Outback odyssey event information

• Adelaide to Blinman
• 3 - 18 May 2025
• 16 days of adventure
• 900+ km (full Mawson trail – Shorter sector options available)
• Skill level required: Moderate (it’s not a technical route, but some MTB skills will be advantageous)
• Fitness level required: Moderate (you don’t need to be an elite athlete but you will require a good level of fitness and ability to endure some long days in the saddle)

Full Mawson  |  Adelaide to Blinman | 16 Days | 3 - 18 May 2025

$3,250 BSA Member     $3,450 Non-Member

Mini Mawson #1 | Adelaide to Burra | 5 days  | 3 - 7 May 2025      

$1,085 BSA Member     $1,195 Non-Member

Mini Mawson #2  | Burra to Melrose | 6 days | 7 - 12 May 2025

$1,245 BSA Member    $1,355 Non-Member

Mini Mawson #3 | Melrose to Blinman | 7 days  | 12 - 18 May 2025

$1,465 BSA Member    $1,585 Non-Member

Note:  Rider numbers limited to maximum 200 with priority given to Full Mawson riders

Limited availability of 25 riders for each of Mini Mawson 1, 2 & 3

To add your name to a Waitlist in case of cancellation, email office@bikesa.asn.au

Registration Includes

• Exclusive Outback Odyssey Jersey
• Transport of luggage from campsite to campsite
• Comfortable campsites, flush toilets & hot showers
• Undercover dining facilities with tables & chairs
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners (except Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Rest Days, Lunch & Dinner on final day)
• Programmed activities and entertainment

NOTE:

 Bring Your Own tent, sleeping bag/mat for camping

Optional Extras

• Coach Transport:  to/from Burra / Melrose / Blinman (refer to FAQ for more details)
• Mountain bike hire – contact Bike SA office for details
• Massage therapy – qualified therapists will accompany the ride
• Deluxe Camping accommodation – $995 per tent*** (available only for the full tour) 
• Limited Cabin, B&B, hotel/motel accommodation may be available in some overnight venues
• Secure car parking available Adelaide, Burra & Melrose – contact Bike SA office for details

*** Optional Deluxe Camping accommodation – includes large 2 person tent, set up & packed down each day, plus 1 air mat per person. BYO pillow
***Available to Full Mawson participants only

The Outback Odyssey is not just for the super fit but it is a challenge. Depending on your level of fitness or time available there are several distance options available - so you consider your level and the amount you want to be challenged. Choose an option and enjoy the ride!

• Full Mawson:          Adelaide - Blinman    - 16 days    3 - 18 May
• Mini Mawson 1:    Adelaide to Burra       - 5 days       3 - 7 May
• Mini Mawson 2:    Burra to Melrose        - 6 days       7 - 12 May
• Mini Mawson 3:    Melrose to Blinman  - 7 days       12 - 18 May

Click on the Route for each day below to view on ridewithgps.com
Route shown is a general guide - accuracy cannot be guaranteed and changes may occur prior to the event.

Mini Mawson One

Saturday 3 May            - Adelaide to Lobethal  -  40km    Route Day 1
Sunday 4 May                - Lobethal to Tanunda  -  75km     Route Day 2
Monday 5 May              - Tanunda to Riverton  -  78km     Route Day 3
Tuesday 6 May              - Riverton to Burra        -  87km      Route Day 4
Wednesday 7 May      - Rest Day  Burra       Day 5
End Mini Mawson One

Start Mini Mawson Two

Mini Mawson Two

Thursday 8 May           - Burra to Hallett         -  85km          Route Day 6
Friday 9 May                  - Hallett to Spalding  -  46km           Route Day 7
Saturday 10 May         - Spalding to Laura     -  83km           Route Day 8
Sunday 11 May             - Laura to Melrose      -  57km          Route Day 9
Monday 12 May           - Rest Day  Melrose    Day 10
End Mini Mawson Two
Start Mini Mawson Three

