CDU2601 BEST OF DOWN UNDER

The motorcycles are ready and the group has finally gathered in Sydney, the largest city in Australia, where everyone had time to explore this vibrant metropolis, stroll along the harbor, and admire the iconic Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s full summer here, and the heat definitely reminds us that we’re on the other side of the world! In the afternoon, we had our welcome briefing and then, after the motorcycle handover, we enjoyed our first dinner together. Now we really can’t wait to get started and hit the road — the adventure is about to begin! Stay tuned!

We left Sydney in the morning for our first riding day, heading toward the Blue Mountains. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side: thick fog and rain surrounded the area, so the famous Three Sisters remained hidden from view. Still, it felt great to finally be on the bikes and start the journey. From there, we continued south toward Picton, where we stopped for lunch and enjoyed a well-earned break. In the afternoon, we rode on to the historic village of Berrima, making a stop at the Surveyor General Inn — Australia’s oldest continuously licensed pub — a perfect place for a quick break. Before reaching our destination, we made one last stop at Fitzroy Falls, where the waterfall drops dramatically into a deep gorge surrounded by lush forest, made even more impressive by the recent rain. After that, we enjoyed a beautiful final stretch through the green Kangaroo Valley before finally rolling into Nowra. A great first riding day!

A New Day, a New Adventure – Welcome to Day 3 of Our Journey Through Australia Today we left the coast behind and headed inland — more precisely from Nowra to Jindabyne. After a restful night and the first impressions from yesterday’s ride, we started the day almost as usual with our 8:30 briefing. We gave everyone a quick overview of the route, the plan for the day, and of course a preview of the highlights. Talking about highlights is interesting — but experiencing them in real life is always better. So: helmets on, engines started, and off we went. After just a few kilometres, we entered the lush green landscape of Morton National Park, dominated by endless eucalyptus trees. This is a massive national park, and the road running through it is known as the “Wool Road.” The reason isn’t hard to guess: sheep. Around 80 years ago, this winding road through the park was the main connection to the coast, where the wool then continued its journey all the way to Europe. But the park itself has much more to offer. For example: the locals (Kangaroos)! Perfectly camouflaged and often well hidden, they hop around freely — and more than once you have to look twice to be sure you really saw one. Unfortunately, I have to admit they were too far away today, so stopping for a photo wasn’t possible. But we’ll make up for that tomorrow. Where exactly? You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out. We continued to our first photo stop along the route, located right in the middle of the sandstone mountains: Tianjara Falls. It’s not the highest or most dramatic waterfall, but the view from there is simply stunning — an endless sea of eucalyptus forest stretching across valleys as far as the eye can see. After that, it was time for coffee. And since today is Super Bowl Sunday, we stopped not too far away for an early lunch. The reason: a sports bar with good food — and I knew we could catch a glimpse of the game while eating. So, we enjoyed another little highlight before heading back onto the route and continuing our journey towards Canberra. And then — just like that — we found ourselves standing on top of Mount Ainslie, looking out over Australia’s capital city. Along with the view came a short dive into the history of Canberra, why its name is special, and of course a few funny anecdotes about the city. But then… it was time to move on again. Because we had only completed about half of today’s 400 kilometres. The afternoon ride took us through wide open farmland, and for the first time we truly felt just how enormous Australia really is. No matter where you looked, it was the definition of infinity — with huge cattle stations stretching out in every direction. Unfortunately, we have to admit that while the weather stayed mostly dry, it decided to properly soak us towards the end of the day. Still, it was a fantastic day overall. Tonight we’re staying right at the entrance to the Snowy Mountains, which we’ll be crossing tomorrow. So stay tuned and get ready for tomorrow — we’ll definitely have plenty to report! Your Tour Guides from Down Under Domenico & Axel

We left Jindabyne in the morning and rode through the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park, enjoying pleasant temperatures as we crossed the mountains. Despite keeping our eyes open along the way, we unfortunately didn’t spot any kangaroos... maybe in the next few days! The road, however, was simply wonderful, sweeping through eucalyptus forests and truly unforgettable. Once we descended from the alpine region, we stopped for lunch and the heat quickly set in, reminding us that summer was in full swing. The route then took us along Lake Hume, where the signs of a recent large wildfire were clearly visible, yet the landscape remained impressive and beautiful. After another break to cool down with a cold drink, we reached Wangaratta in the afternoon. After checking into the hotel, a refreshing dip in the pool was the perfect way to cool down and relax after a hot day on the bike. Enjoy the pictures from this beautiful day!

