Gibsters Round Australia Tour

Week One Sydney to Quorn

Day One – 18/4/22 Sydney(NSW) to Merimbula(NSW) 520kms

It was with huge excitement and in trepidation that the Round Straya Tour took off. There was however important housekeeping to take care of……was this an officially sanctioned Fox trip or just a splitter group doing there own thing. Lucky we have a constitution that can determine these things. Constitutional expert “Singo” was asked to check the vibe to see if a tour incorporating a non member could be considered an official tour……after much consideration and a fast temporary membership signup (Rule 69.3 as amended 18/4/22) it was deemed an official tour and Kevinn (with a double n) can be considered a temporary Fox for the duration. There was still the issue of whether Keven could be trusted coz he has two first names. However I digress..

Russ and Gibbo met at Heatherbrae Pies at Sallys corner, the scene of many Fox Crimes (the empty tank of petrol, the defective battery etc…no names mentioned) where we had a strategy session which lasted 10 minutes. We the hit the road through Goulburn down by Tarago and then the Kings Highway and stopped in Braidwood for Petrol. At this point Gibbo was mobbed like a pop star, not because he was one; but a group of Bikers who had a disabled BMW GS thought he could resurrect their situation. At this point Gibbo turned to Russ and said “Whatever you do don’t say I’m a Rolls Royce mechanic unless I get the bike to work” . Tight lipped Russ just sat there adding no value as usual when it comes down to breakdowns, flat tyres, battery issues. Gibbo quickly regrouped and said “ Mate, this is an after market ignition system that hasn’t been attended to for a number of years so you will need to call a tow truck…..See ya”, and we were off again. Down to Batemans Bay to pick up Kevinn with a double n and then through the luscious dales of south east NSW to the seaside town of Merimbula where we had a great Wine and Tapas dinner and were in bed by 9 after an exhilarating first day.

Day 2 – 19/4/22 Merimbula(NSW) to Meeniyan(VIC) 510kms

As per Fox form, the instructions were wheels up at 8 am but all were assembled at 7.15. Russ had fallen for this trap at Bellingen and was already astride his bike at 7.00 knowing the drill and not to be left behind again. Breakfast was at a French bakery ably manned by a Dutch lady. Gibbo went first asking for “an egg spinach and fetta cheese tart” to which our Dutch host said “I’m sorry there is no fetta” and Gibbo responded “that’s great, I hate fetta” . Russ and Kev (with two n’s) just listened and stayed quiet.

We hit the road along with 450 caravans and campervans towards Victoria. Gibbo showing his prowess managed to overtake an overtaking semi on the inside lane….Russ refers to this as the “crazy Ivan manoeuvre” (refer Red October staring Tony Armfield). We discovered in Victoria there are many unmanned speed camera vehicles parked along the way. When this was pointed out to Russ, he hadn’t noticed any, so he was relegated to navigating from the second or third position in the pack. This was fine until Gibbo kept turning left at any opportunity (coz he was following the coast).

We stopped at Cann River where Russ was hanging for a flat white, but Kevinn has a dyi coffee service, so we had a pleasant Nescafe before hitting the road again.

We also experienced our first Kangaroo that was heading toward the road and then turned back. Gibbo credited this to his “Quad wild life signal generator” (pictures to come). Russ was less convinced but glad that Gibbo was in front.

The countryside was described by Kevinn as “green and undulating” and by Gibbo as “luscious to boggy”. After a lunch at Stratford on Avon (yes this is not a joke), Russ said the rain radar was clear and we proceeded into rain showers for the next 100kms until we arrived in the country town of Meeniyan. Funny motel owner with many cats, but pleasant enough and next to the pub which provided a great meal. The tour was deemed a success after 2 days, and we are thankful of all the input from our Sydney based Foxes on accommodation possibilities, especially after discounting Elizabeth Downs as a destination.

