The Australian Adventure Riders Podcast dives into the stories, machines, and wild places that define ADV riding across Australia. Hosted by Bruce and Rosco, two lifelong mates with a passion for dirt, discovery, and good humour, each episode brings you into the heart of the adventure motorcycling community.
From outback epics to weekend escapes, from seasoned legends to everyday riders with extraordinary tales, this show celebrates the people who choose the long way round. Expect honest conversations, practical tips, gear talk, travel wisdom, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Whether you’re planning your next big ride, dreaming of remote tracks, or simply love the culture of adventure motorcycling, this podcast is your campfire companion. Pull up a chair, crack a cold one, and join the ride.
Ep.12 - How a Charity Ride Across Siberia Became Compass Expeditions: Jerry Cook’s Adventure Story
Jerry Cook, co‑founder and CEO of Compass Expeditions, joins us for a deep, honest, and often surprising conversation about how one charity ride across Siberia sparked a global adventure motorcycle touring company.
Jerry takes us back to the moment he and Mick McDonald met Cathy Maclean, whose fight with Friedreich’s Ataxia inspired the first fundraising ride — a journey so ambitious it changed the trajectory of their lives. From those early days to launching Compass Expeditions in 2007, Jerry shares the human stories, the serendipity, and the purpose that shaped the company’s DNA.
We dive into Jerry’s most unforgettable global riding moments: the pinch‑yourself landscapes, the wild experiences you couldn’t plan, the cultural interactions that stay with you forever, and the hilarious moments that bonded riders from all over the world.
Jerry also lifts the curtain on what it really takes to run a motorcycle tour company — the logistics, the safety decisions, the team culture, the unpredictable challenges, and the feedback that gives him goosebumps. He reflects on the near‑collapse during COVID‑19, how Compass survived, and how the experience reshaped his view of business and life.
31 Aug 2026
Ep. 11 - Your Brain on Motorcycles: The Science of Throttle Therapy with Karl Allen-Muncey"
Karl Allen‑Muncey is the mind behind Zen Motorcycle Maintenance, a philosophy and workshop approach that blends craftsmanship, calm thinking, and the art of truly knowing your bike. In this episode, Karl shares how modern riders can build confidence, reduce breakdown stress, and create a deeper connection with their machines — whether they’re tackling remote tracks or weekend adventures.
We dive into the mindset behind Zen maintenance, the habits that keep bikes running smoothly, the mistakes riders make without realising, and the surprising ways mechanical understanding can transform your riding experience. Karl’s story is equal parts practical wisdom, humour, and hard‑earned lessons from years in the saddle and the workshop.
17 Aug 2026
Ep. 10 - Ross Elliott: Pioneer of the Trail Bike Adventure Magazine
In this episode we speak with Ross Elliott, former editor of Trail Bike Adventure Magazine and a long‑respected voice in Australia’s adventure riding scene. Ross shares stories from his years behind the handlebars and behind the editor’s desk, offering insight into the riders, tracks, and moments that shaped the culture of adventure motorcycling in Australia.
4 Aug 2026
Ep. 9 - Up From Downunder: Baden Brown’s Ride for a Million
Baden Brown isn’t just riding from New Zealand to the UK — he’s doing it on a 2003 Honda Transalp with minimal electronics, a shoestring budget, and a mission to raise NZD $1,000,000 for the refurbishment of a hospital founded by legendary missionary Colleen Redit.
As the document notes, his journey blends “a selffunded motorcycle expedition… and a community fundraising campaign with a bold target” and taps into a “long‑running missionary legacy” that adds emotional depth.
In this episode, Baden shares the story behind Up From Downunder:
· Why he chose an older, low‑tech bike for an 18‑country overland route
· The island‑hopping and shipping challenges of riding NZ → Australia → Indonesia → Asia → Europe
· His personal connection to Colleen Redit and the CMCT hospital project
· How the “$10 hero” grassroots fundraising model works
· The logistics, risks, and realities of a six‑month solo ride
· How he plans to keep supporters engaged through episodic YouTube storytelling
It’s an inspiring mix of adventure, purpose, and practical insight — perfect for riders who love the raw authenticity of long‑distance travel and the power of riding for something bigger than yourself.
