Notes from the Saddle – Australia Encompassed 2013 – Riding into Melbourne Back to News List

compexp on 30 September 2013

Our 2013 Australia Encompassed Motorcycle Tour was a great success with the riders having enjoyed the ride through the heart of Australia. Read the final post from this year’s trip and enjoy the photos below….we would love to have you join us next year to see why the riders love it….

 

The Australian Encompassed ride has come to an end and everyone has gone their separate ways so let me fill in the last week of this incredible ride from the top of Australia to the bottom.
 
We departed the Lyndoch Hill Resort with an ominous looking sky as we rode into some of Australia’s finest twisties of the Adelaide hills via Gumeracha, Chain of Ponds Road & Cuddlee Creek before arriving at Australia’s premier motor museum at Birdwood. We all spent a couple of hours inside marvelling at the staggering array of motor vehicles on display from a 72 W model Kenworth  to a scooter and absolutely everything in between, you would  need 2 days to do this place justice.
 
After lunch on the banks of the Murray River in front of a paddle steamer we rode into the Coorong National Park, a landscape of sand dunes, lakes and a plethora of birdlife, everyone especially appreciated our accommodation that night, an indigenous owned cultural resort with a million dollar view and a management team very keen to explain to us the history of the traditional land owners and land.
 
Crossing into Victoria we rode into the 300 million year old Grampians National Park with some more amazing twisties and a land of epic lookouts, waterfalls and forests. 
 
The following day proved to be a challenge for all riders as the heavens opened up and it poured as we rode the 2 hours south to one of the worlds most stunning coastal rides, the Great Ocean Road . Fortunately the following morning was kind to us as we were greeted with warm weather and sunshine. A magnificent day ensued as we rode the coastal road that is precariously squeezed in between the stunning forests of the Otways National Park and the thundering Southern Ocean. The ride was punctuated by Koala sightings, superb coastal views, sensational twisties & wonderful back country riding as we took the rarely used back roads into Melbourne.
 
We had travelled over 6000k since Darwin and ridden from the shores of the Timor Sea to the Southern Ocean all in 19 days, a wonderful wharf -side dinner was a fitting end to this experience rich ride, we can’t wait to do it again in 2014 and already have interest
Enjoy the photos below which show just a few of the highlights of another amazing Motorcycle Tour
Compass Expeditions - A river cruise during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
A river cruise during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Sound advice during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Sound advice during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

 

Compass Expeditions - There was plenty of nature during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
There was plenty of nature during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The locals were keeping an eye on us during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The locals were keeping an eye on us during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Riding through the outback during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Riding through the outback during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Some of the wildlife during a river cruise during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Some of the wildlife during a river cruise during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

IMGP6765

Compass Expeditions – Aboriginal Roack Art seen during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The bikes loaded up on the drive to Darwin prior to the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The bikes loaded up on the drive to Darwin prior to the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The bright colours of Australia during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The bright colours of Australia during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - One of many incredible sunrises and sunsets in the Australian Outback

Compass Expeditions – One of many incredible sunrises and sunsets in the Australian Outback

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Colourful Australian countryside

Compass Expeditions – Colourful Australian countryside

 

 

Compass Expeditions - An early morning balloon ride over the scenery

Compass Expeditions – An early morning balloon ride over the scenery

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The bikes parked while the riders explore during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The bikes parked while the riders explore during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Termite mounds during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Termite mounds during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The riders during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The riders during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The motorcycles rest in nature during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The motorcycles rest in nature during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The riders enjoy a swim during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The riders enjoy a swim during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Passing a roadtrain during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Passing a roadtrain during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - One of the many camels during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
One of the many camels during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - This is the land the BMW R1200GS was designed for. Taken during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
This is the land the BMW R1200GS was designed for. Taken during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The bike rests in the sand during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The bike rests in the sand during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Great riding during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Great riding during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The view from the hot air balloon during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The view from the hot air balloon during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Sabina gives a way during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Sabina gives a way during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Jerry rides ahead during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Jerry rides ahead during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Amazing photo opportunities during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Amazing photo opportunities during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Riding under the big sky during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Riding under the big sky during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The riders enjoybeing in front of Ayers Rock (Uluru) during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
The riders enjoybeing in front of Ayers Rock (Uluru) during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Stunning roads during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Stunning roads during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - break at the Oodnadatta Roadhouse during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
break at the Oodnadatta Roadhouse during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - David and the BMW F800 GS during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – David and the BMW F800 GS during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Wide, open roads and vistas during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions –
Wide, open roads and vistas during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The support vehicle sits waiting for the riders during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – The support vehicle sits waiting for the riders during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The rider lineup during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – The rider lineup during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Trains, road trains and planes during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Trains, road trains and planes during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - There is some soft stuff during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – There is some soft stuff
during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Paul during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Paul
during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Jerry and Paul during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Jerry and Paul during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - BMW R 1200 GS during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – BMW R 1200 GS during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - One of our BMW F800 GS during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – One of our BMW F800 GS during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Russell, Tobit and David relax during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Russell, Tobit and David relax during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Ken and Barry enjoy a laugh during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Ken and Barry enjoy a laugh during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The riders enjoy a break in amazing scenery during the Australia Encompassed Tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – The riders enjoy a break in amazing scenery during the Australia Encompassed Tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Paul enjoys the scenery during the Australia Encompassed motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Paul enjoys the scenery during the Australia Encompassed motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Beautiful roads during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Beautiful roads during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - A passing wave during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – A passing wave during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Neil takes a break during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Neil takes a break during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Ian during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Ian during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle tour 2013

 

 

A Compass Expeditions picnic lunch is where you catch up on the riding you've been enjoying

A Compass Expeditions picnic lunch is where you catch up on the riding you’ve been enjoying

 

 

Compass Expeditions - BMW R 1200 GS under the big Australian sky

Compass Expeditions – BMW R 1200 GS under the big Australian sky

 

 

Compass Expeditions support vehicle on the Great Ocean Road

Compass Expeditions support vehicle on the Great Ocean Road

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Sabina enjoys the Great Ocean Road on her Ducati during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle Tour 2013

Compass Expeditions – Sabina enjoys the Great Ocean Road on her Ducati during the Australia Encompassed Motorcycle Tour 2013

 

 

Compass Expeditions - Riding the Great Ocean Road is one of the best experiences on a motorcycle

Compass Expeditions – Riding the Great Ocean Road is one of the best experiences on a motorcycle

 

 

Compass Expeditions - The Great Ocean Road is some of the best motorcycle riding on the planet

Compass Expeditions – The Great Ocean Road is some of the best motorcycle riding on the planet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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