . I was going a bit quicker than normal, and they're slow to take off and I caught it's tail feathers on my helmet, I could see it in my mirror flapping its wings and getting know where. So one needs to be careful out there. All good 1600 K from Perth and back in one month. Sixteen riding days , set off in April, best time to ride in Australia. I have crossed the Nullarbor fourteen times now on three different bikes and I can't wait to do the next one. I am sixty eight years now, so get cracking. Oh and I have done every run solo , apart from our Tassie run on the Harley when I took the missus, thats another big story. Hope to see you out there one day cheers.

[@abitofadetour7315]

Thanks for watching and also winning the record for longest comment! All good advice particularly around the animals you will encounter. If you avoid dawn and dusk you’ll miss the majority but large birds especially in NT and WA are certainly a problem. I had a very close call with a flock of hawks and wedge tails are very slow off the ground and you really need to slow down for them. With any luck our paths will cross one day.

[@leannemitchell5412]

Very Inspiring, Thoroughly enjoyed watching your adventure.

[@abitofadetour7315]

I’m very glad to hear it! It’s a lot of work creating these videos but it’s all worthwhile when you know people are enjoying them.

[@chrissybabe8568]

I started watching a few days ago. My wife, who doesn't normally watch stuff like this ended up watching also. (She has a D850 as well). The only main criticism was with this episode where I felt your commentary could have been a few db louder (you are a quiet speaker) and the background music a few db quieter. The biggest criticism mentioned on TV programs is the same issue and it seems to have carried over to youtube commentaries. I am 75 and my wife is 63 - she also, after I commented on it, agreed with me. It is a fact that the older you get the more overly loud background music becomes extremely irritating even for those who consider their hearing is okay. Younger listeners probably couldn't care less if they even thought about it. Next is the Tassie trip. We spent a month in NT and WA and on a seperate trip 2 weeks around Tassie so your journey was interesting.

[@abitofadetour7315]

@@chrissybabe8568 I have come to the same conclusion regarding the background music in that the levels could be better and I have taken some effort to improve this. My hearing is not what it was either (motorbikes and too much loud music) so going forward you will hear an improvement. Thanks for watching and please apologise to your wife for for being dragged into this!

[@batmanlives6456]

Terrific trip ! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@LaughingCucumba]

Thanks for that. Really enjoyed watching your round Australia trip and your Tasmanian trip. You are a very sarcastic guy which fits in with my sense of humour very well. Great work.

[@abitofadetour7315]

@@LaughingCucumba They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but it’s all I’ve got! Thanks for watching, glad you eked some enjoyment out of it.

[@LaughingCucumba]

@@abitofadetour7315 really enjoyed your photography and drone work. You have inspired me at 65 to complete a trip I have thought about for many years. If I fall off I will bill you for damages

[@LaughingCucumba]

@@abitofadetour7315I don’t want to appear like a stalker but have rewatched your series, and the Tassie trip. I now realise that despite the obvious attractions of your sparkling wit and winning personality, it’s the photography and drone work that make your videos so appealing. You have clearly put a lot of time and effort into them. Honestly great work.

[@abitofadetour7315]

@@LaughingCucumba Well shucks! It’s nice to read comments from the people who watch these videos and it’s especially pleasing when people enjoy all the hard work that goes into making them. You’ll also be pleased to hear the final episode of the Tassie series is all done and will be appearing Saturday afternoon if all goes well.

[@jochenshanghai3288]

Thanks for sharing. I will start my tour beginning of September in Melbourne.

[@abitofadetour7315]

@@jochenshanghai3288 Outstanding. Feel free to look me up when you’re around Brisbane.

[@MB-gl3cj]

Man I just saw your channel. Thanks for sharing

[@ritchieok29]

I'm a bit late to the party but thoroughly enjoyed the series.

[@abitofadetour7315]

You’ve arrived at the perfect time. Sometime in the next few days the first episode of my Tassie trip will be here. Thanks for watching.

[@ronstorms4363]

Thank you Ian, nice wrap up, loud and clear for sure. don't be mistaken....your adventures are inspirational ...I'll be enjoying the episodes again.

[@PaulHartridge]

I am seriously looking at doing this trip myself in the near future. I have a HD Ultra Limited ( 2014 ) and I am so glad to have come across your videos. At this point in time I may be by myself, or, the wife will join me for the Eastern side of it all as we live in Perth. We have previously done Perth to Darwin, then down to Alice, and across back to Perth. That was a 16,000 km trip, plenty of sight seeing. This time, I don't expect to do much of the sight seeing, just to do the Big Lap because, 'I can'. Looks like I will have to do a detour from the Savannah Hwy though going by the state of the road. So thanks for the insight on how to do this, appreciated!

[@abitofadetour7315]

Definitely give Hells Gate a miss but you can follow the Barkly then up to Normanton and across to Cairns via the Savannah way which is all bitumen. Enjoy your trip, you’ll love it.

[@PaulHartridge]

Thank you @@abitofadetour7315

[@jasonstansborough3037]

I enjoyed the commentary throughout. A change of style from many others that like to make things more exciting than they are. Having a whinge and a rant can be good for the soul!

