Home

Brisbane cyclist makes epic dash to visit son before WA border closure locks him out

Kelsey ReidKalgoorlie Miner
Avid Brisbane-based cyclist Alex Trefny made it to WA to see his son only six hours before the border was closed to travellers.
Camera IconAvid Brisbane-based cyclist Alex Trefny made it to WA to see his son only six hours before the border was closed to travellers. Credit: Kalgoorlie Miner

After a hectic couple of weeks that saw thousands of cars, caravans, utes, trucks and motorhomes head past the WA border, police and quarantine officers were caught off-guard by an unusual sight on Sunday night.

Queenslander and avid cyclist Alex Trefny was in the middle of a 4500km Brisbane-to-Perth bike ride when Premier Mark McGowan announced the hard border closure last week.

After decades of planning and already en route to visit his son, a vet in Perth, Mr Trefny had no intention of letting the coronavirus pandemic stop him from completing the trip of a lifetime.

“Ever since I came to Australia I’ve wanted to do it,” he said.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

A Swiss-born Australian resident of 30 years, Mr Trefny said he rode his bike five to six times a week, covering distances of 20km to 50km.

Leaving his home in Brisbane on March 14, he has undergone a 2300km journey in the past three weeks, although the impending border closure meant he needed to get to WA quicker than expected.

“I cheated a little bit — someone gave me a lift for 300km just so I could come closer to the border and make it tonight,” he said.

Cycling across the Nullarbor at the weekend and passing through the quarantine checkpoint on Sunday with only six hours to spare before lockdown, although a Queensland resident, Mr Trefney listed his son’s address and was allowed through.

“I just came across the border and that was a bit of a worry,” he said.

With no long-term plans to remain in WA, Mr Trefny will be keeping an eye on any flights out of the State.

“It depends on what this virus is doing, hopefully I can return home to Brisbane.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails