Craig Johnston rode from the most easterly point of the mainland to the most westerly, carrying everything he needed. He did it in 44 days, 12 hours and 8 minutes on an orange titanium bike, breaking the record for the fastest time to travel across Australia by bike.
The Across Australia record runs between the mainland’s most easterly and most westerly points, in either direction, on whatever route the rider chooses. Andrew Kerec set the previous mark in 2023, riding west to east with a support crew while raising money for charity. It stood at 61 days.
Craig rode east to west, unsupported, and took the scenic way round: south of the Simpson Desert, past Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, through the centre and along quiet gravel wherever he could find it. His time has been ratified.
| Rider | Direction | Support | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Kerec, 2023 | West to east | Supported | 61 days |
| Craig Johnston, 2026 | East to west | Unsupported | 44d 12h 8m |
Craig has spent close to four decades as an aircraft engineer at Sydney Airport. He works shifts, rides to work, and saves his leave for rides like this one. In 2025 he won Terra Australis, 6,300 km from Wilsons Promontory to Cape York.
Having gone top to bottom, he wanted to go side to side. Then he found out there was a record for it, saw it stood at 61 days, and figured he could beat it. Ask him why he does it and the answer is simple.
I just love endurance riding and camping out.
Craig’s ride from Cape Byron to Steep Point, the most easterly point of the mainland to the most westerly.
He started at Cape Byron on 23 July, after his parents dropped him off. He had 45 days planned, one route file per day, and a list of every roadhouse on the way with its opening hours. He’d checked their shelves on Google Maps photos before he left.
Craig came to Will in 2022 with a short list. Titanium, because he thought carbon could let him down out there. The geometry of the mountain bike he already liked. Light and fast. Then he rode it the way he rides, and the bike changed with him.
Carbon I thought could let me down on some of these trips. So I wanted titanium.
The Everything Bike
This is the configuration that translates into Craig’s adventure bike.
Configure your ownCraig’s advice for anyone thinking about a first big ride: start with weekend trips, get your gear dialled, then go bigger. There’s never a perfect time to start, and things will go wrong on the way. His three Australian favourites are the Mawson Trail, the Munda Biddi and the Red Centre route.
You’ve got to get out that front door.
Tell Will where you want to take it. He’ll ask about your riding, your fit and your plans, and you’ll work out the build together.