Australia Ride Stage 3 - Tennant Creek to Darwin 2012

Day 1: Arrive in Tennant Creek and prepare for the trip ahead. Today is the day for ride registration, checking over your bike, meet and greet the group and have your pre-departure briefing. Give your bike a test run by riding out to Mary Ann Dam on the cycle path. It is a great spot for an outback dip. For those interested in understanding how Tennant Creek came about visit Nyinkka Nyunyu, one of Australia's finest cultural centres, or the Battery Hill Mining Centre where the history of this area remains encapsulating what times were like during Australia's last gold rush. In the evening we invite you to join the staff and fellow riders at a nearby restaurant for dinner (at your own expense).

Day 2: The section between Tennant Creek and Darwin is one of Australia's great outback rides. From the red sands of the desert to the lush tropics of Australia's Top End. This route is full of natural wonders, fascinating aboriginal history, explorer's tales of triumph and defeat and stock route watering wells that now serve you a cold drink and a meal. The telegraph line served initially as a marker route for others to follow until WWII, which had had a huge impact along the route, turning telegraph stations and small general stores into towns of thousands of people. In its wake it has left a legacy of many classic towns and pubs and of course the interesting characters that inhabit them.

The mornings ride takes you past the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station, a beautifully restored building that is well worth a look and has been visited by many cyclists. The first was Jerome Murif in 1896 that arrived here half starved from his hazardous cycling journey. He remained here at the Telegraph station for many days and it is written that his happiest memories centred around the dinner table, where he took a savage delight in the partaking of every meal. These guys sure did it tough before the days of gears, clip-in pedals, aluminium frames, roadhouses with hot food and cold drinks and of course roads! All roads were dirt tracks back then with the Stuart highway only completely sealed in the 1980's.

Seventy two kilometres into the ride we pass Attack Creek where the explorer Stuart and his men turned back for Adelaide after their second attempt to cross the continent.

Tonight we rest at Renner Springs, an 8 hour drive from everywhere; Mt Isa, Darwin and Alice Springs.

Day 3: Another long day of riding looking out into the endless horizon, the Tanami Desert on your left and the Barkley Tablelands on your right.

This highway takes its name from John McDouall Stuart who, in 1862, was the first European to cross Australia from south to north. An astonishing man and one that you may begin to relate too as you cover the last few kilometres to Dunmarra. What a terrific effort by all!

Dunmarra has a few interesting features as do all the roadhouses we visit, however this one has an interesting story behind it. The settlement, now the roadhouse and motel, supposedly takes its name from the Overland Telegraph linesman, Dan O'Mara, who disappeared in the area. The aboriginal people, who aided in the search, spoke his name as 'Dunmarra'. When Drover Noel Healy established a cattle station here in the 1930's and found O'Mara's skeleton in the bush he gave the station the aboriginal interpretation; Dunmarra.

Day 4: After three great days out in the outback, today's ride takes us into the tropics. With an early morning stop at the Daly Waters Pub, an atmospheric place, dating back from 1893 and said to be the oldest pub in the Northern Territory. It is definitely one of Australia's most iconic with a traffic light out the front which is always red!

Close to the pub is also Australia's first international airfield that later became an important airbase during WWII with Mitchell Bombers, Kitty Hawks and a fighter squadron flying from here. The hanger and a few planes that never made it away still remain here today.

Larrimah meaning 'meeting place' in the Yangaman language, is the first town that feels a little more tropical, with spiral pandanus and termite mounds either side of the road. Larrimah only began its existence in 1940, when Gorrie Airfield was constructed nearby to service the war effort. Once a staging camp for 3000 service men and after a brief post war boom as a railhead town Larrimah has now become a sleepy little town with an interesting history, which can be viewed in the former telegraph repeater station. There is also an interesting zoo at our accommodation.

Day 5: With only a double digit kilometre ride and beautiful 34 degree thermal hot springs awaiting our arrival, today will seem like a breeze, which is something we also hope to have behind us.

Mataranka might be known by some of you from the book and film 'We of the Never Never' and many of the sites you will see have featured in this story. After our ride we will take a short walk down to the crystal clear thermal pool in a pocket of rainforest. The perfect place to wind down and let your legs rest after a day of riding.

Day 6: Leaving Mataranka we pass termite mounds that cover the land like the tombstones of a giant graveyard. The King River is a nice spot for a break, lined with Pandanus Palms and paperbarks.

Approaching Katherine, the bicycle path provides a pleasant entry. It is a bustling town and the biggest you will have seen for over a week. Named by Stuart on his third and final attempt of his trans-continental crossing it has long been a stopping point with the first permanent running water for thousands of kilometres for those travelling from the south. The Katherine River is a mixed blessing however, causing plenty of floods and leaving the watermark up to 2m high on buildings all over town, as well as a few stories of crocodiles swimming down the main street. When you cross the bridge which crosses one of the thirteen stunning gorges of the Katherine River your mind will boggle at how much water must pass through here to cause a wet season flood.

Day 7: To give your legs a well deserved rest and to do this beautiful area justice we have our rest day here and offer transfers to Nitmiluk National park where you can canoe, cruise and swim between sheer cliffs to the sandy freshwater beaches of the main gorges, and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings high on the rock faces. Waterfalls and rock pools are found along walking tracks and for those looking for some high time excitement; you can also explore the area by helicopter. (activities are at your own cost)

There is also plenty to see in town, visit the Katherine School of the Air, the Outback Heritage Museum or relax by the natural spring-fed crystal clear pool of the Katherine Hot Springs set in picturesque surroundings with lush green lawns, shady paperbarks and pandanas palms. For those that just can't stay off the bike visit Springvale Homestead, 8 kilometres south-west of Katherine and the oldest original homestead in the Territory, built in 1879 by Alfred Giles the former Overland Telegraph linesman.

Day 8: Travelling out from Katherine the road is quite undulating, which is a nice change and provides some nice views over the beautiful tropical scenery.

There are also many large termite (dirt) mounds, some are over two metres high and higher. The closer we get to Darwin, the bigger the termite mounds get. They are constructed by tiny insects that size-for-size build structures that dwarf our own human constructions and very silently consume more grass than all of Australia's large herbivores combined!

Pine Creek, our overnight stop, was the scene of a gold rush in the 1870's from which some timber and iron buildings still remain today. Ironically, the town was officially named Playford in 1889 after the South Australian Commissioner of Crown Lands. Playford's desire for immortality was misplaced and the town continued to be known as Pine Creek in spite of the government's attempt to honour him. After over 80 years the town officially is called by its original name. Worth a visit are the Railway Museum, Old Repeater Station, Mining exhibition and Ah Toy's Bakery.

Day 9: The road to Adelaide River passes through rolling countryside thick with vegetation and bordered by red ranges. Some patches are scarred black where recent low-intensity bushfires have burnt the wet season growth, opening up the country once again. Today could not be more in contrast to your first day out from Tennant Creek, you'll love it!

We pass Hayes Creek where, for a laugh, you can stop to have a look at the petrol browser pumps that have been painted like Jack Daniels Whiskey bottles.

Adelaide River has had a long and wild past. It is great place to enjoy a cold drink and share a few stories and iconic enough in the Territory to be the resting place (stuffed on the bar) of Charlie, the Buffalo who featured in 'Crocodile Dundee'. Not far from town is Australia's largest WWII cemetery and a memorial.

Day 10: The final day! The road improves as we approach the finish line and we enjoy the last 20kms on a cycle path! Darwin is a beautiful, fascinating tropical city – a melting pot of people and cultures that prides itself on its unique and friendly laid-back lifestyle. While a sophisticated, modern city in its own right, it is also one steeped in history, being on the front line of both WWII and cyclone Tracy, which left the town uninhabitable. It has bounced back on both occasions to become the vibrant capital that it is today.

We made it! What an amazing ride from the desert to the tropics. Those leaving us after Stage 4 are free to organise their departure as it suits. Accommodation tonight in Darwin is an optional extra and we have a centrally located motel where we can book you a room to stay before your departure.

