Australia Bicycle Touring
AU 2007 Mawson Trail
I rode the Mawson Trail in South Australia during the last two weeks of September 2007. I took the Stateliner scheduled bus service between Adelaide and Port Augusta. To get freight cost for the bicycle reduced from $25 to $15 I removed the front wheel, lowered the seat and removed the pedals. The bike could then be stored upside down in the luggage space. I cycled the highway between Port August and Wilpena and followed the main road to Blinman for the start of the Mawson Trail. Most of the trail is unsuitable for road bikes. The trail follows minor roads, road reserves and forest tracks. Occasional sections of main roads are encountered. The riding conditions involve rocky and rough tracks as well as some smooth or sandy sections.
My bicycle was a hybrid / comfort style (Shogun Metro GS) with front fork and seat post suspension. I used Continental Travel Contact tyres - advertised as having "extra puncture sidewall protection". I had no tyre punctures during the tour and took care to avoid sharp rocks, wire, sticks and other debris.
I rode with the aim of minimizing bounce and oscillations that might result in dismounting the panniers. I used only rear panniers. The total luggage volume was about 50 liters. My average speed for the "main road" sections was 20.6 km / hour and for the Mawson Trail sections was 15.6 km / hour.
I carried my lightest tent (Walrus Micro Swift) and 0 degrees Celsius rated sleeping bag. For cooking I used a Trangia methylated spirit burner with a home made wind shield / pot support, 1 and 1.2 liter aluminum pots. Drinking water is not readily available on some sections of the Mawson Trail - I planned in advance to use the re-watering points, thus reducing the all-up mass.
I met only one other cyclist on the trail that was touring and camping. I met a cycle touring group that had a support vehicle to carry the luggage and meet at designated locations. Many parts of the trail are on road reserves that would be seldom used by other than the neighboring land owners.
Here are some of my notes from my September 2007 tour.
Middlesight Heysen Trail Hut rainwater tank - Mawson Trail Section 3, Map 3 "Blinman" side, kilometer 10 - with no 4 wheel drive access to the hut - rainwater should last longer into the dry season.
Camping area tank - Section 3, Map 3 "Blinman" side, kilometer 14 - the camping area is on a dead end track - the rain water will last longer than tanks with more frequent vehicle use.
Wilpena - Section 3, Map 3 "Wilpena" side, kilometer 58 - artesian water is brownish in color and potable.
Merna Mora bush camp - Section 3, Map 2 "Black Gap" side, kilometer 35 - the bush camp is approximately 3 kilometers from the Mawson trail
Hookina Creek bush camp - Section 3, Map 2 "Black Gap" side, kilometer 10 - rainwater tank
Hawker - Section 3, Map 2 "Wilson Road" side, kilometer 23 - the Flinders View caravan park approximately 0.7 km northwest of town seems better suited to bicycle campers. Hawker offers the worst priced groceries in the Flinders Ranges.
Buckaringa North Heysen Trail campsite - Section 3, Map 1 "Quorn" side, approximately kilometer 43 - the campsite and rainwater tank is located about 2 km from the Mawson trail and 60 meters from the gravel road
Laura Caravan park - Section 2, Map 2 "Laura" side, kilometer 28 - usually there are few campers - might as well ask to use the most suitable site in such a situation.
Bundaleer Forest - Section 2, Map 2 "Spalding" side, kilometer 46 to 58. There were several locked gates posing a challenge for getting the bike and luggage over.
Curnow Hut - Section 2, Map 2 "Spalding" side, kilometer 46 - About 0.5 km west of the trail - rainwater tank.
Spalding - Section 2, Map 2 "Spalding" side, kilometer 11 - camping available at the oval or ask to camp behind the hotel. BBQ and public toilets on the main street..
Corner near Sir Hubert Wilkins birthplace - Section 2, Map 1 "Spalding" side, kilometer 73 - the direction signposts might be missing at the junction of Civilization Gate road - I was unable to locate them.
Rattler Trail - Section 1, Map 3 "Riverton" side, kilometer 18 - the Rattler Trail follows the old railway line from kilometer 18 rejoining the Mawson Trail at kilometer 4.
Snakes - brown snakes on the road tend to resemble a thin crooked gum tree branch. Avoid running over snakes and thin crooked gum tree branches on the road.
Sun Protection - I had the intention to re-apply sun protective cream at each rest break. Lip Balm was also necessary because of the number of hours of sun exposure per day.
