I Love a Sunburnt Country; A Land of Sweeping Plains…Eps 2.

Join ol’ mate Laurel and Hardy as they continue their travel eastwards toward their destination at the Barossa Valley but before they get there they have to cross the Old Eyre Highway; a road that hasn’t been maintained for over 50 years. They call into some old Travellers Rest Stops, a vital link back in the day to provide weary travellers some well-deserved rest and reassurance that everything will be OK. Sometimes, it wasn’t. This can only end in disaster!
Grab ya gear; Lets go!

[@billcotton1551]

I love when you show the history of Australia on your trips.

[@kevinlucas8552]

I see the old chili and beans is a staple for you too. Must keep you regular on the road, we never see you make a quick dash to a roadside bush though. Military training showing through? 😂

[@mongreldogproductions]

Sometimes I’m too scared to fart😂😂😂

[@gsd4me00]

Chilli and beans...ideal fart sack ammunition.

[@kevinrusso6849]

Thanks mate , that was fantastic

[@johntrenerry5951]

Finishing each episode with a crash - that's going to be a tough routine to maintain 🙂

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hopefully the crashes are not habit forming…

[@gsd4me00]

I dunno, with my riding history I could do it quite easily.

[@jf7243]

Every admiration for your riding and documentation of these epic trips!

[@gregbolitho9775]

@@gsd4me00 Doin betta than me m8, I fall off more than I ride.

[@in2ADV]

Awesome video Steve! Can't wait for episode 3!!! Stay upright mate 🙂

[@mongreldogproductions]

EPS 3 out in a day or two… 😀

[@neilringram]

Was on the Old Eyre highway April this year. Kanalda was an interesting stop over. Amazing people back then!

[@mongreldogproductions]

Tough breed…

[@mongolike513]

What was the communication with the “Overlander” Ute? “Two up”?

[@mongreldogproductions]

‘Two of us’…just letting him know that once David had passed he could get under way because there was no other Rider after that. 😀

[@wallaceshackleton1889]

Why did you say to the guy "There's two of us?"

[@Fanta....]

I guess so the guy knows if one more doesn't show up to investigate why. Just a rider safety thing.

[@mongreldogproductions]

So he doesn’t park up waiting, waiting, waiting in case there are any more riders to come. Once the number two passes he knows there’s no more to follow. 😀

[@mickkostiw589]

Can't you see your getting a bit to old for your most favorite sport, couldn't you please find something not as stressful as this sport is getting you into, it's far better going into older age on 2 good feet, rather than maybe in a wheelchair which I dread for anyone, and I have met a younger man already that is such because of motorcycling, now he assembles his wheelchair from his specially redesigned motor car just to go shopping, then de assembles his wheelchair after negotiating himself back into his motor car. I don't like old age, especially being unwell continually, and I certainly don't want it to come to you in any kind of manner because of your motorcycle. Mick

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Mick, thanks for your concern. I’ve led a good life…no, wait a minute, I’ve led a GREAT life. I have been blessed with good health and a desire for adventure. I take reasonable risks and (hopefully) ride within my limitations. I enjoy doing things that make me realise that I’m alive. I don’t have any regrets (yet). As soon as I think I’m outta my league, I’ll pin it back a bit. In the meantime, watch this space. 😀

[@mickkostiw589]

@@mongreldogproductions Yeah, but those things get to you before you get to your league, mine came when I was sitting in a armchair and just leaning forward playing catch with my wee little granddaughter, and my left leg snapped in half between my knee and my hip dead center, so how do you know your league

[@user-ku4yk4ut4z]

Great Video MDP I stayed at the Koonalda homestead when i rode my Pushy across the Nullarbor plains many years ago, i was alone the whole night... it was an interesting place and stark reminder of how progress can change things sometimes rapidly like a few of our Ghost towns in the US it seemed like they just walked away.....Also reminded me of Route 66 here in the US and how the new Highway killed a lot of small towns and rest stops....it became less about the journey and more about the destination! Keep up the good work!

