Getting Away from it All..

The need to feel free, totally free from; laws, hierarchy, work, rules, constraints, media, consumption, bright lights and bullshit is something that is growing ever strong in my life. Living in a city with a million people makes feeling free quite difficult. There is always someone/something watching, keeping me in my place, keeping me the same as you.

There are a few things that allow me to feel free, giving me the ability to totally forget the mundane life, that is my life; surfing, camping, sailing, trailbike riding and to a lesser extent music, friends, painting and beer. Getting away from it all, and saying fuck everything lets get outta here keeps me chugging and gets me through the lethargic work week.

The surf can offer pure solace and freedom, nothings stopping me or holding me back when I’m in the ocean – or is there? There’s no rules to the ocean, it’s raw, dangerous and fun. But surfing on the Gold Coast can become extremely frustrating especially, when everyone is planning on going to the same beach as you, cutting you off on waves and being arrogant and careless. Dog owners’ letting their animals shit all over the beach.

But nothing quite compares to catching that perfect wave, only then do I really appreciate what I have and realise where I live is actually a beautiful place…I just wish that people could be more courteous and share the beach equally and responsibly.

12 months or so ago, I started to get into trail bike riding. Previously I had cast aspersions toward “moto dudes” and judged them as being bogans and whatever else. It was only when I decided to go on a few trail rides did I learn that just about all riders I came across where generous, thoughtful and helpful people with similar outlooks as myself. The need to get away being the key desire of most riders. There’s no bullshit with riders, everyone looks after each other, give tips, offer new trails and places to ride, notify when police are around and even offer to use their bikes. Unlike surfing or other sports, there is a unity as everyone wishes to share the land and experiences equally. There’s no animosity, bullshit or crews and there’s always a helping hand if something goes wrong.

The landscape that I have traversed over the last year is something I could never have seen, on foot or any other method of transport. The need to get away from it all, took me there. This land truly is beautiful and it is only when you get away from the hustle and bustle, can you truly appreciate it. From lush waterfalls and rainforests to harsh cliffs, rock formations and amazing vistas, seeing it whilst on two wheels is truly amazing. Not to mention the exhilaration of motorbike riding itself.

But yet again I have been punished by our law and police for experiencing and having fun in my backyard. Police officers who have said and I quote “Look around cunt, there is no one around to see what I can do to you!” have bullied and thrown their authority around to try and keep me from enjoying this land. They had no rights that day and later let me off as I hadn’t broken any laws. I ride a legal, road registered bike which makes it easier to get away if I am in a situation which is breaking the law, which I often am as there are only two places on the entire Gold Coast which are legal.

In July 09 there was a raid on some land which many riders often use, several people got arrested but we got away thanks to a horse rider who was also riding on the land (her and her horse were also asked to leave or get arrested). We have been told on several occasions that we are destroying the land, I’m not saying that we don’t create a change in the environment but we certainly respect and look after it. What we later found out is that this very land is to be subdivided into 50 000 blocks by Delfin or Stockland or some bullshit organisation. So not only will it be totally destroyed, leaving nothing but street lights, scum and duplexes but we cannot ride there and enjoy what it has to offer - after them telling us we are destroying the land.


As humans of this earth, we owe it to ourselves and to this earth to spend time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately in modern society, most people forget about the wilderness opting for a day at the shops or TV. It’s easier, takes less effort and more convenient than taking a bush walk into the mountains. It's also too easy to become so dependent on technology to get through the day that we almost can't survive without it.


There are so many amazing places in this part of the world, break free and escape from the bright lights, you will feel the difference it can make on your life.

Avoid the trail (but be aware where you are) and create your own.