The weather gods were with us this morning, as we headed out of town on the start of this epic journey to Dirranbandi, in Queensland. I would like to report it was sunny and clear with just a slight cooling breeze for run heading west. But that would turn out to be quick a stretch from the truth of the day.

Our intrepid band of merry motorcycle enthusiasts departed Bingara at our appointed time of 8.30am ish as planned.

The local paper interviews and multiple photos of us all looking dapper, exciting and mighty damn impressive may have pushed our start time closer to 9.00am… or maybe just a bit later.

What is a road trip Downunder without some sort of interaction with some of the iconic Australian wildlife we are known so well for. The unpredictable and very bouncy kind decided to take a “more active role”, in our adventure.

Got my first Kangaroo before we had even travelled the first 100 kilometres of this epic journey. Little bugger was just sitting inside the right-hand Armco railing grazing on lush green grass, when he got spooked and took off across the road.

Just managed to clip his tail, gave him a fright and spun him around. Last seen heading south at high speed with a tale to tell about how he scared the big bad driver and lived to tell the tale, not pun intended.

Just on the hour into it, and the skies have opened with a purpose and literally dumped gallons of cold rain along with a biting cross wind to keep the riders on their toes.

Our first milestone, Graves End Cafe appeared over the hill shortly thereafter. You may laugh, but everyone knows how important this can be to set the day up right. The wonderful owners and staff of this mighty fine café where also welcome sponsors to our cause.

It wasn’t very long after leaving Graves End, yes that is the name of the town, the heavens opened again to provide us with a quick, but memorable reminder of just how fickle and cunning the weather Gods could be.

And that is pretty much how it went for the next sector into Moree, where vital supplies, other than caffeine were sourced from the first service station we could find. After a brief stop for the necessities we managed to get completely messed up getting out the other side of town.

Something about the second left turn, or was it the third… no wait I think it was the first. Yep our first minor clusterfluff. You might need to insert your own word back there. But take heart dear reader. It certainly wasn’t anywhere near our last one. 🙂 

We travelled on through constant wind and rain before we stopped for some additional warming liquids and hot food at a little place called the Bularah Cafe. Highly recommend this little oasis in the mid-west for great food and lovely staff. Shelly really knows how to look after wet, cold and slightly dishevelled tourists.

It was here we encountered our first mechanical issue. Noah’s intake filter, the one on the bike, allowed water to enter the system, and we all know how good engines run when breathing in water.

After some rather nifty and intuitive modifications to a plastic drink bottle, by John Bancroft, we were away again. Alas it was only time until the full extent of the breathing fluid that finished of the Kawasaki.

After defrosting and topping up our inner tanks it was time to make move towards our end goal for the day.

We pushed on through the seemingly endless downpour, to the rest area just out of Collarenebri for a quick regroup. During this respite from the inclement weather the question of our our nights’ accommodation plan arose and was discussed at length.

It was decided to try and get into the pub for the night. A warm dry bed, a hearty country style pub meal for dinner, oh and the potential for some warming alcohol for medicinal purposes of course.

We were fortunate enough there were sufficient available rooms, just, for us to fit into the establishment. The other good news was the chef was definitely coming in tonight. There might also have been a few, alright a lot, of those medicinal drafts we mentioned consumed before, during and after dinner.

Cold, Wet and Tired, but ready to go again.