Chucking a yarn: Tales from the blacktop and beyond
Welcome, legends! This is where the rubber meets the dirt, and the stories come alive. Dive into ripper yarns from fellow riders – epic journeys, gnarly tracks, and even a few funny mishaps. Get ready to be inspired, share a laugh, and feel the thrill of the open road, all from the comfort of your couch. Or better yet, from your foot pegs!
Epic rides, wild roads
From the scorching red center of Australia to the winding coastal roads, our riders tackle it all. Read about monumental, long trips that push limits and gnarly tracks that test grit and determination. These are the tales of true adventure, full of challenges overcome and horizons chased. Chuck us your thoughts in the contacts or join our community on Facebook at Hold My Beer Adventure Riders.
Mishaps, mates, and memorable moments
It's not always smooth sailing – sometimes the best stories come from the unexpected. Enjoy tales of funny mishaps, unexpected detours, and the unbreakable mateship forged on the road. These uniquely awesome yarns from The Hold My Beer Adventure Riders aren't just about the ride, they're about the spirit of adventure and community. After reading these, you'll be keen for your own ride, guaranteed!
Your adventure, your story
There are heaps of riding stories out there, but what makes ours special is you, our mob. We're building a community where every twist of the throttle and every breathtaking view can be shared. Don't just read about the adventures – become part of them! Submit your own yarn and inspire the next wave of riders. We want to hear what gets you buzzing!
Stories from our Followers
The Don River Dash Trip
Over a Hold My Beer discussion I decide to join a ride from Yeppoon to Bowen via as many dirt roads as possible and watch the Don River Dash.
Day1
When meeting at a servo for the general meet and greet it turned out there were 15 of us.
We headed out through Alton Downs, Glenroy Crossing, Marlborough then up the highway to Tooloomba Creek. Onwards along the main highway to the Croydon turn off, up over Croydon Range then along Old Coach Rd, Collaroy Rd, Tierawoomba Station Rd to Nebo (Top Spot Nebo Hotel), west on Turrawulla Rd with a side trip into Mt Britton, up the pipeline Rd to Eungella Dam where we split as some camped at the dam and some of us went on to Broken River cabins. Good days ride of about 570 kms.
Day 2
We regrouped at Eungella dam where I had some fuel anxiety and brought 5 Ltrs of Fuel from another camper. From there we went up or should I say down Mt Barker Road to Turrawulla Road, Past Ex Moor Station detoured into the Washpools, then onto Collinsville. Then up the bitumen to Bowen. Where we stayed at the Harbour Lights Caravan Park. Only a small day's ride of 280kms.
What was left of the day was spent checking out the Dash and sightseeing.
Day 3
This day was spent watching the Don River Dash. The Don River Dash is a 300km course set on the Don River in the middle of Bowen. Well worth checking out, the 2026 Dash is on Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September.
Day 4
Left Bowen and headed back to Collinsville, then out to the Bowen River Hotel this is a 160 year old hotel and still operating (Coffee was good there) onto The Burdekin Dam, up to Mt Coolan down to Lake Elphinstone then Nebo then on to St Lawrence via Tierawoomba, Collaroy, Old Coach Rd and Croydon Rd. A big day's ride 670kms.
Day 5
Down the highway to Tooloomba Creek, across Anglewood Rd to Apis Creek Rd on to the Mackenzie River, across Stoney Creek Rd via Rookwood weir and Gogango, down to Westwood then on to Rockhampton. Small days ride 300kms.
Total trip was 1885kms with 1200kms of that being dirt and 65kms sightseeing around Bowen.
Charon Point
Not everyone is as fortunate as I am to have their son ride with them. Once again over a Hold My Beer Moment we decided to do a overnight camping trip up to Charon Point just outside Marlborough.
As per normal we took the long way out through Gogango, down the Apis Creek Rd to Marlborough then out to Charon Point for the night. The next day was home through Glenroy Crossing back to Rockhampton. Charon Point is a Conservation Park located at the mouth of The Styx River 58 kms from Marlborough. It has 3 campsites and we chose the beach sight. Riding conditions were great and involved a bit of banter over the campfire that night, even the local wildlife came in for a feed and yarn. Once again it was a top trip many thanks Cheyne.
