Melbourne to Perth and Back — Motorcycle Adventure 2025
Daily Journal
After years of waiting, the Perth ride is finally on: 7,603 km of motorcycles, milongas, and maybe a rehearsal for Alaska–Patagonia.
23 kg of luggage, 6 kg of tools, and somehow still space for tango shoes. Perth milongas are calling, the Nullarbor roadhouses may or may not remember me, and my bike might soon discover what 91 octane tastes like. What could possibly go wrong?
A late start, lunch instead of coffee in Ballarat, a missed art stop in Ararat, and a mosquito graveyard on my visor — Day 1 ends in Horsham with the heater on full blast.
Blue skies, Mexican food, tequila “for medical purposes,” a Land Rover mysteriously perched on a pole, and a dinner that came fashionably late (thanks, South Australia). Day 2 had it all — from historic churches to hungry sorrows drowned in the Riverside Hotel.
Gale-force winds, a not-so-rocking Rocking Horse, a giant goanna, closed pubs, chicken pies, and a race against a storm. Day 3 was our first real challenge — and exactly the kind I was hoping for.
What was supposed to be an easy 4-hour ride turned into a day full of surprises – from an unexpected museum stop and a missed quirky café, to an accidental “tailing” of a Toyota (with police waiting up ahead!), and finally discovering that the only dinner spot in Venus Bay shuts early on Tuesdays. Luckily, luck – and kindness – were on our side again.
Ceduna: oysters, outlawed double scotches, and bracing for Nullarbor.
Crossing fences, spotting whales, and sharing stories on the Nullarbor.
Day 7 – Sand, sweat, cliffs, and an unexpected riding brotherhood.
Day 8: Timezones are fake, roads don’t bend, and even the birds attack.
From fever to ocean breeze: Nullarbor conquered, Esperance welcomed us with blue horizons.
From bronze butts to six-language karaoke — Esperance to Albany had everything.
From Denmark’s award-winning pies to Pemberton’s twisty roads (and sore bums), Day 11 had it all — forests, caffeine stops, kamikaze kangaroos, and a mosquito massacre on my visor — before finally rolling into Margaret River.
From Margaret River’s wineries to brunch in Bunbury (with surprise beardless Damian), ocean views, and a freeway dash — we finally rolled triumphantly into Perth.
Perth: dancing, Fremantle Prison, Market, tiny ferris wheel, King’s Park — friends, fun, unforgettable!
From boomgate headbutts to avocado iced coffee, WA served chaos with chicken parmigiana.
On to Kalgoorlie: museums close, camels vanish, and earthquakes turn out to be mining ‘vibes.’
Riding dry lakes, dodging coffee disasters, and tiny bars — Norseman, you weirdo!
Back on the Nullarbor: small trees, highway stalkers, trike friends, and 15-minute timezones.
Day 22 – crossing Nullarbor: endless straight roads, strong winds, monotony, and philosophical musings on life.
Nullarbor strikes back: heat, wind, road trains, and a night stroll by windmills
Day 24 brought flies, champagne, amazing food, and wonderful company — a surprisingly relaxing adventure
A rainy ride, closed cafés, and an accidental stay at a wellness retreat — serenity found
Day 26 — A meeting with a true legend: part rider, part inventor, all heart
Harmony on the road: riding, laughing, and dancing our way through South Australia, Victoria and NSW
Riding from Sea Lake to Bendigo and Castlemaine — art, wind, good food, and home ahead
Our final ride home through Kyneton — friends, laughter, and reflections on 8,000 unforgettable kilometres