2024 National BMW Motorrad Rally

 

Our camp was set up in Nuriootpa a day early and we were one of the first to register for the National Rally. Our welcome packs included a badge and a very good bottle of wine giving us reason to ponder South Australia’s wine heritage.

5 of the 7 West Aussies camped together

Morning and afternoon guided rides led us through vine country and small villages and a dirt ride option kept the dirt riders happy.

Lining up ready for the first group ride

Like herding cats,
trying to get Bee Ems lined up 
for the official photo shoot

A communal pizza night, in the host caravan park's camp kitchen, was a great success and some of us enjoyed a potato pizza, for the first time.

A walk along Nuri’s main street found us admiring sidecar’s, amongst other rides, mostly of the GS variety.

Great tour of the High School
wine making facilities

The local high school's innovative wine making program renewed our hope that the education department can see the wood through the vines. The students who participated in the demonstration all said they planned to work in South Australia’s industrious wine industry.

The Vine Inn kept us warm, and fed us well on the last night. Then, as if by the stroke of a pen, the rally was over. The BMW Owners Club of SA (BMWOCSA) hosted a  well managed and memorable event and the badge will have pride of place on my motoring jacket.

The West Aussie contingent at the rally
Photo Credit: EJ

 

Our Twelfth Nullarbor Ride

Southern Cross

Two days before our scheduled departure, Steve and I caught Covid. This delayed us leaving for sometime. 

 Eventually, Southern Cross caravan park welcomed us for our first night with the cheapest camp site of our journey at $16 per night. 

Balladonia

The next morning we were on our way again on the road to Balladonia. At Norseman we were notified of the closure of the Eyre Highway near Yalata; two trucks had collided, all occupants died at the scene. Yalata was two days ahead of us, so we rode on until we handed over $50 to camp at Balladonia together with no drinking water. The road house were willing to fill our water bottles but this was a great inconvenience to us. The Balladonia sunset soothed our souls before we settled in for a chicken parmi in the dining room and a dark night in the tent. 

Madura Pass

The open road beckoned us onwards and by lunch time we were truck spotting at Madura Pass lookout and smiling all the while. 

Eucla

There was room for our little tent at Eucla but by 5pm the camp ground was full and caravaners were turned away. The accident near Yalata had bearded those travelling west and there simply wasn’t room for everyone. 

 

Kimba, half way across Australia

Day 4 and we were on the road to Ceduna. We had passed this way many times before so the savage winds across the plains of Penong were expected and wearied us still. Ceduna was a haven amongst the dust and dreams of our Nullarbor crossing and we were delighted to camp on grass in this fishermen’s town. 

Top of Germein Pass

We never feel our Nullarbor crossing is complete until we have Port Augusta well in our sights. The western sun shining on the Flinders Range welcomed us for many a mile of riding and by early afternoon on the 5th day, our Nullarbor crossing was complete.