[@mongreldogproductions]

The ‘new’ Eyre Highway is our Route 66 but doesn’t have the same ‘romance’ around it. It is still an adventure to cross this Continent with a lot to see and do. The problem is that people do focus on the destination and don’t smell the roses along the way 😞. I’m trying to change that. 😀

[@grahameroberts8109]

Good on ya mate. Started with a bike down and finished with the same. Keep on rolling! 👍🏻🙏🦘

[@chopperbobsuzi1250]

Thanks Steve. I haven’t ridden the Nullarbor since 1975 on an 1100 Yamaha when it was all dirt. Good to see you riding some parts of the old track. I’m enjoying your trip.

[@warrickjones590]

I always look forward to your videos no buggering around just good content.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Thanks Warrick...it makes the effort all worthwhile. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 😀

[@geoffballe8766]

Excellent,, I’ve said it before,, you’re pure Australiana Steve,, I look forward to your work 👍🏼

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Geoff….next one out in a few days (I think). 😀

[@geoffballe8766]

@@mongreldogproductions I’ll be there Brother Steve,, with bells on

[@dontrump4697]

Yes, those damn caravans are such a pain now days! Go so slow on the roads and tracks so you can't get past them - I call them "road snails". Take up all the good camp spots and the first thing they do is pull out a noisy genny - some large enough to power a small town - so they can watch the latest episode of neighbors on their sat TV at 1:00am in the morning with the volume turned full up! Talk about totally destroying the amenability of the camping experience. Once you used to be able to get away from them by taking a difficult track but now days with the range of off road vans available even that option is getting less and less. I just hope with the price of fuel going up and up less people will be temped to take an outing with one of these mobile gin palaces attached to the rear of their vehicle!

[@christophervanniekerk2933]

No Dingo's to save at Ivy Tanks this time? Great video Steve.

[@mongreldogproductions]

No, no more dingoes to save! My work here is done😂😂😂

[@eoin1959]

The ROAD CLOSED sign is the north end of the Balladonia Rd, which is THE short cut to Esperance via Condingup. The Esperance Shire part of the road is well maintained and mostly sealed for the farmers. There are also turn-offs to the coast including Cape Arid. The Dundas Shire have stopped maintaining and officially closed their end of the road, as stated on their website. This is to 'encourage' travellers (and their tourist dollars) going to and from Esperance to pass through Balladonia and Norseman.

[@Fanta....]

Both those places are crapola

[@MotoWot]

For the space nerds: at 5:30 you can see a bit of wreckage from the Skylab space station on top of the roadhouse. It broke up during planned re-entry in 1979. Those bits were part of either the Saturn V third stage or the Apollo Command Module which made up Skylab.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Thanks for pointing that out. It was a big deal when it happened back in '79.

[@mongreldogproductions]

There is a museum at the roadhouse dedicated to the Skylab…

[@phillipdean9879]

Great video Steve! 🍺🍺

[@TheSilmarallion]

Only easy day was yesterday - US Navy Seals

[@RickRolling-tc7vb]

The place is a lot busier than it used to be. That's progress, I guess. Thanks for showing us some of the alternate routes, really interesting and good content.

[@thebigw3377]

Towed one of them BMW’s across the nullabour once on my vstrom - used a drag chain off a D8 dozer - even tow started a road train at a roadhouse to help a bloke out. VStrong 💪

[@mongreldogproductions]

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do!

[@justusgronts3882]

Took my Goldwing out on the beach sands around Elephant Butte lake (N.M., usa) as a young buck. Bent the handlebar picking it back up. Lesson? NO BIKE handles well in sand! But if you don't try to slow down but keep power on enough to keep moving or a little acceleration, stick yer butt out back as far as possible, it will glide through with a bit of control. 65 years of constantly paying attention does buy you something, ??? 10👍/10

[@mongreldogproductions]

Stand up, lean back, constant power...it does work. It just goes against every normal brain function to tick off all three (especially the throttle bit). Many a Rider has come unstuck because they back off the throttle. 😔

[@gsd4me00]

Jeez, that 27 minutes went quickly. I was about to hit the fart sack when the video popped up, so what could I do but stay up a bit longer and watch it. More good work, Steve.

[@mongreldogproductions]

The fart sack…I haven’t heard that expression in ages😂😂😂. Good times!

[@LOWERCASEMAN]

Thanks Steve ….. another great vid!

