Broome to Bowral: Miles for MND
The story of 5,290 kilometres, told one day at a time.
On 22 June 2026, 82-year-old Bob Montgomery and his 18-year-old grandson, Tom Malcolm, left Broome on bicycles with one destination in mind: Bowral, NSW.
Ahead of them were 5,290 kilometres across Australia.
For the next six weeks, we travelled through Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, following highways, back roads and country roads through some extraordinary parts of Australia.
Bob and Tom rode. Jenny and I kept the support vehicles moving. Lucky came along for the adventure.
There were long days, headwinds, punctures, dirt roads, road trains, breakdowns, roadside breakfasts and lunches, extraordinary generosity and plenty of moments that none of us could have planned.
But this journey was always about something bigger.
Miles for MND: One Last Ride was Bob’s final long-distance ride, raising funds and awareness for MND NSW and carrying the message:
Riding for those who no longer can.
They arrived in Bowral on 2 August 2026.
These are the stories of the road between Broome and Bowral, told one day at a time. Not just where we went and how many kilometres were travelled, but the people, places, history and unexpected moments we found along the way.
On 22 June 2026, 82-year-old Bob Montgomery and his 18-year-old grandson, Tom Malcolm, left Broome on bicycles with one destination in mind: Bowral, NSW.
Ahead of them were 5,290 kilometres across Australia.
For the next six weeks, we travelled through Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, following highways, back roads and country roads through some extraordinary parts of Australia.
Bob and Tom rode. Jenny and I kept the support vehicles moving. Lucky came along for the adventure.
There were long days, headwinds, punctures, dirt roads, road trains, breakdowns, roadside breakfasts and lunches, extraordinary generosity and plenty of moments that none of us could have planned.
But this journey was always about something bigger.
Miles for MND: One Last Ride was Bob’s final long-distance ride, raising funds and awareness for MND NSW and carrying the message:
Riding for those who no longer can.
They arrived in Bowral on 2 August 2026.
These are the stories of the road between Broome and Bowral, told one day at a time. Not just where we went and how many kilometres were travelled, but the people, places, history and unexpected moments we found along the way.
1st DAY The first day of Bob and Tom's 5,290 km ride across Australia took us 178 km from Broome to Willare Roadhouse, bringing the first puncture, our first roadside breakfast and a night none of us expected.
2nd DAY We travelled 234 km from Willare to Fitzroy Crossing, through Kimberley heat, relentless headwinds and a road surface reaching 40°C. Second breakfasts, roadside stops and 11 litres of electrolyte water a day were becoming part of life on the road.
3rd DAY Was a shorter day, only 70 km from Fitzroy Crossing towards Mimbi Caves, through changing Kimberley landscapes, wandering livestock and another roadside second breakfast. Then came 4 km of gravel road, 36°C heat and a campground surrounded by ancient rock country.
4th DAY Brought us 200 km from Mimbi Caves to Halls Creek, beginning before sunrise on the gravel road back to the highway. There were spectacular Kimberley colours, Larrawa Station, wildflowers, termite mounds and relentless wind before we finally reached Halls Creek.
5th DAY Another long day, 170 km from Halls Creek to Warmun, through 37°C Kimberley heat, relentless headwinds and another long day on the road. Along the way came a Friday call from 2GB, an unexpected $50 donation, cattle road trains, Jarlalu Bridge and the final five kilometres into Warmun.
6th DAY The road from Warmun to Doon Doon brought another 85 km of sweeping Kimberley highway, changing red landscapes and rugged rock formations. It was one of the shorter riding days, ending at a great little roadhouse with what we declared the best chips of the entire trip.
7th DAY An early Kimberley sunrise began the 115 km ride from Doon Doon to Kununurra, with second breakfast on the highway and two little flashing red lights to find. By afternoon, Bob and Tom had arrived in Kununurra and two well-earned days off the bikes were waiting.
8th DAY A day off the bikes gave us time to explore Kununurra, from Ivanhoe Crossing and an enormous old gantry crane to murals, boab art and dinner at Kelly’s. Meanwhile, the first of two plumbers would try to solve the latest problem with Jenny’s hire van.
9th DAY A frightening start in Kununurra was followed by a major milestone as Bob and Tom crossed from Western Australia into the Northern Territory. Ahead lay 228 km to Timber Creek, ABC Darwin interviews, changing roads, Saddle Creek and a final push into town after dark.
10th DAY What does a 92 km bike ride feel like after days of cycling across the Kimberley? Practically a walk in the park. Day 10 took Bob and Tom along the spectacular Victoria Highway to Victoria River Roadhouse, where a cold XXXX, a shower with a mind of its own and a few unforgettable characters were waiting.