Eungella Dam
Once again another Hold My beer discussion was held with my son, and it was unanimously decided that a camping trip was needed.
So off to Eungella Dam for an overnighter, this time we went up through Glenroy Crossing, up the inland Sarina Rd to Anglewood Rd, across to Tooloomba Creek, up the highway to Croydon Rd, Old Coach Road, Collaroy Rd, Tierawoomba Station Rd to Nebo (Nebo Hotel), after Nebo it was west on Turrawulla Rd to the Pipeline Rd
and Eungella Dam. Eungella Dam is located 120 kms from Mackay in the Eungella State Forrest it has a dispersed camping area on many large grassy and shaded reserve, Hot and cold showers as well as toilet facilities are available. Once again, a great trip was had and next morning, we decided to head home pretty much the same way until we reached Funnel Creek where it was decided to go down the Sarina Inland Rd to "The Homestead" at Lotus Creek once again this proved to be a future camping trip. Lotus Creek "The Homestead" has powered and non-powered caravan and campsites with a cafe/restaurant, guest laundry and shower and toilet facilities. There is a great spot for a swim or a meditating coffee on the riverside deck.
After "The Homestead" we continued on past the Clarke Creek windfarm then down Glenroy Crossing to Rockhampton. Cheyne had a Hold My Beer Moment with a flat tyre at the Croydon Olympic Torch Memorial. Once again, another top trip was had so thanks Cheyne.
The Adventure Bike Fishing Trip
Well, I cannot say for sure that this was a Hold My Beer Discussion as I was invited to go along on an Adventure Bike Fishing trip with 7 other riders. A group organised fishing trip what could go wrong, I thought. At the meet on Sunday morning Baxy, Bart, Simon, Garth, Tristan, Sam and Myself asked Alex for the destinations of the fishing spots only to be told that they were highly secret and would only be disclosed when we reached them, but he did say that "I guarantee at least a meter of fish would be caught". Sounded promising so let's go.
As with all our rides the more dirt we can ride the better, first stop was Mt Wheeler (No fish here Alex) interesting history though apparently when there is good rain the cliff face becomes a waterfall and there is an interesting cave where according to Alex a Chinese Miner lived. So onwards to the first fishing spot where we waited for the turn of the tide, Sam and Baxy scored the first hits with 2 Barra and a Catfish, as the weather was extremely hot and humid it was decided that we would proceed on to the Marlborough Hotel where we were based. So, an early day produced a bit of playful banter and some bench racing. Monday dawned much the same as Sunday, hot and humid. Breakfast was at Grandmas General Store next door. Best bacon and egg burger, I have had in a while then it was off to the 2nd secret location with a bit of a ride up the side of the main highway to avoid some of the monotonous bitumen this location however did not yield any fish, so it was off to the third location. By this time the heat was well any truly set in and true to form the Bavarian Adventure Bike Syndrome occurred with Baxy's big girl needing a rest, he reckons there was hole where he put his foot and his suspension was set at the highest level, not sure but it took a bit of grunting and groaning from him and Sam to get her back on her feet, unfortunately this spot yield no fish as well. We were starting to doubt Alex by this time, but he assured us the next one would produce the goods. So further up the highway with a detour into St Lawerance. Arriving at our fourth location proved to be a very enjoyable spot and Sam scored again with another Barra and Garth hooking up but losing his fish. Once again accommodation was at the Marlborough Hotel and produced another good night of bench racing and cool respite from the heat. Tuesday dawned with rain and a long table discussion was held at Grandmas General Store over the traditional bacon and egg burger and a few extra coffees, that some us would head home down the highway (Wet Ass all the way) and the rest would head over Glenroy crossing, it was rumored that a Catfish and Sleepy Cod were caught here but no Photographic evidence was produced. The statistics of the trip where 3 Barra, 2 Catfish and a Sleepy Cod were caught, about 700kms of Adventure riding was done, a few beers were consumed and a bit of bench racing done so all in all a good trip was held, and as we all agreed Alex did fulfill has word and if you put all the Barra together a meter of fish was caught. Thanks Guys another good trip was had.
Disclaimer no fish were hurt as catch and release practices were followed and no I am not allowed to divulge Alex's secret spots.
