Event Snapshot
Eight days. 1500 kilometres.
One incredible ride.
Following on from the 2016 Adelaide
to Uluru ride, the inaugural Alice to
Darwin Smiddy Challenge will take
riders through the incredible
Northern Territory outback as they
raise funds to assist scientists at
Mater Research to undertake lifechanging research into the causes,
prevention and improved treatment
of a range of cancers, including
melanoma, prostate, breast and
ovarian.
The Alice to Darwin Smiddy
Challenge promises to be one of the
toughest, but most rewarding,
challenges you could sign up for!
Alice to Darwin Smiddy Challenge: 4–11 June 2017
Day 1— Alice Springs to Ti Tree – 194 km
The 2017 Alice to Darwin Smiddy Challenge kicks off from the geographical centre
of Australia, Alice Springs. The peloton will roll out onto the Stuart Highway, our
home for the next eight days. Leaving Alice behind, we’ll pass over the Tropic of
Capricorn, following the overland telegraph trail and taking in Warburton memorial,
Connors Well, Prowse Gap and finishing at Ti Tree.
Day 2—Ti Tree to Wauchope – 200 km
Today we’ll continue north on the Stuart Highway, passing through
Wycliffe Well—the UFO capital of Australia—on the eastern edge of
the Tanami Desert. Then it’s on to Barrow Creek (population 11),
where we’ll see the Barrow Creek Telegraph Station which dates back
to 1872 and is now a monument to the troubles which beset the early
days of the Territory, before ending in Wauchope.
Wycliffe Well
Day 3— Wauchope to Banka Banka Station – 225 km
It’s an early start today so the peloton can take in the spectacular
sunrise at Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve. The 'Marbles',
which are roughly egg-shaped, were considered by the local
Aborigines to have been eggs laid by the Rainbow Serpent during
the Dreamtime. From there, we’ll continue north to Lake Mary
Anne where we’ll stop for lunch before winding up for the day at
Banka Banka Station.
Devil's Marbles
Day 4—Banka Banka Station to Newcastle Waters – 174 km
Today we’ll say bye-bye Banka Banka as we hit the road again. We’ll
stop for morning tea at Renner Springs, named after Frederick
Renner who was the Doctor for the men working on the Overland
Telegraph Line in 1871. The town’s claim to fame is that it is located
an eight hour drive from Mt Isa, Alice Springs and Darwin. We’ll then
continue on to Newcastle Waters, a present day ghost town with a
rich, vibrant history as a gathering place for drovers on their
gruelling overland cattle drives.
Dr Frederick Renner
Day 5—Newcastle Waters to Larrimah – 227 km
It’s going to be a long day in the saddle as we continue along the
Stuart Highway, stopping for lunch at Stuart Tree before continuing
on to the Sir Alexander Forrest Memorial for afternoon tea. Tonight
we’ll stay at Larrimah’s Pink Panther Pub which was built using
materials from the dismantled Birdum Hotel. It boasts the highest
bar in the Northern Territory and has—you guessed it—a Pink
Panther statue out the front!
Larrimah’s Pink Panther Pub
Day 6—Larrimah to Katherine – 190.6 km
Today we’ll stop for morning tea at Bitter Springs, spring-fed
thermal pools set among palm trees and tropical woodlands in the
Elsey National Park. After lunch we’ll head for Cutta Cutta Caves,
where you’ll be able to jump off your bike and delve 15 metres
below the surface to discover the mazelike limestone caves formed
millions of years ago, the peloton will roll on to Katherine, where
the outback meets the tropics.
Bitter Springs
Day 7—Katherine to Coomalie Creek – 230.8 km
This morning we’ll farewell Katherine for what will be our longest
day on the road. We’ll stop for afternoon tea in the historic
township of Adelaide River, which played a central role in the
defence of Australia during World War II, when up to 30 000
Australian and United States army soldiers were based near the
town. Then we’ll roll into Coomalie Creek for our final night on the
road.
Coomalie Creek Caravan Park
Day 8—Coomalie Creek to Darwin – 120km
As the sun rises on this stunning landscape we roll out for the final stretch of the Alice to
Darwin Smiddy Challenge—a relatively short 120 km—with the added bonus of civilisation
and celebration at the end of the day. Around lunchtime we’ll arrive in Darwin, our final
finish location, where we’ll kick back and have a chance to reflect on a truly amazing
journey.
Your registration includes:
 Nine nights’ accommodation in a mix of swags and shared accommodation
 All meals, ride nutrition and drinks
 Full road crew and bike mechanic support
 Custom cycling kit
 Plus much more!
There are just a few spots left in the Alice to Darwin Smiddy Challenge peloton and they
won’t last long, so if you’ve keen to finish going “up the guts” of Australia, or challenge
yourself to try something new, click here to register now or email [email protected].
It’s a long, hard road to fight cancer. But we know you’re up for the
challenge.
Are you in?