The sun is shining – the mood is great and a day full of curves lies ahead Good morning from Wangaratta – Day 5 Yesterday Domenico already set the bar high: 65 kilometres of pure twisty roads to start the day – a real highlight of the tour. And today? Today I’m adding another 65 kilometres of breathtaking road to the mix. Even though the first days of the tour were already amazing and we wouldn’t want to miss them – since yesterday, we truly feel like we’ve arrived in Australia. Because now we’re far away from any big city, and the pure, endless Australian landscape opens up in front of our motorcycles. That’s exactly how today began. After our morning briefing, the route led us out of town and along countless cattle farms. We first crossed the wide open plains of the King Valley, before we turned off for our first photo stop: Powers Lookout. And right there we got our first taste of what we would enjoy later today – at least from a rider’s perspective. Beautiful, long sweeping corners mixed with tight hairpins, like a piece of art carved into the eucalyptus forest. Blue skies above us – and big smiles behind our helmets. Once we arrived at the top, there was a small challenge waiting for us: the last few kilometers to the lookout are on a forest track. But for our group that was no problem at all. We parked the bikes and enjoyed the view over the Cheshunt Mountains. After that we returned to the sealed road – and from there we had to stay fully alert until our coffee stop. Because on this stretch, the locals we’ve been hoping to see (and who have been strangely absent in the last few days) like to hop across the road. And then it happened: after one corner, the first candidate was sitting right there in the middle of the road – and showed us just how fast he can be. So… today we can finally tick it off the checklist: Kangaroo seen – check! We continued on – and in this case, even towards an award. Domenico is Italian… and if there’s one thing Italians know, it’s how a proper cappuccino should taste. And today we had exactly that. According to Domenico: the best cappuccino so far on this tour! After the coffee break we headed towards Lake Eildon – a lake that, when full, is absolutely massive. If you wanted to walk all the way around the shoreline, you’d better bring some time: 515 kilometres on foot. After a quick photo, it was finally time for the promised 65 kilometres of pure riding pleasure. Welcome to the Eildon–Jamieson Road – a true paradise for motorcyclists here in Australia. Hidden deep in the eucalyptus forest, the road winds its way through the landscape, while the air is filled with that natural scent you can’t compare to anything back home. It’s not like the smell of eucalyptus bath oil in Europe – this is the real thing. But the best part is simply this combination: Us on our motorcycles – and the road almost entirely to ourselves. Only three cars and three bikes came towards us. Okay, to be fair: it’s a weekday and it was 11 a.m. But still… just perfect. All that riding naturally makes you hungry – or at least you start thinking about what you could snack on. The dinners down here are quite generous and really good. Let’s put it this way: losing weight on tour!? Good luck with that! Refuelled and happy, we continued towards Melbourne – and to finish the day we had one more real highlight waiting for us. The magic word is: Yarra Range. But before I tell you more about that, I’ve got an idea: for now, you’ll get the photos – and the story part you’ll hear live, when you’re down here exploring Australia together with Domenico and me. After that final highlight, it was time to reach the hotel. Because tomorrow we’re heading onto the ferry to Tasmania – and a whole new chapter of our adventure begins. So now it’s time for a few pictures – and then the lights go out for us. And I’m pretty sure we’ll be dreaming of the last two days full of incredible roads. See you tomorrow Domenico & Axel

