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Australia

OUTBACK BIKE TOURS

The Great Victoria Desert Ride
From Perth to Ayers Rock (6 days/5 nights)

HIGHLIGHTS: Goldfields, Wildlife, Petermann Ranges, Mt Olga/Kata Tjuta & Ayers Rock (Uluru)

DAYS 1 & 2 - For the first day of our tour we travel through the EASTERN GOLDFIELDS, visiting the famous mining towns of COOLGARDIE and KALGOORLIE. In the morning of Day 2, we'll experience our first taste of Mountain Biking in true Outback country as we begin trekking across one of the Victoria Desert's tracks, the Tjukaruru Road or the Warburton Track. (Parts of this track are known as Len Beadell's "GUNBARREL HIGHWAY")

DAYS 3 & 4 - The mornings of both days 3 and 4 are spent Mountain Biking through the ever- changing beauty of this amazing desert country. Many people are awed by Australia's beaches, or our rainforest's splendor, but the experience of red desert sand dunes, groves of Desert Oak trees, wild flowers, and the timeless silence of The Great Victoria Desert is something you will never, ever forget. The ride will be up to 3 or 4 hours depending on individual fitness and track/weather conditions. If half an hour in the saddle is all you feel like, that is quite all right ... we'll pick you up in the 4WD, and you can ride along in air-conditioned comfort. And as long as you have keen eyes, you are still sure to see wild camels, dingo's, kangaroos, and emu's!

DAYS 5 & 6 - The scenery keeps getting better as we continue east, through the PETERMANN RANGES. We arrive to view the mysterious OLGAS in the late afternoon. From here we have only 50 km to go to reach our final destination ... AYERS ROCK ... for a sunset not to be missed. Then to the Tavern, for a well deserved drink, or two!

ACCOMMODATION: Campground (Days 1,2), Bush camp (Days 3, 4 & 5)
MEALS: 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners. Please note that not all meals are provided for on this tour, however the tour will always stop at a convenient place for your to purchase a meal not listed as part of the tour’s cost.
Departures Dates 2007: 10th May, 28th June, 16th August, 4th October
DEPARTURE POINT & TIME: Perth: Tourist Coach Rank, Wellington St - 7:30am
PRICE: AU$885.
On this particular tour the national park entry fee is an extra cost of approximately $16.25 per person into Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park.

HIGHLIGHTS: Uluru (Ayers Rock), Western MacDonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon & Palm Valley

DAY 1 - Our tour begins with an exhilarating 10 km ride from YULARA (Ayers Rock Resort) to ULURU (Ayers Rock), where we will spend the morning climbing Uluru, or exploring the sacred areas around the base of Uluru on your bike. After visiting the Uluru Information Centre, we leave for KINGS CANYON, and make our camp.

DAY 2 - After an early rise and a big breakfast, we spend the morning bushwalking through Kings Canyon, admiring the stunning views of its sheer southern wall and the secluded pockets of rich vegetation and waterholes. The afternoon is spent travelling to our destination for the next two nights : the timeless desert oasis of PALM VALLEY. En route to Palm Valley we pass through the MISSION, home of Albert Namatjira, a famous Aboriginal artist and have opportunity to visit the old town settlement and gallery to view some of his works. Concluding the day is an awe inspiring ride along parts of the (dry) Finke River bed into Palm Valley. Over the last 100 million years the Finke River has cut a series of majestic gorges from the soft sandstone rock, and cycling through this type of country enables an appreciation of this ancient land and its cultural significance.

DAYS 3 & 4 - After a lazy start of the morning, you will have the opportunity to cycle into the tranquil oasis of the Valley itself, and then pull on some good walking boots for a 1 - 2 hour bush walk through the Valley. After returning to the camp the afternoon is yours to trek 'Initiation Rock', which over looks a natural amphitheatre. We leave Palm Valley in the morning of day 4, taking a ride along an old bush track to lunch in a meteorite crater known as GOSSE BLUFF. Driving north for a short distance we arrive at the spectacular scenery of TYLERS PASS. Then it's on the bikes once more for an invigorating ride into RED BANK GORGE, our camp for tonight.

DAY 5 - The last day of our tour is spent travelling in ORMISTON GORGE, and the OCHER PITS for the opportunity to take one last walk through this unique area. We cycle into visit GLEN HELEN HOMESTEAD before moving onto SIMPSON'S GAP for our last ride through the MacDonnell Ranges. We will arrive into Alice Springs in the late afternoon.

ACCOMMODATION: Campgrounds
MEALS: 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners. Please note that not all meals are provided for on this tour, however the tour will always stop at a convenient place for your to purchase a meal not listed as part of the tour’s cost.
Departures Dates 2007: 17th May, 5th July, 23rd August, 11th October
DEPARTURE POINT & TIME: Ayers Rock (Uluru): Ayers Rock Resort Visitors Centre - 7:30am
PRICE: AU$795.
On this particular tour the national park entry fee is an extra cost of approximately $16.25 per person into Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park

HIGHLIGHTS: Devils Marbles, Katherine Gorge & Kakadu National Park

DAY 1 - Departing Alice Springs by bike, we begin our trek into Australia's 'Top End' with a ride to the old Telegraph Station on the outskirts of the Alice. Then its on up the highway to the DEVILS MARBLES, before cycling from Tennant Creek to our bush camp along a purpose built cycleway winding through the Tennant Creek hills.

DAY 2&3 - Today we drive to an interesting old Australian icon, the DALY WATERS PUB. In the afternoon we arrive at MATARANKA, (the former home of Mrs Aeneas Gunn, author of 'We of the Never Never') for a swim in the relaxing natural thermal pool. Refreshed, we continue onto KATHERINE GORGE for our overnight camp.

DAY 4 - An early rise gives us time for yet more swimming, and opportunity to explore Katherine Gorge in a canoe! In the afternoon we bid Katherine farewell and drive on through to the gates of KAKADU NATIONAL PARK. Our camp tonight is at 'WATERFALL CREEK', and we arrive with enough time to cycle, swim or do a little rock climbing to the spectacular view from the top of the falls!

DAY 5 - We spend the next two days exploring the scenic beauty of Kakadu National Park. We begin the experience with a brisk ride out of camp for 17 km's, then a swim at a rock hole at the base of a little know waterfall. As the day progresses we travel to Cooinda, home of the YELLOW WATERS BOAT CRUISE. The cruise is optional, but highly recommended for the most spectacular array of wet lands bird life - and usually quite a few salt water crocodiles, too! Our camp tonight is at where the aroma of barbecued buffalo, kangaroo, or barramundi lingers from the restaurant.

DAY 6 - Our last day begins with a bush walk through ancient Aboriginal art sites to the breathtaking view from NORLANGIE ROCK. We will also visit the Information Centre and more amazing ancient Aboriginal rock art sites at OBIRR ROCK. Leaving Kakadu in the afternoon, we travel to the BARK HUT INN, and arrive in Darwin late afternoon. Five days of sun, exercise, good food and camping will leave you feeling very satisfied!

ACCOMMODATION: Campgrounds (3 nights), Bush Camp (1 night).
MEALS: 4 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners. Please note that not all meals are provided for on this tour, however the tour will always stop at a convenient place for your to purchase a meal not listed as part of the tour's cost.
Departures Dates 2007: 24th May, 12 th July, 30 th August
DEPARTURE POINT & TIME: Alice Springs: 94 Todd St - 11:00am
PRICE: AU$815.
On this particular tour the national park entry fee is an extra cost of approximately $16.25 per person in Kakadu. The optional Yellow Waters boat cruise in Kakadu is an extra cost of approximately $30.00 per person for a two hour cruise.

HIGHLIGHTS: Kakadu, Bungle Bungle National Park, The Kimberley Region & The Gibb River Road (track)

DAY 1 - We leave Darwin early to spend the day making our way across the Northern Territory /Western Australian border to Lake Argyle. En route we pass through the town of Katherine and the scenic Victoria River region.

DAY 2 Today we travel through to the township of Kununurra with its vast irrigation scheme, then unload the bikes for a ride around the local area, before heading off to our bush camp amongst the spectacular Kimberley ranges.

DAYS 3 & 4 - Riding from near the entrance of the Bungle Bungle National Park, we spend these two days cycling, bush walking and four wheel driving in and around the amazing Bungle Bungle National Park. The riding becomes more adventurous and the scenery is just stunning. The rounded tiger-stripped domes stretching into the wilderness are magical ... especially viewed from a helicopter! (optional)

DAYS 5 & 6 - After a night in the old port town of Wyndham, we drive to the beginning of one of Australia's famous outback tracks, The Gibb River Road. We unload the bikes here and set off for the famous Kimberley gorges, well known for their crystal clear swimming holes and magnificent flora and fauna. In the afternoon we travel on to Ellenbrae Station - a traditional Kimberley cattle station.