21 Jul 2026
Ep. 8 - The Man Who Built Australia's Biggest ADV Event | Kurt Quambusch — ADV Fest Founder
Kurt occupies a unique position in the Australian ADV ecosystem: he is simultaneously a working rider, a media entrepreneur, an event builder, and a passionate community architect. This episode gives AARP access to the man behind the country's biggest ADV event — and the inside story of where Australian adventure riding is headed.
7 Jul 2026
Ep. 7 - International ADV riding gone wrong: The Crash, Rescue & The Travel Insurance that saved us
David Pidcock and Bec Fox—have become central to the Toowoomba region’s vibrant adventure riding community. Both are not only seasoned riders with extensive international and domestic experience but also influential leaders, mentors, and professional achievers.
India and the Himalayas was intended as a culmination of years of preparation. The route included some of the highest motorable roads in the world, with altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters, rapidly changing weather, and limited access to medical facilities. Early in the journey, they encountered treacherous road conditions exacerbated by monsoon rains and landslides. Despite his extensive experience and careful planning, a combination of fatigue, altitude, and a sudden loss of traction led to a severe crash on a remote mountain pass.
The immediate aftermath was chaotic. Fellow riders and local villagers provided first aid and coordinated an emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital, which was several hours away by rough road. Upon arrival, David was diagnosed with multiple fractures and internal injuries, necessitating surgery and a prolonged hospital stay. The hospital, while staffed by competent and compassionate professionals, faced resource constraints typical of rural Indian medical facilities. However, the cost of treatment was substantial, and payment was required upfront or through verified insurance coverage.
Join us to discover just how important travel insurance is.
23 Jun 2026
Ep. 6 - Tales from Queensland Adventure riding guru Bill Hinze
Queensland adventure rider Bill Hinze joins us for a down‑to‑earth chat about life on two wheels. Bill shares the rides that shaped him, the tracks he loves across Australia and abroad, and the lessons learned from decades exploring. A genuine, riveting conversation with a rider who captures the true spirit of adventure.
12 Jun 2026
Ep. 5B - Roy and Jordan Kunda: Kings of the Cape
Bruce and Rosco sit down with Roy and Jordan Kunda from Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, Australia’s original and longest‑running motorcycle tour company. From river crossings and red‑dirt tracks to decades of guiding riders to the Tip, the Kunda family share stories, insights, and the legacy behind their iconic Cape York adventures. A fun, honest, and legendary look into one of Australia’s great riding institutions.
9 Jun 2026
Ep. 5A - Roy and Jordan Kunda: Kings of the Cape
Bruce and Rosco sit down with Roy and Jordan Kunda from Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, Australia’s original and longest‑running motorcycle tour company. From river crossings and red‑dirt tracks to decades of guiding riders to the Tip, the Kunda family share stories, insights, and the legacy behind their iconic Cape York adventures. A fun, honest, and legendary look into one of Australia’s great riding institutions.
29 May 2026
Ep. 4B - Brian and Shirley Rix: Two-Up Across the World
In Part B, Brian and Shirley dive even deeper into life on the road — the unexpected challenges, the moments that changed their perspective, and the stories they’ve never shared publicly. From remote borders to unforgettable characters, they reflect on the lessons learned after decades of two‑up travel and what keeps them chasing the horizon together. It’s insightful, funny, and a perfect continuation of their remarkable journey.
26 May 2026
Ep. 4A - Brian & Shirley Rix: Two‑Up Across the World
What happens when two Aussies decide a ‘quick trip’ turns into riding the world — twice? Brian and Shirley Rix share the stories, the scares, and the secret to staying two‑up for 40 years on the road.
Brian and Shirley Rix have spent decades riding the world two‑up, turning a single overland trip into a lifetime of global adventure. In this episode, they share the moments that shaped them — the borders that tested them, the kindness of strangers, the realities of long‑term travel, and what it really takes to ride together for more than 170,000 km. It’s honest, funny, and full of the kind of wisdom only earned on the road.
