Mission Accomplished: Kiwi CEO Completes 19,000km Lap Of Australia For Research

• Rich Easton rode 19,045km around Australia on a Kawasaki KLR650.
• The ride raised more than NZ$4,500 for neurological research in memory of his father.
• The 64-day journey included the Nullarbor, Kakadu, Cobbold Gorge and the Great Dividing Range.

What began as a personal challenge to ride around Australia became a 19,045km fundraising journey with a much deeper purpose. Auckland businessman Rich Easton spent more than two months crossing deserts, tropical rainforests, remote outback highways and mountain roads on a Kawasaki KLR650, raising funds for neurological research in memory of his father while experiencing some of the most spectacular and isolated riding Australia has to offer.

What began as a dream to ride around Australia became a 19,045km tribute to his late father and a fundraiser for neurological research.

When BRM first spoke to Neurological Foundation CEO Rich Easton before he departed, the plan was ambitious: spend more than two months riding a Kawasaki KLR650 around Australia while raising money to support the next generation of neurological researchers in New Zealand.

Now, after 63 days on the road, Easton is back home having completed the journey and raised more than NZ$4,500 for the cause.

And while the fundraising was always at the heart of the adventure, the ride itself proved to be everything he had hoped for — and more.

“A lap of Australia has been a dream for a while now, following a lap of New Zealand a few years ago,” says Easton.

The journey began in Sydney and headed west as part of a guided tour with Bike Round Oz. Covering approximately 6,400 kilometres, the opening leg took in some of Australia’s most iconic roads and landscapes while allowing Easton to share the experience with fellow riders.

One of the standout moments came crossing the vast Nullarbor Plain.

“The 146km straight road in South Australia was meditative ridden non-stop,” he says. “Surprisingly fun.”

For many riders, the thought of nearly 150 kilometres without a corner sounds mind-numbing. But out in the Australian outback, surrounded by endless horizons and enormous skies, it became one of the trip’s more memorable experiences.

Going Solo

After reaching Perth, the guided portion of the ride came to an end and Easton continued alone.

From there he headed north through Western Australia, across to Darwin, and then east towards Port Douglas before eventually turning south again.

The changing scenery became one of the highlights of the journey.

“There was everything from prairie lands, wetlands and tropical rainforests,” he says.

The distances involved are difficult to appreciate until you’re riding them. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, traffic is often few and far between, with entire stretches of road seemingly disappearing into the horizon.

The biggest challenge wasn’t other vehicles — it was the giant road trains.

“Road trains can be entertaining to overtake with four trailers behind the cab.”

The remoteness also meant self-reliance was essential. Easton carried a five-litre fuel can on the KLR650 in case fuel stations were unexpectedly closed, although he never ended up needing it.

Most fuel stops were between 200 and 250 kilometres apart, comfortably within the range of Kawasaki’s long-serving adventure single.

Adventure Beyond The Bitumen

While much of the ride was completed on sealed roads, some of the most memorable sections involved venturing further afield.

One such destination was Cobbold Gorge in Queensland.

The route required travelling along remote gravel roads that had been heavily churned up by trucks, crossing water crossings and riding more than 100 kilometres from the nearest town with no cellphone coverage.

“The ride in and out wasn’t really in my comfort zone,” Easton admits.

“Little nerve wracking on my own, but I survived to tell the tale.”

For many adventure riders, those are often the moments that stay with you longest. Not because they’re easy, but because they force you to rely on your skills, judgement and preparation.

Kakadu National Park was another highlight, providing a completely different experience and showcasing Australia’s unique landscape and wildlife.

East Coast Contrasts

After weeks of open spaces and remote roads, Australia’s eastern side felt like a different country altogether.

The population increased, traffic became more frequent and the roads started to twist.

“The roads get more entertaining with a lot more twisties, especially in the Great Dividing Range.”

The temperatures changed too.

After enjoying daytime highs in the mid-30s through parts of the Northern Territory, Easton found conditions noticeably cooler as he travelled south.

Meanwhile, the ever-present threat of wildlife remained a constant concern.

“Kangaroos have no road sense.”

It’s a lesson every Australian rider quickly learns.

The Right Bike For The Job

Easton’s weapon of choice for the trip was Kawasaki’s KLR650.

It might not be the most glamorous adventure bike on the market, but its simplicity and practicality proved perfectly suited to the task.

“It’s simple, good for the distances between petrol stations and not too fast, as some of the states are very strict on speeding.”

By the time the journey ended, the KLR had consumed four rear tyres and two front tyres, a reflection of both the distance travelled and Australia’s abrasive road surfaces.

More Than Just Numbers

The statistics behind the ride are impressive.

Easton covered 19,045.8 kilometres, spent 51 days riding, stayed in 49 different locations and averaged 373 kilometres every riding day.

He also clocked up more than 819,000 steps while exploring towns, national parks and attractions along the way.

Yet for Easton, the ride was always about more than kilometres.

The journey was inspired by the recent loss of his father, Frank Easton, and formed part of a fundraising effort supporting neurological research through the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand.

The ride has already raised more than NZ$4,500, helping fund future research projects and supporting the next generation of scientists working to better understand neurological conditions.

For Easton, that makes every kilometre worthwhile.

And after 19,000 kilometres, countless fuel stops, endless horizons and some of the most remote roads Australia has to offer, he has completed one of motorcycling’s great bucket-list rides.

If you’d still like to donate to Rich’s fundraiser, you can find the page by hitting this link: https://discover.neurological.org.nz/fundraisers/richeaston108

And if you’ve done something similar, reach out to us, and we’ll try to share your adventure to inspire thousands of BRM followers.