Tasmania  – leave Sat 3^rd March – return Mon 12^th March, 2007

Tasmania is motorcycle heaven: few people, fantastic roads and scenery, relatively cheap accommodation, and the locals speak the same language and love tourists. As per last time, we will set up base camps and do day trips, moving every few days to a different location. Whether you attend an organized day ride or follow your own itinerary is up to you. Usually we meet each night over a meal and share the day’s experiences.

The plan is to go for 8 days leaving on a Saturday and returning the following Labour Day Monday. This was the successful formula we used in 2003 and 2005. We usually have a couple of cars to act as mules to carry the luggage, allowing us to ride unencumbered. The first week in March avoids the school holidays and has the greatest chance of fine weather and adequate day light hours. 

The plan is to travel during the day for $228 per person return. Check out the prices at: http://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au as they fluctuate quite a bit. Bike $90 return. Car $138 return. These prices are current as of 31^st October, 2006.

Last time we had 18 people, 15 bikes, 3 cars and travelled between 2,500 and 3,600 km each, and had fantastic weather for 85% of the time. 

The trip is a goer! Sufficient interest has been shown. Deposit ($228 plus $90 = $318) into Club bank account with YOUR NAME if you and bike. If car and driver, then (228+138=366). Legging it: $228

I have booked for 8 people. Is your name on the list?

Xmas Camp, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park, Porepunkah

Tuesday 26^th December to Tuesday 2^nd   January 2006

Over the past 10 years or so the Club has camped for about a week at the Mt Buffalo Caravan Park. Situated on the fork of the Ovens and Buckland Rivers it offers a fantastic range of activities including swimming, fishing and bush walking. Close by is the Smoko Trout Farm, the “Wandi Pub”, the Hedge Maze, various berry, deer and nut farms, and an alpaca ranch. The famous Milawa wineries and cheese factory are close by.

Great road and dirt riding country abounds. Mt Buffalo offers a sensational 25 km climb to the scenic Chalet and lookouts. Nearby are good half-day rides to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Dartmouth Dam or full day rides into the Snowy Mountains and some of the best roads in the world. Who can forget Tawonga Gap? On the flip side there are lots of fire trails and mountain tracks offering spectacular views of the surrounding alps, most of which can only be reached by 4WD or dirt bike. So, bring your road and dirt bikes, the missus and kids, the 4WD, pushbikes, swim shoes and truck inner tubes or li-los to float down the river. Supermarket shopping is available at Bright, 6 km away.

The Club usually secures some unpowered sites “under the willows”. Last year a few couples rented self contained cabins for the week, another good option. Ring 03-5756-2235 to secure a cabin or a powered site. Otherwise tell Ian Payne of your intention to camp with the group. Do it now.

Towong Melbourne Cup Weekend, Saturday 4^th to Tuesday 7^th November, 2006

The Committee has booked the spectacular "Snowy Mountain Holidays" house and two cottages accommodation package, on the Murray River at Towong, 11 km out of Corryong. As usual, the Melbourne Cup holiday falls on the first Tuesday of November giving us the opportunity of a four day weekend and allowing us to take full advantage of the great location. The plan is to ride up Saturday, ride around the hills Sunday and Monday and return to Melbourne on Tuesday. This means three nights accommodation. You'll need to take annual leave for the Monday. See past years' magazine articles for daily ride routes.

As usual, this is strictly first come, first served, with any overflow into either The Ridge or the Corryong pubs. Preference will be given to members. A $135 deposit is required. The deposit buys you three nights accommodation. All you need is your toothbrush, a change of clothes and near new tyres, or a method of replacing them.

There are NO places left at Snowy Mountain Holidays house. Alternative accommodation can be provided at The Ridge. Contact details are Sharon and Mark on 02-6076-8252, or at the Pinnabar Motel in Corryong.