Riding across Australia, heading up the west coast, solo motorcycle camping adventure S2 Episode 15

I head up the West coast form Geraldton past Hutt Lagoon, Kalbarri Grand Stand, Kalbarri National Park, through Carnarvon and Coral Bay to end up on an empty beach by myself, just my tent and my Royal Enfield Himalayan.

[@warrickpenfold3665]

Love how you caught all the unique colours...................

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you are enjoying the series.

[@MrJohnmccrory]

best one yet I reckon . WA is truly beautifully unique

[@freewayproject]

Thanks John, I am glad you are still enjoying the series. Yes WA definitely has a special kind of beauty.

[@jbgrant7250]

Thanks Joe......Stunning

[@freewayproject]

You're welcome mate, glad you enjoyed it.

[@mrsspmac1396]

The aerial shots are breathtaking 😮 Your stills will make a great coffee table book - I want mine signed in front of me😊

[@freewayproject]

Thanks. well I am investigating what I can do with the photos, might have to start a bit smaller than a book but looking into all possibilities 😁

[@rforesyth]

I look forward to these videos, a lot of Zen here.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you are enjoying the series, thanks for the continued support.

[@terrycavender]

Beautiful! Now I'm going to have to figure out how to get my Himalayan down under and ride! Deb and I were going to take our morning Spanish lesson, but the moment we saw the video was up, well, we can learn Spanish at lunch. 👍

[@freewayproject]

gracias, me alegra que hayas disfrutado el vídeo. Espero que tu lección de español vaya bien.

[@terrycavender]

@@freewayproject showoff....... 🙄

[@seandutoit9537]

Thanks Joe, beautifull photography of scenery and like the smiley twirps in between. Its quite a setting now seeing your video notification by thursday friday and saving it for saturday am-and really enjoing them. Cheers enjoy

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Sean, I'm glad you are enjoying the series, thanks for the continued support.

[@scintilladesign4187]

Another beautiful movie, thanks for sharing Joe!

[@freewayproject]

Thanks, you are welcome, glad you are enjoying it.

[@simonmills2375]

Hey Joe, Thanks for that great episode, glad weather is turning your way, making your trip a bit less Hard Yakka. Cheers

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Simon, glad you are still enjoying the series and thanks for the continued support.. Yes it's great there is no more rain as I head north and into the dry season, it will get a lot hotter but I grew up in the north so I am. used to it.

[@igorshvab2171]

stunning colours

[@freewayproject]

Thanks, the landscape in this area are insanely beautiful

[@ronstorms4363]

what a great episode, Joe !!! really to look out for every day....!!! Your style of documenting is awesome !!! thanks ever so much for sharing

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you are enjoying the series.

[@lifeinthewild6187]

A nice relaxing video to wake up and watch on a Friday morning in Scotland. Keep it fun 😉

[@freewayproject]

Glad you enjoyed it mate. I gather it will start to be getting colder there.

[@antonoat]

That was a good start to the day, watching your film while having my breakfast here in the UK, it’s now light, it’s just gone 06.30, the days are getting shorter now as we head towards winter! I’ve noticed you very rarely pay any attention to the bike’s chain! I guess it’s tricky, oil it and the oil attracts sand and gravel so it probably wears quickly anyway! Loving the scenery, so jealous of your wilderness Joe. Have a great day and ride safe! 👏👍😀🏍

[@freewayproject]

I've been getting about 15,000km out of the chains. I did replace one in Tasmania in the first series and in Adelaide in this series after the Flinders Ranges. I do oil the chain, it just hard to clean it out in the middle of the out back. Normally if I get to a bigger town that has those car wash things I'll clean it then re apply the oil.

[@bobfry5267]

@@freewayproject On one ride I had to wait until the chain wore so much that I could refit the original larger sprocket back on. I was much younger and more optimistic then!

