Australia – Cycling Around The World

The Australian part of our 1987-1989 world tour.

After India this was the second country we lost our heart to. The endless red sand, the heat, the road trains, the vast distances and the kangaroos in early morning light in the Northern Territory all made great impression on us.

Less than one car passing in an hour, the two of us being the only people from horizon to horizon! Those car drivers, Australians and tourists alike, felt sorry for us, but to us it is one of the most memorable parts of our trip. Later we cycled through the tropical green of Queensland (where the leaches enjoyed our blood) and of course we snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef as all travelers.

We spent our second christmas away from home in a luxurious onsite van. In Sidney we sampled metropolitan life and admired the timeless beauty of the Opera House. On the the campsite the rainbow lorikeets almost flew into our tent. At Mt. Kosciusko (2228) we cycled all the way to the highest point of Australia (for cyclist and pedestrians only a gravel road leads to the top). Through sheep country we cycled all the way to Melbourne.

our route in Australia

view from Mt Kosciusko

thirsty in the outback

cycling around Uluru (Ayers Rock)

shady road stop in the outback with water tank

climbing Uluru

onsite van

cockatoos in the outback

Canberra, Parliamnt House

camping at a safe place

twelve apostles

in the tropical north east

Kakadu NP: rock art (Namarrgon, the lighting man)at Yourlangie Rock

red sand, outback

Sydney, Opera House

the road into Kakadu NP

soft sand at Kakadu NP

gigantic road train

from horizon to horizon just the two of us

it’s a long way

termites complex

watch out for crocodiles

steep climb to the top of Uluru

Devils marbles, near Uluru

view of Uluru

gum tree

near Uluru