Bob Beer

Robert Anthony Beer (8 March 1942 – 3 July 2021) was an Australian adventurer who was the first person to run across the Simpson Desert, Australia.

Background Beer was born in Walcha, New South Wales and grew up on a rural property, near Ingleba, New South Wales. Beer attended school in Ingleba, Walcha and Armidale. Following school, Beer was a tent fighter in Selby Moore's Boxing Tent and was known as 'The Beast'. A documentary was made about this trip called "The Runner".

In 1996/1997, Beer kayaked solo across Australia from Port Alma, Queensland to Murray Mouth, South Australia. Beer paddled up the Fitzroy River and then towed his Kayak on a trolley behind a bicycle over the Great Dividing Range to Goondiwindi, Queensland. Beer then kayaked from Goondiwindi to the Murray Mouth. Beer travelled a total of 4,562 km in 146 days. Beer managed to complete the trip despite contracting Ross River fever. Beer wrote a book about this trip titled "The inland sea man: across Australia by kayak".

In 1999, Beer cycled around Australia in a figure of eight, travelling a total of 18,350 km to raise money for the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Beer was not assisted by a backup crew.