Mawson Trail maps (9 maps in the set) are available from Bicycle SA - phone 08 8332 2844. I chose to use the maps rather than a GPS programmed with the intersection way points - the GPS start up time makes it less convenient for cycling. The trail is reasonably well marked. If an intersection requires a turn, the sign post and directional arrow is usually before the intersection. There the intersection does not involve a turn, the sign post is usually on the far side of the intersection. Sign posts are usually marked on one side only. I found myself checking for passed sign posts to determine if I was still on the trail.
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AU 2009 Kangaroo Island and Great Ocean Road
11 Sep 09 Friday: Ride mountain bike to work departed at 14:30, bus from Adelaide at 15:45 to Cape Jarvis, ferry to Peneshaw arriving after sunset, stayed at YHA Peneshaw. Fish and chips at the hotel, purchased groceries for next day.
Distance 20 km, end odometer 2466.
12 Sep 2009 Saturday: Ride to Cape Willoughby and then American River. Flat tire after running over rock in road. Patched with two quick patches after finding the two fractures. Distance 82 km Average 17 k/hr, end odometer 2486. Met British couple from Richmond, Tasmania traveling to Western Australia (met again in Kingscote).
13 Sep 09 Sunday: American River to D’estrees bay and Murray Lagoon . Rain and showers along the D’estrees section. Only person at the camp ground – former farmyard acquired by National Parks. Did the Bald Hill walk and one other walk.
Avg 17 k/hr end odo 2551
14 Sep 09 Monday: Murray Lagoon, stopped at Vivonne Bay for groceries and lunch, visited Kelly Hill Caves and on to Flinders Chase National Park. Stayed at west end caravan park outside the National Park. School group from McLaren Vale on camping tour at the campground. A lady (I previously met at the Peneshaw YHA) stated that the Western River conservation park was wild and windy.
69 km, avg 20.0 k/hr, end odo 2620.
15 Sep 09 Tuesday: Rocky River to Cape de Couedic and Remarkable Rocks. Lunch at Rocky River and ride to Harvey’s Return campground. Rear tire loosing pressure by the end of the paved section. Re-inflating every 7 or so kilometers was sufficient to get the last 30 km to the campground. Replace faulty tire patch at camp. Use Aquatabs for rainwater purification, cleaned off debris from roof and gutters feeding rainwater tank. I was the only person at the camp ground.
102 km time 5:10, avg 19.7 k/hr, end odo 2726
16 Sep 09 Wednesday: Ride to Cape Borda – too early for lighthouse tour. Return to Harvey’s Return pack and depart. Drizzle and rain through the ride to Western Districts (sports grounds)– stopped for lunch and rest while rain continued. Arrived at Parndana and got self contained cabin – rain continued through the night. Evening meal at the hotel.
17 Sep 09 Thursday: Laundry and grocery shopping in Parndana after departing cabin. Ride north to Stokes Bay – free camping. I was the only person at the camp ground.
28 km 1:37, avg 17.2 k//hr, end odo 2825.
18 Sep 09 Friday: Ride gravel roads from Stokes Bay to Kingscote 57 km, avg 16.5 k/hr, 3:28, end odo 2882. Campground about 3 km from town center.
19 Sep 09 Saturday: ride to Emu Bay and tour around Kingscote. Shuttle bus to Peneshaw and catch the evening ferry to Cape Jervis and coach to Adelaide. Cycle to Athelstone arriving home around 11:30 PM. 55 km, avg 17.1 k/hr, 3:14, end odo 2938. Laundry before going to bed.
20 Sep 09 Sunday: Change bicycles, tools and spares, finish laundry and get the Premiers coach from Adelaide to Kingston SE (about 300 km) arriving after sunset. Start odo 13172, 0:52, avg 17.8 k/hr end odo 13190. No other tent campers at the campground.
21 Sep 09 Monday: Mainly favorable winds, lunch at Robe (should have done grocery shopping) and on to Beachport. Rain after 5PM 100 km, avg 22.1 k/hr, 4:31, end odo 13290
22 Sep 09 Tuesday: lunch at Millicent and on to Mount Gambier arriving 1530. 92 km, avg 22.6 k/hr, 4:03, end odo 13382. Mostly favorable winds with come drizzle.
23 Sep 09 Wednesday: Windy with some rain, lunch at Nelson and camp in Portland. Mostly favorable winds. 100.5 km, avg 21.9 k/hr, 4:57, end odo 13490
24 Sep 09 Thursday: cloudy with favorable winds on ride to Warnambool. 111 km, avg 22.5 k/hr, 4:56, end odo 13602. Met German cycling couple on way to Adelaide – winds would continue to be unfavorable for them.