[@Rod-rx4go]

Great video Steve very sad to see a lot of the lovely old cars from Koonalda have been stolen

[@mongreldogproductions]

I’ve been there several times over the years and watched the collection be ravaged. They have now ‘cordoned’ off the area with minimal fencing to try and reduce pilfering but there are some real gems out there. It’s so easily accessible now that it would be difficult to police. 😞

[@rogerb4436]

$2:61 is good mate as it's $3:04 here currently in Auckland New Zealand 🇳🇿....DAMMMM!!!!!....lol.& crying😢...ride safe guys.

[@willemvantsant5105]

Hi Steve, my Father used to drive a Leyland Hippo back in the fifties across the Eyre Highway, many blowouts and wheel bearings. Was followed by a bright light in the sky for some 50 ks, maintained it was a ufo. Used to set up a strecher next to the hot diff to keep him warm at night. Picked up a mob in Yalata who uccupied the empty dog, dropped them off at the next stop only to discover later they had relieved him of all his tools. When the railroad was completed he stopped driving trucks. Tough times.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Sounds like a man who lead a full life with lots of stories to tell. Truckies did (and still do) keep this country moving. A far cry from the current single/double/triple road trains of today. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@gregbolitho9775]

Pleased as your up, after the 7.5 m8, you made it, otherwise we wouldn't be watching your vid. That holes bigger than Mel's Hole in the US. But Mel's Hole is more famous. Thanks m8, enjoyed that ride, wish I could take a drive over that way. Stay vertical though Eh!

[@SmallWonda]

It is a rough old pancake - would be quite interested to see a bit more from your rest stops - the old cars - how did they get there, what kind - any of the Old Stories... You neeed air bags on your bike to stop it hitting the dirt!! Stay safe!

[@roberthocking9138]

Another great video, I felt like I was there. Imagine a trip where the 90 mile straight on the Nullarbor was only a fraction of your journey !! Wow.

[@justgjt]

A few off's and no one hurt and everything is servicable. Cant get better than that Mr Bly. The drone footage is spectacular. Thanks for sharing. 🍻

[@mongreldogproductions]

Thanks (again) for taking the time to comment...😀

[@paulholubecki6386]

So glad to have you back. Love your content and laid back commentary. You are correct about the old highway.. People dont understand.. Sometimes thats a good thing😊

[@astrobusa]

Another great video.I see you buy your Adventure gloves from Bunnings like me. Those M-Pact gloves are sturdy and very protective. Looking forward to the next instalment. Thanks again.

[@mongreldogproductions]

That's me with the MPact Gloves...Bunnings was closer than the bike shop...half the price and hopefully last twice as long. Glad you enjoyed the journey (so far).

[@grahamcairn8379]

How would you go paying $3.11 per litre. That's in a big city here in N.Z. Looking forward to the next episode Steve.

[@mongreldogproductions]

It gets worse…a lot worse. 😀

[@whirinakii]

Thank you really enjoying your videos - showing off our country.

[@mongreldogproductions]

You're welcome.

[@wayneramm7288]

Love your work mate I’ve gotta get to see that homestead Was wondering how low you put the drone down that big hole Was thinking it would sense itself going below ground level and have problems with it ? Keep these coming Bloody love them 👍

[@stuartkcalvin]

I don't understand why people refuel at the Border Crossing roadhouse when Caiguna is often 30c cheaper. Sorry meant Eucla.

[@mongreldogproductions]

I'm crossing again soon (in the 4WD). Thanks for the heads up.

[@suzyamerica4679]

Beautiful stuff, Steve, and thanks for sharing. Makes you feel like you're there. You do fine work as an outback tour guide too :)

[@mongreldogproductions]

My pleasure!

[@kiwizz2177]

Thanks mate , quality video ! Keep them coming ;-))

[@mongreldogproductions]

More to come!

[@glenns001]

GS Adventure, best bike in the world, you don't realise until you own or ride one

[@mongreldogproductions]

@@glenns001 Only limited by the Riders skill set…love mine to bits for Outback touring. 150,000km on the clock now and I reckon it still has a little bit of life left in it yet. Thanks for watching. 😀

[@grahamsatherley7996]

If the large hole in the ground was the area water supply why is there no water in it now.

[@mongreldogproductions]

It was never a lake…must be water underground that they somehow managed to pump to the homestead (7km away). There are a lot of ‘caves’ in that area but in this case the roof collapsed.