Day 3 – 20/4/22 Meeniyan(VIC) to Apollo Bay(VIC) – 317kms

How good! Walk to breakfast at the bakehouse (that doesn’t sell bread). A very pleasant breakfast. Gibbo has made a pronouncement that he has to lose wait and he believes that you can do that by eating less, (“The Epiphany”), so he has decided that we don’t need to eat lunch any more, so get that Bacon and Egg Roll into you coz there is nothing until dinner!

Another thing; despite the common wisdom that there is “only one road, how hard can it be” there are actually many roads that form the network of tracks around Australia. With this dawning of the enlightenment, Russ was allowed to navigate around Phillip Island along the A440 to the M420 and then a series of C roads till we reached Mornington. The morning was misty and drizzly and Gibbo was secretly happy Russ took the pressure off him, otherwise we would be in Bass Straight!

After a coffee sesh in Mornington we took a coastal cruise around the bay and then headed up Arthurs seat (think Stelvio without the push bikes) where finally Kevinn got his money shot which he will say was the start of the trip. Russ said he could photoshop the harbour bridge. We were seriously burning daylight by this stage coz it gets dark early down here, so we went with great haste to Foxy’s Hangout for a great wine flight. How good again… we signed Gibbo up for membership so we didn’t have to pay for the tasting.

Russ called the boys to attention we had a 1pm ferry to catch. We did the ridge of the Peninsula and run down into Sorentto and straight onto the Ferry. The Norway boys were conscious of the rock and roll and stayed with the bikes with the stand down not wanting to cause a scene with 3 dropped bikes. Despite this Gibbo scrapped the Panions. (More later).

Off the ferry and down to Bells Beach where the world champions had just finished, so we pretended that we were just off the boards onto the bikes to the cleanup crews…..I think they believed me but noy Gibbo.

We then hit the Great Ocean Road proper. After the requisite photo ops at the big sign (note that we all need to check for helmet hair), Gibbo stopped on the side of the road. After a minute Russ knew what he was up to……he was creating distance between him and the car in front. Unbelievably he got 5 minutes worth, suddenly he was off and Russ and Kevinn didn’t hear from him again until he rang and said where is the motel.

It is seriously so busy down here even the Pub couldn’t fit us in for dinner, so we found a fantastic place around the corner which was soooo good. Having said that Gibbo had the Laksa so lets wait until tomorrows blog.

Day 4 – 21/4/22 Apollo Bay(VIC) to Robe(SA) 490kms

Another early start, a brisk walk down to the bakery to indulge in coffees and croissants with all the tradies. It was only an early start because Gibbo had to take Russ to Mitre 10 when they opened to find some particular bolts that had mysteriously disappeared from his ducati braces for his top box……what could possibly go wrong. Russ was protesting that when he assembled them he couldn’t understand the Italian instructions and didn’t realise he had to tighten the bolts. The kind man at Mitre 10 gave us unfettered access to the nut and bolt area and Gibbo did his finest work. He manufactured separators with washers and super glue and found the right size bolts. He also said to Russ “This better not go on Tricount”.

Total delay time for Russ’s misdemeanor was 55 minutes. When all was rectified Gibbo also said “Now you can call me a Rolls Royce mechanic.”

On the road by 9 and a spectacular ride down the Great Ocean road. It was about 9 degrees and bracing for Kevinn and Gibbo, but Russ had his electric jacket on and was, well, toasty. First stop Gibsons steps. Russ ran down to the beach but Gibbo and Kev watched from the top, as they had to preserve their knees for less frivolous activities. Then the requisite photos were taken at the 12 apostles where we were accosted by all the people we overtook on the way to get there….how do these people recognise us?

A quick lunch at Port Fairly and a fuel stop. As usual Russ drops his bike in front of a maximum audience at the servo. Gibbo doesn’t even bother to get off his bike to help coz he has spent the last 5 minutes adjusting his leathers, and just tells the first responders, “He does this all the time…..bloody attention seeker”.

