TOP END 2018
9th - 18th AUGUST 2018
Black Dog Riders in every state and territory depart in August to ride throughout regional Australia, starting conversations around depression and suicide prevention, and culminating in a national meet up in the Top End of our vast country!
Black Dog Ride' iconic annual long distance ride is an Australia-wide suicide prevention project raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention in local communities across the country. In August 2018, hundreds of Black Dog Riders are headed to the Top End, saddling up to harness the black dog of depression, start a national conversation about suicide prevention, and support local community mental health projects.
The Ride
If you need a challenge and enjoy the adventure of the open road, then you'll love this unique Australian ride. Commencing in August 2018, Black Dog Riders from all around Australia are heading to the Top End to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.
On Friday 17th August, the final leg of the journey will take us as a national group from Katherine to the iconic Top End of Australia, Darwin, where we will gather to celebrate the coming together of Black Dog Riders from all over the country. On Saturday evening we will enjoy a stunning Grand Finale with an authentic Top End experience at Crocosaurus Cove.
Group rides will be leaving from each State. Links to details of the group ride coordinators are listed below.
The Cause
Some facts around depression and suicide:
• Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australians under the age of 45
• 8 Australians take their lives every single day
• It is estimated that there is a suicide attempt every 10 minutes in Australia
• 80% of all suicides in Australia are by men, but the number of women suiciding is climbing
• 1 in 5 Australians will experience mental illness every year
• Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in Australia
• Depressive disorders are the most common identifiable risk factor for suicide
Black Dog Ride believes that fostering awareness of depression in communities is the best catalyst for preventing the tragedy of suicide. By bringing together hundreds of people - most of whom have lived experience with mental illness or suicideation - empower both the participants of the ride and the communities they visit with the knowledge that mental illness can be managed, and that people can live a fulfilling life with a mental illness.
Black Dog Ride's goals when developing mental health and suicide prevention community campaigns and activities are:
• Engaging and collaborating with local communities Australia wide
• Raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention in those communities
• Building important social links for riders, community members, and community groups
• Linking riders and community groups to mental health support services
• Building the capacity of Black Dog Ride volunteers around Australia
• Supporting local businesses and community groups
• Raising vital funds for mental health projects
Hundreds of Black Dog Riders taking to the roads starts conversations and builds awareness everywhere. By getting the nation talking, we can normalise depression, encourage people to seek support and ultimately prevent suicide.
Fundraising
Since 2009, Black Dog Ride has raised over $2,500,000 for mental health and suicide prevention programs nationwide. Black Dog Ride fundraising has:
• enabled Lifeline Australia to double the hours of their Crisis Support Chat service, helping an additional 2,000 Australians in crisis each month,
• funded the training over 1,000 Australian youth in teen MHFA,
• funded the training of hundreds of crisis counsellors within the Australian Lifeline network,
• funded the training of over 65 volunteer first responders in Mental Health First Aid,
• ensured a Youth Outreach bus in regional WA has funds to continue to operate
• funded the development of a youth suicide prevention training program in QLD schools,
• enabled a regional Lifeline service to provide telephone headsets for all crisis counsellors,
• funded IT Equipment for a regional SA Youth Service
• enabled Men's Sheds to purchase equipment, encouraging social inclusion activities for men isolated by mental illness
...to name but a handful of programs Black Dog Ride fundraising has directly supported. This funding directly saves thousands of lives, supports even more who are experiencing mental health crises, and contr4ibutes to fostering a community culture of acceptance and inclusion for those experiencing mental illness.
Fundraising for Black Dog Ride's Top End 2018 will help continue to community based mental health and suicide prevention programs. Every dollar raised makes a vital difference to the wellbeing of our communities.
Black Dog Ride's Top End 2018 Fundraising Page is here: https://blackdogride.giveeasy.org/fundraising_event/topend2018/
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Regional Itineraries
Click on the Ride Locations below to find out more about registering for the ride starting in your region, ride coordinator contact details, and itineraries.
NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
Registrations close on 30th July.
Please read the Ride FAQs here as most questions you may have about the ride are answered there.
Registration Options
Top End Rider & Pillion $350pp
This ticket is for riders and pillions joining from state start point through to Darwin and includes:
Top End 2018 Welcome Sundowner:
Cost: $20pp. A welcome to Darwin casual get together party at Club Tropical Resort Courtyard, which is onsite at our accomodation location ensuring riders can mingle together upon arrival at accomodation, check in, refresh themselves and then meander over to the Sundowner. Cost covers food for a cocktail selection of sliders, kebabs and similar. The resort has a licensed bar.
Top End 2018 Finale Dinner:
Cost: $65pp. A unique and authentically Top End experience, Crocosaurus Cove will be staying open just for Black Dog Ride, with dedicated animal handling shows, and a roaming dinner around the park. Gather in the Theatre & Cafe space for an address by our Guest Speaker Detective Allan Sparks (RET) - Australia's most highly decorated Civilian - and a fierce campaigner for Mental Health amongst our Police Force. There is a cash bar available.
Bus Transport:
Cost $15pp to and from accommodation at Lee Point to Crocosaurus Cove. You're free to enjoy a drink or two without having to worry about riding anywhere afterward.
Rider Kit:
Cost: $15pp Includes: Commemorative Top End 2018 patch, souvenir decal for your bike and bumper stickers, Top End 2018 wristband, Mental Health Wallet Cards and assorted Mental Health brochures.
Support Levy
Cost: $25pp Your contribution to fuel costs of having a dedicated support vehicle follow you from the state start point of the ride to the Top End.
BDR Registration
Cost: $180pp. Your 'ticket' to ride covers the cost of Black Dog Ride's staff and the resources needed over 6 months to create, stage, and wrap up a ride of about 400 people covering over 400,000 Km and visiting over 100 individual townships and 70 accommodation providers across 10 nights.
Fees
Cost: $40pp This covers compulsory GST, the Eventbrite fee, and the credit card processing fee.
Day Rider & Pillions $145pp
This ticket is for riders and pillions joining from the start point up to a designated end point, up to three days on the ride and includes your entry to the organised ride, the security of a support vehicle with bike trailer to your end destination, a rider kit with commemorative Black Dog Ride to the Top End 2018 pathc, decal and bumper stickers, Top End 2018 wristband, and includes associated GST, Eventbrite and Credit card processing fees.
Darwin Riders
Darwin riders can join the national group at Katherine and escort us into your hometoww! Plus you have the option to join us for the Welcome Sundowner and Top End Finale at Crocosaurus Cove.
If you registered for the Darwin 1 Dayer 2018, which was cancelled due to Cyclone Marcus, you will be emailed a discount code which will give you $30 per rider and $15 per pillion discount when registering for the day ride from Katherine to Darwin.
Partners Welcome in Darwin
Yes, rider's partners are more than welcome to join Black Dog Ride in our celebrations in Darwin. They will need to register for the meals here: https://topend2018celebrations.eventbrite.com.au
Bike Shipping from Darwin
If time is short and you need to get back home straight after the Ride, long time Black Dog Ride supporters Bikes Only are offering a fantastic deal to freight your bike home from Darwin.
Contact Manelle on (07) 3219-7000 or manager@bikesonly.com.au to make your booking.
Special prices for registered Black Dog Riders are:
DARWIN TO:
ADELAIDE $930
BRISBANE $760
CANBERRA $830
MELBOURNE $930
PERTH $1010
SYDNEY $850
TASMANIA (DEVONPORT) $1360
Prices are per bike and includes GST. Prices, which include transit insurance, are to depots in each destination city.
Panniers and top boxes are included, however do not overload your bike.
This service has limited capacity so book early if you want to "Ride and Fly". The Darwin bike drop off date and location will be shared with registered riders via email closer to the date of departure.
They only require payment 2 weeks prior to pick up so you can book now to secure the space.