Day 6 – Closing the First Chapter of Australia Today we’re closing the first chapter of Australia. After a restful night east of Melbourne, it’s time to head for the ferry that will take us overnight to Devonport, Tasmania. But before that — we still get to enjoy at least a few kilometres on the bikes. Enjoy…? Well… the morning started with rain — and not just a little. Rain in every direction you looked. So the option of riding into Melbourne was postponed to another day, because the weather was more the kind that makes you want to stay in bed and wait for the clouds to finally move on. And then came the moment we had been waiting for: the sun broke through! Perfect timing — we packed our things, jumped on the motorcycles and headed south for a late lunch at an Italian restaurant on the coast in Sorrento. And no — it’s not Sorrento in Italy! After lunch we took a few photos as a reminder of this beautiful part of the coast, before boarding the small ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff. From there, we rode the final kilometres to Geelong, where we enjoyed an early dinner before heading to the big ferry. All in one, it was a relaxed day — exactly what we needed. Because from tomorrow on, we’ll be exploring the breathtaking island of Tasmania… and for that, we need fully charged batteries. We’re already excited for tomorrow — and you can be too, because the first photos from Tasmania are coming your way! Let’s just say this: it’s going to be devilishly good! Until tomorrow — Your Tour Guide Team Domenico & Axel

The Devil’s Day – from Devonport to Strahan After a ferry crossing overnight from Geelong to Devonport (Tasmania) that was, let’s say… not too rough, we started the day in a truly devilish way. Welcome back to our blog! It’s 8:30 a.m., and we’re sitting on our motorcycles, full of excitement, waiting for the ship’s ramp to finally open. We can’t wait to see what Tasmania is really like. As a little bonus, the sun is shining too — so off we go. But one quick look at the thermometer tells us: Tasmania is cold! 15°C isn’t much, especially when you know we’re heading from Devonport straight towards Cradle Mountain. So we park the bikes, add another layer, and get ready — which turns out to be a very smart move. Because with every kilometre, it gets colder… and the sky gets darker. Luckily, we still manage to catch a distant glimpse of the famous Cradle Mountain before we ride straight into the cloud cover. Up there, the temperature drops to 9°C, and of course, rain joins the party as well. But even that can’t stop us, because our first stop is the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. A hot tea to warm up is exactly what we need — and even better: just around the corner is the Tasmanian Devil Wildlife Centre, which is actually our main reason for coming up into the mountains. So, the tea finished, bikes parked at the Devil Wildlife Centre, camera in hand — and off we go. From the parking lot alone, we can already hear that the little devils are awake. And as you can see: the visit is absolutely worth it! After what feels like 200 photos, we continue on towards the West Coast, hoping for better — and most importantly warmer — weather. But the weather still isn’t ready to cooperate. The rain stays with us. Even so, the first 250 kilometres on the island are an absolute dream. The roads are full of curves, the scenery is stunning, and everything feels wild and untouched. Of course, we would have loved to experience those winding roads in dry conditions… but sometimes you just don’t get lucky. Still, it was a beautiful first day in Tasmania, and the photos should tell the story perfectly. We’ve now arrived in Strahan, and tomorrow we’ll head via Queenstown to Hobart, where we’ll stay for two days. You can already look forward to tomorrow, because we’ll be diving deeper into the original Tasmania — wild, untouched, and a dream for anyone who loves nature. See you tomorrow! Domenico & Axel

We left the beautiful hotel in Strahan on a sunny but chilly morning and headed toward Hobart, first passing through Queenstown, where we stopped for a photo at the impressive Iron Blow Lookout, overlooking the dramatic mining landscape. Riding through dense rainforest, we continued on to Lake St Clair — the deepest lake in Australia — for a relaxing coffee break. By then, the temperature had already risen and it became quite warm, so we removed one layer from our motorcycle gear. Soon it was time to get back on the bikes as we rode through the wild interior of Tasmania. Along the way, we stopped for lunch at a small and very cozy roadside restaurant. The food was great, even if the service was a bit slow! In the afternoon, before finally reaching Hobart, we took time to admire the beautiful Russell Falls, Tasmania’s most famous waterfall, surrounded by lush forest. It was a long day in the saddle, but tomorrow we can slow down a little and enjoy exploring the city. Of course, there will also be a motorcycle ride for those who simply can’t leave the bike standing still!

