GOLD METAL WINNER

The trip from Sydney to the historic gold rush town of Hill End is a popular adventure bike haul these days, but many who travel to the area often tear through on the phenomenal roads and tracks unaware of the history that brought towns like Hill End into existence.

With some annual leave up my sleeve and an urge to get out and explore after restrictions lifted, I loaded my kit on Yamaha’s WR250 R Rally and headed for Hill End and some of its gold rush era neighbours, with the goal of keeping as much dirt under my tyres as possible. The plan; head west from Sydney via Bells Line of Road, Blackfellows Hand Trail, bitumen for a bit before hitting the dirt again for the trip to Hill End via Sofala. All, hopefully before sunset and without freezing to death.

THE 250 DRAGGED MY CHUNKY BUTT OVER THE MOUNTAINS

The road to Sofala is a ripper