Work made me do it! 12 day OZ tour.

[mbazza]

Out of Batemans Bay soon after sunrise see photo! Wheeling the bike over to the compressor to check the tyre pressure when a CBR 1000 breezes in. Older bloke, we chat he's on his way to work. We talk again after he's added fuel and lets me know that I should visit the Rotary Lookout on the way out of town. I ask if he has any ideas on a good place to stay between here and Sydney as I'm on the second last day of my trip. I need to be in Skidney by about 2.00pm on the following day.
I take his advice and the first photo is the result. Great place from which to view the Batemans bridge. This bridge built in the 1950's and can open up to let a yacht through for mooring.
I get on the Pacific Highway in cool conditions ready for some of the best roads of the trip, well that's what the Aussie Motorcycle Atlas say's anyway. About 5 km out of town with the iPod pumping the Beatles through the Earmolds I spot a single headlight closing in rapidly. The CBR 1000 from the servo turns up, we don't stop but lift our visiors and shout at each other. The riders wife reckons this is the best spot to stay between Batemans Bay and Sydney and he hands over a chunk of cardboard on which I can see the name of a motel written. How does one thank a fellow biker for his wife's thoughtfulness at 75kph? He salutes and does a u-turn. Hope he's not late for work.
I push on to Ulladulla and then the toilet calls just south of Jarvis Bay, so I call into Bay View just off the tree lined Pacific Highway. A great seaside spot with the young bloods riding their BMX bikes on the local track. There were 150m or so cribs, weekenders (batches to you lot up N!) I found the cafe, post office, shop and part time pharmacy and pulled into the 8 bay car park just after the car emblazoned with the signs of the local district nurse. Off with the helmet and I could read that both the shop and the cafe were closed 'Due to Illness!' District nurse called out that everyone had the flu! Sorry! I whack the helmet on quick smart and high tailled it out of town. Still wanting a pee! Influenza, killed millions in 1919 didn't it? Especially travellers!
Finally got a pee at the Log Cabin Cafe about 20k away. Quick chat with a coupleon a 600 Burgman and a GS1200 who were out from Sydney for a burl.
Relieved, I got off towards Berry for lunch. A touristy spot on the way into Kangaroo Valley, a reputed great ride. Best lunch of the trip an open salad sandwich.
Off on the 'back road' into riders paradise I was held up for a few k's by a lady in a droptop BMW, she gave up in the end and let me passed. There wasn't a straight more than 60m on which to pull a safe pass!
This was the best ride of the trip! Picturesque valley, tight roads, no traffic, still that silly 70 - 80kph speed limit. I worked hard and smiled all the way through to Fitzroy Falls where a park and park permit can be had for $3.00. "That won't be there when you come back", a picnicer called as I stuck my parking ticket under the front of the seat and took a photo of it!
So, another toilet stop with a charge and a ten minute stroll in touring gear to view the 60 - 80m falls tumbling off the edge of the escarpment. Well worth $3.00. The picnicer was right. My ticket had been nicked, but I still had the photo!
The Macquire Pass down to the Pacific Highway was another just magic 40k ride. Steep, damp in the shaded corners, pushing the speed limit and passing plenty. Just great.
Now, where to stay? Shellharbour Village Motel the advice on the cardboard said, quick dial up on the GPS and my last night of this bike trip was to be in a wonderful tiny coastal village. Great to get advice from the wife of a biker. Best advice from the best people. Yehaa day.

