Australia 2003: First Annual HU Travellers Meeting
Ulmarra NSW, Australia, April 25-27, 2003
Click photo for larger image. Photo by Simon Hughes
2003 speakers:
- Ken and Carol Duval - Alaska and Africa
- Haydn and Dianne Durnell - Australia
- Cheryl and David Lange - North Asia, and all about Carnets
- Cliff and Jenny Batley, UK to Oz
- Ralph Dixon, Oz to UK
Meeting report from Ken and Carol Duval, meeting organisers 'extraordinaire,'
"Donning our full 'wets' forty minutes out of Brisbane we concluded that the First Horizons Unlimited Meeting in Ulmarra was going to be a very moist affair. Five plus hours later, waterlogged but undaunted we rolled into the Commercial Hotel just as a huge cloud emptied it's contents. Riders arrived through the afternoon completely unfazed by the weather and proceeded to erect their tents between cloudbursts. Australians generally are very thankful for rain when it comes as, in this driest of all the continents, these heavenly drops are a rare commodity, and besides, it is generally 'warm' rain. The Hotels' limited number of rooms were booked out early, and our hosts Dale & Kate Berney ensured we were all comfortable. Even the campers were catered for with a pile of fresh towels.
Photos from here down by Cliff and Jenny Batley...
and the heavens opened...
Friday was a 'get to meet everyone' day with some arriving well into the evening. The dirt riders being the last to arrive.... strange lot... they always seem to have the biggest grins. The covered, open-sided BBQ area provided excellent shelter and stories were exchanged of road adventures past and ones yet to be encountered.
Breakfast, which was included in the camping/room price, consisted of orange juice/tea/coffee, toasted bun loaf or bread and cereals.... sadly there was no Vegemite!
Phil Smith, (from the UK but living in Brisbane)
Ride organizers explained routes and endeavoured to entice riders out into the inclement weather to sample the surrounding roads. A brave few ventured out after we explained our intentions to commence our 'meeting' around 3.00pm with an informal discussion and question/answer time. This would be followed by a BBQ dinner and slide presentation from Ralph Dixon, Cliff and Jenny Batley, Haydn and Dianne Durnell and ourselves.
Haydn Durnell, Simon Kennedy - UK (with bike) and Rachel Delavaud - France
'Carnet de Passages' were discussed at length, problems with the fuel systems of modern bikes and their intolerance for the low quality and leaded fuels. The free flowing discussions were preceded by brief accounts of when and where our speakers had travelled. It was difficult to slow the momentum of discussion even when our hosts commenced preparations for our evening BBQ.
International visitors included Simon Kennedy (UK) Honda Transalp, and Rachel Delavaud (FR) KLR 250, who departed the UK in September 2000 on one bike travelling overland to Australia where Rachel purchased her own two wheeled transport. Cliff & Jenny Batley (UK) on 2 BMW F650s departed the UK in May 2002 travelling overland, but only recently arrived in Australia from New Zealand. Jeremy Franklin, (UK) Moto Guzzi, purchased the bike in NSW for a circumnavigation of Australia. Mark Deeley (AUS) NX650 was enroute to East Timor via Darwin heading to the UK.
Cheryl & David Laing with Cliff Batley
Slides proceeded quickly with Carol & I clicking through our adventures in Africa and Alaska followed by Ralph Dixon's exploits from Australia to the UK on a BMW F650. His journey was a fund raising effort for Multiple Sclerosis. A flamboyant storyteller, he often had us in fits of laughter. Our English overlanders, Cliff & Jenny Batley rushed together an impromptu digital presentation of their travel achievements in the Middle East, Asia and South East Asia.
The coup de grace was Haydn & Dianne Durnell's journey around Australia on their Harley Davidson. It was difficult to finish proceedings for the evening with several people talking well into the early hours of the morning.
Tom Forde on the F650 with Katy Harmsen
The venue was brilliant considering the weather, with ample space to escape the elements. Only positive comments were received about the food and our hosts who are more than willing to have us back again. Our first HU Meeting attracted 60 travellers or future travellers and special thanks go to the following people who, without them, the whole show would not have been possible.
Mike Stokes, Jane Johnson, Haydn & Dianne Durnell, Janette Connolly, Tony Cuffe, David Bell and Brian Tunks.
See you there next year!
Ken and Carol Duval, Event Organisers
And we want to add our thanks to all of the organisers, you did a terrific job, and thanks to the folks who came and had a great time - see you on the road someday, somewhere...
Grant and Susan Johnson
Some comments from those who were there...
"Grant,
I had a great time at the HU meeting. Great dirt roads to get there, met up with some good friends, made several new friends and enjoyed lots of interesting conversations. Ken and Carol (and others) did a great job. I think the same time and same place next year is an excellent suggestion.
