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Heather Ellis is an Australian motorcycle adventurer, author and speaker who rode solo across Africa and Central Asia along the Silk Roads to China on her Yamaha TT600. She is the author of two bestselling books, Ubuntu: One Woman’s Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa and Timeless On The Silk Road: An Odyssey From London to Hanoi.

'I loved it: Australians are always known to have guts, but you broke the bounds with your invincible attitude and sheer bloody-minded determination and courage. Brava!! Bravissima! Re-visiting the Silk Road with you was a particular thrill and I send a thousand thanks and congratulations, you wonderful woman'. xx Joanna Lumley, British actress, presenter, former model, author, television producer, and activist.

'It's more than just a long motorcycle trip...' Tony Wheeler, co-founder Lonely Planet.

Heather Ellis writes about her most daring adventures and deepest struggles with humour, heart, guts and grace. I was enthralled by every page.’ Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild.

ubuntu and silk road book cover

TIMELESS ON THE SILK ROAD: An Odyssey From London To Hanoi (Phonte 2019) is my eagerly anticipated second book and follows Ubuntu: One Woman's Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa (Black Inc. 2016). Available everywhere books are sold: book shops, online book sellers

If you'd like a signed copy of my books, you can purchase via Paypal for $35 (inc. postage. Australia only)

For international readers, please my books are available in paperback and as an eBook on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and others...

LATEST NEWS:

18 January 2026

My Yamaha TT600 (1991) has been rebuilt after sitting in my shed for 24 years and in storage in Hanoi, Vietnam for 5 years. Thank you to my old travelling buddy from France. Fabrice Perez aka 'the professer'. I'm so excited . My beloved TT600 is back on the road and running like a big single should. He's now ready for my South to North America ride. Athough, this is still two or three years away. In the meantime, I will be doing a few Australian rides so please follow me on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/heatherellismoto

 

Thank you to John Norris for these fantastic photos.

https://www.facebook.com/johnnorrisphotography/

Yamaha TT600

Yamaha TT600 ride

So why you ask, do I want to travel on a 34 year old bike that is kick start?

My Yamaha TT600 is more than transport — it is my travelling companion. Together we continue the journey that began in 1993, crossing Africa, Europe and Central Asia through trust, resilience, and shared history. From South to North America, this ride extends a lifelong partnership of exploration, storytelling, and human connection forged on the road. My TT600 is also fun to ride and sparks so many conversations and a deeper understanding and connection to people and culture.

Yamaha TT600 side cover

 

MORE LATEST NEWS...

10 January 2026

HORIZONS UNLIMITED TRAVELLERS MEETING QUEENSLAND 2026

Friday, 1 May 2026 to Monday, 4 May 2026 - (Qld Labour Day long weekend)

TheHU Qld travellers meeting is back for 2026. I attended in 2025 presenting my author talk. Unfortunately, I'm unable to attend in 2026. But this is the best opportunity to meet so many RTW travellers. I'll be back in 2027.

What IS HU Qld

Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting QLD brings together motorcycle travellers both experienced and those planning to go, from across Australia.

As well as hearing inspiring stories of overlanding adventure from around the world, you'll get the low-down on preparing for your journey, navigation, first-aid, photography, filming and a host of other essential topics. Whatever your past experience or future plans may be, there's something for everyone.

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/queensland-2026

 

14 November 2024:

I'm in the early stages of planning my South to North America motorcycle adventure. Despite issues with finding parts for the rebuild of my Yamaha TT600, I have not given up on riding my old TT600 for this trip. I've plenty of time for the fitout and going on a few adventures in Oz before departure in October 2027. I'll keep you posted on Facebook.

 

2 September 2024:

My beloved Yamaha TT600 is in for its rebuild with Just Dirt Bikes with handover in September 2024. Vince and Tony specialise in rebuilding dirtbikes and are known for rebuilding the TT600, XT600 and XR600. I can't wait to get out into Victoria's high country this summer. The rebuild is all in preparating for riding from south to north America in a few years. While it is a while away, time flies when your having fun!!!

 

I'm also a contributing writer for Adventure Rider and Australian Motorcyclist. Available at all Australian newsagents. Check them out on Facebook or subscribe.

