Australia Bike Tour Day 59: DARWIN!
Reading Time: 3 minutes I didn’t die.
I rode a bicycle 2,428.24 mi / 3,907.04 km across Australia from Melbourne to Darwin, and I didn’t die.
Mission accomplished.
Today finished the longest bicycle journey of my life. Whether or not this journey will retain the title will remain to be seen.
I arrived in Darwin early this morning and made it to the home of my most generous CouchSurfing host, Jayce.
He’s even got a cat, Muhammed.
It was a bit tricky riding my bike through the city for the final few miles and there were many opportunities for cars to strike me down in the road (but no more road trains – just terrible city drivers).
Thankfully, I discovered a bike path parallel to the road into town and was able to avoid any such tragedy.
Upon my arrival, I promptly commenced with the final shower of the trip to cleanse myself of any remaining Outback dirt (note: said dirt will likely never be fully erased from my body and its crevasses).
With a steamy and dramatic emergence from the bathroom (or toilet as they call it in Australia), I declare my first bicycle tour officially over.
The enthusiastic crew of international guests invite me to play a celebratory game of Settlers before we set to work preparing dinner. After a good feed we head down to the beach (the BEACH) for a luau (complete with fire twirling).
How quickly I’ve become reintegrated into society.
The next morning I deconstruct my bicycle in the hopes of getting it packed into a box for my eventual flight to the east coast of Australia in a few days’ time.
In the process, I discover that I have managed to crack my rim – in many places – and that it will need to be replaced (goodbye 100+ Australian dollars).
But that’s not the greatest gift that this bicycle has given me.
The greatest gift of all?
These tan lines.
- Start: Struass WWII Airfield, Northern Territory
- End: Darwin, Northern Territory
- Day’s Distance: 29.91 mi / 48.13 km
- Total Distance: 2,428.24 mi / 3,907.04 km
Congratulations – great trip. So glad to read your story. I am planning to ride from Central Victoria to Darwin – maybe a different route although similar distance. Keen to learn more about water sources, treating water and food. Being an Aussie who grew up and has lived a fair while in the Mallee areas (you past through some) I am familiar with climate, flies, slang. Different on a bike though, so I appreciate what I have got from reading your story. Had 3 months in 2023 in France & Scotland solo cycling around 4700 kms. Never hungry, never thirsty, plenty of wonderful people (many wonderful Warmshowers hosts), beaches – I am a beach nut, and wifi! My Darwin trip will be first and longest and hardest leg of trip to north west Thailand where I will visit my sister who has lived there for 35+ years (and has awesome accomodation for budget travellers at Sang Tong Huts). Again – your story helps a lot, including that I must learn how to change spokes – have done most other things. Best wishes.
Best of luck to you! Have fun out there!
Congrats! I know you for your trail surveys, but as both a hiker and cyclist myself I’m happy to see you’ve discovered bicycle travel.
Wanted to let you know that I’ve linked to your Bicycling the Outback page on BikeSleepBike to help more cyclists find it as a resource. Hope that’s alright with you! Feel free to get in touch with any questions.
All good! I just got a new bike (the one I used for this trip got stolen), and I’m excited to do more bikepacking!
Congrats on this huge bike ride Mac – and very entertaining writing. Looking forward to checking out your current hike via Instagram. Are you on Strava? Cheers Mac! Michael in Melbourne.
Thank you, Michael! I am on Strava but I don’t use it much (although I did record this ride with it).