Australia Ride Stage 7 - Coral Bay (Exmouth) to Geraldton 2012

Day 1: Arrive in Coral Bay and prepare for the trip ahead. If you have arrived by plane to Exmouth airport you will need to get to Coral Bay which is 120km south. Transfers can be arranged through our office if required. Please register your interest on your booking form.

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 dinner (at your own expense).

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, swim, and snorkel or if you are felling more adventurous hop aboard a catamaran to see the humpback whales, dugongs, manta rays and turtles.

Day 2: Your west coast ride begins! We begin our ride along the section known as the outback coast, so named because here the desert meets the ocean. The warm Leeuwin current runs down the continent creating coral growth as far down as Perth and sustaining a startling array of marine life, which stands in stark contrast to the coastline. The landscape consists of red sand dunes, grass plains and giant termite dirt mounds that appear as remnants from some other ancient time.

The Tropic of Capricorn serves as a good halfway marker for the day's ride. This is a great example of how the west coast is vastly different from the east coast. To get an idea, look about then compare what you see with the green paddocks of Rockhampton in Queensland which the Tropic of Capricorn crosses 5,000 kms on the other side of Australia.

Day 3: Today most of the journey is through undulating red sand dunes and flowering shrubs. As you enter the Gascoyne region, the rivers and creeks flow underground until you reach the largest of Western Australia's Rivers, the Gascoyne. This river and its hidden flowing stream is the source of the oasis of fruit orchards and vegetable gardens surrounding the town of Carnarvon. These plantations with their pumps running under the sand extend for 16 kms along the banks of the river producing mangoes, paw paws, bananas, pineapples, melons, tomatoes and beans.

Even in a town of 9,000 people a landmark impossible to miss is the 'Big Dish'. The OTC satellite dish played an integral part in the 1969 moon landing. After tracking Halley's Comet in 1987 it was decommissioned. Other highlights are the One Mile Jetty and the Coffee Pot tram that takes those not wanting to walk, and the trail that leads to the heritage precinct across the mangroves where mullet can be seen jumping on the incoming tide.

Day 4: Our ride leads us out of town along the HMAS Sydney Memorial Drive that has 645 plaques and palm trees representing the sailors that died when their ship sank in 1941 after a battle with the German raider, HSK Kormoran, which also sunk. It is a long road of remembrance, especially on a bike. The plaques list the names of men predominantly between the ages of 17 and 21.

The road is flat with slight undulations, which you are surely getting used to. The vegetation is light; however scattered patches of wildflowers make for a pleasant colourful distraction.

Day 5: The flat road runs parallel with Shark Bay and 25kms up the road we get great views from White Bluff Lookout. It is not far from here that Dirk Hartog, Captain of a Dutch trading ship was the first white man recorded to set foot on Australian soil in 1616. It was not for another 200 years that white people begun to think about settling in the country after viewing the arid landscape. Even the aboriginal population, of the Nganda and Malgana lived predominately from the bountiful ocean. Still today, not far from the town of Denham on the Peron Peninsula two rows of rocks that were used by aboriginal people to trap fish can be seen at low tide.

Billabong Roadhouse has two attractions, a 25 metre swimming pool and it marks the return of the tree, which has been absent since leaving Coral Bay with the exception of a few creek lines and Carnarvon.

While the country may in parts be flat and arid, life abounds and on a bike you might just see it. You may notice as you ride along a small, brown-streaked bird that flies on ahead as you approach, flashing the two white bands in its tail. This is the Australasian Pipit, a common roadside visitor. You are likely to hear the loud 'squeaky gate' or 'did-you-get-drunk' call from the Chiming Wedgebird. The ringneck parrot, more commonly known as the Twenty-eight after the sound they make can often be heard in the mornings. Zebra Finches, Rainbow Bee-eaters and flocks of Budgerigars are among the more colourful birds that can be seen.

Day 6: Today you leave the arid heath land and ride into some rolling hills and the lovely smell of the gum trees, unfortunately the trees are short lived as they are replaced by fields of wheat. Our camp for tonight is on the banks of the Murchison River, including those on the accommodated package. The Murchison River is the second longest river in Western Australia and a great place to cool off. It flows for about 780 km from central Western Australia near Meekatharra to the Indian Ocean at Kalbarri where it has created a picturesque tributary popular with anglers. It is an ancient river, unchanged its path, carving a massive gorge over millions of years through what is now Kalbarri National Park.

