Hello from the NSW/VIC border at Echuca-Moama. Over the last two weeks I've
managed to cycle about 1200km from Goolwa.
After my last post, I started riding around Lake Alexandrina, the source of
much controversy over Adelaide's water supply. Every town I passed through
had a jetty that ran out over dry land. Combined with the usual wet
depressing weather which I've grown used too, it made for a pretty bleak
outlook. Anyway, I persevered and with the help of a strong NW wind, made my
way to Wellington where I crossed the Murray on the oldest river ferry in
Australia.
From there I headed south east along the coast taking in the Coorong and the
ports along the limestone coast. Due to the lovely tail winds, I managed
168km in one day from 42 mile crossing to Beachport. I was in Mt Gambier in
no time so I decided to chill out there and shelter from the rain for two
days. I stayed in the old jail, which has been converted into a very cool
backpackers.
I must admit that the constant barrage of rain ever since the Mawson trail
was starting to take its toll on me. So in Mt Gambier, I decided I'd had enough of the coast and it's associated deluges. Time to head inland! So I headed North for Naracoorte and arrived at the campground just in time for bout of torrential rain which absolutely saturated me tent while I was setting it up. God damned rain!!! Still, I'll stop bitching about it because that's not what you want to hear ;)
The Naracoorte caves were quite informative. I learnt heaps about our extinct mega fauna including a 5 metre long goanna and my favourite, the Marcupial Lion or... DROP BEAR! Ha! It seems that about 50000 years ago, a creature about the size of a puma once existed that would pounce on its prey from the brances of a tree. So there you go, drop bears are (or were) real.
After crossing the Victorian border, I passed through Edenhope, Horsham and then started heading into the Grampians. I spent two days riding and hiking my way through the stunning mountain range. I saw the usual highlights: Zummsteins, McKenzie Falls, Reeds lookout (half a day of riding up a mountain), The Pinnacles walk. The view from the Balconies at Reeds lookout was really something.
From the Grampians, I started heading in the general direction of Canberra. I started by getting rained in at Stawell (don't start Anthony...). The next day I rode 175km to arrive in Marong, just outside of Bendigo. Gotta love that south westerly! Now I'm on the Murray and I'm about to start heading East.
Funnily enough, I'm massively ahead of schedule. I've clocked up 5500km so far and it looks like It'll only take me three months total to get back to Canberra instead of four. Which means I could be in the Berra by October 7th. If I can get organised, I'll try and let everyone know when I'll be coming in and those who are feeling up to it can cycle the last day or part thereof with me (I may be fit, but I've carrying 25kg of handicap, so don't be scared). I'll endeavor to let you know!
[ Last edited 04/02/2010 12:40pm ]