Rest day in Hobart! Part of the group stayed in the city to explore it a bit more (there is a hop-on hop-off bus), while the “die-hard” riders headed to Port Arthur, one of Australia’s most important and atmospheric historic sites. Located on the Tasman Peninsula, Port Arthur was a former convict settlement founded in the 19th century. Today, its well-preserved ruins tell the story of Australia’s colonial past. Walking among the old penitentiary, the guard tower, and the historic church, surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery, makes the visit both fascinating and moving. On the way back from Port Arthur, we stopped for a photo at the beautiful natural monument, Tasman Arch. This spectacular rock formation, carved by the powerful Southern Ocean, is one of the highlights of the Tasman Peninsula. Standing on the cliffs and watching the waves crash beneath the arch was truly impressive. In the evening, we all met up again for dinner at an Irish pub and then, after dinner, enjoyed a little walk along the waterfront and, why not, a delicious gelato! See you tomorrow!

Thank you for the amazing time, Hobart!!! After two days in Hobart, our journey continues today, heading north – and slowly but surely getting closer to the Great Ocean Road. But before we reach that point, we still have two riding days ahead of us. So then… how was our day today? With bright sunshine above us, we jumped on the bikes and made our way out of Hobart through the typical Monday morning traffic. Before long, the city was behind us and we were surrounded by wide open farmland in the east of Hobart. A small, curvy road took us over a range of hills, bringing us closer and closer to today’s destination: Tasmania’s East Coast. Because Tasmania truly has two completely different faces – and of course we wanted to see that with our own eyes. The West Coast had amazed us with high mountains and dense rainforest along our route. And the East Coast? - It couldn’t be more different. Here, wide fields and livestock farming shape the landscape. And the further north you ride, the more vineyards start to appear. On top of that, you have the Tasman Sea constantly on your right-hand side. It’s absolutely beautiful – but also kind of crazy how different the coasts of this small island can be. For lunch, we stopped right in the heart of Freycinet National Park, with stunning views of the red granite rocks – a real postcard moment. And for the riding highlight of the day, we tackled the Elephant Pass, which brought a perfect bit of twisty fun into the route. All in all, today was around 420 km. We’ve now arrived in Launceston, and we’re only one night away from the ferry that will take us closer to the Great Ocean Road. Good night for today and see you tomorrow! Domenico and Axel

A beautiful early morning ride through the rainforest was followed by a coffee stop in the charming village of Derby. This place must be a paradise for mountain bikers — there were so many around! After reaching the north coast, Axel was waiting for us in Bridport for a quick picnic with a view. Once refreshed, we continued on to Beauty Point to visit a wildlife center and see the platypuses. This fascinating animal lives only in Australia! Finally, without any more stops, we rode straight to Devonport, as we had to catch the ferry back to the mainland. Tonight we’ll be having dinner on board and sleeping on the ship, "gently" rocked by the sea, and tomorrow one of the highlights of the tour awaits us!

After a night on the ferry, we arrived in Geelong right on time, despite a rather unusual delay before departure, when a passenger suddenly decided he absolutely wanted to disembark after the ship had already cast off! Since we arrived very early, we had breakfast at a cozy little café in Geelong. A quick briefing over coffee, and then we set off towards the spectacular Great Ocean Road! The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic coastal drives, stretching along dramatic cliffs, wild beaches, and breathtaking ocean views. Built by returned soldiers after World War I, it is not only a scenic masterpiece but also an important historical landmark. Riding along this winding road, with the Ocean on our left and lush green hills on our right, was simply unforgettable. We also stopped at the famous Bell’s Beach to admire the surfers riding the powerful waves... and hoping that no sharks attack them! Plenty of photo stops along the way before reaching Lorne, where we enjoyed another coffee break. Afterwards, a beautiful road winding through eucalyptus forests first led us inland and then back to the coast, where we stopped for lunch before covering the final kilometers that separated us from Apollo Bay.

