Gamini Chandrasekara of Sri Lankan origin has completed an almost 5000km journey, from Australia’s west to the east coast, on his bike.

The  63-year-old Gamini set off from Perth on 22 March and rolled into Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens on Saturday afternoon (3 May). 

“The heat has been the worst thing, and the flies are very hard … and some hills. The outback roads and unpredictable wildlife also posed extra challenges. I’ve seen a lot of wild goats, kangaroos, pigs, and lots of emus. In some areas, the roads are not very good, with no side space, and with passing trucks, it can be very dangerous,” Gamini says, remembering some of the tough days. 

His route took him across WA and the Nullarbor Plain, across South Australia and into the north-western corner of NSW, and then into Queensland for the home run.

Gamini cycled about 100 to 140 km each day, the entire ride taking him 42 days, including three rest days.

He says the ride was about challenging himself, setting a positive example and doing “something good for the future”. 

Gamini also raised more than $21K for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation to support cancer research.

“I’m very happy … I feel I’m doing something good and I’m giving something back to the world. My effort is having value,” Gamini says.

This was Gamini’s second major bike ride. In 2018, he ticked off a lifetime goal by riding from Melbourne to Sydney. (Newswire/ PeterMacOrg)