Australia Ride Stage 6 - Broome to Coral Bay (Exmouth) 2012

Day 1: Arrive in Broome 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. In the evening we invite you to join the staff and fellow riders at a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner (included in your tour price).

Broome is well worth spending a few days if you have the time, as there is plenty to see. Relax down on beautiful Cable Beach, famous for its pristine white sand and camel rides. A few other attractions in and around Broome are a vast array of art galleries specialising in local and indigenous art. The Historical Society Museum, definitely one of the best regional museums in Australia. Dinosaur footprints laid down over 120 million years old can be seen on very low tides. The Japanese Cemetery, the final resting place for over 900 Japanese pearl divers. Sun Pictures, opening in 1916 and believed to be the oldest operating picture garden in the world withstanding the ravages of war, cyclones and king tides. And Willie Creek Pearl Farm, where managers demonstrate the intricate process of cultured pearling, including live oyster seeding.

Day 2: On this 2-week ride you get a taste for the remoteness of Australia as you ride on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, through the blood red sands of the Pilbara to one of Australia's best kept secrets, Karijini National Park then onto the coral coast! What an epic ride and filled with some of the best scenery outback Australia has to offer.

We are off! A 30 km gently undulating road takes us to Roebuck Roadhouse and connects us with the Great Northern Highway. Many unsupported cyclists fear the next section, as it is the longest stretch around Australia without water, 290km. Then with the possible westerlies coming from the ocean or hot easterlies from the desert, it can be a daunting challenge. Luckily you have the full support and comfort of AllTrails and possibility your own team.

Today and tomorrow is very much a desert ride, through low vegetation without even a creek line. Eight kms south of Roebuck Roadhouse you enter the first of the Sandfire plains, an ancient river delta without trees for a 14 km stretch. Ludwig Leichhardt who didn't have the luxury of picking his time of the year found the sand as hot as fire named the plains.

Tonight we all get to camp under the desert skies including those on the accommodated package.

Day 3: The road continues through open plains and scrubs that provide little shade. It can be quite a surprise to see healthy Brahman Cattle that graze in this region. Every now and again you may see a Willy Willy also called a Dust Devil (a miniature whirlwind that carries sand and small debris), interesting to watch as they slowly zig-zag over the plains, but not very pleasant if one runs into you! For the last 50 km to Sandfire Roadhouse you re-enter the vast Sandfire Plains and catch sight of the Great Sandy Desert dunes.

Sandfire roadhouse is a welcome sight, being almost 300 km from your last icecream. The roadhouse burnt down several years ago and has since been rebuilt next to a grove of shady mango trees.

Day 4: After 45 km from Sandfire Roadhouse the road is more undulating and you enter the shire of East Pilbara, apparently the largest shire in the world. The road we travel never actually reaches the coast line until Port Hedland although you will get within 9 kilometres over the next 100 kilometres and perhaps you will smell the sea breeze blowing across the sanddunes. One reason for the roads being constructed so far inland is the wet season cyclones can cause havoc on the coast, but the farther inland they travel the more they lose their destructive power.

Pardoo Roadhouse is famous for its homemade sausage rolls and the swimming pool is a refreshing crocodile free attraction.

Day 5: A beautiful sight in the otherwise waterless land is the cool and shady De Grey River. The scenery changes substantially around here with creeks, rocky out crops, mountains and desert plains. As you approach Port Hedland there are a few railway crossings. The trains here can be over 3 km long (the longest ever was 7.3 km) and over 100 carriages long.

Congratulations! You have ridden through one of the harshest environments in Australia. Port Hedland today is a town built through mining and has a population of 15,000. The port is one of the world's largest in tonnage terms with over 158 million tonnes of iron ore and salt shipped each year. To see some of the action head out to Nelson point for views of the BHP crushing and shipping area.

Day 6: We turn away from the coast and turn inland for one of the most special parts of Australia. The Hamersley Ranges, which will be seen on day 7, are spectacular and Karijini National Park is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Australia. Ancient creeks cut deep gorges into the red stone and steep escarpments rise from the desert plains. After rain, wildflowers decorate the roadside and wildlife thrives.

Tonight we all camp at the Yule River and can enjoy the cool desert night amongst the Spinifex plains.

Day 7: The road has easy to moderate undulations with further short steep sections as you approach and leave waterways. The scenery of mountain ranges and rocky outcrops becomes more spectacular as we approach the Hamersley Ranges then there is a fantastic 20 km long gradual downhill into the Fortescue floodplain, after which the road flattens out to Auski Roadhouse.

Day 8: The next three days are the jewel of this stage and on a bike is a perfect way to experience it all! You begin by riding through the wide Munjina Gorge with lookouts and spectacular scenery. The 'descent' into the gorge can be very deceptive and might have you checking your tyre pressure and brake pads. The problem actually lies in the angle of the surrounding rock strata giving it the appearance of a downhill gradient.

We leave the Great Northern Highway and ride along Karijini Drive with equally fantastic broad views over the Hamersley Ranges and the striking escarpments of the Pilbara.

We spend the next three nights within the National Park giving you a chance to explore its turquoise waterholes and stunning gorges. Tonight we will all overnight in Dales Campground.

Day 9: Our camp is located above some of Karijini National Park's most spectacular sights. Spend the day exploring the tranquil sunken gardens, deep fern fringed pools, permanently cascading waterfalls and the rim walk that leads to the Three Gorges lookout.

Day 10: The ride to Tom Price continues through the National Park and requires less climbing than one would expect for Western Australia's highest town, 747 metres. Tom Price is a friendly, shady, mining and tourist town of 6,500 people.

The town's most prominent feature is Mt Nameless, at 1128 metres above sea level. Not surprisingly the Aboriginal people who have inhabited the area for at least 28,000 years were a little more inventive and do have a name for the mountain; Jarndrumunhna, meaning 'place of the rock wallaby'. The 2 hour return walk to the top provides magnificent views of the surrounding ranges and the Tom Price township and iron ore mine site.

Day 11: Unsurprisingly a mostly downhill ride takes us to our next overnight stop. Paraburdoo lies south of Tom Price and is another 'company' town. Large mining companies built the towns for the workers and as supply and administrative bases for mining projects further afield. Paraburdoo was built in 1970 and takes its name from the local Aboriginal language 'Piru-pardu' meaning 'Meat Feathers' because of the town's proliferation of white Corellas.

Day 12: Over the next two days the winds can be a blessing or a curse due to the open landscape. We have chosen this time of the year in particular to take advantage of the easterlies, which prevail over the north of Australia. While open, the landscape is pleasant and our camp tonight, including those on the accommodation package, is on the banks of the shady Beasley River.

Day 13: This long stretch of road provides an unusual visual phenomenon that was last seen by the crew on Stage 1 of Australia Ride in the Queensland Gulf country. Painted grids on the road instead of real cattle grids. It seems that the cattle are easily fooled in these parts too.

Day 14: The landscape to Giralia Station, while arid and open is colourful with red sand dunes and flowering shrubs. There is a series of quite unusual dunes that are perfectly placed apart, like giant speed humps and make you feel ant size travelling through them.

Giralia Station was run as a working station until the mid 1990s, then sold to the Department of the Environment and now operates as an outback stopover for visitors from all over the world. With a variety of accommodation and known for their good dinners, it will be the perfect place to enjoy our last light of outback tranquillity before reaching the coast.

Day 15: Our last day of this epic adventure across Australia's North West and what a place to finish. Coral Bay is as idyllic as the name suggests. With a sweeping bay of white sand and the world-renowned Ningaloo Reef only steps off the beach. It is perfect place to relax or if you are felling more adventurous hop aboard a catamaran to see the humpback whales, dugongs, manta rays and turtles.

We made it! Congratulations! Those continuing onto Stage 7 will receive a complimentary breakfast and either a night accommodation or camping. Those leaving us after Stage 6 are free to organise their departure as it suits. We can book accommodation in Coral Bay for you if you would like to stay in centrally located accommodation with the group before your departure.

Accommodation tonight is an optional extra or included as part of the next stage. For those that are connecting this stage with Stage 7 this is your rest day, which includes breakfast. Enjoy your day, hire a snorkel and head for the beach, jump on a tour to explore more of Ningaloo Reef, tune your bike or simply relax. Those continuing their holiday in Exmouth or departing from its airport can organise their transfers through AllTrails (at an additional expense).

"Good morning AllTrails, Ben did an amazing job for us! Great cook and organizer!! Thank you." Lucinda D (USA). Broome to Perth 2012

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 Wednesday 13 June 2012, allowing you plenty of time to settle into your accommodation (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 13 June, which will provide you with a more relaxing time in Broome 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 or bus terminal

Registration time and location: 13 June 2012 – 4pm The Mangrove Resort, Broome

Tour finishing time and location: 27 June 2012 – 4pm, Coral Bay, Centrally located accommodation or camping

Closest airport to the destination:

• Start: Broome, Western Australia

• Finish: Exmouth (Learmonth Airport), Western Australia – 120 km north of Coral Bay

Key airlines servicing Broome:

• Qantas

• Virgin Australia

• Airnorth

• Skywest

Key airlines servicing Exmouth (Learmonth Airport):

• Skywest Airlines

• Qantas

• Virgin Australia

AContact our office for more info and times for the AllTrails Airport/Exmouth transfer to Coral Bay on Thurs 28 June. Approx cost: $50 per person with bike and luggage

Departing later:

Coral Coast Tours – Ph 0427 180 568 run transfers between Exmouth, Learmonth Airport and Coral Bay for $80 per person, however they do require a minimum of two people for the transfer.

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

Post touring options: Australia Ride Stage 7, Coral Bay to Geraldton

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 120 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. See the 'Day to Day' tab for more details, or click the 'Generate Itinerary' button.

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.

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 enjoying the camping experience and a focus on hygiene. We often have a fire which is used to cook delicious dinners on for an authentic outback experience.

Those booked on an accommodation option can choose to have their air-mattress and tent provided free of charge for any nights where camping is necessary or they can bring their own.

For those on a camping option, tent, air-mattress and sleeping bag are usually available for hire, bookable on the ‘Optional Extras’ area of the booking form, or you can provide your own. 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 other than stated on the 'day to day' inclusions (pre & post accom can often be booked by us - check 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

People from all parts of Australia and overseas. Ages generally range from 30 - 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 and average speed of the tour (ask us for the 'Training Tips' document for this ride).

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. Air-mattresses are comfortable inflatable air-pads. Sleeping bags are dual zip bags, rated to zero deg celcius.

We do not have a fleet of hire bikes however we can usually 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 where possible. You can also bring your own seat and/or pedals to give you that little bit of 'home comfort'.

Travel Insurance for lost deposits and cancellations:

www.travelinsurancedirect.com.au/

www.travelinsurancecover.com.au/

Lost deposits: We very strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for your trip. This should include cover for cancellation fees, lost deposits, and stolen or lost luggage (including your bike). We cannot emphasise enough how important this is. There are many unforseen reasons why cyclists may need to withdraw from a ride - injury, health, weddings, business, personal and many more. Cancellation fees can be a major financial loss to you and as a small business we need to adhere to our cancellation policies. Please go to the ride page on our website for your ride and click the 'Terms & Conditions' button to see the ride's cancel policy.

Travel Insurance: Domestic travel insurance cover tends to be significantly cheaper than international cover (approx $50 for one week). Above are two websites that offer both international and domestic travel insurance that you can look at. You can also speak to your local travel agent, or often airline booking websites will offer travel insurance as an optional extra as you book your flight.

Cyclist insurance for accidents & medical:

http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/join-in/91741/

http://www.bq.org.au/join/insurance/

This is also very strongly recommended. We cannot emphasise enough how important this is. Cycling can be a dangerous activity and you must be prepared for the worst. You may have an accident in training for the ride, on the ride itself, or cycling down to the corner dairy. If you are a cyclist coming on our tour you should be 100% prepared for the unexpected.

Cyclist insurance can be bought separately, or it comes with cycling memberships such as Bicycle Network Victoria or Bicycle Queensland. If you are involved in a crash or collision they will support you with personal injury costs, loss of income, third party liability insurance, assistance in completing your claim paper work & free legal consultation.

Life Insurance and TPD Insurance (often paid through your superannuation), and Private Health Insurance are also worth considering.

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, t-shirt 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.

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.

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 ‘Terms & Conditions’ button on the relevant tour page of our website.

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.