Accommodation tonight is an optional extra. For those that are connecting this stage with Stage 4 this is the first of 4 rest days. Enjoy your time in Darwin, have a look around town, tune your bike or simply relax. There is also plenty to see around Darwin including two of Australia's most famous National Parks; Kakadu and Litchfield. Why not book a multi-day tour and explore some more of the wild Top End.

Feel free to contact us at any time through our website ‘Contact Us’ page, phone or email. We love what we do and want to get you on the best bike ride for you. Speak to us about what's on your mind and we'll help you make your decision.

Recommended arrival date and time: We suggest you arrive no later than midday on Friday 11 May 2012, allowing you plenty of time to settle into your accommodation or camping (included in tour price) and set up your bike for the next day’s ride departure. A suggestion, especially for those arriving from overseas is to allow at least one day prior to 11 May, which will provide you with a more relaxing time before your cycling holiday and minimise the risk of flight or other delays.

Recommended departure date and time: We suggest you begin your onward travel the day after the tour finishes, allowing you sufficient time to pack up your bike and gear and get to your departure point whether it is the airport, train station or bus terminal

Registration time and location: 11 May 2012 – 4pm Bluestone Motor Inn, Tennant Creek

Tour finishing time and location: 20 May 2012 – 4pm Darwin , Centrally located accommodation

Closest airport to the destination:

• Start: Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, or bus or rail to Darwin, NT or Alice Springs, NT

• Finish: Darwin, NT

Key airline servicing Tennant Creek:

• Darwin 2 hours – Fly Tiwi - www.flytiwi.com.au

Key airlines servicing Darwin:

• Qantas

• Jet Star

• Virgin Australia

• AirAsia

• Airnorth

• Skywest

Ghan rail arriving in Tennant Creek Thursday 10 May - 02:53am from Darwin or 23:00pm from Alice Springs

Check greatsouthernrail.com.au for more info or call 132 147

For bus transport or freight options check www.greyhound.com.au or call 1300 473 946

Post touring options: Australia Ride Stage 3, Darwin to Kununurra

This depends on whether you plan to ride the entire stage or divide each days ride distance between a team. If you have a good level of general fitness, are in good health and are a reasonably keen cyclist that is prepared to do some additional training you shouldn’t have a problem with our tours. As a guideline you should work on being able to comfortably ride at 20 km/h on the flat with consistency more important than speed.

To get the most out of your ride leave plenty of time to build your kilometre total distance in training, to gradually attain about 110 km a day for 2 days straight or the distance agreed amongst your team members that you will ride each day. A training outline will be sent to you in your pre-tour info pack. In situations where you cannot complete a particular section of the ride for any reason we will always have support vehicles to transfer you and your bike or in the case where you have your own additional support vehicle you will provide that assistance to your team members.

We have a great safety record and do our best to inform motorists so that they can drive accordingly, however cyclists have to play their part in keeping well over to the left. We have support vehicles on the road showing 'Caution Cyclists' signs and a ‘tail end Charlie’ (vehicle following the last rider) with a flashing beacon to warn traffic about our cycling group. You will also be briefed before each day's ride pointing out parts of the road that may get narrow or have any known hazards.

Always a big part of any cycling holiday! Check tour details for meal inclusions on your ride. Our emphasis is on fresh food and balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, fruit and vegies catering for a cycling holiday. We successfully cater to most dietary requirements, however feel free to contact us with any questions. Most meals are included as part of our tours, however you may be required to purchase some meals as per the inclusions and daily itinerary.

We always try to obtain great accommodation in the best location for you to rest your weary head (and legs) in each town whether it be a motel, hotel, cabins or similar, usually 3, 3½, 4 star. We choose the best and most welcoming motel for cyclists and our tour group needs. On occasion we travel through some very small towns where accommodation is extremely limited. If for whatever reason, such as limited options, the accommodation one night is below normal standard, we strive to improve this with an extra good room the next night or nights following.

For some of our more remote trips around Australia the accommodation at times has more character than charm and when we are between towns for a day or two we may organise a bush camp. In which case we provide you with a single or twin share tent, depending on your choice. Instructions, assistance and an air mattress will also be provided. Check the tour details for more information.