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25 Sep 09 Friday: Raincoat, two top layers and leggings worn through the ride to Port Campbell. 74 km, avg 19.9 k/hr, 3:42, end odo 13675. Windy and rainy through the night, packed up wet tent.
26 Sep 09 Saturday: Cold and rainy ride through hilly and rising terrain to Lavers Hill. Socks and shoes were saturated by the time I arrived. General store and Campground closed due to change of ownership. Stayed in backpacker hostel along with a couple from Kalgoorlie traveling to Tasmania and Mildura. Dried the clothing in front of the gas heater and tried to slowly bring the temperature of my feet up to normal. I watched some of the Aussie rules football grand final game won by Geelong. 59 km, 4:04, avg 14.5 k/hr, end odo 13735
27 Sep 09 Sunday: Ride to Apollo Bay, windy with showers, too windy and wet for photographs of 12 Apostles. The campground was unsheltered and uninspiring. Stayed at the Apollo Bay YHA, quite new, modern and “eco”. $28 per night with 3 persons in the shared room. 50.5 km, avg 18.0 k/hr, 2:48, end odo 13875. Met two others from Adelaide and couple from Edmonton at the hostel.
28 Sep 09 Monday: Some blue skies on the winding ride with gentle grades to Lorne 3:06, 52 km, avg 16.7 k/hr, end odo 13837. YHA $20 and 4 in the room, two story cottage style building.
29 Sep 09 Tuesday: Less wind and slightly warmer. Ride to Geelong and catch the V-Line train to Melbourne and another train to Balarrat for a chance to get the bus or train to Adelaide. Next bus was fully booked – school holidays in Victoria. Camped at Eureka Stockade campground – a poor offering for tent and bicycle campers. 84 km, 4:45, avg 17.7 k//hr, end odo 13922
30 Sep 09 Wednesday: Packed early and investigated travel options. 0940 train to Arrarat allowed connection on the Thursday Overland train to Adelaide. Visit the Gum San Chinese miners museum and modernist painting exhibition at the regional Art Gallery. 10 km, avg 12.3 k/hr, end odo 13932
1 Oct 09 Thursday: Cleaned and pack up, did grocery and bakery shopping for the day’s journey. In Arrarat found the Lutheran church of Pastor Chris Raatz (godson’s brother-in-law). Overland train departed Arrarat about 20 min late and the same into Adelaide at 1810. Met Lynn on the platform, bicycle was the second to be unloaded and we were among the first to depart the station.
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2019 Yorke Peninsula – Cycle the Yorke
03 Nov 19 Sunday Athelstone to Adelaide and bus to Moonta then cycle to Port Hughes. Windy, arrived after dark and set up tent by bike light. Rain overnight drained into the swale where the tent was by around 05:30
Odo Dist 24
04 Nov 19 Monday to Port Victoria. Overnight rain drained into my campsite by 05:30. The floor feet cold and damp, then like a waterbed. Water to a 2 inch depth surrounded the tent. I moved the tent to higher ground and hanged the wet clothing over a fence to dry somewhat before packing up. Followed Nalyapa Road for about 40 km southward. The wind was adverse for most of the day. I got groceries from a general store and will take more bitumen roads tomorrow. Pale and sparkling ale take away.
Odo 49469 Dist 58.4 Time 4:19 Avg 13.5
05Nov19 Tuesday I departed Port Victoria around 08:00. Calm to start with then favorable breeze to Minlaton. Sunny, 19km of gravel road. Harvesting appears to be more than half completed here. Got groceries and visited the bakery in Minlaton. The route was sheltered by the dunes for part of the way to Point Turton. The caravan park was nearly full due to Melbourne Cup Day festivities – BYO salad or sweet and the park supplied the bbq meats, snapper, crabs and prawns. Dark Ale and Best Extra Stout from the Tavern on Turton.
Odo 49539 Dist 69.7 Time 3:51 Avg 18.06
06Nov19 Wednesday Point Turton to Marion Bay. I followed the coast road and turned south before Corny Point. Head wind along the highway to Corny Point so I took the gravel roads to try to avoid the head wind to Marion Bay Road – a paved road but still a front right vector of wind. Arrived at the campground after 15:00, the wind persisted. I was hoping for calm after sunset. A long neck of Sparkling Ale, the unpowered site was buffeted by the wind. It was a partly cloudy day. I saw the Walk-the-Yorke signs occasionally on my route. So far – camp kitchens in the campgrounds.
