Flinders Ranges
 

BIKE ’N WHEELS EXPEDITION

STAGE ONE AND STAGE TWO
Port Augusta - Kurumba (2130km)
DATES: 11 April - 10 May 2006
COST: AUD$3,000 (incl. 4 rest days)

A 30 day 2130km journey, riding from Spencer Gulf to Gulf of Carpentaria by MTB, starting in Port Augusta, exploring the Flinders Ranges, taking the full length of the Birdsville Track, then picking up the trail of Burke and Wills through the Diamantina and Gulf Country to Normanton and finally Karumba. The ride requires plenty of stamina. It is a long way but still a lot shorter than Sydney-Perth and much more fun! The gradually changing landscape WILL keep you interested. Bring the slicks for the bitumen bits(about 50%).

STAGE ONE
Port Augusta - Birdsville (915kms)(av. rides 70km/day)
DATES: 11 April - 25 April 2006
COST: AUD$1,500

Day 1 to 4 - Port Augusta to Angorichina
Climb winding Richi Pichi Pass to Quorn (40km). Day Two crosses open country with expansive mountain views to Hawker, steadily climbing to spectacular Wilpena Pound (120km). After a morning walk or mountain climb, ride dirt roads to Blinman and Angorichina (70km), then enjoy a rest day with a walk to Blinman Pools. Riders from the Bike SA Outback Odyssey join here.

Day 5 to 7 - Angorichina to Marree
Parachilna Gorge is a dirt road roller-coaster with numerous shallow water crossings. Back on the sealed road, Beltana is our overnight camp (55km). Next day rolls through Leigh Creek and Copley, passing the big coal mine to Lyndhurst (65km). Next morning visit Talc Alf, the Aboriginal ochre pits and we’re on to Marree, famed for the Afghan camel trains and Ghan Railway.

Day 8 to 11 - Marree to Mungerannie
Birdsville here we come! First day on the ‘Track’ takes us just to Clayton Station where we can enjoy the luxury of a spa in the desert (55km). Head on to Cooper Creek the next day (80km). On day 10 we cross the Nattarannie sand hills where the Tirari and Strzelecki Desert meet, to Mungerannie Roadhouse (70km). A rest day lets us relax in the hot pool, bird-watch or take a trip to Warburton Creek.

Day 12 to 15- Mungerannie to Birdsville
Along the track we pass a few bores (water) spouting near-boiling water into the Outback. This stretch includes the Sturt Stony Desert and Koonchera sand hills. Here, the ride splits 280km over 4 days. If open, we will take the more scenic ‘Inside Track’ through flood plains dotted with billabongs and water­holes (otherwise the 40km longer Outer Track). We expect to encounter the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2005 camped at Andrewilla Water Hole (Inside Track) on day 14.

Day 16- Birdsville Rest Day
One day off in this tiny settlement can be spent relaxing and having some beers in one of Australia’s most famous Pubs and/or an excursion to Big Red (sand dune marking Eastern edge of Simpson Desert). There’s also a great bakery and the Birdsville Working Museum.

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STAGE TWO
Birdsville - Karumba (1215km)(av. rides 93km/day)
DATES: 26 April - 10 May 2006
COST: AUD$ 1,400

Day 17 to 20 - Birdsville to Boulia
We’ll ride 370km over 4 days with Bedourie village halfway. Seal and dirt alternate, with about 100km dirt. Famous for a version of the camp oven, Bedourie is the administrative centre for the huge Diamantina Shire Council. Boulia is the ‘capital’ of the Channel Country, and home to a mysterious phenomenon known as the Min Min Light. Watch out for UFOs at night.

Day 21 to 24 - Boulia to Mt Isa
This road is also sealed to Mt Isa (300km in 3 days) and we camp two nights enroute. Mt Isa is the biggest town on our trip, so enjoy a day off to get back in contact with the rest of the world.

Day 25 to 29 - Mt Isa to Karumba
We leave Mt Isa for Lake Julius – a freshwater dam for Mt Isa Mines (120km). Heading on through Kajabbi and Coolullah we arrive on day 27 at the Burke & Wills Roadhouse. On day 29 we reach Normanton, which was established as a port for the Cloncurry copper fields, but later became Croyden’s goldrush port, its population peaking at 3000 in 1891. Our destination Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria is now only 70 km away (550km over 6 days).

All meals provided, typically:
Breakfast: cereals, yoghurt, toast over the coals, occasional bacon/eggs, fruit, tea & filter coffee Lunch: MYO sandwiches/rolls, fruit, sometimes soups (or even camp oven scones), tea & filter coffee AM & PM tea stops: Things like cookies, fruitcake, cheese, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, tea & filter coffee, chewy bars
Dinner: soups, casseroles, pasta/rice dishes, fruit, tea & filter coffee, fruit juices, cordials etc..
Special requests catered for if practicable
Good drinking water provided.
Alcohol can be obtained at many places en-route. There are no 'dry lands' along the way.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MUG, CUTLERY AND CROCKERY KIT.

Bikes:
Must be in good condition. MTBs with ‘fast’ tyres or hybrids are recommended. Road bikes with as wide a tyre as possible are feasible too. Wider tyres are more comfortable and easier to ride on sandy and loose sections. Soft foam grips for handlebars. Comfortable saddle. Suggested tyre inflation 25-60 psi depending on road conditions. MTB bikes can be hired for the ride.

Support:
Sufficient vehicles (buses, 4WDs & people movers) to carry all baggage; catering supplies and equipment; water, camp­site gear etc. Meals are provided, except sometimes in major towns. A range of bike tools and spares to cover most types of breakdowns will be carried.




 
 



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35-37 Stirling Street Thebarton South Australia 5031
Telephone 61 8 8303 3418 Facsimile 61 8 8303 4363