[@abitofadetour7315]

I do love a good whinge.

[@timnunan9272]

Cheers mate. Thoroughly enjoyed your ride & experiences. Plenty of valuable tips for my own riding here in NZ.

[@abitofadetour7315]

I've got to plana ride in NZ one of these days. I had the chance a few years ago when some friends were going but I had just organised a trip to central Australia a few weeks before so couldn't make it. I'll put it on the list.

[@tracklifex5259]

Thanks for sharing your adventures. I’m riding Geelong to Cairns region again next month and I’m planning a “big lap” in the next few years. Your experience and humour have been great fun to watch. Looking forward to seeing your Tasmania trip. Cheers . Ian.

[@abitofadetour7315]

Cheers Ian. Geelong to Cairns is a decent ride, make sure you check out the big crab in Cardwell on your way through!

[@tracklifex5259]

@@abitofadetour7315 I had lunch there last year. Great view of the islands.

[@thekrutchinator]

G'day mate! I'm still buzzing from my ride from Sunny Coast QLD to Rockingham WA and return. Did the Spencer Gulf Ferry after watching your videos. An excellent diversion and I recommend it to anyone doing that ride!

[@abitofadetour7315]

It cuts out some of the more boring bits of SA. Still wish I'd gone all the way down to Port Lincoln though.

[@thekrutchinator]

@@abitofadetour7315 yeah same here! I meant to do Streaky Bay to Cowell... Via Pt Lincoln.. Missed the turn off!

[@stephenlcollins6736]

Thanks Ian Enjoyed your commentary and videos Planning my trip as we speak

[@abitofadetour7315]

Happy to hear you've enjoyed the videos, and also that you're planning your trip! I only wish I could work out why everyone is calling me Ian? It's Steve, Ian was my old man.

[@in2ADV]

Have now watched it twice. 🙂

[@abitofadetour7315]

I'm sorry!

[@in2ADV]

I enjoyed it the second time, as much as I did the first. :-)

[@sosegeedinner]

ive been enjoying your videos so much, thank you! I’m planning on going on a motorbike road trip to australia with my friend for 2 weeks. Im hoping to feel some desert vibe as well as some ocean & city views; is there any route you recommend?🙏

[@abitofadetour7315]

Not sure I'm qualified to answer your question, but two weeks in Australia doesn't cover as much ground as you might imagine. I'd spend some time on Google maps paying attention to travel times. I found 500-600k's a day to be about as much as you can cover and still see a few things along the way.

[@andynorrie8692]

Thanks for the knowledge transfer and the entertainment Ian. Just in the early stages of planning a trip in 2025/2026. I was wondering what time of year you rode and if you recommend earlier or later? Cheers

[@abitofadetour7315]

I left in mid June and spent seven weeks on the road. If you prefer warm weather leave earlier or later as it does get cold in the south mid winter. I don’t mind the cold but I’m not a big fan of riding in really hot weather so planned my trip to be mid winter. Also worth noting it’s busy in NT and WA in the winter with school holidays and the ever present carvaners.

[@Windsweptyetinteresting]

Thanks Ian. A nice dry take without all the BS. Did you post a route file or map of your trip mate?

[@Windsweptyetinteresting]

And what bike would u suggest if u were to go around again mate ?

[@abitofadetour7315]

I did not, but its simple, just keep the water on the right. Unless your going clockwise, then keep it on the left. In terms of what bike I'd take second time around, the answer is, something lighter. I've got my eye on a few candidates but the VFR will do me for a bit longer yet.

[@3goldfinger]

DO you think 2 months was pushing it. No wild camping. I'm following Joe Ryan, another Brisbane rider, on his way around Australia on a Himalayan, he mostly wild camp. He has some stunning drone shots and photographs. I'm also from Brisbane and have a Himalayan. Planning to continue a trip I started 50 years ago, but first, a little prostate operation next month, and hope in 6 months time, will have recovered. I the mean time, watch m ore videos and planning. What is next for you?

[@abitofadetour7315]

I only had two months so fit the trip into that timeframe. You could definitely do it more slowly or more quickly I suppose. Joe Ryan’s videos are great, I’ve been enjoying them very much, especially his last few. Next trip will be to Tassie in May (ish) next year. Thanks for watching and enjoy your trip, it was a fantastic experience on every level.

[@tightatours]

Gotta love a a Lap if Oz. Did similar time of year (Oct best time of year as lower tourists… as recommended by locals) in 20 day’s riding (for charity MND - plus days off sightseeing Oz best). Raised $10k - on KZbin too @tightatours - just phone n GoPro but did the job👍Agreed .. (plan then) just do it ! Gr8 clips/work 👍👏👌

[@abitofadetour7315]

I have watched some of your videos and enjoyed them. I have owned two Blackbirds, fantastic bikes.

[@tightatours]

Yep thinking BB best road bike of it’s era?? Planning another long run Tas to The Tip 2024 so thinking GS 1250 but I’m tight so looking for a good used 😁 Cheers 🍻