TRAVEL FEATURE - AUSTRALIA
JASON WILLIAMS
WELCOME TO THE WILD WEST
Leaving the picturesque seaside town of Stanley , we had five days of riding some of Tasmania ’ s most remote tracks . Wild rivers , abandoned mining towns , waterfalls and stunning views were all promised … then we were told that ’ s just the first two days .
This was riding Tasmania ’ s wild West Coast with the team at the company with a similar name , it looked like it would be epic with a touch of style thrown in , we ’ d spend six nights in pub style accommodation . Could anything get better in the wilds of Tasmania ?
Our first night was Sunday , in the town of Stanley , famous for The Nut , this small town has a European history that goes back to the early days of colonial Australia . Founded in 1825 by the Van Diemen ’ s Land Company , Stanley was named for Lord Stanley , British Secretary of War and the Colonies . Stanley has a chequered history , but then , doesn ’ t most of Australia ’ s island state ? It ’ s a stunning town that maintains most of its colonial charm .
Meeting at the Stanley Hotel , many for the first time , riders settled with a beer and a nervous anticipation of what was to come , we knew this would be a team effort . With the regions ’ best steak and seafood , it was a chance to gauge the standards and egos that some riders proffered , attitudes that would be dragged back to earth on the first day .
Monday morning , we left Stanley , heading south , deep into regrowth forest that took us down to the Arthur River and deep in to the ‘ Tarkine ’. Rivers crossings that tested us all with boulders , green with a coating of slippery moss . The old logging trails had not seen vehicles in over 40 years , enough to challenge the best of riders , a significant ride of seven hours and as we approached the former tin
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