Rob Vandenburg, an unassuming adventurer passionate about the rugged unknown, has spent years exploring the Australian Outback on two wheels. His weapon of choice? A trusty Suzuki DR650 motorcycle was bought sight unseen back in 2016. It turned out to be a gamble worth taking, launching him on an epic journey of over 120,000 kilometres across deserts, through remote tracks, and into the heart of the Australian Outback’s wild beauty.
Rob has embraced a life of freedom and challenge
From the moment he revved the engine, Rob has embraced a life of freedom and challenge. He traverses iconic paths like the Gunbarrel Highway, an unforgiving mix of sand and gravel that tests even the hardest travellers. Fuel stops are few, so he’s mastered the art of self-reliance, often carrying up to 75 Liters of fuel and enough food to survive a week in isolation.
He painted a vivid picture of life on the road, from his simple outback meals of dehydrated food and green tea to the sheer delight of finding an ice cream stop in a remote spot. His escapades highlight the joys and challenges of solo travel, filled with quirky characters, breathtaking sights, and occasional predicaments.
One highlight was Rod’s muddy misadventure at Lake Eyre. Determined to dip his toes into the rarely filled lake, he braved sticky mud only to find himself knee-deep, with no water to clean off. His resourcefulness led him to use sand for a "foot scrub."
The roads themselves presented plenty of challenges. At one point, Rod miscalculated fuel and pushed his bike for 100 meters. In true Rod fashion, he turned this mishap into a tale of resilience, complete with camel pie from Birdsville’s bakery as his ultimate reward. He met fascinating people, including a Kiwi cyclist hauling 50 Liters of water and John the Camel Man, who roams the Outback with his trusty camels—and a rifle for the occasional wild bull camel.
Rob’s journeys are steeped in history, too. He’s followed tracks carved by Len Beadell, the legendary surveyor who mapped much of the Outback and paid homage to gravesites like that of Kiwi rugby legend Keith Murdoch in a lonely WA cemetery. Even roadside oddities, like teddy bear trees, bra trees and bone sculptures, have captured his imagination and respect for the land's layered stories.
Rob wrapped up his talk with humour and humility, recounting everything from freezing desert nights to the warmth of strangers. His passion for the Outback, along with his deep respect for its toughness, beauty, and the rugged characters who call it home, shines through. Ready for his next adventure, Rod left us inspired and entertained, dreaming of wide-open skies and red dirt roads.