In August I'm embarking on an off-road adventure with Cape York Motorcycle Adventures. Read about my experience in Adventure Rider magazine Issue#66 on sale November 2024.

I'll also be posting daily updates on Facebook.

 

 

12/10/2019 - Ubuntu receives Book Authority Awards for two categories:

Best motorcycle travel books of all time

Best Ubuntu books of all time

ubuntu and silk road book cover

 

ABC RADIO NATIONAL - CONVERSATIONS WITH SARAH KANOWSKI - 28 June 2019

(In my conversation with Sarah Kanowski, you can get the back story before my travels as well as a few stories from Africa and all that followed after London on my journey along the Silk Roads).

ABC Conversations podcast

 

20/2/2017 - UBUNTU LISTED AS BESTSELLER ON AMAZON

ubuntu book cover

To read more about best motorcycle adventure and travel books Africa and Silk Road (Central Asia) visit: Amazon

 

30/6/2017 - UBUNTU PUBLISHED IN POLAND

ubuntu polish book cover

To buy the Polish translation

 

LATEST REVIEW

TRAVEL GROOVE

Watch a short interview about Ubuntu on Travel Groove (Travel Made Easy). Features travel tips and tricks by travelling experts for adventure. Be inspired to travel and adventure more!

 

 

 

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER

 

Heather Ellis 2011

I now call Melbourne, Australia home and enjoy riding my Moto Guzzi V50 around the hills of the Yarra Ranges. That was until the dear old girl fell victim to a SMIDSY while I was stopped at a red traffic light (SMIDSY = Sorry Mate I Didn't See You). I'm in the process of rebuilding her.

Thruxton

I sold my Triumph Thruxton 900cc back in March 2025 to buy CFMOTO 450MT which I absolutely love. It's light, nimble, quick on the corners and takes to the dirt with ease. If my TT600 fell in a hole, this would be my travel bike. The 'Black Princess',went to a good forever home in Mansfield, Victoria where she can be seen blasting through the high country mountains.

 

My latest ride along side by Yamaha TT600, is this stunning CFMOTO 450MT.

CFMOTO 450MT

Heather Ellis - a Jupiter's Traveller

The Ted Simon Foundation encourages those who adventure into the world to go the extra mile and transform their experiences into something of value for the world to share.

Best motorcycle travel books

 

 

 

LINKS PAGE TO MOTORCYCLE SITES

 

 

For Hikers

THE OVERLAND TRACK NEWBIE

 

heather ellis

 

TO BUY THE BOOK: Author-signed books via Paypal:


Timeless On The Silk Road

published by Phonte, April 2019 304 pages + 8 colour
ISBN 9780648496908

$35 (inc. postage Australia)

Please email: h.ellis (at) bigpond.com for reasonable international postage rates.
Please enter name for signing the book. Either your name or another name if the book is a gift.

Also available at book shops and at:

Amazon Barnes & Noble

Apple Books Kobo Readings

 

 

 

Ubuntu: One Woman's Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa

published Black Inc. April 2016, 370 pages + 8 colour
ISBN 9781863958202

$35 (inc. postage Australia)

Please email: h.ellis (at) bigpond.com for international postage rates.
Please enter name for signing the book. Either your name or another name if the book is a gift.

Also available at book shops and:

Amazon Apple Books Google Play

Kobo Black Inc.

 

 

PRAISE FOR

TIMELESS ON THE SILK ROAD

 

Dear Heather,  It’s Joanna Lumley here: just to say I have only just been able to get round to reading, Timeless on the Silk Road which you so kindly sent me, so warmly inscribed…. and I am reeling from the impact of a sensationally brave adventure undertaken. Heather, I loved it: Australians are always known to have guts, but you broke the bounds with your invincible attitude and sheer bloody-minded determination and courage. Brava!! Bravissima! Re-visiting the Silk Road with you was a particular thrill and I send a thousand thanks and congratulations, you wonderful woman xx Joanna Lumley

 

 

'It's more than just a long motorcycle trip; as well as battling with endless bad roads and, often worse, endless bad bureaucracy, Heather is also fighting a killer disease. That in the end she overcomes them all, roads, bureaucrats and the killer disease, feels like a miracle in all sorts of ways.'

