Day 4 was the final day of the Ducati Turismo and was a run down to the coast. Tenterfield was cool but dry when I set out and I stopped first at the Corner Cafe in Tenterfield for a good country breakfast.
The first section of the run was on the Bruxner Highway to Casino – 128 kms of a mix of twists, turns, sweeping bends and undulations. There was a reasonable amount of traffic and the temperature rose very quickly to be double what it was when I started out this morning.
I passed several other Ducatisti on the way to Casino and took some time there to refuel, rehydrate and remove several layers as it was now 26 degrees C.
Next I turned north to Kyogle which was a fast sweeping road for about 25 kms before turning right and heading up toward the Queensland border. An interesting fact about the “association” laws that have been enacted in several States in Australia is that we could not go into Queensland without the risk of being arrested! The new laws which are designed to stop outlaw bikie gangs also affect other groups who are law abiding.
The run from Kyogle was twisty and hard work but did go through some scenic countryside and I should have turned left at Uki but missed the junction and ended up in Murwillumbah, which wasn’t a bad thing because I found the Tweed Valley Way which was a wonderful road down to Mooball.
Mooball is covered in cow prints – even the telegraph poles arre black and white! From here it is about 40 odd kms down dual carriageway to Byron Bay where I had booked a small self catering apartment. I was seriously hot by the time I arrived from not only the heat but the physical effort of throwing the bike around all day.
It was only 280 kms for the day, however the twists and turns certainly made it hard work at times!
Hi Vince,
I’ll answer your questions in another post today.
I couldn’t get to this one and appreciate that you have written about the experience on the go. But I know well a big part of Turismo’s is the interplay with fellow Ducatisti. So kinda hoped this aspect would get a bit of cover, whatever you thought of it – eg how was the food and entertainment for what was the most expensive and shortest Turismo ever? And what was it like with all the Dukes around? How many and where are all the pics? I’m not complaining, just pointing out this is a big part of a road trip like this and worthy of content.
Hi Vince,
I’ll answer your questions in another post today.