[@dynamadnessadventures205]

Great video Steve ride safe

[@rosemaryshepherdsmith5110]

Very quick but love your adventures 😊

[@mongreldogproductions]

Thanks! 😃

[@lairdbufflehead]

Hi Steve Always love your KZbin adventures. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Question about the sheepskin seat cover. I can only flat foot on one side or on my toes with both feet. Do you think the seat cover adds a lot of extra height and width? Trying to decide if adding one for comfort might make stopping more risky to hold bike up. Would love to hear your thoughts. Slangevar Craig

[@mongreldogproductions]

It does make a difference to the height (and comfort). Tried Cycling shorts??? Worth a shot.

[@lairdbufflehead]

@@mongreldogproductions thanks for replying. will keep cycling shorts for riding the mountain bike. Just trying to work out how high is too high as I only seem to drop my bike when I stop 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@rockbiterhd]

Going by the endings your turn next haha enjoy

[@mongreldogproductions]

I know how this story ends...it aint pretty. Watch this space.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

My Mrs would kill me if I chose the old track over the blacktop, so I need to do it alone. Thanks!

[@grahameroberts8109]

I presume she will hitch hike along the black top? 😂😱🥊👍🏻🦘

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@grahameroberts8109 We can dream about a perfect world...but alas, no. It will be one of those things that shall never be forgotten and repeated often. "That time you...."

[@SuzSt.seer8]

I remember the bull dust on that road.😊

[@mongreldogproductions]

Well in that case, nothing's changed. 😀

[@johnbradley1599]

Thanks Steve.

[@mongreldogproductions]

You're welcome.

[@davebarns1]

👍🏻

[@mongreldogproductions]

Back at ya...

[@adv-moto-rider7216]

Hey Steve what sort of travel time from Nullabor Road House on the old HWY till you pop back out on the black stuff.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Heading east or west??? I have a confession to make. East of the Nullabor Roadhouse is now off-limits without a Permit (and you wont get one). Over the last couple of years, the Yalata Community has clamped down on transiting the Old Eyre Highway and those areas south of the current Eyre Highway. It is part of an Indigenous Protected Area. If you were to travel it (wink, wink) it is only a couple of hours and not difficult. 😀

[@adv-moto-rider7216]

@@mongreldogproductions thanks yes i had heard you need to obtain permits to transgress past Yalata, Thanks for the input almost following you route but to flinders in SEP but dropping down near eyre Bird Lookout and popping out at Madura. other than that same from Perth.

[@mongreldogproductions]

@@adv-moto-rider7216 if you are travelling east to Madura from the Bird Observatory be mindful that there are two tracks paralleling the escarpment. One follows the old telegraph track and there is a lot of abandoned wire and ankle high ‘stumps’ camouflaged by vegetation. The other option is the track that hugs the escarpment which use to link old homesteads and is the better option. It is ok if it is dry…if damp it can be slippery. Lots of wildlife near sunset. Contact me for more info closer to the date if need be.

[@phatpizza610]

@@mongreldogproductions Was trying to think of a way to ask a question about this section of the old hwy, guess this is one of those times it pays to have a quiet bike

[@davidnelson4707]

great video, haven’t been to Ivy tanks since 1972. wow things have changed. looking forward to the next video.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi David, I first travelled to Ivy Tanks only a few years ago but even I have seen it determinate over a short period of time 😞. I couldn’t imagine how much of a change you would have seen since 1972. Thanks for watching.

[@davidnelson4707]

I look forward to your videos as most of the places that you visit , I visited when I was younger, It was so interesting AND challengingly ,I even bought fuel at Ivy Tanks and a hamburger . I had a brand new volvo car and it broke down 40 miles west of Ivy tanks . It was due to rough road and caused the floats in the carbs bouncing and flood the carb. Air filter thrown out and floats readjusted . 14 hrs on the side of the road and no body . Heat 40 deg plus

[@mongreldogproductions]

@@davidnelson4707 I think experiencing a bit of misery and hardship strengthens the soul (as long as nobody gets hurt). You got through it and now maybe look back with some fond memories...then again, maybe not. 😀

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

I’m enjoying your journey and happy no one has died.

[@mongreldogproductions]

….yet!

[@johnzee691]

great vid. always enjoy them.

[@clange21]

MDB music at the end Steve?

[@mongreldogproductions]

MDB Music????

