where we were able to cross via a river barge leading to ride through the Norfolk Range along the winding Western Explorer .
Beach tracks beckoned and we finished the day at the small town named for the river it straddles , Arthur River . The further into the ride we ventured the more we found towns with ever decreasing populations , the remoteness demonstrated by the smaller communities .
A bacon and egg breakfast whilst looking out to sea , a place where the ‘ roaring forties ’ tear across the Southern Ocean , untouched since crossing Patagonia . Everyone contemplated the challenge of the new day ; sand , and lots of it .
The ride back toward the south took us to Sandy Cape , aptly named for the multitude of dunes , and some of Tasmania ’ s largest , amongst remote beaches and tracks considered some of the states last offroad playgrounds .
Sand legs eventually came with a diet of the grainy stuff , most of us took a mouthful at some point . Regardless of whether you love or hate sand this was by far the most physical day of riding , one that exhausted , one that provided plenty of tales . With beers in hand , we regaled on the banks of the Arthur River while enjoying a seafood feast . We knew that our last day was coming and although exhausted we wanted more .
The last day took us back to the sand , playing amongst untouched dunes and spectacular ocean views . We rode north to the surfing town of Marrawah before taking to an old tramway through the ancient rainforests and then popped out in lush dairy farmland .
Zigzagging our way through old logging tracks we made our way back along the north coast to Smithton where we were given a firsthand tour of the local robotic dairy / cheese
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