We are then off to Mount Gambier, beautiful sweeping bends……….but seriously now “We need to talk about Kevinn”. One moment he is leading and even Gibbo is struggling to keep up, the next moment he is 6kms behind. It seems he is susceptible to speed ticket panic attacks and when he realised he was still in Victoria he slams on the brakes and summons his inner Victorian who are programmed to obey!

Once into South Australia he reverted to normal. We visited the sink hole in Mount Gambier they call Blue Lake which was kind of interesting. Took some pics….tick. Then did a beautiful ride into Robe. What a great little village. Gibbo organised wine and chips outside his room and then we walked into town for a sensational dinner, but the only tables left were outside, so by desert we were a little chilly. So ordered takeaway deserts and ate them at chez Kevinn along with the desert wine we made Gibbo buy in Mornington.

Gibbo has mentioned that no one calls him Gibbo except me, so from this point on he will be known as Aandy (no typo). So it will be Russel with one “l”, Kevinn with two “n’s” and Aandy with two “a’s”.

Day 5 Robe(SA) to Mt Torrens(SA) via McLaren Vale 22/4/22– 430kms

Like a fine wine (Perhaps a Cote Rote 2018), this trip gets better with age. It was another early start, but at least we took in a promenade down the beach to the café for breakfast. Aandy had a contemplation but couldn’t articulate it to us, so we strode directly to breakfast. Robe was alive at this time in the morning, we had to fight for a table at opening!

Kevinn opened up at breakfast and told us that he was also a glider pilot. WTF, what cant this guy do. He had researched the Tiger Moth Flights out of Robe and expressed an interest to see if he could participate in a quick round the coast flight. Aandy and Russel said we were happy to forsake our wine tasting at Wirra Wirra, which we had already paid for Kevinn so tick of a bucket list item. So we proceeded to flight operations centre at Robe International, but the shed was locked. Aandy was in full empathy mode and said, “don’t worry I’ll get the good stuff when we get to McLaren Vale”.

But we still need to talk about Kevin. Clearly Kev still wanted the adrenaline buzz and he disappeared up the Princes’s Highway at mach speed. It wasn’t until we got to Kingston where we saw him again, standing in awe in front of the Big Lobster. “Seriously, this guy won the competition of the biggest things in Australia last year……I can’t believe I’m here” Kev said. Aandy and Russ thought, OK probably worth a photograph the if it means so much to Kev.

Back on the bikes we crossed the Murray River at Wellington by ferry and had a blast along the Fleurieu Way to McLaren Vale. Russ was allowed to lead this bit coz it was complicated. How good was the tasting at Wirra Wirra. Gibbo demanded the Boss tasting (Nothing under a $100 a bottle). Russ and Kev were probably just happy with the Church Block, but Aandy is bigger than us.

Too much chewing the fat, the tour had to move on, so a quick drop in at D’Arranburg for some photos at the Cube, then a one hour run to our accommodations at the Mt Torrens Hotel. What a great place. 170 years old, and the publican Angie was sensational. No TV no ensuite no heating, but what a place. Russ of course ended up with the tiny room but this was a good compromise coz originally there was only 2 rooms and after Bombala he wasn’t sharing again.

The dinner was fantastic. The fire was going and attended to by Aandy, and we were in bed by 9. Who knows what tomorrow will bring!

Day 6 23/4/22 Rest Day in the Barossa Valley

Today was a designated rest day but we still managed 210kms. There was an official start time of 8.30 for breakfast as it was our day off, but as usual Russ gets down to breakfast at 8.15 and Aandy and Kevinn had already finished and were ready to go. To slow them down while Russ had the regulation flat white and B and E roll, he suggested they do a Chicken Strip check. Aandy reported back that he was leaning toward the left more than the right; Russ suggested he had some commonality with Singo in that regard. Russ was dead centre, with equal leanings to the right and left, and Kevinn said he was going to be independent of the Chicken Strip process.