Mini Mawson Three

Tuesday 13 May             - Melrose to Quorn  -  71km                                     Route Day 11
Wednesday 14 May     - Quorn to Hawker  -  112km                                   Route Day 12
Thursday 15 May          - Hawker to Rawnsley Park  -  94km                    Route Day 13
Friday 16 May                 - Rawnsley Park to Wilpena Pound  -  26km   Route Day 14
Saturday 17 May           - Wilpena Pound to Blinman  -  66km                  Route Day 15
END of MAWSON TRAIL

Sunday 18 May - Blinman to Adelaide by coach
End Outback Odyssey & Mini Mawson Three

Below you will find essential information to help you enjoy your ride.

The updated 2025 Outback Odyssey Ride Guide V2 is now available.

An updated printed copy of the Ride Guide including any last minute amendments will be included in the rider Welcome Pack on the first day of the ride, along with your Outback Odyssey jersey and Mawson Trail maps that you will need to refer to along the way.

Please take time to view the following information resources:

• Ride Guide V2
• A Day in the Life of Outback Odyssey
• Mawson Trail Navigation Information - How do I find my way?
• Deluxe Camping Package Information
• Bike Transport Information
• Bike Mechanic Information - Bill's Bicycle Service
• Overnight Accommodation Venues
• Non-Camping Accommodation
• E-Bikes on Outback Odyssey
• Carparking Information
• My Bike – What sort of bike should I ride?
• My Gear – What do I need to bring along?
• My Ride – A little more about the ride?
• My Training – How should I prepare my fitness for the ride?
• Secret Women’s Business – How do I look after my rear end?
• Recommended Reading: Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Hubert Wilkins
• Riesling & Rattler Trail info
• Alison’s story 2011
• Alison’s preparation story 2011

• Outback Odyssey Terms and Conditions

 May is a great time to be riding the Mawson Trail with relatively stable weather. The extreme heat of summer is gone and it’s not yet time for the full onset of winter chills. Typically it’s mild sunny days and cool nights – ideal for riding.  

 Yes, the accommodation on Outback Odyssey is camping and you do need to supply your own tent, sleeping bag and inflatable mattress.
When you arrive in the campsite at the end of each day you’ll need to collect your luggage/tent from the luggage truck and set up your own tent. The next morning you pack everything up and take it back to the luggage truck for transport to the next destination. 

Optional Deluxe Camping accommodation also available– includes large 2 person tent, set up & packed down each day, plus 1 air mat per person. BYO pillow
Available to Full Mawson participants only

Please note:  If the Deluxe Camping allocation shows as being Sold Out, you can be added to the Deluxe Camping waitlist. Please contact us to be added to the waitlist.

There may be the option of extra cabin/pub/B&B/motel accommodation in some places on route for riders to organise for themselves. You are more than welcome to do a combination of tent/cabin accommodation for the trip if you wish to have a few nights of luxury. More information regarding accommodation options at each of the overnight venues will be posted in due course

The ride will depart from Hindmarsh Square in the Adelaide CBD

Official start time is 8.30am, so please be early to register and load your luggage. Parking plus coffee and croissants will be available from 7am. There will be a briefing at 8.10am before we head off along the banks of the Torrens River and wave goodbye to the city.  

The total luggage allowance is 25kg but individual luggage items must not exceed 14kg (it’s easier and safer to pack two lighter bags than one big bag). Excess baggage fees apply up to a maximum of 28kg.  If flying to Adelaide please take time to check your airline ticket/baggage restrictions.

See the My Gear info sheet for more detail including what sort of luggage to bring.

Flying with your bike: Tips from a baggage handler

Luggage can be dropped off and loaded straight on to the luggage truck at our office on the Friday afternoon prior to departure from 3pm until 5pm only. Take a small overnight bag for your night in Adelaide. This can be loaded onto the luggage truck at the official departure point on Saturday morning.  

There is no facility for overnight bike storage at our office. Check with your accommodation provider about bike and bike box storage options, as most will be happy to store your bike and/or box for you.