Odo 49611 Dist 72.72 Time 5:08 Avg 14.15
07Nov19 Marion Bay and Innes National Park Loop. Gusty winds through the night with a shower or two. Cloudy with a few sunny breaks. I departed for Innes NP by 09:00. There was no Day Use visitors fee for cyclists (perhaps it should have been the pedestrian fee). There was a good paved road to Pondalowie and Surf beach. The walk/cycle track to Gym Beach included only about 300 meters of pushing the bike through sandy areas. I put on the rain pants several times but there was not enough rain to wet the ground. Gusty winds continued. There were good long drop toilets at the NP camping areas. Most had gas BBQ plates as well, water tanks – good until December, I imagine.
Odo 49670 Dist 58.5 Time 4:15 Avg 13.45
08Nov19 Friday Marion Bay to Edithburg. Windy with showers overnight. Chatted with the cleaning gal who also worked at the tavern – an avid walker/hiker from Queensland. Departed shortly after 08:00 with favorable winds as far as Yorketown. I followed the good gravel coast road an Walk the Yorke track. I got Groceries from the Yorketown Foodland. The last 16km to Edithburg had mainly cross winds. The schoolies must be having a surf weekend. There were plenty of vacant sites in the caravan park, most of the foreshore / views sites were occupied. My site was near a shed and fence for shelter from the wind.
End Odo 49758 Dist 87.45 Time 4:35 Avg 19.7
09Nov19 Saturday Edithburg to Ardrossan. Light but favorable winds, I stayed on the bitumen roads all the way. Rolling route as the creeks passed to the coast. I arrived at Port Vincent around noon and shopped for groceries. I had a spinach and cheese roll for lunch and decided that the extra distance to Ardrossan was achievable. Pine Point Caravan Park appeared to be a former school yard. Ardrossan caravan park was along a creek and close to town. Most of the Yorke Peninsula caravan parks were run bu the council and had similar standard amenities. The morning was cool and cloudy, warm and sunny in the afternoon with flies increasing.
End Odo 49849 Dist 91.04 Time 4:47 Avg 19.00
10Nov19 Sunday – clear from dawn, calm, mid 20sC by noon. Much more traffic; caravans and semi trailer trucks hauling grain. Road shoulders were rough with spray pave surface. The worn wheel tracks had 5 to 10% less rolling resistance. I stopped in Port Wakefield for a pastie. The distance to Balaklava was about 76km – sufficient for me with the flies and rising temperature. No camp kitchen. I got take-away tea.
End Odo 49938 Dist 81.78 Time 4:36 Avg 17.93
11Nov19 Monday Balaklava to Athelstone. I got up around sunrise 06:10.I made coffee and cereal at the BBQ and departed before 08:00. I passed through Owen, Hamley Bridge on the way to Gawler Central station. The train departed soon after I arrived and got seated. Winds were favorable and speeds were above 30 km/h through level terrain. I de-trained at Mawson Lakes interchange and took Elder Smith, Research Road, Baoo to Montague Road and the usual route home.
End Odo 50011 Dist 80.44 Time 3:36 Avg 22.34
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2025 Victoria Cycle and Train
01 My 2025 Start Odo 12600 I left home at 04:45, stopped at McDonalds for takeaway breakfast and arrived at the west parklands train station before 05:50. The Overland train service departed Adelaide and arrived Ararat on schedule. I did grocery shopping on my ride to the Acacia campground. It was cold overnight, less than 4C is my estimate.
Distance 21 km
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02 May 2025 to Avoca. Another cold morning with frost on some grassed area
End odometer 12687
03 May 2025 to Maldon. I was the only tent camper in the campground. Kangaroos browsed in the lower sites before dawn. Another cold overnight with some ice crystals on the tent fly before packing up. Maldon is a heritage railway town, I did not see the steam trains in operation.
End odometer 12753
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04 May 2025 to Bendigo. The next train to Swan Hill from Bendigo was after 8 PM. I decided to take the 10:00 train the next day and cycle farther from Swan Hill.
End odometer 12800, Distance 47 km
05 May 2025 to Lake Charm. Before departing Bendigo I bought Sherpa Socks and a beanie from Vinnies and and food for the next day. Winds were favorable.
