Highway 61 bikies dig in at Yatala

ANOTHER outlaw motorcycle gang has decided to set up a clubhouse near the Gold Coast.

Bikie sources have revealed the gang -- Highway 61 -- has bought a block of land at Yatala and is believed to be building a base there.

Several other gangs are also known to have bought blocks of land on the Gold Coast, but have not shown any intention to build.

The Highway 61 motorcycle club began in New Zealand and has chapters across the country.

It is associated with the Bandidos in Australia and Fat Mexicans in California. During a raid last year, police seized weapons and drugs from its clubhouse at Hendra in Brisbane's east.

In New Zealand, the gang is considered one of the most infamous and has been associated with drugs and violence.

In Australia, however, the gang is believed to dabble in drugs and weapons, but is not considered to be as dangerous as other well-known and more infamous Gold-Coast based clubs such as the Finks.

The Brisbane chapter lost one of its members late last year after he came off his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on the M1. The 39-year-old was killed when his bike hit the edge of an exit ramp at Pimpama.

Witnesses told police the rider was speeding before he crashed.

The Logan man was thrown from his Harley-Davidson, which landed on top of him before stopping about 60m away.

Other gangs who like to call the Coast home include the Bandidos, Rebels, Nomads, Lone Wolves and Black Uhlans.

The Gold Coast gained a graphic insight into outlaw motorcycle gangs at last year's infamous 'Ballroom Blitz' at the Royal Pines.

About 15 Hells Angels attended the kickboxing bout, where they had sponsored two contestants, when 43 Finks stormed the room to settle a disagreement. They used fists, chairs, glasses, knives and guns -- and cared nothing for the innocent bystanders.

One bikie, Christopher Hudson, learned the hard way the outlaw gangs will take only so much negative publicity.

After he allegedly gunned down three people, killing one, in Melbourne last year, the infamous Hells Angel member is believed to have fronted fellow club members who 'removed' his club tattoo and therefore his membership before he surrendered to police.