
Aboriginal Australia Day Tour
January
Sydney
Learn about Aboriginal Heritage in and around Sydney on the Australia Day Long Weekend!
This tour will starting in Kurnell (Kamay), land of the Gweagal mob of the Eora people. It is also the place where Cook stepped ashore in 1770. We will meet with Uncle Dean Kelly who will give us a guided tour of the site, pointing out landmarks relevant to both Gweagal and European history; along with a cultural brief on the Gweagal and other Eora mobs.
The first-day will include largely road riding, with some of the most fun, adventurous and curvy roads south of Sydney. We'll overnight in the Southern Highlands. About 250kms with the last 50km off-road - all twisty; all fun. Keep the tyre pressure high for day 1.
​
The second day we'll lower the tyre pressure as we'll be almost exclusively off-road! Woot Woot!! Nothing too difficult, just dirt roads and fire trails. We'll travel through the Nattai National Park, the Mares Forest National Park, the Yerranderie State Conservation Park and the Kanangra-Boyd National Parks. The trails are twisty but pretty easy, though some of them follow a cliff-edge, providing spectacular views. We'll finish the day in Katoomba chatting with Gundungurra mob at The Gulley, a reserve managed by Gundungurra and formerly the Mission where many Blue Mountains mob were forced to live. This will include some bush tucker - yummy! We'll overnight in the Hamptons - yes, you read that correctly. Due to remoteness, lunch will be provided on this day.
​
The third and final day of riding will take in some of the most spectacular views and fun riding of the trip. We'll pass through Wollombi National Park and the lower part of the Yengo National Park. Its an adventure-riders paradise out there. The tracks are newly graded and fun - way fun! We'll stop for lunch at Wiseman's Ferry before heading back on to tight, twisty, slippery dirt tracks, ending the day at Rouse Hill. We'll meet with mob from the Muru Mittagar Culture Centre who'll great us with a smoking ceremony (traditionally used to cleanse and protect us culturally). They'll also provide an interesting talk on Indigenous cultural history in Australia, and finally teach us about the different types of boomerang and how to properly though them.
​
The ride will finish at the Muru Mittagar Centre and riders can make their own way home. Separate arrangements will be made for riders with hire bikes.
​
Maximum 20 riders only on this tour - so get in quick!
​
Inclusions:
Accommodation for three nights. Due to a very early start on first day, all riders will have to meet on the evening before the tour in Cronulla.
-
Most meals provided including breakfasts, lunch on day 2 & morning tea on day 3. Dinners not included.
-
Briefings by Traditional Owners along the ride – learn about their culture, the history of their people and places – learn about the land you ride on! Includes an optional cultural awareness brief on the first night, i.e. why you shouldn't look an Aboriginal person in the eye.; how to give an Acknowledgement of Country - etc.
-
Fully supported ride with a back-up vehicle to carry luggage (limited to one 40lt bag per rider) and to assist with emergencies, mechanical issues or even flat-tyres.
-
The support vehicle, which will carry extra petrol, water and first aid support.
-
A truly great 3-day ride!!
​
Extras:
• Single room accommodation upgrade - additional $400.
-
Motorcycles are available for hire – price on request.
​
Rider Requirements:
-
This ride is suitable for advanced-beginners to intermediate riders. Advanced riders will have fun too, with a couple of extra loops available for skilled riders. The ride will stick to dirt roads and fire trails, but a couple of the tracks descend along cliff-face so require a confident rider. We will provide tips and encouragement - or support - if desired. That said, we are NOT riding instructors.
-
A good level or rider fitness - it will be hot so ability to ride all day will be important.
-
All riders must have comprehensive medical insurance.
-
All riders must have motorcycle insurance, including third party property and personal damage. Coverage for remote area vehicle recovery is highly recommended, though we will do what we can to help.
-
Riders should bring a basic tool-kit and tyre repair kit / spare tubes.
-
A hydro-pack or day-back with plenty of water and a snack.
-
A strong sense of adventure and fun.
​
Not included:
Fuel
Dinners, snacks and drinks
​
RA Team for this tour:
Damo - Guide/lead rider - Owner Operator of Ridelines Adventures (see About page)
Kev - Support vehicle - Kev is a former motorcycle mechanic and long-time rescue officer with the NSW Fire Brigade. He was on the first Australian International Rescue contingent and has helped in natural disasters across the globe - Kev is essentially a real-life Thunderbird.
​