[@freewayproject]

@@bobfry5267 wow

[@Manu.619]

Hey ❤🎉 love from 🇮🇳

[@freewayproject]

Thank you India 🙌🏻 much appreciated. धन्यवाद

[@alansmith1268]

Another enjoyable video Joe and some class photography 👍I was on trip last weekend with group of friends to Wales only about 640 miles round trip but still nice to get away on the bike ,😁but as have said before it must be nice when you can loose your self as you do and far from the maddening crowds which can be difficult here in uk, keep up your adventures Joe I look forward to every episode 👍

[@freewayproject]

I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the continued support. It's always great to be on the bike and look you get to ride to another country, not possible here. Yes it is good to be able to ride alone in the middle of the vastness.

[@davehetherington47]

Been watching your ride since Tassie. Long trips can reallyt test you but You and that little bike are just troopers! I've loved every minute of it.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Dave, yes the bikes handling it well and I am trying to hang on too, it's been a lot of fun so far and still more to explore. Thanks for the continued support.

[@happytoo10]

That pink lake is amazing, Thank You for sharing it with us.

[@freewayproject]

It is an amazing sight to see when they are that colour. You are welcome, glad you enjoyed it.

[@zed9879]

Kalbarri is amazing to see, even if you've seen it a couple times before. It's always breathtaking. Coral Bay is one of my favorite places. I was lucky enough to see it in 1990 before it got too touristy. Fantastic marine life there, snorkelled with Whale Sharks, Manta's, Humpback Whales. Diving the reef there had so much varoity and observable behaviours of the marine life there. February time you can see turtles hatching and running into the sea where the sharks circle for their incoming dinner. Loving your updates and thoroughly enjoy your narative of the beauty that you show on your wonderful journey through WA.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate. yes that whole coast lines looks amazing, I know I am barely scratching the surface, you could spend the whole year making your way up the coastline.

[@bobfry5267]

Me too. When the main road was still sand.

[@-sandman4605]

Kalbarri and Coral Bay are just beautiful and the fishing is good aswell. 😎👍

[@freewayproject]

yes it is a stunning area along that coastline.

[@neil2402]

Certainly a different landscape to the south! Great photos... Cheers,

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Neil, glad you enjoyed it, yes the landscape has definitely changed.

[@adamclarke1105]

Rolling off the throttle because you’re exceeding the speed limit on the himi. Oh what a novelty 🤣🤣

[@freewayproject]

yes sharing all the unique experiences I come across out here 🤣🤣🤣

[@Tina293-72]

Another great episode and stunning photos! The drone shots have captured so much beauty and vivid colours!

[@freewayproject]

thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yes the drone give a totally different perspective.

[@dazzaoutandabout4870]

Great episode Joe. Very enjoyable. Stay safe.

[@freewayproject]

thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it.

[@bradquiggin6764]

One of the best! 👏🏾👍🏾

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, stoked you enjoyed it.

[@darrencarmichael-yd2vx]

Love it mate !! I’m heading off myself in a week . Very inspiring. Keep on rollin 👍👍👍🙏

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you're still enjoying the series. Awesome nothing better than being out there exploring, have fun, stay safe.

[@terrymcmahon66]

I always look forward to the next episode, great camera work, loved that sunset!

[@freewayproject]

thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it.

[@chrisweeks6973]

Last time I stayed in Carnarvon (some 14 years ago!), it was at the Big 4 Plantation Caravan Park; back then it was quiet. Re the Nullabor headwinds, back some 40 years ago I was driving a HiAce with a large heavy trailer, heading west; the wind was so strong that 80 kph was as fast as I could manage and I had to do the entire section in 3rd, as it wouldn't pull in top gear. Fuel consumption was horrendous! Coral Bay area, as with most coastal spots within reach of Perth, is always going to be busy during school holidays.

[@freewayproject]

I can only imagine trying to get a van pulling a trailer across the Nullarbor into a head wind , that's what nightmares would be made of. Yes not know what date or that it was school holidays mean I had to adjust plans, these things happen when there is no planing . I bet it would have been a lot more of an adventure traveling across back then.

