It has been 100 years since Arthur Grady rode a motorcycle around Australia. The first to achieve this challenge, or did he? Read about it here as we celebrate his achievement against the odds.
Short briefing note – full story follows below in flipbook:
“Arthur Grady’s epic journey on two wheels is a tale of grit, determination, and ingenuity—a story that paved the way for him to become a motorcycle legend. For many years the Vintage Motorcycle Club of Western Australia has celebrated his pioneering achievement. 2025 commemorates 100 years since he returned to the Fremantle Town hall having become the first motorcyclist to citcumnavigate the continent.
In an era where most of the continent did not have made roads, Grady’s decision to circumnavigate Australia on his trusty 2.75hp Douglas was nothing short of daring. With two years of service in the 51st Battalion sharpening his resolve, he meticulously prepared his machine with military precision. The result? A 220kg bike, loaded with 20 litres of fuel, six litres of oil, nine litres of water, and barely enough room for a toothbrush (which he carried in his pocket!).
Setting out from Fremantle, WA, in October 1924, Grady faced the wild heart of Australia. Beyond the Tropic of Capricorn, there were no roads—just daunting sand dunes, bulldust, rocky ridges, and washouts. Guided by cattle pads, Spinifex, and Aboriginal jackaroos, Grady’s navigation instructions often sounded like treasure hunts: “Follow the cattle pads to the lagoon, cross the river near the gorge, and make for the clump of trees.” And when the trees didn’t appear? Grady’s pioneering spirit and resourcefulness took over.
Grady’s journal paints a vivid picture of his journey. At a river crossing, he meticulously dismantled his Douglas, carrying each piece across and reassembling it on the other side—albeit with minor damage. Battling wildfires and oppressive heat, he pressed on, using landmarks to guide him. Along the way, he crafted his own lubricating oil from Castor oil, beef dripping, and Windmill lubricant, ran on kerosene when petrol ran low, and hammered his machine back into shape with fire and rocks.
On March 1, 1925, after five months and 14 grueling days, Grady triumphantly returned to Fremantle’s Town Hall, completing his record-setting journey. His feat was hailed as “an achievement that speaks volumes for the pluck of this intrepid pathfinder, who will go down in history as the first man to encircle Australia on a mechanically propelled vehicle.”
Arthur Grady didn’t just ride into history—he blazed a trail of inspiration for motorcycle pioneers in Australia and overseas”.