Good Morning from Apollo Bay – The Day of the Koala! The sky may be cloudy, but the mood is absolutely fantastic, because today an incredible day is waiting for us! We’re starting our second last day here in Apollo Bay, and the first highlight is literally just around the corner: Great Otway National Park. And after only the first few photos, it becomes clear: Today is the day of the Koala! Down here in the eucalyptus forests, these wonderfully relaxed little locals feel completely at home. Some of them weigh up to 12 kg, but first, you have to find them! So we hop on the bikes and ride into the national park. After a short while, we spot the first koalas — right above the road! Unfortunately, there’s no safe place to stop, so we keep going… with one eye on the road and the other scanning the treetops. And then it happens: The first koalas are truly in sight, hanging deep in the trees, completely chilled, as if they had absolutely nothing planned for today. Engines off, bikes parked and then comes that magical moment: Us. And the koalas. And since we have Captain Domenico (our drone pilot) with us and me as the paparazzi there’s nothing stopping us from capturing this moment for eternity. About 200 photos later (at least it felt like it), we continue our journey toward the lighthouse. And what is with the Kangaroos? Our wildlife adventure is far from over. Up until now, we’d been a little unlucky when it came to kangaroos. But today… that changes. After a few more kilometers and because we tour guides are getting pretty good at knowing where to look we stay alert… and get rewarded: There they are!!! A whole field full of kangaroos! This is exactly the Australia we want to show our group — and we honestly couldn’t be happier. After that, it was time for coffee and a quick recharge because highlight number two was already waiting: So welcome to the Otway Treetop Walk! From here on, it gets a little more active because now we explore without motorcycles, stepping straight into the original Australia. The kind of landscape it must have looked like when the first Europeans sailed here.We walk through the rainforest… about 40 metres above the ground.Impressive, unique, and absolutely unforgettable a highlight that shouldn’t be missed, even in light rain. And because two highlights aren’t enough, number three follows right away: The culinary moment of the day! Welcome to the kitchen of Don Domenico, who surprises us after our walk with homemade sandwiches and fresh fruit. Fully recharged we get back on the motorcycle and of we go. We continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Highlight Nr.4 - The Twelve Apostles. Unfortunately, distracted tourists cause an accident on the way to the coastal road, and traffic comes to a standstill. But instead of getting annoyed, it turns into an unexpected bonus highlight: A ride through the national park on a road that felt more like a forest track than an actual street. Looking back, none of us would want to miss that detour. At times it felt like another world - and we truly felt like explorers. And then the moment arrives: we reach the coast. We visit the Twelve Apostles, another checkmark on our checklist. But honestly, for me the real highlight is: The Bay of Islands. Fewer tourists - and if you actually count, it feels like there are even more “apostles” here than at the Apostles themselves. It doesn’t just sound like an unforgettable day… it truly was a day that will stay with us forever. And now that I’ve written so much - you probably want to see if my words match the photos. So here comes a big portion of pictures! Enjoy - and see you tomorrow for our final riding day. Domenico & Axel

Last day of the tour, from Warrnambool to Melbourne. We had breakfast near the sea, watching horses being bathed after their morning training on the track, before setting off and heading inland. It was fascinating to see how quickly the landscape changed, with endless wheat fields stretching to the horizon — not many curves today! We stopped for lunch in Ballarat, a historic town that flourished during the gold rush in the 19th century. After lunch, we continued towards Melbourne, where we returned the motorcycles before heading to the hotel for our final dinner together. We dined on the 40th floor of the hotel — what an incredible view over Melbourne, and what a fantastic way to end this amazing tour in Australia! We wish everyone a safe flight home and hope to see you again on another Edelweiss tour! Axel & Domenico