[mbazza]

This last day started early in Shellharbour with a trip back down to the harbour to see what the pelicans were up to. They were sitting waiting for the fishermen to finish work and come fishing. I did find surfers and boogie borders enjoying the 2m plus surf.
On the road I had the thought that I needed to be careful on the last day of this bike hire trip.
The morning ride was through the suburbs and cities of Port Kembla, Wollongong, Bulli, Coledale and the great engineering newness of the sea cliff bridge near Scarborough. This is about 800m of bridge that skirts aroung a cliff carrying the Pacific Highway. Great riding country, slow, gives good view of how ordinary Aussies live!
Best part of the day was the 50k's through the Royal National Park. Tree lined bikers heaven! Met three cops, one with a hand held radar who waggled a finger, 96kmph showing on bike and 94 on the GPS. Had to hold of giving him a single finger salute. U-turn and a wee chat. He was a bit surprised to have to justify his actions.
"Was I going to fast?" I asked.
"No, about 95'"
"Was I too far to the right?"
"No!"
"Well why waggle your finger at me".
"Well . . . . . . . . you were close to the limit and we've had a lot of bike accidents on this road! He must have been thinking.
"Could be the poor road surface" I commented as I wrote down the car numbers, his number, the time and GPS location!
Pays to keep them on their toes!
Plenty of bikes. All of whom waved back. Great roads with distant views of Sydney.
What an excellent day to be riding.
Into Sydney, GPS'd may way into Ananadale and had the bike cleaned at The Pink Car Wash. Good lunch too.
Had an hour to spend and looked up 'Scooteria' in Parammatta RD. Great place, excellent stock and very welcoming.
Only a few minutes to return the bike and become a suitcase rolling taxi needing tourist again.
It was reassuring to see Mount Cook come up over the port wing on the flight back to Queenstown. Aussie tour over for 2007.
I don't think my school will help fund the next trip in 2009. Better get saving! Cheers

[mbazza]

This last day started early in Shellharbour with a trip back down to the harbour to see what the pelicans were up to. They were sitting waiting for the fishermen to finish work and come fishing. I did find surfers and boogie borders enjoying the 2m plus surf.
On the road I had the thought that I needed to be careful on the last day of this bike hire trip.
The morning ride was through the suburbs and cities of Port Kembla, Wollongong, Bulli, Coledale and the great engineering newness of the sea cliff bridge near Scarborough. This is about 800m of bridge that skirts aroung a cliff carrying the Pacific Highway. Great riding country, slow, gives good view of how ordinary Aussies live!
Best part of the day was the 50k's through the Royal National Park. Tree lined bikers heaven! Met three cops, one with a hand held radar who waggled a finger, 96kmph showing on bike and 94 on the GPS. Had to hold of giving him a single finger salute. U-turn and a wee chat. He was a bit surprised to have to justify his actions.
"Was I going to fast?" I asked.
"No, about 95'"
"Was I too far to the right?"
"No!"
"Well why waggle your finger at me".
"Well . . . . . . . . you were close to the limit and we've had a lot of bike accidents on this road! He must have been thinking.
"Could be the poor road surface" I commented as I wrote down the car numbers, his number, the time and GPS location!
Pays to keep them on their toes!
Plenty of bikes. All of whom waved back. Great roads with distant views of Sydney.
What an excellent day to be riding.
Into Sydney, GPS'd may way into Ananadale and had the bike cleaned at The Pink Car Wash. Good lunch too.
Had an hour to spend and looked up 'Scooteria' in Parammatta RD. Great place, excellent stock and very welcoming.
Only a few minutes to return the bike and become a suitcase rolling taxi needing tourist again.
It was reassuring to see Mount Cook come up over the port wing on the flight back to Queenstown. Aussie tour over for 2007.
I don't think my school will help fund the next trip in 2009. Better get saving! Cheers

[Rotor]

Glad you injoyed aussie
Great how it doesn't rain

[Meanie]

Glad you injoyed aussie
Great how it doesn't rain

Yea................ ever......... when you move off the outer edge Still nice in places though but a little too hot for my liking

[sarahtvet]

Sounds like a fab 12 days, I am over in Auz working too.
Not getting quite the bike experience you did but doing my best. Great report, really inspires me to come back and explore a bit more

[mbazza]

Sounds like a fab 12 days, I am over in Auz working too.
Not getting quite the bike experience you did but doing my best. Great report, really inspires me to come back and explore a bit more

What you up to in Aussie? Why no bike? Cheers.