[@chrisweeks6973]

@@freewayproject Yes it was a bit of a worry; the HiAce was a 1984 2-litre petrol and my all-up weight was just over 4.6 tonnes... First time I did the E-W run was with my late wife, Christmas 1978, in a Datsun 180B; it was that hot (50C+ in the shade and there isn't any of that) we dam'd near melted, as the air-con couldn't cope. It was a bit of an adventure back then, but the magic of the country is still there, despite having done the crossing well over a dozen times.

[@michaelpyke9368]

Nice photo's Joe you seem to be able to catch the light and colours just right. Cheers.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad like them.

[@retiredwaterdoctor]

great work, Joe....in Canada, I am getting ready to put the KLR to bed for the winter....should ship it down and continue the ride...I wish. Keep the videos coming.

[@freewayproject]

thanks mate. oh no fun having to put it to bed.

[@bobfry5267]

Coral Bay is a far better place away from Holiday season. I've stayed there a few times now in the past, before it was developed, with tarmac, street lights, and much else. I won't call it spoilt now, but the atmosphere was so great when you could sit down in the middle of the main street with friends at midnight, with a case of beer, with the Milky Way giving enough light to make the sand glow. Even in day time, the traffic was working quad bikes. Backpacker bus twice a week. I miss it so much, but you can never really go back. So lucky to be there at the right time.

[@freewayproject]

That does sound awesome back before the development.

[@simonjones2645]

@joe , mate you continue to deliver the goods! Oh how my heart aches for home ! (About where you are in the next episode) THANKYOU FOR EVERYTHING! SJ

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you are still enjoying the series, it is a stunning area of the planet.

[@simonjones2645]

@@freewayproject how could I not enjoy it ! Your pics and importantly, you make the series ! Thankyou

[@radadventure2606]

Wow, Joe! Some stunning shots! And your German is pretty good! Sehr gut! I just did a two day solo moto camping trip to the Little Desert (Victoria). 1100 km , so I can relate to the sore bum! Respect to your bike. It seems very reliable!

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it, I looked at the Little Desert when I went through there earlier in the year but I struggled a bit in the sand in Murray Sunset National Park. So left it until I spend more time in sand and get the skill levels up especially when I am solo. Yes the bike keeps tractoring on, can't complain at all.

[@radadventure2606]

Yes, deep, soft sand is my nemesis! Tried the Border Track for a few ks and bend my handlebars!! Then I hightailed it out of there. Too risky all by myself!!@@freewayproject

[@freewayproject]

@@radadventure2606 yes, if there is 2 or more of you then you can give it a crack, going solo you just have to be a lot more cautious

[@henrydigby2616]

Wow best video yet , cheers pal

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Henry, glad you are still enjoying the series.

[@martyjwalker]

Terrific photos Joe. Makes me want to learn to ride a motorcycle :)

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Marty, it is a lot of fun riding and exploring.

[@horsesoldier1]

Thanks! Love your videos, keep doing it!

[@freewayproject]

Thank you as always, it is greatly appreciated and does help.

[@alanmillar2148]

Another awesome installment mate . Loving the videos , I'm constantly checking for the next update . Loving the plodding along style , slowing down , taking it all in . Like you , I also am not a fan of crowds / school holidays etc . My body is letting me down lately , anymore than a couple of hours on the bike is a killer . Some I'm living through you mate ( no pressure 😂 )

[@freewayproject]

thanks Alan, glad you are still enjoying the series. Yes cruising along taking it all in is definitely the way to go. Well as I make my way through the north there are going to be some big milage days (up to 1000km) as there are large distance between places up here.

[@colin5121]

Another outstanding episode , been that way many times. I have been down the coast as well as inland roads, there is undoubtedly more to see every trip. I would love to do it in a motorbike , gives more access to out of the way locations. These days Land Management has stopped access via vehicles to a lot of beautiful coastal location along the Coral Coast.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Colin, glad you are still enjoying the series. Yes I know I am missing so many good spots which means I will just have to do another trip..... or two...... or three

[@person.X.]

