Not all adventure motorcycle riders ride dirt
What it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia. This post is an essay on the sport of adventure motorcycle riding in Australia. Australia is a unique destination for adventure motorcycle riding and probably one of the best locations on the planet. That’s a big statement so let me define why this may be true.
As far as geography goes, Australia is huge, it has geographic diversity that starts close to Antartica and stretches almost to the equator. It can be snowing in Tasmania while having tropical cyclones in North Queensland. There are simultaneous drought and bush fires in Victoria while having flooding rain in northern New South Wales.
The local indigenous population is spread out across the land and has an ancient culture that can be traced back over 50,000 years. This is an ancient land, sun drenced and weathered. In our national anthem it mentions we are girthed by sea, there are beaches that surround our country. From tropical oasis in Queensland to thunderous surf in the south. We are a country of extremes and again it mentions this in our national song “…a land of drought and flooding rain”. It’s a hard land, a tough land. It has deadly snakes, spiders, sharks, crocodiles, jelly fish and blue ringed octopus that will kill you in minutes without treatment.
That’s why Australian’s are unique, we have learnt to live with the land, respect it and thrive. We are the lucky country, unless you get bitten by one of our deadly animals and then you’re not so lucky. But hey, lets not dwell there for too long.
The lucky country
There are old pubs everywhere, not like you local “Cock and Bull Inns”, but real pubs with just a bar, beer and a welcoming “Giday Mate” from the barman. And these pubs are located in some of the most out of the way places you could imagine. There are ten deserts in central Australia, if you like riding deep sand in remote areas in 50 degrees (oC) heat. Queensland has the oldest rainforest and the biggest coral reef in the world. We mine gold, silver, lithium, nickle, copper, coal, diamonds, saphires, emeralds, gas and rare eart minerals. We are one of the biggest producers of Iron Ore in the world. The country produces cotton, grain, tomateos, fruit, sugar and all sorts of other products. We are an exporter of sheep, cattle and fish.
So, what does it mean to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia? It means there is a lot to see and experience and the worst roads in the world to go see it all. An adventure riders dream, but not for those who don’t ride dirt or sand. It’s not like Europe, it’s a country where dual sport bikes are the norm for anyone seriously contemplating riding here. It’s got a diversity unlike other countries and apart from the deadly animals, the long lonely highways and those fucking Kangaroos it’s a relatively safe place to visit.
A community of adventure riders across Australia
I had an opportunity recently to meet fellow adventure riders at an overlander conference and to promote my book Gun Fights, Ghosts and Goannas. What I learnt opened my eyes to the adventure rider community in Australia. I thought I would take the opportunity to explore what it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia.
I was at an overland conference the other day and I heard Robin Leven say the mere thought of riding dirt sent shivers down her spine. WTF, this was a serious blow to my understanding of the term adventure riding. Up until I heard Robin in her book presentation say “the road works at the entry to the HU2025 event terrified her”. I was under the impression that dirt was a part of the game. If dirt’s not part of the game, then bull dust is probably out and sand is a definite “Fuck this, I’m walking” type of thing.
As a writer, I’m now finding it difficult to clearly define the sport. If I’m writing about “Adventure Riding” should I write about Café Racing in the Scenic Rim? Tales of the trails, and what does it mean to be an adventure motorcycle rider is an exploration of what it all means. Was I an adventurer, an explorer, or was I someone who just liked motorcycles and touring? I call myself an adventure rider, but is that who I really am? After all, I like classic motorbikes as well. I guess I am looking for some answers, as if defining my approach to motorcycle riding would somehow make my life journey clear. But, what is the Art of being an Adventure motorcycle Rider (ADV)? Is it art, or just a thing we do?
Writing about adventure riding
If you want more adventures and learn the history of Australia then I recommend you pick up a copy of my books: Gun Fights, Ghosts and Goannas and Red Dust and Rainforests. They are pitched as an adventure motorcycle riders but also anybody travelling around Queensland. They have stories relating to Australian history.
However, now I have started to question if this is actually the right genre for them. In my desperation to find the answer, I contacted a number of the top motorcycle adventure authors to ask them to review my book and give me feedback.
Horizons Unlimited 2025
“It’s near you, how about you bring a copy of your book and sign it for me at the event” she texted. You mean Thornton, near Laidley, just outside Brisbane, I replied. The concept of distance is relative to an adventurer rider, “near you” means about 1,400 kilometres away. But even in Australian terms, it was a bit of a stretch to say Brisbane was “near” Bowen in North Queensland.
Still, the person was non other than the amazing hardcore adventure motorcycle author Heather Ellis and the event was the Horizons Unlimited 2025 meeting in Thornton, a small village in the Scenic Rim of South East Queensland. For Heather Ellis, who had ridden solo through Africa to London and back along the Silk Road through Asia, I guess it was just next door.
Adventure motorcycle stories
If there is a person who signifies what it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider, then it is the veteran motorcycle queen Heather Ellis. If you haven’t heard of Heather Ellis (I don’t know, maybe you’ve been lost in the Himalayas’s for 20 years), she is the author of the books “Ubuntu” a solo motorcycle tour of Africa and “Timeless on the Silk Road- an odyssey from London to Hanoi”. In my opinion, two of the best motorcycle memoirs of all time and well worth a read by anyone interested in ADV riding or over-landing. You can find out more about her from her website at:Heather Ellis
What I find interesting about adventure riders in Australia is that we take distance for granted. What it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia is really about distance and diversity of landscape. But I rode 1400 kilometres to get to the conference, while Heather and a number of others did the same distance from Melbourne. Imagine riding those distances in Europe, you’d go through 35 countries.