15 May 2026
Ep. 3B - Solo Female rider tackles the world - The Amazing Heather Ellis
Heather Ellis joins us for a deeply human conversation about the extraordinary path her life has taken—one marked by bold choices, unexpected detours, and the kind of inner resilience that only forms through lived experience. Known for her solo motorcycle journeys across Africa and beyond, Heather opens up about the moments that shaped her long before the adventures ever began: growing up in rural Australia, navigating family expectations, and learning to trust her own instincts even when the road ahead was unclear.
12 May 2026
Ep. 3A - Solo Female rider tackles the world - The Amazing Heather Ellis
Heather Ellis joins us for a deeply human conversation about the extraordinary path her life has taken—one marked by bold choices, unexpected detours, and the kind of inner resilience that only forms through lived experience. Known for her solo motorcycle journeys across Africa and beyond, Heather opens up about the moments that shaped her long before the adventures ever began: growing up in rural Australia, navigating family expectations, and learning to trust her own instincts even when the road ahead was unclear.
28 Apr 2026
Ep. 2A - Riding the World on a Monkey Bike - Andre Sousa's Wild Journey
In Part A of this unforgettable two‑part adventure, we sit down with Andre Sousa, the man who took a 125cc Monkey bike and rode it across 106 countries, through deserts, jungles, warzones, mountain passes, and some of the most remote places on Earth.
Andre shares how a small, simple motorcycle became the perfect machine for a massive dream — and why choosing the “wrong” bike might have been the best decision he ever made. From border crossings and breakdowns to the kindness of strangers and the daily grind of life on the road, Andre opens up about the mindset, preparation, and sheer determination required to circle the globe on a tiny bike.
This is the beginning of an extraordinary story of grit, humour, and human connection — the ride that changed Andre’s life forever.
28 Apr 2026
Ep.2B - Riding the World on a Monkey Bike — Andre Sousa’s Wild Journey
In the dramatic conclusion to Andre Sousa’s extraordinary journey, we dive into the two moments that nearly ended his round‑the‑world adventure for good.
In Part B, Andre recounts the day he was kidnapped in Nepal, held against his will, and forced to negotiate his way out with nothing but calm thinking and sheer instinct. From there, his story shifts to Turkey — where he found himself in the epicentre of one of the deadliest earthquakes in modern history, a disaster that claimed more than 50,000 lives.
Through chaos, fear, and unimaginable pressure, Andre reveals how he survived, what he learned, and why he still refuses to stop exploring the world on two wheels.
Join us for the remarkable finale of Andre’s story — a raw, emotional, and inspiring reminder of just how resilient the human spirit can be.
28 Apr 2026
Ep1 - Introducing your hosts - Adventure Riding in Australia and abroad
The podcast episode features an introduction to the Australian Adventure Riders podcast, emphasizing community building and audience engagement. The conversation then delves into the hosts background and early motorcycle riding experiences, followed by a discussion on the transition to adventure riding and the hosts' choice of bikes.
The episode further explores the hosts experiences with different bikes and riding conditions, including local and international riding adventures. Finally, the conversation concludes with a look at the host's future riding plans and the influences that have shaped his riding journey.
The conversation covers the progression of adventure riding, impactful international riding experiences, memorable rides and perspectives, and the future of the podcast. It delves into the evolution of adventure riding from trail riding to dual sport riding, highlighting the significance of memorable rides and experiences. The hosts also discuss the future of the podcast and its interactive and organic nature.
Takeaways
Community building
Motorcycle riding journey Adventure riding progression
Memorable rides and experiences
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Community Building
08:37 Transition to Adventure Riding and Bike Choices
16:14 Local and International Riding Adventures
23:12 Future Riding Plans and Influences
30:08 Adventure Riding Progression
37:10 International Riding Experiences
46:45 Impactful Rides and Perspectives
55:00 Future of the Podcast
23 Apr 2026
Heather Ellis - Australian Adventure Rider's Podcast
Coming soon to Australian Adventure Rider's Podcast. The amazing Heather Ellis.
Reach and audience
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
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Guest appearances
Books guests
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