[@clange21]

Million dollar bogan, he uses the same track at times. Good choice!

[@mongreldogproductions]

@@clange21 is he another Adventure Rider? I pay for and download music from Epidemic Sound…millions of tracks to choose from.

[@keithpearce933]

like all the other coments i love the content and when you have been to the places you ride, it makes it ever better Thanks Steve

[@ogdog123]

I’ll be heading to W.A. For the Black Dog Ride in October from Vic, great watching this for alternative rides for the way home. Thanks, 👍

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Glenn, make sure you do some research and ensure the roads and tracks are right for you...there can be some tricky bits if you're not careful. Enjoy the BDR. 😀

[@jmsask]

When it goes to shit it happens quick. It seems like your doing 75-80 KPH but the speedo looks like your going much slower 🍻

[@mongreldogproductions]

Dunno what speed I was doing...I wasn't in control. I was just along for the ride!

[@bradkark]

Thanks Steve, I always enjoy your videos. The car graveyard at Coonalda kept me entertained when we were there last year. I think it’s been well picked over for anything that would look good on a mancave wall. The Nullabor would have been a tough trip before it was sealed!

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Brad, any bloke would lose half a day just crawling around that graveyard…fascinating to witness what some people tried to drive across the Nullarbor back then. Minis, Austin’s, early model Holdens. What were they thinkin’ lol. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@duncanm6589]

Another top video Steve. Wow, you were lucky missing the tree when you laid the bike over.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Yep, very lucky. By that stage I was no longer in control and just a passenger. 😀

[@cameronkennedy6052]

Every time I get the joy of watching one of your videos I fall in love with our beautiful brown island all over again. Gotta get myself back out into the centre or across the Nullarbor.

[@mongreldogproductions]

We are very fortunate here in Oz... 😀

[@joereedsmith1531]

Australia is very harsh for the moto camper. What can you eat? Tinned Spag baked beans stew thats it. A shed a silent tear for the man who buys Ice for a 6 pack, thats a wonderful thing.

[@mongreldogproductions]

You can vary your diet if you want. I am a minimalistic kinda guy and water is precious so i prepare meals that dont involve any washing up. There are lots of dehyd meals available for when water is plentiful (those meals are expensive) and you can always munch on Roadhouse food (fatty and not really healthy). You can usually resupply every 3-4 days depending on where you are.

[@russellbanfield1704]

Totally absorbing. Thanks Steve.

[@mongreldogproductions]

You're welcome...

[@dalenewbon268]

Another top episode keep ‘‘em coming Steve definitely better than watching the crap on tv👍

[@mongreldogproductions]

Next one in a few days…

[@richardharker2775]

WoW! Hard to imagine life in the outback all that time ago. I wonder if atmospheric conditions were different for settlers or pastoralists then.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Dunno...it's rained now in places that never use to cop any...the Aussie Outback has never looked so green.

[@michaeldallimore8590]

Great stuff. Did the old road several times when it was the only road. It was very wide, about the width of 4 trucks. Interesting how nature has reclaimed it.

[@mongreldogproductions]

The width of the road is still evident as you ride along it. It would have been a huge job to maintain it back in the day.

[@maccas44]

Awesome

[@shaneobrien148]

10:26. Can’t believe even out there

[@mongreldogproductions]

Yep.

[@user-McGiver]

good to see some fresh iron deposits on the land...

[@mongreldogproductions]

Some real classics out there.

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

Two years ago I inquired about travelling the Old Eyre Highway between Nullarbor Roadhouse and Yalata community and was informed that it is closed to the public and permits are not available. You might want to hide the evidence, Steve.

[@mongreldogproductions]

I’ll take it on board…it could be (and probably will be) my last time. 👍😜

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

@@mongreldogproductions Judging by the tracks on the road there are still plenty of people doing it. I grew up out that way as a kid and I wish now that I would have just done it instead of asking for permission. Which, as you know from you military background, is just a request for denial.

[@mongreldogproductions]

@@holgerlubotzki3469 Sometimes, just sometimes, it is better to ask for forgiveness then beg for permission. It's worked for me a couple of times. 😀

[@kylefortier1]

Your a legend mate

[@mongreldogproductions]

‘Legend’??? Nah, just a schmuck with a desire for adventure. 😀