Ride Report

Mawson Trail RAID

Audax Theme
02 May 26
James Litt
Mawson Trail RAID
By Joel Read
 
This Ride Report records Victorians Joel, Ivan, Matt & Dean’s adventure completing the Mawson Trail RAID (drafted by Joel).
 
On May 1st 2026, four Audaxers set out on an adventure to Adelaide to ride the mighty Mawson, South to North. On the 10+hr train ride, logistics were discussed, day by day itinerary, mapping, equipment and nutrition. Our plan was set, locked and loaded.
Well, until we got half way through our first day where rain, mechanicals and Ivan’s tooth ache made us pivot. Adventuring is nothing more than your ability to adapt to the unknown and that’s what we did … daily.
 
Over the nine days of riding (itinerary below), we ticked all the Mawson boxes;
  • Embrace the adventure mindset (be adaptive to change)
  • Amazing scenery
  • Prime cycling weather
  • The worst mud known to humankind (yet to be studied by NASA)
  • Fantastic hospitality (locals and other riders)
  • Insight into Australia’s resilient historic explorers·
  • Sleeping in precarious locations
  • Embrace your inner ‘MacGyver’ to overcome mechanical challenges
Because each day had many experiences, we will just share a few key highlights:
 
On day 3, from the gun, we had showers, then rain rain rain. We were drowned as we rolled into Clare for lunch. We needed shelter, so we headed for the Middle Pub. We strategically ordered a menu item every 20mins to prolong our stay. Shout out to the Middle Pub publican, Ben, for accommodating us for a couple of hours. Then later that day, once the rain has resided, we had it pinned to the Midnight Oil house near Burra. We wanted to see it during sunset, so in full Tour de France team time trial style, we got there. We were pumped! We sang “how do we sleep while our beds are burning” all the way into Burra.
 
Day 4, Burra to Spalding started with the famous ‘Mawson Red Mud’. Five kilometres of bike-a-hike because wheels were clogged. A true honorary moment to earn your Mawson scout badge. Once we started to head inland, the true Flinders experience hit us was amazing views and rocky outcrops. We were travelling well until we noticed we only had minutes to get into Hallett before the general store closed. We were hungry. So, yet again, we rolled turns to get there before 2pm. We basically ordered four of everything in sight. If you were to combine the total calorific value of the food ordered, it would feed a small nation for a week!
 
Day 5 was a big one riding from Spalding to Melrose. Just brilliant riding until this big black rain cloud met us with 20km to go. We rolled into Melrose in the dark dripping wet. Yep, adventure style.
On day 9, we had a rest day in Wilpena Pound. We didn’t want to waste the opportunity of this spectacular environment, so we hiked up St Mary’s Peak and detoured back into camp after 20km of walking and rock bouldering. Great for cycling legs!
 
Key tips:
  • Our recommendation due to numerous rocky and technical sections is to ride a hardtail MTB not only for control, but for comfort to reduce fatigue day after day
  • Download the Mawson APP (includes detailed map, accommodation and food options) and tune in with Facebook groups for current track information
  • Do a few one or two night bike packing trips prior to this multi day adventure to hone equipment needs
  • Ride via GPX files and have the ability to change course if weather / track conditions demand it
  • If resources are available, use them
  • Start the adventure with new good quality tubeless tyres
  • Check bolt & fastener tension all over your bike and racks at the end of each day (especially loose SPD shoe bolts!)
  • Have a good range of spare parts from tubeless tyre plugs, spare tyre, tubeless sealant, CO2 bottles, random bolts, zip ties and the master of all fixes, duct tape
  • Have a chat. Chat with locals and other riders to gauge weather, track conditions and where the best bakery is
We would like to thank:
 
  • James Litt from Audax South Australia for his support and encouragement
  • Ivan’s brother Chris (aka Boris) for providing much needed logistical support
  • the great people of South Australia for their hospitality
And finally, a big thanks to Ivan, Matt and Dean for sharing an awesome adventure, life changing!
 
Day 1 Overnight at Kapunda 118km
Day 2 Overnight at Riverton 47km
Day 3 Overnight at Burra 102km
Day 4 Overnight Spalding 137km
Day 5 Overnight Melrose 153km
Day 6 Overnight Warren Gorge 92km
Day 7 Overnight Mt Little Station 124km
Day 8 Two nights at Wilpena Pound 100km
Day 9 Finish at Blinman 72km
 
Cheers
Joel
Audax Ride Management