On the online entry form you can nominate any travelling companions that you would like to share a room with and/or be accommodated close to so that couples or friends can be roomed together. This can be in a double bed or in twin beds. If you are travelling alone like many of our riders, you can choose to 'twin share' where single riders are paired with other riders of the same gender and sometimes changed at each accommodation to create interest in sharing rooms. Single Supplement is also available for those that would like their own room for the whole trip. If you are a chronic snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow room-mates we suggest booking your own room.

Due to the long distance between accommodation in some of Australia’s more remote areas, camping may be necessary for the entire tour group. Check tour details for specific information. These nights out in the bush are often the highlight of the tour for many people. We will provide basic amenities with an emphasis on hygiene. We often have a fire which is used to cook delicious dinners on for an authentic outback experience.

Those that have chosen a full camping option will spend the nights in designated camping grounds and caravan parks and we do our best to keep the group together as much as possible. You will need to provide your own tent, air-mattress and sleeping bag unless a hire option is available on your tour from the ‘Optional Extras’ area on the booking form. Those booked on the accommodation option can choose to have their air-mattress and tent provided free of charge for any nights where camping is necessary. Packing a small comfortable pillow can add a lot of comfort to a night sleep.

• Airfare and transportation to and from the tour pick-up/drop-off locations

• Accommodation before and after the tour (check for pre & post accommodation in the ‘Optional Extras’ under the ‘Pricing’ tab)

• Personal accident or travel insurance

• Personal items purchased during the tour

• Some meals may not be included allowing you the opportunity to explore the regional cuisine and choose your own meal. Check tour details for more information.

• Optional activities and sightseeing

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We suggest you carry a spare tube, tyre levels, two full water bottles and your own personal goods such as camera, wallet and perhaps rain gear if it’s threatening. We transport your luggage*, day packs*, food & extra water. A detailed list of what is required and provided will be sent to you in your pre-tour info pack.

(*riders travelling with their own vehicle will be required to transport their luggage, day packs and bikes. We will provide mechanical and safety support and additional support if unforeseen circumstances arise)

People from all parts of Australia and overseas. Ages generally range from 25 - 70 with the average age about 50 years old. Adventurous cyclists usually about 40% women & 60% men with a mix of singles, friends and couples.

Our tours have been specifically scheduled to take into consideration the best time of year to travel to that destination. This takes into account the temperate range, possible rainfall and the prevailing winds. Of course, we can’t ever control the weather however this only adds to the adventure and excitement of your travel experience!

For more specific weather and climate information visit www.bom.gov.au or for our international tours visit www.worldweather.org

A comfortable racing bike, road bike or touring bike with a good seat and road tires with slick or near-slick tread. A hybrid or mountain bike is also possible if you are comfortable riding the daily distances of the tour at an average of 20 km/h on the flat.

A tour guide with bike mechanical knowledge will be part of our crew and will have most items that are required, including a good stand-pump for different valves. The bike parts used for replacement will be charged at shop prices. Labour is free for the first fifteen minutes, there after costs may be incurred at the mechanic's discretion. Cyclists with rare or different bikes are asked to contact us at AllTrails as parts can often be very difficult to obtain.

We have a great safety record, but accidents can happen. We have comprehensive First-Aid Kits with trained 1st aiders as tour guides and drivers, mobiles and a satellite phone for emergency calls and the locality of hospitals in the areas that we travel through. We also have vehicles that can take anyone injured or sick for further treatment.

Tents, air-mattresses and sleeping bags are often available for hire. Check ‘Optional Extras’ under the ‘Pricing’ tab to view exact hire costs. Tents are usually 2 or 3-man dome tents which are quickly and simply assembled. Staff can also assist you with setup and pack-down if required when they are available. If you wish to share a tent with a travelling partner, make this request when booking and we will try to provide you with a larger tent. Air-mattresses are comfortable inflatable air-pads and included with each tent hire.

Yes, you can rent a bike. We often have overseas riders coming to Australia, or interstate riders that would rather not take their bike around Australia on a plane, or road riders that want to come on a mountain bike ride with us (or vice versa).

