Brendon Cousins and Marli Delavere say their new business, Ride Industries, lets them share their passion for Cape York’s landscape, lifestyle and people with clients from all over the country. Photo: Supplied.
The logistical challenge of catering for nearly 20 riders and maintaining a fleet of motorbikes in some of the remotest spots on Cape York aside, Brendon “Couso” Cousins is feeling pretty happy with life.
The well-known Cape York motorcycle tour guide is no stranger to carving a path on two wheels to the iconic Pajinka sign each dry season, but it was the completion of a ride this month that proved the most satisfying of his career.
Mr Cousins and partner Marli Delavere launched their own motorcycle tour business, Ride Industries, in early 2025, and just celebrated the completion of the company’s inaugural trip to show 17 clients parts of Cape York most will never get to see.
“It was very much a feeling of satisfaction that we finally got it done,” Mr Cousins told Cape York Weekly after the group had posed for the obligatory Pajinka photo, and shared embraces and cheers after putting down their kickstands for the final time on the week-long trek from Cairns.
“It was two years in the making (launching the business) and just the amount of work we put into it, and putting everything we own on the line, and having a crack at it.
“It all come together – we got all the punters there.”
Motorcycle tours to Cape York are one of the most competitive elements of the far northern tourism sector and Mr Cousins said he and Ms Delavere were thrilled they now had their first tour under their belts.
“There was definitely a lot of people probably thinking that it was never going to happen, but we got it done against all odds.”
With Mr Cousins leading the tours on the #1 bike and Ms Delavere behind the wheel of the support vehicle, he said the format of the business allowed the couple to share everything they loved about Cape York with their clients, many of whom were setting foot in the state’s far, far north for the first time.
“That’s why I like Cape York – it’s a big family,” he explained.
“It’s a vast area, but it’s a big family, like, everyone keeps in contact, and then we don’t see each other for six months, and then we finally catch up again when the roads open.
“We love to show them (clients) what we get to experience when we’re living up here, and just how beautiful the country is, and the people and the mateship; it’s just a great part of Australia.”
To convince clients they should return to experience Cape York and the Torres Strait time and time again, Mr Cousins said he was hoping a bush tucker favourite would play a delicious role.
“They say when you eat the wongai plum, you’ll always come back, so I always try to feed them to the customers when they’re on season and tell them that once they eat one of these, you’ll always return back to the Torres Strait.”
Riders celebrate reaching the iconic Pajinka sign as part of Ride Industries’ maiden Cape York motorcycle tour earlier this month. Photo: Supplied.
