Black Dog Rides 2009 - 2018

In 2009, WA businessman Steve Andrews rode 14,500kms around Australia on an epic 26 day awareness raising odyssey which he called his 'Black Dog Ride around Australia'.

Steve carried with him a soft toy, a black dog representing the well know metaphor for depression - 'the black dog of depression' - and fostered community awareness of depression everywhere he rode.

Since then, Black Dog Ride has evolved into a national charity and continue to coordinate activities, rides and projects to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention in every corner of Australia.

The awareness raising rides have also raised over $2,500,000 for mental health services and have empowered people to start a community conversation of mental health awareness in every part of the nation.

Below are the Official Black Dog Rides from 2009 - 2018. On the drop down tabs above you can find links to the specific pages about these rides.

  • 2009- July
    Black Dog Ride Around Australia - Inaugural Black Dog Ride
    26 day solo ride around the nation

  • 2010 - April
    Black Dog Ride - Inaugural 1 Dayer
    Held in south west WA with 250 riders

  • 2010 - September
    Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre
    150 riders from East & West unite!

  • 2011 - April
    Black Dog Ride1 Dayer
    400 riders participated in this second 1 Dayer!

  • 2011 - August
    Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre
    200 riders join the movement in this ride to prevent suicide

  • 2012 - April
    Black Dog Ride - 1 Dayer
    First national 1 Dayer. 2,000 riders in 11 locations!

  • 2012 - August
    Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre
    200 riders join this much loved suicide prevention ride

  • 2013 - March
    Black Dog Ride - 1 Dayer
    An incredible 4,500 in 17 locations hit our highways

  • 2013 - August
    Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre
    A breathtaking 300 Black Dog Riders + 450 day riders joined Black Dog Ride!

  • 2014 - March
    Black Dog Ride - 1 Dayer
    A massive 6,750 riders in 31 locations took to the roads to raise awareness!

  • 2014 - July/August
    Black Dog Ride around Australia
    520 riders hit the highways of Australia for this anniversary ride

  • 2015 - March
    Black Dog Ride - 1 Dayer
    6,500 Black Dog Ride in 33 regions ride to raise awareness!

  • 2015 - August
    Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre
    400 Black Dog Riders + 100 day riders join us en route to Uluru

  • 2016 - March
    Black Dog Ride - 1 Dayer
    6,934 Black Dog Riders in 30 locations ride loud and proud for suicide prevention

  • 2016 - July to October
    Black Dog Ride State Rides
    Held over 4 months, 7 locations and 250 riders starting conversations everywhere!

  • 2016 November
    Black Dog Ride Around The Fire
    315 Black Dog Riders rallied to let ravaged regions to spread cheer and mental health info

  • 2017 - March
    Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer
    6,000 Black Dog Riders in 31 locations joined us to smash the stigma of mental illness

  • 2017 - November
    Black Dog Ride to Tasmania
    250 Black Dog Riders + 50 day riders hit the highways to say Even Heroes Need a Hand!

  • 2018 - March
    Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer
    Results still coming in - stay tuned!

Black Dog Ride, Nannup WA, 2012

Black Dog Riders in Nannup, WA, 2012. Photo by Shelley O'Brien.