Jemma Wilson’s Aussie Outback Journey

If you’re going to tackle 10,000 kilometres of Australia’s most unforgiving terrain, including the bloody Simpson Desert via the French Line, you’d better make damn sure your gear’s up to the task. Multiple Australian Enduro and ISDE Champion, Jemma Wilson (and her dad, Ted) knew this when they partnered with SW-MOTECH for their unsupported journey from Gympie to Broome and back. No support vehicles. No back-up. Just pure adventure riding at its finest.

“My Dad is a real ‘adventure guy’ and crossing the Simpson and seeing more of the Kimberleys and Western Qld is something that he wanted to do and wanted to experience it on a bike. We have spoken about this trip for quite a few years and we finally just said … let’s do it! And it was so incredible!”

A proper father-daughter adventure across the heart of Australia, sharing their love of two wheels on terrain that pushes both rider and machine to their absolute limits. The French Line’s relentless dunes, remote tracks that’d make seasoned overlanders nervous, corrugated hell that rattles your fillings loose, and some of Australia’s most spectacular and challenging terrain. The kind of riding that sorts the pretenders from the contenders fast.

The route itself?

Gympie to the Simpson Desert via the iconic French Line. Mt Dare for a breather, then Alice Springs for bike TLC. Through the MacDonnell Ranges to Tilmouth Well Roadhouse, onto the brutal Tanami Road, then Broome. That’s only halfway – the return leg carved back across the Kimberley to Gympie. SOme 10,000km of Australia’s most remote and demanding terrain!

SW-MOTECH saw in Jemma exactly the kind of rider who embodies what adventure motorcycling is really about. Not the Instagram posers with spotless bikes at trendy cafes, but genuine adventurers who actually ride the bloody things. A multi-time Enduro champ who knows her way around challenging terrain, teaming up with her 65-year-old dad for one last big adventure? That’s the partnership you want representing your brand.

The Right Gear for the Wrong Places

When you’re riding unsupported across 10,000km of Australia’s harshest country, luggage selection becomes absolutely critical. Jemma’s Norden 901 became the expedition pack horse, loaded with SW-MOTECH’s heavy hitters: Large SysBag Waterproof side panniers hauling the bulk of their gear, stackable Drybag 260 (26L) and Drybag 350 (35L) tail bags, plus the Pro Daypack Tank Bag (5-8L) for essentials within easy reach. That’s serious carrying capacity engineered to handle everything from sleeping gear to spare parts while keeping it all bone-dry through river crossings and dust storms.

“I was very excited to have good luggage that would hold everything we needed. I did a ride in the NT with my Dad a few years back and we did not have enough storage and it made the entire trip really difficult. The SW-MOTECH collection I had gave me ample room for camping equipment, spares, tools, first aid, fuel, water and food and the set-up made unpacking and repacking each day so much easier than previous set-ups – with heaps of tie points, the tank bags epic magnetic system and the SysBags having a removable inner pouch.”

Ted’s Husqvarna 701 ran a leaner set-up befitting the lighter bike. The Pro Cross WP strap tank bag (5.5L) for quick-access items, a Drybag 350 tail bag (35L) for his personal kit, and the Pro Cargobag tail bag to round out the load. Different bikes, different needs, but the same German engineering keeping their gear secure and protected.

SW-MOTECH’s backing meant Jemma and Ted could focus on the riding, the connection, and soaking in those landscapes rather than worrying whether their panniers would disintegrate somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Because that’s what this journey was really about. Not just crossing deserts or ticking off bucket-list routes, but a father and daughter sharing something special.

“It was a tough 10,000km and we were very remote at times and had to carry a lot and the SW-MOTECH products more than fulfilled their requirements and my expectations!”

Remote camping under stars you can’t see anywhere near civilisation, testing themselves against terrain that doesn’t care about your resume, and the pure love of adventure on two wheels that brought them both out here in the first place.

Fair play to Jemma and Ted for getting out there and actually doing it while they still could, with the right gear to make it happen.