Adelaide Airport Flyer offers door-to-door minibus transfers from/to Adelaide airport, outer suburbs and surrounding area. Door-to-door 7 day service. Reservation is appreciated at least 48 hours prior to travel.
Phone 1300 856 444 or +61 8 8389 3528 | Fax +61 8 8389 3572 | www.adelaideairportflyer.com | info@adelaideairportflyer.com

Adelaide Superb Chauffeurs offer luxury airport transfers in a Mercedes Benz V-Class van and enclosed bike trailer. Maximum of 6 people.
Call Shane on 0477 788 654 or via their website www.adelaidesuperbchauffeurs.com

You can also book a Maxi Cab.

Uber XL drivers may also be able to transport boxed bikes. Check with the driver upon booking.

Des’s Mini Bus Phone: (08) 8440 1600 https://dessminibus.com.au

Adelaide Independent Taxis  Phone: 13 22 11   www.aitaxis.com.au/maxi-taxis

Transport Options Adelaide Airport

Yes, absolutely! International participants are welcome to join our tours. When registering, ensure you provide accurate details and consider your arrival dates to allow for any flight or travel delays. Please note that while we do not offer assistance with travel arrangements or visas, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about the event to help you plan your trip.

Did you know that international attendees can also become Bike SA members? Bike SA membership provides you with a discount off the regular price of the tour, plus it provides some personal injury and third-party insurance coverage. Learn more.

 The Outback Odyssey is a ride for all who enjoy “off-road” riding, with kilometres of trail perfect for uninterrupted touring. The Trail’s unsealed roads are usually great to ride on. They’re wide with a good camber. Of course, there will always be a few potholes and crumbling edges in places, so care is needed. And in the Flinders Ranges you may come across washed out creek beds. The surface aggregate can change in an instant from firm and rocky to loose and sandy. And if there is a lot of rain, some parts of the trail can become quite sticky, slippery and at times very boggy. This is why knobbly mountain bikes tyres are essential.

On previous Outback Odyssey rides some have chosen to ride a lighter hybrid style bike with wide, grippy tyres and more recently Gravel / CX bikes have become more popular for off-road trail riding. Whilst it is possible to ride the Mawson Trail on any of these types of bikes, we have found that a mountain bike provides the best all round option to cater for a wide variety of trail surfaces and weather conditions.

We recommend you bring a mountain bike with a minimum of front suspension to allow a more comfortable ride all round. We would also highly recommend that your bike has disc brakes for increased braking efficiency and less likelihood of clogging with mud in wet conditions.

 If you don’t have a suitable mountain bike, then you can hire one from Bicycle SA. We have a limited number to choose from in a range of sizes.  Please contact Bike SA office on 08 8168 9999 or email office@bikesa.asn.au for more details. 

Yes, you are more than welcome to use an electric assist bicycle, provided that it complies with South Australian Standards relevant to “Pedelec power assisted bicycles” i.e.maximum 250w power output using pedal-assist system only. View SA Compliance Details Here

A designated “recharging area” will be located at each overnight venue but you will need to provide your own cables for recharging batteries.
Please be aware that access to 240v power outlets may be limited in some venues and you will need to share recharging time with other riders.

 For more information please read the E-Bikes on Outback Odyssey information sheet 

The Outback Odyssey registration fee includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day EXCEPT for the following meals:

Breakfast on Day 1 in Adelaide
Lunch on the Rest Days at Burra and Melrose
Lunch and Dinner on the Final day
For those participating in the shorter Mini-Mawson ride options, all daily meals are included apart from Dinner only on arrival day and Breakfast only on departure morning.