Day 7: After the Murchison River, you cross steep to moderate undulations up onto the plateau on which lies Kalbarri National Park. Here the coastal heath consists of a diverse array of plants including banksias, grevilleas, wattles, native Hibiscus, Kurrajongs and amazing colourful wild flowers. The region has over 800 species and likely still more to be discovered.

A fast descent brings you into Kalbarri, a lovely little holiday town, tucked between the picturesque lagoon and the scenic beaches. One easily enjoyed past time here is whale spotting off the coastal cliffs, which also provide spectacular views of the coastline.

Day 8: Our final day of stage 7 begins with some spectacular coastal scenery and gorges with evocative names like Red Bluff, Pot Alley, Eagle Gorge and Natural Bridge. The best way to view the coastline, where the cliffs rise up to 100 metres above the ocean, is to ride out to the designated lookouts. While enjoying the views keep an eye out for the telltale spray of water that signifies the migration of the humpback whales.

Hutt Lagoon (near Port Gregory) is a lake of many colours. Most commonly seen as a bright pink lake, then as the sun sets it becomes a dark purple. The colour is caused by an algae trapped in the salt which is farmed for Beta Carotene vitamin.

At Northampton we meet up again with the North West Coastal Highway. With a myriad of buildings dating back to the 1850's it is one of Western Australia's oldest settlements. After 52 kms we arrive in the friendly town of Geraldton. With a population of 37,000 it is likely to give you 'city shock' as it will be the biggest place you have seen in a while, for some since Darwin!

We made it! What an amazing 8 days spent along the West coast. Those continuing onto Stage 8 will receive a complimentary breakfast and either a night accommodation or camping. Those leaving us after Stage 7 are free to organise their departure as it suits. We can book accommodation in Geraldton 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 8 this is your rest day, which includes breakfast. Enjoy the day, have a look around town, visit the Memorial, tune your bike or simply relax.

There is a lot to see in Geraldton, beginning in the 1850's as an outpost for convicts who built many of the beautiful historic buildings. It has since grown to a major port and service centre for the region. A few not to be missed highlights are the HMAS Sydney Memorial, built on top of a hill with breathtaking views it is a moving tribute to the sailors who died in Australia's greatest maritime disaster. Every day at 10:30 am there is a free tour where volunteers explain its significance.

For those that love their history or even a good story the museum is a must. The region has an enthralling maritime history with a great display of the Batavia, a Dutch ship that ran aground in 1629. The survivors made it to land only to face a slow and bloody mutiny where over 100 were killed. The story is depicted with fascinating displays and includes the stone portico that was found on the ship.

"If you are thinking about joining a stage with AllTrails - STOP and JUST DO IT! I had a great time and met some inspirational people all in a safe and encouraging environment. Thank you AllTrails - I'll be back!" Liz (WA) Australia Ride 2012 Stages 7 & 8. Coral Bay to Perth

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 Thurs 28 June 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 28 June, which will provide you with a more relaxing time in Coral Bay or Exmouth 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: 28 June 2012 – 4pm Bayview, Coral Bay

Tour finishing time and location: 5 July 2012 – 4pm, Geraldton, Centrally located accommodation or camping

Closest airport to the destination:

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

• Finish: Geraldton, Western Australia

Key airlines servicing Exmouth (Learmonth Airport):

• Skywest Airlines

• Qantas

• Virgin Australia

Key airlines servicing Geraldton:

• Qantas

• Virgin Australia

• Skywest

Contact 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

Arriving earlier:

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.

Alternatively, take the regular airport shuttle to Exmouth then take the AllTrails transfer on Thursday 28 June at 1:30pm to Coral Bay.

For alternative bus transport or freight options check www.greyhound.com.au or call 1300 473 946, or call Trans WA on 1300 662 205 or check out www.transwa.wa.gov.au for additional times and information

Post touring options: Australia Ride Stage 8, Geraldton to Perth

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. 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.