However, until this conversation, I had not heard of the Horizon’s Unlimited organisation, other than some vague reference to motorcycle camps in Bulgaria. So, as you do, I went to the Internet to find out more.
Who are Horizons Unlimited?
Horizons Unlimited is a network of long distance, overland motorcycle travellers. The network centres around a website that provide forums, travel information and stories from the road. It was started by Grant and Susan Johnson in 1997 to link up and assist adventure motorcyclists all over the world. Every year there are meet ups where experienced motorcyclists get together and share their adventures. This year is the twenty-fifth year of meet ups since the formation of the site. The first of these meetings for the year was in Australia, in the little village of Thornton. You can access the website from the following link: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/
Opportunity to promote my book
But, I still had this nagging question. What it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia? While there were a number of people promoting books at the function, most were about travelling outside of Australia. Even those that I had read, only touched the surface of what Australia was, so, I reasoned, “Why not promote my book on what it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia, in particular my little 20,000 kilometre patch of ground. Gun Fights, Ghosts and Goannas chronicles my first ever multi-day adventure ride, while at the same-time attempting to highlight the issues, that I, and other men face relating to mental health in the modern age.
After researching Horizons Unlimited, I found out I could get free registration and a tee shirt if I presented at the event. It seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up, as my 23-year-old son keeps stealing my tee shirts. This was a great opportunity to replenish my stock of shirts and promote my book, so I put in an application and was accepted as a speaker.
I also had another agenda, for years I have been trying to get my older brother away on a multi-day adventure ride. This was the perfect opportunity and one that he embraced with gusto.
The Journey
Having committed myself to presenting and having convinced my brother he needed to go, the reality of the journey crept in. I was still 1,400 kilometres away, and the thought of three days on the Bruce Highway didn’t enthuse me. Gritting my teeth and stealing myself for the busy road, I rode off intending to space out my travel with plenty of breaks. Arriving early at the Waverley River Rest Area, my first night’s destination. I was strolling around looking for a suitable campsite, when I encountered a small brown snake. A timely reminder of the dangers of the Australian bush. We both scared each other and took off in opposite directions.
The next day, I rode through Rockhampton and onto Maryborough. As darkness fell, I couldn’t find a friendly rest area. But after leaving a petrol station, I saw two vans camped in a nearby park. Out of courtesy, I asked the residents if they minded me camping nearby. I set up my tent and covered Emu with a camouflage cover, then went back to spend the next few hours discussing adventure travel with the two van owners.
The event
Arriving at the event was a wonderful feeling of connectedness and relief. As I registered I couldn’t believe my luck, standing next to me was Heather Ellis. We had arrived almost at the same time. We spoke briefly before going about our business of setting up camp.
The event was two days and an evening of entertaining stories of riding through some of the most amazing places on the planet and a cultural observation of some of the most diverse countries on earth. Not only was this fascinating and inspiring, but I got to meet some very interesting people. I was sure by the end of it, I would understand what it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider (ADV)?
As a blogger, it’s rare to meet up with people who read your blog. I was lucky enough to catch up with Chris, a German biker living and travelling around Australia and Mike, a Kiwi who I met years ago at Harry’s Hut. I also met a young couple who have been travelling around Australia. Then, in the tent next to me was Liz, an artist who also runs guided tours of Pakistan. Camping opposite me was Lala, who wore multicoloured socks, which I’m sure took up most of her luggage. I caught up with fellow first time author Robin Leven who has just published her book: Motorcycle Musings, a fictitious book based on some real life motorcycle events.
Would I go again?
In a heart beat, the camaraderie, experiences and sheer love of motorcycles exuded by everybody who attended. It provided an atmosphere of shared adventure and excitement. So much so, that I’m contemplating a solo ride through South and Central America.
What does it mean to be an adventure rider?
I think I finally understand the answer to this question. What it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia? After three day of listening to tales of the trails, and what does it mean to be an adventure motorcycle rider from far more adventurous people than myself. Listening to their adventures around the world and mixing with very interesting and down to earth bikers. I came to the conclusion, adventurer riders are people who love motorcycles and the feelings of freedom they provide. And while we dream of riding Africa or South America, our own country is under explored and poorly reported on. We cherish the ability to pack up and go, to camp where and when they like, and to explore places off the beaten track. But we also take it for granted.
Some people want to ride fast and to experience the adrenaline of danger on dirt tracks, others want to get to a specific destination. Some just love the feeling of riding a motorcycle with the wind buffeting their helmets, lost in their own thoughts. But from what I can gather, more than anything else, adventure riders are explorers. They enjoy talking with people, exploring cultures, learning new things and visiting out-of-the-way places. Where better to do that than Australia with its cultural and geographic diversity.
What it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia
After the conference, my brother and I continued our odyssey, riding through Canungra and the Numinbah Valley, down to the beach side town of Byron Bay and eventually returning the same way to Oxenford, to catch up with our mate Dave. My brother left to ride back to the Sunshine Coast and I continued on a back road through Maleny to Gympie and back home. In all, five thousand kilometres and ten days on the road. You can read about these adventures in the following blogs: Riding the Numinbah Valley and The Back Road to Gympie.
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia. Tell me what you think of this story, does it answer the question: What it means to be an adventure motorcycle rider in Australia? And if you want to read more about my travels around Queensland, pick up a copy of one or both of my books: