The Great Southern RoadTrip, Spring 2018.

The Great Southern RoadTrip, Spring 2018.

///    2,300KM. 
//     4 Day weekend. 
/      1 Fantastic riding experience.

Melbourne – Silo Art Trail – Mildura – Adelaide Hills – Hahndorf – Fleurieu Peninsula – Victor Harbor – Mt Gambier – Great Ocean Road – Melbourne. Our inaugural RoadTrip was a huge success. Like all of (Motorrad RoadTrips) Hergs Moto rides; An intimate group with a lead and tail rider, support vehicle, technician and photographer.

DAY 1

///    Melbourne to Mildura

Meeting at the local BMW Motorrad dealership, to register, load luggage and do a few last minute purchases of gloves, visors and even a helmet. Before the briefing starts, there’s a sense of excitement and eagerness as everyone mingles and meet. 

The last of the light breakfast consumed while the ride briefing goes over the route for the day along with the essential safety tips to ensure a pleasurable trip for all. 

Personalised maps, lanyards, itineraries, check list, first aid and safety notes printed on durable paper and placed in a labeled folder along with some water and a first stop snack. The group sharing experiences after learning of the planned first leg covering some great northern Victorian roads.

Packed, prepped and primed the group smoothly heads out following our ride leader Tony on a R 1200 GS Adventure, easily navigating Friday morning CBD traffic in Melbourne Australia. The support vehicle in tow as well as our professional photographer, Jan Strandstrom, on a S 1000 XR. And as the tail rider, myself on a Option 719 Blue Planet Metallic K 1600 GT with forged wheels and brown leather seat. The ride and bikes always attracting positive attention as we travel and stop along the 2,300 kilometres. 

Once clear of the metropolitan area we regroup before heading for the Victorian Silo Art Trail via the more interesting and more enjoyable back roads. The silos a highlight  before finishing the day in the regional township of Mildura set on the banks of the magnificent Murray River.

A big stint for some, being 700 odd kilometres to cover in order to get to the first nights accommodation. Worth it. A casual dinner at the local steakhouse and everyone turned in ready to rest before doing it all again the next day!

Day 2

///    Mildura to Victor Harbor

After a leisurely breakfast and short briefing to cover the day’s route, we set off early, stopping for a break in Meringur then Renmark before making our way through Sedan, Birdwood and featured ferry crossing at Mannum.

The day took in some sensational roads as we wind our way through the top and out-skirts of the Adelaide Hills with plenty of time to appreciate some of the regions boutique wineries and small townships such as Birdwood, home of the National Car Museum and Hahndorf, known for its original German-style architecture and artisanal food.

The last leg of the day took us through open plains as well as a few mountains on our way to the second night stop in the coastal town of Victor Harbor, South Australia.

Day 3

///    Victor Harbor to Mt Gambier

Commencing the day with a loop around the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula with breaks along the way to enjoy the region known for it’s cafés, vineyard restaurants and charming country pubs. 

Highlights of the day included the fantastic view and steep decent into Cape Jervis, a river crossing by punt in Wellington then via the Coorong onto Meningie and Robe, finishing the day in our self-contained units on the hill overlooking the town of Mt Gambier.

DAY 4

///    Mt Gambier to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road

After a closing dinner the night before, the final day see us homeward bound via Portland, the Great Ocean Road and Lavers Hill including the Twelve Apostles and Great Otway National Park across to Melbourne.

Some of the best riding is enjoyed on the last leg with the Spring 2019 RoadTrip finishing in Melbourne.