I am not a fan of the busy, touristy places either. Luckily in Australia in general and WA in particular it is very easy to avoid the crowds. Those honeypot locations (Coral Bay, Kalbarri etc) serve a useful purpose too in my opinion in that they draw off 90% of people leaving the less well known places still largely empty.

[@freewayproject]

Yes, you are right the easy access places were busy, whereas a little more remote were empty, there is so much to see over there in W.A.

[@horsesoldier1]

Good evening Joe (can I call you Joe? :) ) its 636pm in Ontario Canada. I had a great ride today and now watching the most inspiring video ever! Thank you always for your moving lovely video (S2 episode 15). I smiled the whole way! Oh and don't ever put your camera away

[@freewayproject]

Thanks you, always great to hear the episodes are bringing a smile.

[@markderooy8196]

It’s been great watching your adventure Joe! Amazing videos. Stay safe out there mate.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Mark, glad you are enjoying the series. Still a bit more to come from this trip.

[@markderooy8196]

Keep them coming. Always waiting for the next one. If I stick to the main roads, I could almost do that trip on my KTM Duke 390🙂

[@freewayproject]

@@markderooy8196 nothing wrong with doing a lap around on a Duke 390, it would be a lot of fun

[@markderooy8196]

It would be cool. Looks like you are having a blast. Thanks for taking the time to message me, I know you are busy. Take care and hopefully talk soon 😁

[@JohnWilliams-ge7eh]

Spot on joe .

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it.

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

And also no “ onesie “😂😂😂, I heard the Sea to summit are a good 👍 air bed “ , beautiful scenery “

[@freewayproject]

haha yer I don't think you'll see the onesie until I get back to the other side of the country, it's the dry season up here.

[@glenfitzgerald9295]

Awesome video as usual Joe, hey, thank you for showing us the beautiful parts of Australia that not all of us are lucky enough to see, we live in such a beautiful place, shame we all cant see its beauty...

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Glen, glad you are enjoying the series. Yes there are some stunning parts of this country. Thanks for the continued support.

[@3goldfinger]

I was at Kalbarri with a friend in 1972, we had it all to ourselves, not a single soul.

[@freewayproject]

That would have been epic. I'm half a century too late 😂

[@sandrider1406]

Great review of WA mate. But don’t tell everyone 🤣

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it. Soooooo if I do 10 videos in WA 😳😳😳😳, luckily it not a popular channel 😂😂😂

[@davidwood974]

What a trip, Joe, thank you for sharing and inspiring us!

[@freewayproject]

Thanks David, glad you are enjoying the series, there are still a few more to come as I head north then east.

[@benjohnson7170]

Choice as bro,a great start to my long weekend. Into the bush on my Emtb for a mini adventure i go.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate glad you enjoyed it. Have fun out there, I love a EMTB it makes me feel like a pro mountain biker and you can just go so much further to explore.

[@marksteele4364]

The sunsets are to die for in WA.......loved it ....thanks for a great share mate....so, so many memories flooding back. Beautiful photos and footage ,awesome work

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Mark, glad you enjoyed it. Yes the west seem to have the best.

[@robertmauter6493]

Joe, you did it again, what an incredible ride, this is a continent that I would truly love to explore, although me and my riding partner just got off the road from our big trip we’re ready to go again now would be great but that’s not happening just yet, another 7 months I’ll be throwing in the towel and finally retiring so perhaps there will be other road trips in the forecast. Joe what was the deal with that pink lake, the water looked wild looking, was it the minerals in the water. Anyway thanks for sharing your videos, you have an incredible country that begs to be explored no doubt. Take care, Rob U.S.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Rob, I am glad you are still enjoying the series. Well a retirement trip sounds like a great plan. The pink happens in really salty lakes, it to do with the presence of salt-tolerant algae that produces carotenoids, such as Dunaliella salina, usually in conjunction with specific bacteria and archaea. I only know this as this is the 3rd pink lake I have come across on these rides. There were 2 other episodes that lakes like this appear. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZy7hn6KfsytatU kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ6TdJaDiriBi9E

[@robertmauter6493]

So no idea what was with that pink pond?

[@freewayproject]

@@robertmauter6493 the pink lakes are caused by the presence of salt-tolerant algae that produces carotenoids, such as Dunaliella salina, usually in conjunction with specific bacteria and archaea. I only know this because of 2 others I have come across while riding this year, one in this episode kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZy7hn6KfsytatU and one in this episode kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ6TdJaDiriBi9E

[@grahamcairn8379]

Absolutely beautiful Joe. I really enjoy your photography.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Graham, I glad you are enjoying it, it has been a lot of fun to create.

[@frankseymour4162]

For support for the expensive petrol

[@freewayproject]

Thank you again mate, it is greatly appreciated.

[@frankseymour4162]

@@freewayproject Happy to help. Just sorry I can't help more. Your videos are brilliant

[@GordonHansard-xk4sw]

Love your filming and pictures. So good to ride a bike and do what your doing. How many ks has your bike done Gordon from Newzealand.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Gordon, glad you are enjoying the series. The bike has done 40,000km now (I am bit ahead of the latest episode as it takes me a while to edit them). I am hoping to come over to NZ early next year if I can pull it off. If you know of any resources to find information about good trails and places to explore away from the normal tourist spots I would love to know.

[@coobye]

Another great episode Joe. I'm really enjoying it. Can you tell me about your solar panel please. Cheers.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I have the 100w from these guys itechworld.com.au it works great, it tough, I have had no issue with it being damaged (I would like it lighter but it is built out of very strong materials so that the compromise). It is the smallest one I could find to fit on the back of the motorbike. Solar blanket itechworld.com.au/collections/solar-blankets/products/100w-solar-blanket-solar-panel-for-caravan-camping-boats-4wd-motorhome Battery itechworld.com.au/products/lithium-portable-power-station-300-watt-25ah-itech300-pro?_pos=6&_sid=188b4d31b&_ss=r

[@coobye]

@@freewayproject Cheers mate👍

[@vanceyboy1959]

Hi Joe I always look forward to viewing your beautiful photos as the colours are so vivid. I noticed your drone footage is also absolutely breath taking with rich colours. I hope you take my following criticism the right way as i enjoy your video footage no matter what but the colours seem wasted out when you use your GoPro compared to your photos and drone footage. Is there an enhanced colour or auto colour adjustment tool in your editor that you can use? Love your work and once again thanks for taking me on an awesome ride. 😊👍

[@freewayproject]

Glad you're enjoying the series mate. It a DJI Osmo for the on bike shots (I find it better than a GoPro) as it is an action camera and I can't control the image it is set to auto, so in that setting it is averaging things out and when it is in bright sunshine especially if into the light the cameras auto settings (if you know anything about camera and dynamic range) averages stuff which leads to crushing all the dark bits and blowing out all the light bits. If good light there are no issues, but as there is no manual setting or if I can't actually see the footage as it is filming (which I can't while riding) then I have to put up with it. I would love to put a real camera on my helmet but as of yet I have not found a practical way of doing so. The Drone footage works as it is normally facing down or away from the sun and normally in the late afternoon when the light is really good. I would have everything in manual setting like my photo camera if I could.

[@freewayproject]

.

[@jasontaylor8412]

Awesome scenery love your vids man, unfortunately I missed last week's episode, somehow I deleted it by mistake i looked everywhere for it but to no avail, is there anyway you could send me a link or something would be much appreciated, thanks mate ride safe.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate glad you are enjoying the series. if you go to the channel page they are all there in order: kzbin.info

[@lyndonevans8033]

Hi, great video again, hope you don’t mind me asking what tyres are u using, long miles on/off tarmac they lasting well.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks glad you are enjoying the series. I was using the Dunlop 605D which are great for off road like I had in the Flinders Rangers, but they don't last long about 6000km in my experience. for the rest of the trip (from Perth) I got a Heidenau K60-Scout for the back which should last 15,000 - 20,000km apparently. So far great on road and good off road not as good as the 605D but I am not going to be going up steep, rutted out, rocky loose hill climbs like in the Flinders Range. So better for the conditions coming up, there isn't a perfect tyre for all condition just good tyres in the right conditions. Hope that helps.

