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Off Road Motorcycle tour 7 days Alice Springs to Birdsville - 274

Motorcycle Off Road 7 days Alice Springs to Birdsville, Motorcycle, Driving Experiences

Brief Introduction

For motorcycle enthusiasts with off road riding experience. This tour is 99 per cent dirt and sand. Start from Alice Springs, through Chambers Pillar, Dalhousie Springs, and onto the sand ridges of the mighty Simpson Desert, finishing at Birdsville. Attractions include the MacDonnell Ranges, Finke Track and Witjira National Park.

Adventure Description

(Day 1, 1 May) – Alice Springs (Note: Day 1 expenses are not included in the tour cost)

You are met at the airport and enter Alice Springs through Heavitree Gap where the Todd River has clawed its way through the tilted strata of the MacDonnell Ranges. After settling in at your accommodation, meet your travelling companions and familiarise yourself with the range of motorcycles on offer. Visit some of the attractions in and around Alice including the Desert Park nestled against a backdrop of the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges. Why not join your crew for dinner and drinks at a restaurant in town? (Dinner, bed and breakfast at hotel/motel at your expense).

(Day 2, 2 May) – Chambers Pillar

After an early start, we leave town. The MacDonnell Ranges will be reflecting the early morning light as we head south through Heavitree Gap and down the Finke Track via Maryvale to Chambers Pillar. It's time to settle into the rhythm of dirt riding on this winding Central Australian track. The 34 metre Chambers Pillar was discovered in 1860 by John McDouall Stuart during his epic trek to establish the original telegraph line. Our first campsite is beside the Old Ghan Line. (Camp out and cook up)

(Day 3, 3 May) – Dalhousie Springs

The track winds its way southwest passing the Old Ghan sidings that were used as water points for the steam engines that hauled the trains up from Maree and Oodnadatta. We head south down the Finke track to the historic community of Finke established in 1929. We cross the state border into SA and pass through the Witjira National Park, Mt Dare Homestead and onto Dalhousie Springs for our overnight camp where we have a relaxing swim in the thermal springs. The springs are of world significance. (Camp out and cook up)

(Day 4, 4 May) – Simpson Desert

Pausing at the ruins of the Dalhousie Homestead, we view date palms thought to have been planted by the Afghan camel drivers in the early 1900s. We head east and soon reach the French Line where it's time to test our sand skills as we begin the trek through the sand ridges of the mighty Simpson Desert. The water from our CAMELBAKS is very welcome as we head out into the desert. Camp tonight is in the heart of the desert. (Camp out and cook up)

(Day 5, 5 May) – Simpson Desert

The challenge continues across the Simpson Desert along the French Line. There are probably a few sore muscles, but within an hour of an early morning start the tiredness will fall away and you'll be enjoying this great ride. Watch the sun settle in the west with the aroma of dinner being prepared. (Camp out and cook up)

(Day 6, 6 May) – Birdsville

Following the NT/SA border to its junction with the Qld border at Poeppels Corner, we turn north into NT then east into Queensland. Its not often you ride in three States in one day! The sand dunes are now taller but further apart. We ride through the Simpson Desert National Park then onto Birdsville at dusk for hot showers all round. One last desert sunset, some photographs and a chance to reflect on our Simpson Desert Crossing. Dinner tonight (at your expense) is at the famous Birdsville Pub. A few beers will be necessary to wash away the desert sand and dust but don't wear a baseball cap backwards on your head or you will shout the bar. Retire to your swags for one last night under outback stars. (Camp in Birdsville)

(Day 7, 7 May) – Alice Springs

After breakfast, fly from Birdsville to Alice Springs across the Simpson Desert in a Cessna 402 Twin Engine. Time to discover more of Central Australia (at your own expense). Depending on flight times, you may need to stay overnight in Alice (at your expense) and fly out the following day.

Adventure Details

State:

Location:

Alice Springs to Birdsville

Duration:

7 days

Voucher valid for:

One person

Participant Conditions:

Itineraries are subject to alteration without notice. This could be due to changes in road or weather conditions. A minimum number of bookings are required. In the event that adequate numbers cannot be achieved, it may be necessary to cancel a scheduled departure and to offer the nearest possible alternative date (or, of course, a full refund of monies paid).

Travel Insurance:

We strongly recommend participants take out travel insurance to cover any unforseen circumstances that may arise (including cancellation fees, medical and curtailment expenses, loss of luggage, early departure from a tour due to illness of self or immediate family etc.)

Useful Information:

Tour Costs Include:

• Land transfer from the nearest major domestic airport terminal to the tour start point.
• The charter flight between Alice Springs and Birdsville.
• Use of protective riding gear.
• Use of current model KTM, Husqvarna, Honda, Suzuki, Gas Gas and Yamaha motorcycles and fuel.
• Use of CAMELBAK insulated water container.
• All camping equipment including modern zip-style swags (consisting of 50mm high density foam mattress, insect covers), sleeping bag, inner sheets and pillow.
• All camp meals.
• Communication support via satellite telephone.
• Services of Stay Upright guides and cooks.
• 4WD support vehicle/s including all maintenance/spares and one spare motorcycle.
• Entry fees to National Parks as appropriate.
• A gift certificate for a Stay Upright Advanced Course at Oran Park.
• Stay Upright Adventure Tour t-shirt, cap, soft-sided carry bag for personal clothing and effects, and a brand new MDS RC4 helmet, all yours to keep at the end of the tour .

Tour costs do not include:

• Land transfer at the end of the tour to the domestic airport terminal.
• Hotel/motel accommodation and optional restaurant meals (See below).
• Return airfares to and from home city.
• Tours and sight seeing costs unless indicated on the itinerary.
• Alcohol, telephone calls and items of a personal nature.

Hotel/motel accommodation and restaurant meals:

We keep our tour rates low by excluding the cost of hotel/motel tariffs and restaurant meals before and after the tour. This enables you to select options best suited to your own taste and budget. We can assist with advice or hotel/motel accommodation bookings in our various destinations.

Clothing and what to bring:

Luggage space in the support vehicle/s is extremely limited. We therefore insist that your personal luggage be kept to a minimum. We will provide you with a Stay Upright carry bag that will comfortably hold all non-motorcycle clothing and personal effects needed on tour.

You will need:

• Protective clothing - riding boots, pants, jersey, gloves, eye protection. Appropriate protective riding gear is included in the tour price if you do not have your own.
• A minimum of casual clothing, walking shoes, swimmers, sun hat or cap, towel, bandanna.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, camera, film, toilet requisites, any medication.

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