Cheers, Tink, F650 Dakar, Brisbane, Australia."
Ron Durkin to the Oz Adventure Riders list
"G'Day All
The 1st Horizons Unlimited OZ gathering was held last weekend on the banks of the mighty Clarence at Ulmarra.
Good roll up (56) with at least a dozen travellers (and good participation of the BMW Bris GS team). Good presentations on overseas travel, some very funny stories and a large slide show & tell in the evening. Only let down really was the weather.
The OAR (Oz Adventure Riders) list got a good nod from HU's Brisbane Community Champions (Ken & Carol) It seems nearly all travellers are aware of or use our list and have to varying degree sampled OAR hospitality (I have even met some that have never heard of Nunawading!)
OARs Mike & Jane also did great support for the event and it seems that this could become a regular event.
It seems I was supposed to do a GPS presentation (wasn't aware) but did deal with the topic one on one with attendees. Will offer a treatise (an IMHO) to the list shortly.
Simon (UK) was there still looking for that sunshine (Mate ... come to Brisbane this, week it's here now!)
Mind you I want to change the logo of the event tee sheet though! From "One World - Two Wheels" ... to "One World - Two Wheels but no Kalashnikovs! (thank you very much)"
Cheers RTO"
Cliff and Jenny Batley, UK, F650's
Chris And Trina Weinberg, Cedar Creek, Australia
Brad Harker, Ken Andeson, Noel Harker
Camping at the back of the Hotel.
Haydn and Dianne Durnell, Toowoomba, Brigitte and Erik Waegeman, Gold Coast, Australia,
Jenny Batley, UK, F650
Graham Healey, Alan and Trish Geritz
Barry McDonald and Jan Robinson, Lismore, Australia
Bryce Wentworth, Armidale, Australia
Rachel Delavaud (France) and Simon Kennedy (UK).
Haydn Durnell and Cliff Batley.
Murray Brown - drying out.
Ralph Dixon and Mark Deeley (head down)
Campsite.
Ulmarra pub 12 kms from Grafton, NSW, on the Clarence river
The Commercial Hotel, Ulmarra
Dining and slide show covered area
Camp ground at the rear of the pub, backing onto the Clarence River
Getting There - GPS, Maps
GPS location: 29° 37' South 153° 02' East
Mapblast.com map. Zoom in for more detail.
Frank Warner sent us some links to great info on Ulmarra from Walkabout.com, and the pub we're going to be at. Also Government of Australia, Ulmarra info here.
Other Accommodation Possibilities
So far as we know ...
Travelmate.com - enter "Ulmarra" for links to accommodation etc. The Commercial Hotel is the pub - and the only accommodation. See info above for rates for the event. Grafton is also possible and only 12kms away.
Jacaranda Motorlodge , (9kms south of Ulmarra, 3kms north of Grafton.)
266 Pacific Hwy Grafton NSW 2460
Ph (02) 6642 2833
Fax: (02) 6642 6351
Single: $70
Double $80
Twin $90 Price does NOT include breakfast.
You need to do your own bookings there. Contact David at the lodge.
Jacaranda Motor Lodge, and Map here
"This beautiful unspoiled valley provides some glorious contrasts. Waterways are a major local feature and the mighty CLARENCE RIVER meanders out to sea at Yamba. Rural industries, farms and bush land, rugged and spectacular gorges, WORLD HERITAGE NATIONAL PARKS and stunning beaches are all within an hours drive of the Jacaranda Motor Lodge."
Any other suggestions anyone?
Information about the area
Travelmate.com and enter Ulmarra for links to what to do where.
Global Rescue is the premier provider of medical, security and evacuation services worldwide and is the only company that will come to you, wherever you are, and evacuate you to your home hospital of choice.
Additionally, Global Rescue places no restrictions on country of citizenship - all nationalities are eligible to sign-up! Travel medical insurance is also available, currently the limit is 90 days. (TIP: For Evac insurance - Click Multiple Trips and 365 days to get year long insurance.)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes! NOTE: Travel medical insurance currently has a limit of 90 days.
Member login
Announcements
Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
Are you an Overland Adventure Traveller?
Does the smell of spices wafting through the air make you think of Zanzibar, a cacophony of honking horns is Cairo, or a swirl of brilliantly patterned clothing Guatemala? Then this is the site for you!
Hosted by Grant and Susan Johnson, RTW 1987-1998
Next HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
Books
All the best travel books and videos listed and often reviewed on HU's famous Books page. Check it out and get great travel books from all over the world.
NOTE: As an Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases - thanks for your help supporting HU when you start from an HU Amazon link!