Visiting Melbourne from USA in mid-August

jmcgilroy

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I'm arriving in Melbourne on a cargo ship in mid August and thinking of renting a bike for a week long ride. I know to stay away from the Alps area but how about the coast over to Adelaide? Then up to Broken Hill and back down to Melbourne that's about 2300Km.
I'm not worried about temps as long as they're above freezing but snow/ice would change my plans.

Any thoughts from the locals?

I've looked at a few websites for rental options, also... Garner's looks good at first glance but I'm sure there are a few more and recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim
 

Pilotuh1b

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G'day mate,

That should be a nice ride. Great ocean road along the south along the south of Victoria and across to south Australia and then either Murray river along the border back or even up through north west vic gets great reports. Horsham/ Grampians etc. up to broken hill may be problematic depending on rain. I'm not sure if there's tar all the way but distances in Australia are usually surprising when coming from overseas.

There will be areas of pretty cold on the trip and normally very few sub zero apart from the NSW and VIC snowy's.

Can't help with rental companies sorry.
 

Roge

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Hi Jim

There is plenty of riding without going too far into the "Alps" and that is not impossible. From Melbourne there is the Great Ocean Road towards Adelaide, The Grampian Mountains and many miles of interesting roads to the North of Melbourne and the Sapphire Coast. The road beyond the Ocean Rd and to Broken Hill is long flat and featureless which in its own way is interesting but there are better places. The Adelaide Hills Barossa Valley and up to the Flinders is interesting depending on the style of bike you have.
Personally I would go Ocean Rd, Grampians, Mansfield / Jamison Southern NSW Sapphire Coast. There are plenty of good country Pubs and places to stay.
I love the Adelaide area but there are big distances with not much to see or get too excited about in the transit bits.
 

OX-34

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I test-rode a Super Tenere by renting one from Garners before buying mine. They were easy to deal with.

You've described a nice big loop that will see you riding some interesting coastal sections plus a big chunk of outback worthy of Mad Max.
 

Roge

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OX-34 said:
I test-rode a Super Tenere by renting one from Garners before buying mine. They were easy to deal with.

You've described a nice big loop that will see you riding some interesting coastal sections plus a big chunk of outback worthy of Mad Max.
In fact Silverton is where the original Mad Max was filmed
 

snakebitten

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Garners is where I rented the Tenere. I didn't realize winter was reversed and unwittingly headed for the Alps in May. It was fantastic, but chilly in the mornings.
The Great Ocean Highway is wicked cool too.

You're sure to have a blast.

 

snakebitten

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One of my favorite pics (and cherished memories) of the entire 2 week adventure in OZ.
It's when we pulled into to the Cuckaburrow Lodge on the Great Ocean Highway. The picture doesn't capture how unbelievably awesome the place is.
Was expensive. Worth every penny. Since it was out-of-season, we were the only guests! Amazing place.



 

jmcgilroy

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Thanks for the help so far.

Roge - You're saying that riding out to the east from Melbourne is possible along the coast, maybe out thru Eden - Wollongong then cut back along the northern side of the Alps toward Albury - Wangaratta then back to Melbourne

snakebitten - Can't find website for Cuckaburrow Lodge, it that spelling correct?

Ox-34 - thanks for the info on Garner's. Going just by the website, they looked like the most reasonable, it's good to have a personal review.

Pilot UH1B - I want your job!
 

snakebitten

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Pretty sure this is it:
Kookaburra Cottages

5750 Great Ocean Road 3232
The "Beach Cottage" is the one we chose. You'll know why when you see the hot tub room. :)
 

Roge

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jmcgilroy said:
Thanks for the help so far.

Roge - You're saying that riding out to the east from Melbourne is possible along the coast, maybe out thru Eden - Wollongong then cut back along the northern side of the Alps toward Albury - Wangaratta then back to Melbourne

snakebitten - Can't find website for Cuckaburrow Lodge, it that spelling correct?

Ox-34 - thanks for the info on Garner's. Going just by the website, they looked like the most reasonable, it's good to have a personal review.

Pilot UH1B - I want your job!
Yes it is, it great up there if you watch the websites you can get over the Highlands all year-round. Stay away from the ski resorts and whilst cold there is good riding to be had.
In fine weather the Ocean road is as pretty as anywhere in the world but is becoming speed limited by the fun police to 80 and 60kph.
Remember it's much bigger her than the map appears.
 

Pilotuh1b

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Jmcgilroy, I used to fly UH-1H, but I set the email up while I was on pilots course and went with B for some unknown reason.

It was brilliant fun but when the family came along it was time to handover to the young guys. I fly a cushy desk managing SAR missions now. ::008::

Which reminds me, carry a spot or a plb because some of the places are a long way from help with limited cell coverage.
 

jmcgilroy

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Well, the ship is 5 days out of Oakland, California and I'll board on the 27th with stops in Los Angeles, Aukland, NZ then on to Melbourne with an arrival date about August 23rd. I'm looking forward to exploring a small bit of your country and I'd like to thank all of you for your help and advice.

Jim
 

jmcgilroy

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Thought I'd pass on a success story... Trevor at Garner's came through as promised and set me up with a GS1200 as there Tenere was worn-out. I had a great ride from Melbourne to the west on the Great Ocean Highway, out to Adelaide and then north thru the
Clare Valley. I hooked back east out to Broken Hill dodging emu's, goats and road kill kangaroos before turning south again back to Melbourne. Only a half a day of rain and cool temps kept the bugs down. About 3200km total. I know that I only saw a portion of your country but I'm impressed with the variety of the landscape and wildlife.

Thanks for being there.

Jim
 

OX-34

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Glad you had a good ride out there Jim.

Y'all come back now, ya hear?
 

snakebitten

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I like to think I participated in knackering Garners Tenere. ::013::

Gotta admit, the suspension was pretty soft even before I hired it out for 14 days. But otherwise, ran like a peach.

Hope you had a great time. I know you enjoyed The Great Ocean Highway.
 
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