Preparations so far!!

The decision has been made! We are doing the full circle in 2013!

The planning & preparation has started!

Firstly we had to decide which way to go around. Clockwise or anti clockwise. There was no question as to which city to start from so the question was which way. Collis checked out the wind patterns & the weather patterns and it was decided. We head upwards (clockwise) first- Stage 1 Melbourne to Cairns.

Then we had to decide the route. The east coast of Australia is a very busy coastline & not the safest roads to travel on a push bike, the scenery is very pleasant but is it worth the risk. Collis decided it wasn't so we checked out a much unknown route which Collis plotted himself & then we found out it is actually known as the Great Inland Way. Collis has ridden the Victorian part many times but not the rest of the route so the next thing we had to do was check it out for ourselves.

In October we took a flight to Cairns & hired a car to come back via the chosen route for Stage 1. Collis' first plan was pretty well spot on with only a few changes made to routes & towns. We are planning to stay off the main highways as much as possible & check out some little towns & places that are off the beaten track. All roads are sealed but some can be slightly narrow & care will need to be taken. We have tried to avoid the Great Dividing Range as much as possible but if you look at the map that is virtually impossible so the riders must prepare for some decent climbs at times. But all in all the scenery is constantly changing and I haven't seen so much wildlife (that isn't dead) in a very long time. We spotted goannas, snakes, frilled neck lizards, tree wallabies, rock wallabies, kangaroos, lots of emus (nearly hit one that was standing in the middle of the road) and all sorts of bird life. It was a very pleasant trip. Accommodation ratings vary & we had trouble even finding a place to lay our heads due to roadworkers, miners & fruit pickers. So we have noted the places we will have to book way in advance just so we will all be able to pitch a tent at least.
Melbourne to Cairns
23rd March to 24th April 2013
32 nights camping
1 night motel accommodation
7 meals provided
1 free cycling jersey
$2,860.00  including GST

Nindigully Hotel-one of our night stays.

Curtain Fig Tree

Cairns

Since we have been home we have drawn up the ride schedule for Melbourne to Cairns & this can be found on the website. Next week Stage 2 Cairns to Darwin.