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Post by kuri77 on Mar 16, 2015 12:03:29 GMT 10
"Gosford is also the name given to long boots worn by sheilas, as they go half way to the entrance. Sorry for any sheilas I offended, but I am just a bloke." Clever and funny Gonzo. Thanks for the geography update. Any particular roads you especially recommend in the "great riding roads" category? Speaking of fishing I suppose you have insane rules like here so catching one for dinner is out unless you've paid more than a fish is worth just for the licence? I was thinking more inland where there isn't a fisherman every couple of yards around the lake.
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Post by Azza ( AB ) on Mar 16, 2015 20:23:08 GMT 10
Hey, Kuri if you want to go for a fish give me a yell when you get to town no fishing licence required in QLD for salt water or wild fresh water but the stocked impoundments have a permit system where monies collected is used to restock the dams. The time your here will see the snapper starting to come on but that's off shore will see what's around the beaches will be a bit early for tailor. Cheers Azza
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Post by kuri77 on Mar 17, 2015 2:10:59 GMT 10
Thanks Azza, we'd like to do that. Nothing like a freshly-caught fish in the pan for dinner when you're camping. Some people are trying to convince us to go counter-clockwise instead due to weather concerns so after Taz we probably will go your way first so if that happens we should be in your area beginning or mid-April instead of May as last planned. You got any opinions on the direction?
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Post by Azza ( AB ) on Mar 18, 2015 11:17:21 GMT 10
Hi Kurri, bear in mind that I was reading a post on another forum on the weekend and the guys in Melbourne stopped for a coffee and stayed inside out of the cold, meanwhile in QLD it was 30 degrees that’s 88f for you guys. Suffice to say it bloody cold in the bottom half of the country from now onwards, I have been in Melbourne in June and it’s just painful but then again I only own light jumpers and one coat for those QLD days that get down to 19 degrees (Brutally cold don’t know why it doesn’t make world news). I would stick with the original plan as the winds are predominantly south east through the middle of the country at that time of year so you have a good chance of having tail winds as you traverse up through the middle. When you are heading into Cairns try and use the Gillies Range if you like twisty roads this one is awesome although the Rex and Kuranda ranges are also pretty good. Also include in your rides a scoot along the Cook HI Way from Cairns to Port Douglas beautiful with the rainforest on one side of the road and the Coral sea on the other with a Bike friendly burger, coffee and beers joint along the way (Ellis Beach Bar and Grill). Down around Airlie beach there is a place called Monty’s reef resort its very laid back and well worth a visit for a couple of schooners and a feed and maybe an overnighter.
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Post by bdrgonzo on Mar 18, 2015 18:50:25 GMT 10
Fishing licence required in NSW waters (fresh or salt).
Old pacific Hwy between Central coast and Sydney is a great ride. Good food at cafe (Used to be Roadwarriors Cafe)at Mt White. Also good pies and wedges at Pie In The Sky at Berowra. Both these places I frequent often. Partial to the "big Breakfast" at Mt White.
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Post by kuri77 on Mar 19, 2015 1:34:40 GMT 10
Azza, Guess we'll just have to look at the weather when we get there next week and maybe flip a coin. I do like the idea of tail winds and also I'd like to be on the water side when we're at the beach which clock-wise will do for us. If you ever come to California and do our Big Sur (like the Ocean Road) ride make sure you do it N to S to get the best views. Thanks for the road recommendations. Bdrgonzo, Thanks for the heads up on the licence and ride reccos.
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Post by kuri77 on Mar 19, 2015 1:45:12 GMT 10
Azza, After looking at google we were planning on coming in on hwy A6, going north at Charters Towers to Mareeba and Port Douglas then s on 44 to Cairns. We can take the Gillies road to Crater Lakes Natl Pk then thru Malanda back to Innisfail. That a reasonable plan or is the road inland up to Port Douglas not worth the ride?
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Post by kuri77 on Mar 19, 2015 2:01:32 GMT 10
Bdrgonzo, Saw the pics of The Old Road Cafe just north of the bridge over the Hawkesbury. Lots of bikes there so presumably that's the one in Mt White you mentioned. Dang I wish I was already there. Old Pacific Hwy is the kind of roads we take here all the time. I rarely go on the freeways. We'll be avoiding the M roads like the plague. My buddy is a little hesitant already what with learning to ride a much smaller bike and never having driven on the opposite side of the road ride before so he'll be much more at ease on slower backroads.
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Post by Azza ( AB ) on Mar 19, 2015 8:52:54 GMT 10
I would head north from CT on 63 then onto 62 and head to Ravenshoe from there head to Millaa Millaa and onto Milanda some great water falls in this area. The roads around the back through Atherton and Mareeba are nice enough but not magic, you could come down the Gillies range and then into Cairns and go up the Kuranda range to Mareeba. Me I would ride the Cook hiway both ways but that’s just because I love it. If you bypass the Gillies and go around the back you can come down the Rex range hiway 44. After riding through the middle of the country you will be hanging to get into some twisties. Looking forward to catching for a beer and hearing stories of you adventure . Cheers Azza
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Post by Azza ( AB ) on Mar 19, 2015 9:01:17 GMT 10
Not sure if you know there is a book here called Camps 8 with 8 being the latest edition, that has all the free camp spots around the country and fuel stops, good maps and shed loads of other info. It’s also available as an app and available for other navigation mediums. As for maps a mob called Hemma produce the best touring maps. Azza
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Post by kuri77 on Mar 20, 2015 5:44:04 GMT 10
Azza, Thanks for the info and suggestions. Checked out your route and it makes good sense. I think when we get to the 44 and 1 junction after so many days with no ocean breeze or view we might do Cooks Hwy both ways as you suggest. If we're not into backtracking, which is our usual mode, then we'll head over to Mareeba, up to Port Douglas then come south on Cooks with us being on the view side of the road.
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Post by bdrgonzo on Mar 20, 2015 12:29:16 GMT 10
Bdrgonzo, Saw the pics of The Old Road Cafe just north of the bridge over the Hawkesbury. Lots of bikes there so presumably that's the one in Mt White you mentioned. Dang I wish I was already there. Old Pacific Hwy is the kind of roads we take here all the time. I rarely go on the freeways. We'll be avoiding the M roads like the plague. My buddy is a little hesitant already what with learning to ride a much smaller bike and never having driven on the opposite side of the road ride before so he'll be much more at ease on slower backroads. That's the place Kuri. Make you feel right at home with locals to keep you company. This is a pic of a day at Pie In The Sky. They take all kinds of bikes there, including the local Monkey Bike gang.
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Post by kuri77 on Mar 20, 2015 12:32:44 GMT 10
I have WikiCamps app already and it seems to have enough to keep me busy. I'll check out Camps8 though when I get there. Thanks for the tip Azza.
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Post by kuri77 on Mar 20, 2015 12:37:18 GMT 10
Yeah bdrgonzo looking forward to it. I like dogs but I'm not a pet person because I wouldn't want to leave them with other people so often when I'm traveling.
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