[@lyndonevans8033]

@@freewayproject yea that’s great thanks Joe, I’m still on original Ceat but wearing pretty quick. Lyndon

[@freewayproject]

@@lyndonevans8033 The 605D I still have one and it has done about 16,000km so last a lot longer than the rear 605D, so is a good option for the front if you're going to be on dirt and they are cheaper.

[@martythompson6509]

Did you notice the face on that first termite mound?

[@freewayproject]

No Marty, I'll go back and see if I can find it.

[@martythompson6509]

@@freewayproject 😂😂😂 it's on your video ya goose...😂😂😂

[@GordonHansard-xk4sw]

I did 😂

[@paulkeenan4049]

Hi mate By any chance was your bike parked outside a pub in Ashfield Stdney today

[@freewayproject]

Hi mate, was it covered in bull dust?😂 No I am not currently anywhere near there.

[@walterdavey4196]

Is the right grip still hanging off? Superglue will fix it. Mine was a bit loose after swaping for the heated grips. I might have jamed 1/2 a match in there too.

[@freewayproject]

I had forgotten all about the right grip being off, I just got used to it not being there. If I remember the next time I go to a store I grab some. Thanks.

[@Paul.Newlands]

Is the clock on your bike accurate? I was getting a bit confused when you said you got away early and it read almost 11 😂

[@freewayproject]

😂 no it is not, I never got around to working out how to set it to the correct time. I never look at it so there was no need to change it.

[@BrettMatson-f8c]

Jakes

[@freewayproject]

👍🏻

[@dazzaoutandabout4870]

Hey joe. Quick question. You canged the back tyre when you stayed at the caravan, note you had another change further on. It was a back tyre too i thought. Did it not work out? Its been baffling me. Cheers.

[@freewayproject]

the tyre I changed in the caravan was the only one I could get my hands on as I drove through Adelaide ( I didn't want to wait for a few days just for another tyre). The one I put on was a Dunlop 605D which is great for off road but doesn't wear well on the HWY so normally only gets about 6000km out of it. I had not worn it out by the time of got to Perth but I would need a new type before I got to the next city with easy access to tyres Darwin. I looked to see if they had any tyres in Broome but they didn't it would have to be special order in and then there was the issue of timing and if I would go into Broome or not. So it was easier to get a tyre in Perth that would have enough tread to get me back to the east coast, the one I got thy said normally gets 15,000 - 20,000km.

[@dazzaoutandabout4870]

Cheers Joe, I will sleep tonight! Haha. All makes sense now, was just wondering. All the best for the rest of the run. I also ride a hymi so watch with interest on the bike initially, but have also really enjoyed your adventures, approach to riding and the photography. Cheers mate.

[@brentbauer8258]

Is there a cruise control on the bike?

[@freewayproject]

No, not on my one.

[@loucity2]

Can you travel from WA to VIC on this bike?

[@freewayproject]

Yes you can, in this series I started in QLD through NSW and SA to get to WA, I''ll be going back to QLD via the NT. So the bike can easier get from WA to VIC. The first series I started in QLD went through NSW into VIC then did a lap around TAS,, back through VIC and NSW to finish in QLD. The bike has been great through both trips this year doing 40,000km. There are around 40 videos of these 2 trips on the channel if you want to see the route I took. I hope the answers your question.

[@barra650]

Good one Joe , although I was hoping to see a Bikini babe or two walking the beach .

[@freewayproject]

thanks mate, glad you liked it. Probably to far out of the way for the instagram models to get to.