Deane & Jack's 2007 Motorcycle Trip in
Australia and New Zealand
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Deane & Jack's 2007 Motorcycle Trip in Australia and New Zealand |
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Getting Ready |
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Deane and long-time friend Jack Dannenberg started talking about a motorcycle trip to Australia in November, 2006, and found that each had dreams of being able to ride motorcycles on this far-away continent. After some discussion, we said "Let's do it!" (We are lucky to have wives who will let us be away for this extended jaunt.) We decided early that we would rent motorcycles, rather than try to ship our own. In looking at motorcycle rental companies in Australia, we selected "Aussie Biker" near Brisbane, Australia. We found that we could rent two Suzuki V-Strom DL 650's, similar to Deane's Suzuki V-Strom DL1000, which Deane has found to be quite good for touring, as long as the riding days aren't too long. Dave Pearce, owner of "Aussie Biker", was very helpful in seeing that we would get the motorcycles set up with hard saddle bags, new tires, and serviced and ready for a substantial trip. Both Deane and Jack bought new "GPS" units to mount on the bikes, and the computer software to do trip planning which could be down-loaded into the GPS units. Of course, this software and the resident maps in the GPS units is specifically for Australia (expensive software - $300). So we planned our route to take in several of the well known cities in Australia, as well as scenic back roads in low traffic areas, along the coast, as well as in the interior "Outback". Interestingly, we found three "Aussie" Gold Wing motorcycle riding couples, by e-mail, and they have offered route suggestions, and hospitality when we arrive in their areas. The motorcycling community is really wonderful in this way! Overall, the trip is expected to cover about 7,000 miles, in 32 days!! In the process of making airline reservations, we found that we could take advantage of our airline schedules, to stop in Auckland, New Zealand, and we could spend a couple of days there. So, as kind of an afterthought, we scheduled ourselves to do that, and to stay just two days. We have also reserved rental motorcycles there, even though it will be only for two days. We will just "ride out as far as we can in one day", and "ride back the next day." Then on to Australia. We selected the period of March 15 through April 15 for the Australia tour, after finding temperatures of the various areas to be mild at this time of year. - This is their Fall, while it is our Spring. Dave Pearce, of "Aussie Biker", confirmed that this was the "perfect time", having the high temperatures in the "Outback" moderating, and being after "The Wet" heavy rains in some areas. We also will be there before winter on the very Southern part of the continent, and on the island of Tasmania. (That is about as close to the South Pole, as Portland, Oregon is to the North Pole, both having moderating effects of oceans.) We found that trying to make motel reservations from afar was quite frustrating. Then with a stroke of luck, we found an "Aussie Specialist", Paula Kay Eastham, in one of the local travel agencies, and we gave her the task, with a set of instructions and parameters. That worked out well, and we have reservations all along the tour. As the date comes closer, we are almost packed, and getting excited! Australia, Here We Come!! |
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