Tony Wheeler, author, travel writer and co-founder of Lonely Planet

 

Heather Ellis weaves a raw and thrilling adventure tale that is exciting, inspiring, and refreshingly honest in its telling.
Lois Pryce, author of motorcycle adventure travel books

 

‘The road may be silken but it’s far from smooth. Heather Ellis delivers a devastating punch and that’s even before the going gets tough. If you want a taste of life on the road, though nowhere, this is as good as it gets.’
Ted Simon, author of Jupiter's Travels 

 

PRAISE FOR

UBUNTU

 

'Ubuntu is an inspiring memoir about an extraordinary journey taken by an exceptional woman. Heather Ellis writes about her most daring adventures and deepest struggles with humour, heart, guts and grace. I was enthralled by every page.’ —Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild

 

Ubuntu is a story that goes way beyond one woman motorcycling through Africa. It's a detailed and descriptive account of Heather's travels through the beautiful but dangerous landscape of one continent, and it will surely inspire the beginner or awaken the adventurer in the most experienced motorcyclist. She makes it possible to believe that anyone can do it. Beautifully written and a pleasure to read. Heather's enthusiasm for Africa, her motorcycle and the journey itself is very infectious. Mary Dobie, AMCN (Australian Motorcycle News - July 2016)

 

Heather Ellis is the newest entrant to the field (of motorcycle travel writing), with Ubuntu, her story of a ride across Africa. She's young, blonde and alone on her Yamaha TT600 - what could possibly go wrong? Read it and you'll find out, but it's not exactly as you'd imagine. Grant Roff, AMCN Australian Motorcycle News - April 2016)

 

'Most of us wouldn’t take a motorcycle solo through Africa. Or remember much about what we were saying, smelling, believing or hoping twenty years ago. Heather Ellis did that, and has written a remarkable book about it too. She tells her story vividly and honestly, taking us through fields, national parks, into towns and down red-mud tracks, meeting other travellers and working with locals, eating rice and fish, honing her self-belief and increasing our respect for her with every day on the road. This is a really fascinating and compelling tale, told well. For anyone who has ever doubted themselves, Ubuntu has a message: there is a way through, down a road you haven’t travelled yet.’Kate Holden, author of In Her Skin

 

'No two big journeys are alike, and Heather Ellis’ could not have been more different to mine, but certain fundamental similarities seem to unite us all, from the prosaic –‘My bike was dangerously overloaded’ – to the sublime awakenings that such journeys engender. Hers was a great adventure into the soul of Africa, a thrilling story of endurance and self-discovery, told with care, intelligence and deep humanity. It is beautifully written and a pleasure to read. So read it.’ Ted Simon, author of Jupiter’s Travels

 

 

'Ever wondered what your life would look like if you chose to trust rather than fear? Heather Ellis does just this as she rides a motorbike across Africa. She discovers a land torn apart by war and poverty but also a land rich in beauty and kindness. Reading this book is challenging and inspiring. Heather’s journey will stay with you long after you finish her story.’ —Maggie Mackellar, author of When It Rains & How to Get There

 

 

'The next stage of our evolution is how are we to live together. Through Heather’s motorcycle journey across Africa, and the African people who embrace her, we learn what is possible – this is ubuntu.’Father Bob Maguire AM, RFD

 

'Ubuntu is the story of a motorcycling adventure that goes way beyond the physical journey. It takes you to other places too. This story has wide appeal and I reckon it will inspire both men and women, especially women motorcyclists.’ —Damien Codognotto OAM

 

'In the 1990s Heather had an impulsive idea to ride a motorcycle through Africa and, through perseverance, made this come true. Her story is not just a very detailed, descriptive account of the countries she rode through but also of the problems she faced and overcame. It reveals her ability to communicate with people of all nationalities and walks of life, learn from them and find that if you have faith in the Universe, it will provide. Very well written and immensely readable.’ Linda Bootherstone-Bick, author of Into Africa with a Smile