Hi. I have recently bought a new XTZ and am planning to ride around Australia. I'll be heading south from Brisbane to Melbourne and Tasmania, accross to Adelaide and then up the red centre to Darwin. Then over to Perth and back up to the north coast of Queensland...ideally... Any tips for such a tour would be very welcome. i.e. necessities, especially for driving up the centre of Australia? How much water, fuel etc...types of tools I should have with me? Driving techniques...any information is welcome. I am installing two Yamaha side panniers for storage and will probably get a tank bag to balance weight distribution...

Cheers, Andrew.

Try Kreiga for soft bags, Aussie distributor good value. Buy some protection (for your good self). G'day from Tassie!

Thanks Tassie. Yeah, I've got the full body armour. I am especially looking forward to visiting Tassie. Any special places to ride/see you can recommend?

Welcome on aboard Andrew.

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Anywhere mate, gods country especially so on a big thumper. I would avoid the few main highways over summer where possible but the B&C (backroads) are generally ok even the gravel. I'd avoid anywhere at altitude after April and watch for shady/ icey corners generally from now on. West for a wild coast and wilderness and the east for great beaches and generally warmer dryer weather. There are pleanty of opportunities to get off road, forestry/hydro where unlocked but don't underestimate how long it takes just to see the place from the B/C road network.. a week or two just there.
Have fun!

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