We rode to the Barossa along some great country roads, through Mount Pleasant and onto Keyneton to sample some Henschke at the cellar door. They were flat out and kindly said they would book a tasting for us at noon. Aandy then decided we should go to the farthest winery from that point in the meantime, but it was worth the 104 km round trip to get there. It was a great place with great staff. Cimicky wines for those interested. Russ decided to take a different route back to Henscke for the important noon tasting, which involved a bit of dirt and gravel. The Ducati and the Beamer ate it for breakfast but the Yamaha struggled due to the weight of the beast; and Russ got a low key lecture (coz Kevinn only does low key) on further dirt ride activity.

Aandy spent yesterday at Wirra Wirra waxing lyrical about the superb qualities of the Grenache grape and how it is experiencing a boom in Australia since it has burst out of the GSM blend, but he refused to taste one at Henscke coz “he hated Grenache”. He is seriously an enigma wrapped in a riddle.

A quick stop off at Saltram where the nice lady warned us off about any dirt riding in the Flinders, which Kevinn duly noted, and the a last stop at St Hallets. We then returned to our digs at the Mt Torrens Hotel via Williamstown had the same dinner as last night and went to bed.

Day 7 24/4/22 Mt Torrens(SA) to Quorn(SA) via Clare 370 kms

Well there is a lot to unpack today and your scribe is tired after the day, but lets have a go.

Beautiful morning in the Adelaide Hills today as the boys readied themselves to cross the Goyder line, but before that we had to say goodbye to our hosts for the last two days at the rustic Mt Torrens Pub. Dean (John Malcovich) made us a slap up breakfast and wished us bon voyage. Aandy had to get a photo given that he was a doppelganger.

Russ lead the team back through Williamstown and on the way to Clare; Aandy was given the all clear to lead when it became clear there was only one road to Clare. Nice riding conditions and the temperature was now in the mid 20’s, the first time since we left Sydney. Arrived into Clare and regrouped for a coffee and worked out a tasting plan. This is Riesling country! So straight up to Pikes (a crowd pleaser). Russ of course took the dirt tracks to get there and got the look from Kev, but we pressed on regardless. We were looked after very well and had an extensive tasting (spittoon in regular use). After Nat had sent Aandy a text that she was looking forward to tasting all the wines that he had, he went into over drive ordering everything on the menu for shipment back to Tempe. Took a run back to Grosset, but most of their wines had sold out and it was only the dross left for the autumnal wine taster. At least we had ticked off every wine region in SA except for the Coonawarra which Aandy had been to, so was not interested.

We thought it would be an uneventful ride to Quorn…..how wrong we were. Our host at Grosset advised us to take the coast road via Port Pirie. No drama at all until an amazing weather front come in. Ominous black hole ahead with horizontal lightning, Flinders mountains to the right and the Gulf to the left. Russ had an issue with his knuckle grip and had to pull into a servo to fix it. Aandy and Kev didn’t see him peel off given they were watching the approaching Armageddon. Knowing this, Russ texted and said he would meet them in Quorn. Aandy pulled over and had to revert to analogue directions now that Russ had gone AWAL. He pulled out the map of Australia; just as he did the wind picked up. Kev says he looked like he was in the Sydney to Hobart with a sail up and Australia printed on it. Unable to pack the map and with a level of frustration rising, Andy screwed the map up and stuffed it into he top box. At this point the rain was falling hard and as big as olives. Aandy and Kev took a right turn via Wilmington and straight into a flash flood across a creek bed. Aandy was getting impatient but was examining the Winnebago’s tyres as they went through and plotted a route. Kev wasn’t keen but Aandy said “See ya” so they both made it across. Meanwhile Russ using his advanced electronics took the route of least resistance and arrived at Quorn, curious where the others were. After 40 minutes Aandy and Kev arrived with their stories of daring do. Nice town and nice accommodation.

It is a critical day today also as it has been 7 days it is also washing day. Aandy was on a mission to find a laundromat, he heard what he thought was a drying machine, walked through the door and found a family having dinner. After asking whether this was the laundromat, they said no it was a B&B, so Aandy thanked them for their indulgence and found it next door.