Border Run 2026 - 50th Anniversary gathering: 1 August

[Raider]

Riders,

The 50th anniversary of the Border Run falls on Saturday 1st August 2026.

See you there...

Cheers,

Raider

[Cookie]

Thanks Raider

There is a large contingent of riders planning to make it to the Border in 2026, including myself, if you are unsure about taking on a 3,000 km trip reach out and we can help you plan your adventure.

[Raider]

Border riders,

Late November this year I traversed the road from the WA border to Perth via Hyden. The Friday 31 July 2026 Border Run camp site will be located between start of the 90 Mile Straight and the first vehicle turn-out on the left, on the NORTH side of the road. Assuming you are headed eastward to Border Village… This has been the location of the camp for quite a few years. There are a number of standing and fallen dead trees to provide a suitable group camp fire. If we get lucky Lefty may bring a chain saw along with his stainless steel kitchen sink! See you there…

If you are planning to head east from Perth via Hyden then here is an update on the Hyden-Norseman Road. The total distance is about 300km - that hasn’t changed. There has been a recent phase of road sealing undertaken which reduces the unsealed section to about 170km. The sealed road now extends to near the Flying Fox Mine - the westernmost mine along the road to Norseman. The “dirt” section consists entirely of a haul road to Norseman. A far cry from the yellow sand track it used to be… Given the nickel mines along this road have shut down this section would now be maintained by the local shire.

At the time of the 2026 Border Run this road will likely be swept by rain associated with cold fronts and winter gales. If there has been recent rain the road may be closed. Even light rain can transform this former haul road into a skating rink. Check status here: https://www.dundas.wa.gov.au/roadreport/ If the conditions are dry at the time of the Border Run this route is a terrific option to head eastward - and homeward.

I intend heading off from Perth on the morning of Thursday 30 July and plan to camp at the Breakaways, about 180km east of Hyden on the SOUTH side of the road. If you get to the Lake Johnson causeway you have gone too far…

From the time it first opened in Hyden, a highlight for me on the trip east along this route has been the Bush Bakehouse Cafe. It recently changed hands and is now run by a local farmer. I can’t remember the hours of operation but I understand that if you happen to get there early and they are there baking the day’s bread you might get lucky with a early coffee and something hot to eat.

Cheers,

Raider

[bmwr100s]

Hi - looking at parcipitating in the border run, be taking my 1977 R100 s - being a first timer - Question's is do a lot of older bikes attend, also back up vehicles what’s the go there, I’ll be taking mine ( I have a driver ) as it is also set up for camping which also can accommodate three bikes - questions is I can accommodate another person or two carrying luggage sharing fuel costs etc - is that how it works, not sure what to expect.

Cheers Steve.

[Raider]

Howdy Steve,

The Border Run is a motorcycle ride - any motorcycle. There would have been many R100’s cover the distance over the years. There will likely be a few on this ride. Just make sure you are self sufficient and have done the basics to keep it going and to repair punctures etc. There are long distances between fuel and service stops. Go with a back-up vehicle if that suits your needs. Don’t forget the camping gear etc if you are not planning on staying in motels along the way and you end up going on the bike without support. Accommodation on that weekend could be difficult to secure. Border Village is fully booked.

Expect to see a lot of riders converging on the Border from Perth and from the east. Expect every kind of weather from bright sunshine, to fog and to winter squalls with temperatures ranging from the high teens down to near zero at night. Hope you don't catch a weekend where it rains non-stop for the entire journey! Expect to see Police patrolling the road. Expect lots of road trains. Anticipate long straight roads… Anticipate a good night at the Border Village bar but don’t expect to be served quickly. It will be busy. Expect to hear a lot of tall stories about past rides to the Border and other far-flung places…

Get yourself to the BMWMCCWA gathering at Catelano’s in Victoria Park on any Sunday morning. Ask around about the August 2026 Border ride. There will be plenty of riders there happy to share their experience and offer advice.

All the best,

Raider

[bmwr100s]

Thanks Raider thanks for your reply- yes will be prepared taking support vehicle, happy to help out for those with extra luggage etc.

[Cookie]

Hello Steve

Thank you for the offer, most people will be self sufficient, but your offer is there if someone needs it.

As Raider said, pop along to breakfast on any Sunday and ask around, I intend going and camping along the way.