We will be able to help you out with organising bike hire through our local contacts near our office in Melbourne, or closer to a ride departure location. When you make your booking just let us know that you would also like to hire a bike and we will get the ball rolling for you and put you in touch with the right people.

You can also bring your own seat and/or pedals to give you that little bit of 'home comfort'.

Yes. Either Bicycle Network Victoria membership insurance, Cycle Queensland membership insurance or similar, travel insurance, or another personal accident insurance is compulsory on our AllTrails rides. We also strongly suggest travel insurance to cover cancellation fees and lost/damaged luggage.

Bring your friends and save some money! For all groups of 5 or more entrants you will receive 5% discount off your respective entry fees. This excludes any optional extras such pre and post tour accom, cycling jersey, tent hire etc.

Contact our office for more details and information.

Contact us if you would like to find out about booking an info session for your group of friends, or if you would like to find out about a travel talk happening near you in the future.

Be inspired, hear from the experts, learn more about a destination and even book your tour on the night.

Not a problem! You’ll find other like-minded cycling companions taking part in our rides. If you’re a solo traveller we will pair you with other solo travellers of the same gender in twin share accommodation or you can opt for Single Supplement (additional cost) to receive a room of your own. If the tour has a camping component tents are single occupancy unless otherwise specified.

Each stage has been specifically scheduled to take place when as many factors important to a great cycling holiday are likely to, or will, occur. We have taken into consideration the prevailing winds, hence the anticlockwise direction of the circumnavigation of Australia as well as the south to north crossing for stages 17 & 18 from Adelaide to the Top End. We have also taken into account the temperature range, potential risks, possible rainfall and the best times to view the attractions on route. Of course, we can’t ever control the weather however this only adds to the adventure and excitement of your travel experience!

For more specific weather and climate information visit www.bom.gov.au

You can download an AllTrails brochure from our homepage, otherwise contact us with your postal address and we will mail you a copy.

Absolutely. We will be happy to give you the names and telephone numbers of people who have participated in the ride or a similar ride that you are considering. Where possible we will provide you with the details of someone within your city or state.

Another good place to look is our ‘Testimonials’ page.

Will my mobile phone work on tour? Part of the appeal of a holiday is to get away from the hassles of everyday life! If you can’t leave home without your mobile phone, check with your service provider to see where you will have coverage. Telstra Next G provides the greatest coverage for remote towns and areas in Australia. As you may not always have mobile phone coverage, particularly if you travel into remote locations, it's best to purchase a phonecard or calling card before you leave home, as most public telephones do not take coins. If travelling overseas check before you depart that global roaming has been activated with your service provider. Otherwise it may be cheaper to purchase a local SIM card on arrival at your destination.

Some towns may have an internet café or access to an internet terminal, so you may be able to check your emails from time to time while you’re away. If you don’t already have a web-based email account, it is a good idea to set one up before you leave, e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail.

Welcome! Traditionally most of the clientele on our rides have been from Australia or New Zealand, but we also have had many riders from USA and UK/Europe. You just need to make sure that your passport and visas are in order and check the cost of transferring your bike to Australia, or rent one here.

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for all our Australian rides at the time of deposit and ensure that it includes coverage for cancellation fees if for some reason you are not able to travel. For our international tours we require all participants to have Travel insurance to assist you in the event of a medical emergency, lost baggage, personal liability, cancelled tour or any other trip related issues.

Should you wish to change your booking with AllTrails to a different tour, there will be a very reasonable service charge. We try to keep this figure as low as possible to allow flexibility where we can as we want to make sure that you get on the right tour for you.

For cancellation and refund policies for your tour click the ‘Book Your Place Today’ button on the relevant tour page of our website and scroll down for Conditions of Contract.

We recommend you bring a soft bag or backpack. We advise against bringing a suitcase as they are bulky, difficult to stow on board vehicles or trailers and heavy. You may be required to lift or carry your own luggage from time to time, e.g. into accommodation. Any excess luggage may need to be stored or forwarded on to your final destination at your own expense.

Information about what to pack is included as part of your Pre-Departure information. Generally we advise that you pack as light as possible.