Great Southern Country

Lachlan Morton is gearing up for his biggest adventure to date; 14,200 kilometers with 44,000 meters of elevation around Australia. Follow along and donate to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

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Updates from the road

Day 4 | Marlborough, QSL > Gumlu, QSL | KM 1870
A classic day 4

Another big day out on the bike for Lachy who ticked off nearly 500ks on day 4. His body was sore this morning, which made the first few hours of riding tough. But after a much needed breakfast break that the crew had set up for him, he was able to turn things around and made solid progress all day. Classic day 4 as Lachy would say.

On the plus side, he had a big tailwind pushing him along today and lots of stunning scenery to take his mind off his aching body.



Day 3 | Maryborough, QSL > Marlborough, QSL | KM 1393
Swooping magpies and big big skies.

Another benefit of early starts? The stars. Lachy set off around 2am local time and is finally out of the worst of the highway traffic. With the milky way lighting up the sky above him, he was able to make good progress on the quieter roads.

As he makes his way further and further away from the busy coastal cities, he's entering road train territory (Australia's infamous long trucks) and riding on roads that stretch out as far as the eyes can see.

One drawback of the quieter streets? The Aussie magpies. He's been dive bombed by the birds more times than he can count today. Let's hope they play nice tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Lachy so far and donated to the Indigenous Literacy Fund. We've raised close to $17,000. Head here to make a donation.



Day 2 | Tweet Heads, NSW > Maryborough, QSL | KM 890
Traffic lights and sunrises

Lachy set off early again, hitting the road around 3:30 AM local time. Partly because he enjoys the early starts, but also to log some solid miles before traffic picks up on the Pacific Highway.

Slowed down by traffic lights in Brisbane, Lachy was eager to leave the city behind and return to the open countryside. Along the way, he’s been joined by several riders and has been loving all the support he's gotten from supporters cheering him on from the roadside.

Despite the heavy traffic, Lachy has taken advantage of the highways and maintained a strong pace as he heads north.

He called it a night early, stepping off the bike in Maryborough around 5pm after having ticked off just over 400 kilometers on day two. You know it, early start again tomorrow.



Day 1 | Port Macquarie, NSW > Tweet Heads, NSW | KM 486
He's off!

Fourteen thousand two hundred kilometers of open road and a full lap of Australia lie ahead. Lachy is off! He rolled out at 4 AM local time on a chilly morning in Port Macquarie, accompanied by a solid group of dot watchers.

After a quick stop to layer up, Lachy found his rhythm and began racking up the kilometers. He arrived at his hotel in Tweed Heads after dark, completing a strong 486 kilometers on day one, despite a tough headwind. Spirits are high, and we're excited to be on the road.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to support Lachy today, and a huge shoutout to all those who have already donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Keep checking back here for more updates from Lachy and the crew on the ground.


Background

Lachlan Morton is set to take on what might be his toughest ride yet: a record-breaking attempt to circumnavigate Australia. On September 5th, the Lachy will embark on a 14,201-kilometer journey around the continent that will push his limits like never before. The current record, set in 2011 by Dave Alley, stands at 37 days, 20 hours, and 45 minutes. To beat it, Morton will need to ride around 400 kilometers each day.

The journey will start and end in his hometown of Port Macquarie, New South Wales. The route will take him through some of the most remote and challenging terrains Australia has to offer. For the first time, Lachy will be attempting to break a record with a support crew behind him made up of friends and family traveling in a camper, ready to help with food, rest, and morale.

For Lachy, the ride is about reconnecting with his homeland. He will see parts of the country he’s never explored and to pay tribute to the tough, self-reliant spirit of the people who live there.

Lachlan is using this ride to raise awareness and funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, an organization that provides books and literacy resources to children in Australia’s remote Indigenous communities. Access to reading material, especially in their native languages, is often limited in these areas, with the nearest library or bookstore hundreds of kilometers away. Every $10 AUD raised will put a book into the hands of a child. Click here to make a donation.

The ride is a journey into the heart of Australia. It’s about home, community, and the power of stories to change lives.

Find out more about the ride and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation here.

More about the ride

Lachlan Morton takes on the Around Australia Record