Long Ride to the Top

Black Dog Ride's biennual National Ride aims to start a national conversation about depression and suicide prevention. Help us get the country talking and join your State Ride!

1 in 5 Australians experience a mental health condition each year. 3 million Australians are living with depression or anxiety. An average of 9 Australians take their lives each day. That's more than 3,000 lives lost to suicide each year. The tragic loss of our loved ones to suicide drives Black Dog Ride to build a community culture of awareness, inclusion and acceptance. Breaking down the barrier of silence encourages our friends, family and colleagues to seek help, because mental illness is just that, an illness. Mental illness can be managed to lead a meaningful, fulfilling life. Fostering awareness is the catalyst for encouraging help seeking behaviour and preventing suicide.

Registration goodies

Registrations are Online Only!

By registering, you will also receive which includes:

  • Entry and participation in the fully organised Ride
  • Back up of a Support Vehicle en route
  • State Ride 2026 cloth patch, round ride decal, and bumper sticker

Ride Preparation

It is imperative that riders ensure their bike is registered, roadworthy, and in proper working order, ready for the significant distance ride ahead. It is also imperative that riders and pillion passengers are fit and well enough for the journey. Black Dog Ride does not take responsibility for these matters.

The safety and wellbeing of all Black Dog Ride participants is our priority:   While participating in Black Dog ride events, at any time where you are, or are likely to be, in control of a vehicle, the consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs is prohibited. At all times, the use of illegal substances is prohibited. At the conclusion of the event or days documented riding, and/or if an event includes multiple days, including evening social events and meals, we expect your decision to consume alcohol to be in moderation and within legal limitations. Non-compliance of this requirement will result in your immediate disqualification from further participation in the event, and no refunds will be given

Share the Ride - Connect with fellow riders

Most rides have a Facebook Group to help you connect with fellow riders. Once you have registered for this ride you can go to your ride's Facebook Group and apply for membership.

Fundraising

Start your fundraising efforts HERE. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Merchandise

Our Online Shop has our standard range of merchandise for sale all year round. You can access our shop via our website, www.blackdogride.org.au

Cairns Accommodation

Here are some accommodation options for staying in Cairns. Check out your ride itinerary for suggested accommodation options along the way.

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Address 18-26 Cannon St, Manunda QLD 4870
Phone (07) 4053 8800

Tasman Holiday park 
07 341949 email coolwaters@tasmanholidayparks.com

Cairns Coconut resort
07 40546644 website BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut | Holiday & Caravan Park Cairns | Ingenia Holiday Parks
is offering up to 18% discount

Oasis INN Cairns 07 4051811 email admin@oasiscairns.com.au

Nrma Cairns 074051467 e-mail cairns@nrmaparks.com.au
Mostly camping limited number of cabins

Lake Placid Tourist Park
Site fees are $54.50 per site for 2 people. $15 for each extra adult.
10% discount for 10 sites and 15% for 10+ sites
Bookings need to be confirmed with 1 night deposit and balance paid on arrival.
This is entirely subject to availability. Currently we can easily accommodate 100 people at 4people per site.
People with trailers will have 2 people per site.

Register below for your State Ride

You can find available information by expanding each state below. Rides are opening progressively.


New South Wales

This years 2026 NSW Black Dog Ride to Cairns QLD, will depart Dubbo September 5th and arrive Sept 11th in Cairns Qld. We will be travelling up via Lightning Ridge, Roma, Yeppoon and Airlie Beach. Then commence the QLD leg.
Celebration dinner will be held Sept 12th at the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum. Thunder Run held Sept 13th (destination to be advised). Sept 14th start heading home and however you choose.

For more information, please contact NSW State Coordinator Dwayne Ryan here

REGISTER HERE!

Northern Territory

This years 2026 NT Black Dog Ride to Cairns QLD, will depart Noonamah south of Darwin on Saturday the 5th September and arrive Sept 10th in Cairns Qld. We will be travelling south on the Stuart Highway stopping at Daly Waters, then east on the Barkly Highway to Barkly Homestead, Camooweal, Mount Isa and Cloncurry when we'll meet up with the Queensland leg into Cairns. The Celebration dinner will be held Sept 12th at the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum. Thunder Run held Sept 13th (destination to be advised). Sept 14th start heading home and however you choose.

For more information, please contact NT Coordinator Shane Klein here

REGISTER HERE!

Queensland

This years 2026 NSW Black Dog Ride to Cairns QLD, will depart Emerald September 6th and arrive Sept 11th in Cairns Qld. We will be travelling up via Longreach, Winton, Hughenden and Ravenshoe. Then commence the QLD leg.
Celebration dinner will be held Sept 12th at the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum. Thunder Run held Sept 13th (destination to be advised). Sept 14th start heading home and however you choose.

For more information, please contact QLD State Coordinator Michael Young here

REGISTER HERE!

South Australia

This years 2026 NSW Black Dog Ride to Cairns QLD, will depart Nuriootpa on Saturday the 5th September and arrive Sept 11th in Cairns Qld. We will be travelling up via Balranald, Parkes, Goondiwindi, to Rockhampton and Bowen. Then commence the QLD leg.
Celebration dinner will be held Sept 12th at the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum. Thunder Run held Sept 13th (destination to be advised). Sept 14th start heading home and however you choose.

For more information, please contact SA State Coordinator Craig Goodman here

REGISTER HERE!

Tasmania

Mystery Ride!! Starting on the 1st September on the ferry and then travelling up the coast line to Cairns.

For more information, please contact TAS State Coordinators Andrew Wadley & Greg Casimati here

REGISTER HERE!

Victoria

This years 2026 NSW Black Dog Ride to Cairns QLD, will depart Wodonga on Friday the 4th September and arrive Sept 11th in Cairns Qld. We will be travelling north via Wodonga, Narromine, St George, to Emerald, Charters Towers and Atherton. Then commence the QLD leg.
Celebration dinner will be held Sept 12th at the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum. Thunder Run held Sept 13th (destination to be advised). Sept 14th start heading home and however you choose.

For more information, please contact Vic State Coordinator Bernie Garvey here

REGISTER HERE!

Western Australia

This years 2026 WA Black Dog Ride to Cairns QLD, will depart Dalwallinu 0800 August 30th and arrive Sept 11th in Cairns Qld. We will be travelling over the top via Port Headland, Broome, Kununarra, to Katherine and Threeways RH. Then commence the QLD leg.
Celebration dinner will be held Sept 12th at the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum. Thunder Run held Sept 13th (destination to be advised). Sept 14th start heading home and however you choose. More in depth information will be sent following the 1 Dayers and York Motorcycle festival.

For more information, please contact WA State Coordinator John Hitchcock here

REGISTER HERE!

Celebration Dinner & Thunder Run

This is for the riders who would like to attend the dinner and/or thunder run that have purchased a 1 or 3 day ride ticket or would like to just join us for these events. Do not purchase this ticket if you have already purchased a full rider ticket.

REGISTER HERE!