BDR Ride To The Top - South Australia

BDR Ride to the Top aims to start a national conversation about depression and suicide prevention. Help us get the country talking and join us on this epic journey!

We will have ride groups from all states and territories of Australia travelling to meet up at our final destination, Cairns QLD followed by the optional Thunder Run.

Ride Registration

Registrations to ride all the way to Cairns with Black Dog Ride are strictly limited. Registrations close when all places are filled.

Registration for the FULL BDR Ride To The Top includes:

Entry and participation in the fully organised Ride
Back up of a Support Vehicle en route to Cairns
Commemorative rider pack
Commemorative tee shirt
Black Dog Ride Celebration Dinner, Saturday 12th September,
Entry and participation in the all states group ride, Thunder Run on Sunday morning, 13th September

Ride Itinerary

The detailed ride itinerary and accommodation options are currently being planned and will be updated online. Please do not book accommodation until you receive that update, as we will have some suggestions for each stop. That helps keep everyone together as well.

Check in time: 0830
Start point: Tolley Reserve (Train Park), Barossa Valley Way, Nuriootpa (Opposite OTR/Hungry Jacks)
Total Distance: 6500Km

Daily route & Accommodation

Saturday 5th Sep 2026 Meet & Registration:

Collection of rider packs.

Daily departure time: Various

Daily Rider Briefing: Various

Saturday 5th September - 489km

Nuriootpa to Balranald

18.30 Dinner - HNJ Bistro Ex Servicemans Club

Accommodation:

Sunday 6th September - 576km

Balranald to Parkes

19:00 Dinner - Broadway Hotel

Accommodation:

Monday 7th September - 623km

Parkes to Goondiwindi

18:30 Dinner - O'Shea's Royal Hotel

Accommodation: The Jolley Swagman, (Code "ROBYN") 1 Anderson St manager@thejollyswagman.com.au

Tuesday 8th September - 656km

Goondiwindi to Rockhampton

18:45 Dinner - Criterion Hotel

Accommodation: TWO NIGHTS Criterion Hotel/Motel, 10 Quay St (Mention Black Dog when booking) Share rooms for $50 per person, single rooms at normal rate

Wednesday 9th September - Rest Day in Rockhampton

Thursday 10th September - 529km

Rockhampton to Bowen

18:30 Dinner - TBA

Accommodation:

Original North Australian Motel, Sandy 07 4786 5795

Harbor Lights Caravan Park, Jenny 07 4786 6822

Friday 11th September - 551km

Bowen to Cairns

Accommodation: Cairns Colonial Club Resort, 07 4053 8800

NRMA Cairns 07 4051 1467

Saturday 12th September - Celebration Dinner in Cairns - all states

Where: The Magazine - Magazine Street, Stratford QLD 4870

When: Saturday 12th September 2026

Time: TBA

Accommodation:

Tasman Holiday park

07 341949 email coolwaters@tasmanholidayparks.com

Some riders have already started booking in.

Cairns Coconut resort

07 40546644 website BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut | Holiday & Caravan Park Cairns | Ingenia Holiday Parks

is offering up to 18% discount

Oasis INN Cairns 07 4051811 email admin@oasiscairns.com.au

NRMA Cairns 0740511467 e-mail cairns@nrmaparks.com.au

Mostly camping limited number of cabins

Lake Placid Tourist Park
Site fees are $54.50 per site for 2 people. $15 for each extra adult.
10% discount for 10 sites and 15% for 10+ sites
Bookings need to be confirmed with 1 night deposit and balance paid on arrival.
This is entirely subject to availability. Currently we can easily accommodate 100 people at 4people per site.
People with trailers will have 2 people per site.

Sunday 13th September - Thunder Run

Where: The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum - 2 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield QLD 4878

When: Sunday 13th September 2026

Time: TBA

Ride will depart and return to The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum.

Merchandise

Our Online Shop has our standard range of merchandise for sale all year round. You can access our shop HERE.

Fundraising

Start your fundraising efforts HERE. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Ride Preparation

It is imperative that riders ensure their bike is registered, roadworthy, and in proper working order, ready for the significant distance ride ahead. It is also imperative that riders and pillion passengers are fit and well enough for the journey. Black Dog Ride does not take responsibility for these matters.

Share the Ride

Each state has a Facebook Group to help you connect with fellow riders. Once you have registered for this ride you can go to your state's Facebook Group and apply for membership. Here's the link to the state group.

SA Black Dog Riders

Ride Coordinator

Your coordinator for this ride is Craig Goodman. You can reach Craig via email on sa@blackdogride.org.au if you have any specific questions about the ride.

The safety and wellbeing of all Black Dog Ride participants is our priority: While participating in Black Dog ride events, at any time where you are, or are likely to be, in control of a vehicle, the consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs is prohibited. At all times, the use of illegal substances is prohibited. At the conclusion of the event or days documented riding, and/or if an event includes multiple days, including evening social events and meals, we expect your decision to consume alcohol to be in moderation and within legal limitations. Non-compliance of this requirement will result in your immediate disqualification from further participation in the event, and no refunds will be given

Contact the host of BDR Ride to the Top - South Australia