DAYS 7, 8, 9 and 10 - On each of these mornings you have the opportunity to cycle and to really experience for yourself the beauty and magic of the GIBB RIVER ROAD ... These rides travel along the most well maintained, and most scenic parts of this old, sandstone cattle track. Highlights of these four days include, Barnett, Galvin's and Bell Gorges, the King Leopold Ranges, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek ... Cycling and driving from one magnificent gorge to another for swimming, bush walking and relaxing!

DAY 11 - Sadly we leave the Gibb River Road, and travel towards the beautiful beaches of Broome. We visit DERBY on the way, and it's historical wharf precinct. We arrive in Broome in the late afternoon to be part of a scene that never changes ... the spectacular sunsets on CABLE BEACH.

ACCOMMODATION: Campgrounds (4 nights), Caravan Parks (1 night) & Bush Camps (5 nights)
MEALS: 10 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners. Please note that not all meals are provided for on this tour, however the tour will always stop at a convenient place for your to purchase a meal not listed as part of the tour’s cost.
Departures Dates 2007: 8th June, 27th July, 14 th September
DEPARTURE POINT & TIME: Darwin: 69A Mitchell St - 7:00am
PRICE:AU$1750
On this particular tour the national park entry fee is an extra cost of approximately $11.00 per person into Purnululu (Bungle Bungles). The optional helicopter flight (highly recommended for fantastic views) over the Bungle Bungle massif (1/2 hour) is an extra cost of approximately AU$160.00.

Support Vehicle: For the duration of each tour, your guide travels in a 4WD support vehicle, equipped with Royal Flying Doctor Radio, and a long-range fuel and water supply. When bicycles are not in use they are stored on the vehicle's roof rack. Supplies and luggage are carried in an off-road trailer. If for any reason participants need to rest, they are welcome to ride along in the comfort of the support vehicle.

Group Participation: The success of the tour depends on the ability of individuals, and their willingness to lend a hand and become part of a team. Participants erect their own tents (which is easy), assist with preparation of meals, loading and unloading equipment and help with general camp duties.

Luggage: Due to their awkward shape, suitcases are not allowed. To avoid overloading, baggage is requested to be restricted to a soft duffel style bag.

Sleeping Bags : Passengers are welcome to use our sleeping bags (free of charge) for the duration of their tour, however they must advise us of their need for one upon booking. Sleeping sheets are provided (also free of charge) for passengers to use inside the ROC sleeping bags. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own though.

Fitness / Age Restrictions : Our only restriction here is that we only supply and carry adult Mountain Bikes. Since recommended fitness levels are too difficult to gauge, we ask only that you be active and healthy, with a flexible attitude. Most individual rides are not longer than 40 km, however, if you wish to do more or less, this can be catered for. You are always welcome to ride with us in the air conditioned 4WD.

Mountain Bikes : The bikes we supply come in a range of sizes and all are in good condition. They each have 21 gears and front fork suspension. Each bike has a gel seat and puncture proof tires. We supply water bottles and helmets.

Track and weather conditions : The tracks vary from the smooth, hard dirt conditions generally found in the desert, to the more rugged, rocky terrain experienced in the Kimberley. eg. Bungle Bungle Track. All our mountain biking tours operate during winter only. The following temperature averages are for April through to September. NORTH - (Katherine & Kakadu Explorer, 'Gibb River Road' cycling experience) Maximum daily temperatures range from 19 to 28 degrees Celsius. SOUTH - (The Great Victoria Desert Ride, MacDonnell Ranges Cycling Adventure ) Maximum daily temperatures range from 19 to 28 degrees Celsius.

Maximum group size : 11 (no minimum numbers required for tour operation)

Cycling distances : This is the most common question asked!!!! Riders never cycle for more than half a day at a time, as distances still need to be made up in the 4WD. Everyone finds the cycling component of the tours very satisfactory and are happy with the amount they have done by the end of the tour. The amount of cycling varies from tour to tour.

Seat post and seat post stems : Some people may wish to bring their own seat and maybe their own seat post stem from their bike at home. This is fine. They may want to know the measurements of the seat post stems on the ROC bikes. It is 26.4mm.

Vegetarians : Vegetarians are catered for on all tours - just please note that they must advise us of this when booking.

Water bottles : 2 water bottles are included per person for use during the tour. Passengers are never left any longer than around 1 hour before being checked on by the crew, so that if they do drink a lot during the ride, there is opportunity to fill up from the tank on board the truck. Most people cannot drink more than 1 litre of water per hour when exercising