We shall do our utmost to cater for riders who have specific dietary requirements, i.e. vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant, low fat, etc.
For those riders who have more specific dietary needs including low FODMAP, Paleo and food allergies, please feel free to contact us with any concerns you may have.
Call 8168 9999 or send your queries to office@bikesa.asn.au

Adelaide to Burra (for Mini Mawson 2 riders) - $105

Burra to Adelaide (for Mini Mawson 1 riders) - $105

Adelaide to Melrose (for Mini Mawson 3 riders) - $115

Melrose to Adelaide (for Mini Mawson 1 & 2 riders) - 115 

Melrose to Burra (for Mini Mawson 2 riders) - $85

Blinman to Adelaide (for final stage Mawson riders) - $165**

Blinman to Melrose (for Mini Mawson 3 riders) - $165** 

Blinman to Burra (for Mini Mawson 2 & 3 riders) - $165**

**Transfer prices from Blinman to Melrose and  Burra are set as it takes up a seat from the Adelaide coach

Adelaide to Burra – Wed 7 May (for Mini Mawson 2 riders) 

Depart Bicycle SA office 12.30pm:  Arrive approx 3.30pm. 

Burra to Adelaide – Wed 07 May (for Mini Mawson 1 riders) 

Depart 8.00am:   Arrive approx 11.00am.

Adelaide to Melrose – Mon 12 May 

Depart Bicycle SA office 12.30pm:  Arrive Melrose approx 4.00pm. 

Melrose to Adelaide – Mon 12 May 

Depart 8.00am:  Arrive approx 11.30am 

Melrose to Burra – Mon 12 May 

Depart 8.30am:  Arrive approx 10.30am 

Blinman to Melrose / Burra / Adelaide -  Sun 18 May   Depart at 8.30am. 

Buses will arrive in Melrose at approx 12.30pm and in Burra at approximately 2.30pm.

Buses will arrive at Adelaide Central Bus Station, 85 Franklin St Adelaide at approximately 6pm.

It is not necessary to pack your bike into a box for the coach transfer. We have plenty of cardboard/blankets to cushion the transported bikes. You will however, have to turn the handlebars and  remove the pedals, depending on the available space.

Adelaide Parking

For those riding the Full Mawson or Leg #1

We have made arrangements with the City of Adelaide UPark facilities for access to car parking at 3 locations in Adelaide CBD. This must be pre-booked - the cost is $19.50 per day. Head to our bookings page to select and confirm your carpark booking.

Burra Parking

For those riding Leg #2 or Legs #2 + #3
Free parking (booking required: head to our bookings page) is available at the Department of Environment and Heritage depot, Landore Street, Burra. The DEH depot gate is locked overnight and when unattended. Check-in at Burra Oval first to get settled in prior to parking. The depot will be open for the parking of vehicles between 3pm and 4pm Wed 7 May; then again at approximately 10.30am on Mon 12 May and 2.30pm on Sun 18 May (or whenever the transfer vehicle arrives from Melrose / Blinman). 

Melrose Parking

For those riding Leg #3

Free unsecured parking (booking required: head to our bookings page) will be available in Melrose. Venue details will be confirmed in the weeks prior to the event . If leaving your car at Melrose, you can first drive your vehicle to the campsite to unload your gear. 

Private support vehicles are not permitted along the route (sections of the Mawson Trail can only be accessed by special permit). Depending on capacity, special arrangements may be made with non-riding partners, to be part of the event, camping with us and sharing meals. However, there is a limit to how many people can participate in Outback Odyssey and priority will always be given to those riding.  Contact Bicycle SA for options. Non-riding partners may also consider volunteering for the event, helping with catering, logistics, transport or a range of other roles.
Contact volunteer coordinator Maureen Merrick for details – maureen.merrick@bikesa.asn.au

 We recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance at the time of booking- to cover you for everything that could occur (cancellation due to illness/injury, lost/damaged baggage in transit, theft of bike, flight changes, etc.)  The following outlines our refund/cancellation policy:

• Cancellation notified more than 60 days prior to event – a $75 cancellation administration fee applies;
• Cancellation notified 60 days or less and more than 30 days prior to event – a cancellation fee of 50% applies;
• Cancellation notified 30 days or less prior to event – a cancellation fee of 100% applies;

Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for more details