End odometer 12849 Distance 49 km.
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06 May 2025 to Gunbower. Sunny with favorable winds most of the route. Most of the route was on the Murray Valley Highway (B400).It typically had paved shoulder about half of the time. I stayed at a free camp near the town recreation area and oval. There were toilets and cold water and a park like area for tenting, no other tents.
End odometer 12930 Distance 88 km
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07 May 2025 to Echuca / Moama. Arrived before noon, less than 50 km. The campground is on the NSW side, so actually in Moama. Groceries from Aldi , lunch and laundry then visited the old port area. Some light showers in late afternoon, clearing by sunset.
End odometer 12983 Distance 53 km
08 May 2025 to Numurkah. The wind sometimes helpful, the sky mostly clear. It was nice to be off the Murray Valley Highway for a while. There are probably more fields than bushland today, this is irrigation country, plenty of caravans on the roads. 3C forecast overnight, frost at ground level is likely. I have to add extra layers around 3:00 am.
End odometer 13066 Distance 83 km
09 May 2025 to Bundalong, about 14 km past Yarrawonga, at a poorly maintained campground. Mold on the shower curtain type of place.I crossed Broken Creek several more times today. There were more fields than woodlands, large trees along the creeks; similar to Saskatchewan but with occasional creeks. This morning as some previous days, maybe due to the nearby pond.3C overnight is forecast again. Highs 23 for several days.
End odometer 13153 Distance 87 km
10 May 2025 to Wodonga.I arrived at Wodonga, visited the VLine station, Aldi groceries and a beer store on the way to the campground. The breeze was unhelpful today.
End odometer 13237 Distance 84 km
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11 May 2025 to Ararat by train. The alarm was set for 05:00 and I was packed up by 06:00, no breakfast before departing. It was a cold 2 km ride to the train station, I was the second of a dozen or so passengers to arrive. I had an unreserved seat- one of the fold down seats located in the wheel chair priority areas. There was a 2 hour wait at Melbourne Southern Cross station for the train to Ararat. Meanwhile I made the arrangements for the Monday Overland train from Ararat to Adelaide. There were spare seats on the train which arrived in Ararat around 15:30.I bought groceries and train snacks at Woolies before going to the campground. I watched the Geelong -GWS game on TV while having tea in the camp kitchen.
End odometer 13244 Distance 7 km
12 May 2025 to Adelaide and Athelstone. I left messages with Pastor Chris and Katie but Katie was not able to meet that morning. I did a main street tour of Ararat before going to the train station. The Overland arrived about 20 minutes behind schedule. Less than a third of the seats in the Red Standard carriage were occupied. A speed restriction on one section added another 20 minutes to the schedule and we arrived about an hour after sunset. It was warmer than I expected in Adelaide, the nearly full moon was helpful. The Linear Park path is lighted from (at least) Stepney to Felixstow. I arrived home before 20:00.
End odometer 13272 Distance 28 km
06 October 2025 - Home to Mt Pleasant Caravan Park
Good weather along the way, no rain and wind was OK. I shopped for some groceries and beer in Birdwood. I arrived Mt Pleasant around 2pm. A dozen caravan sites and two grassed areas for the unpowered visitors. The campground is part of the showground and sports ground area.
Pizza from the pub for tea. Coffee later in the camp kitchen
Only 45 km of the route today, a favorable distance for the first day. By day four I am usually into touring fitness. I forgot to change my phone to airplane mode and it drained the battery.
Start Odo: 14353 End Odo: 14407 Distance: 54 Time: 2:52 Average km/h
07 October 2025 - Mt Pleasant CP to Swan Reach Tenbury
There is no campground in Swan Reach but a free one on the other side of the river. There were several spaces suitable for bike camping when I arrived. The slope felt OK when I tested it when setting up the tent. The general store had essentials and the pub had beer. The wind was favorable for most of the distance. I met one touring cyclist riding home from a family camping weekend in Renmark.
End Odo: 14477 Distance: 70 Time: 3:44 Average km/h:
08 October 2025 - Swan Reach Tenbury to Morgan Caravan P ark
I had a light cross wind for most of the distance. The afternoon temperature was above 20C and partly cloudy. Day 3 is typically challenging, not quite fit and somewhat sore from the previous days. No other touring cyclists today. The un-powered river sites are grassed. That will be nicer than the hard ground al the free sites near Swan Reach. The minor roads today we're paved. I have
20 km section of Sturt Highway tomorrow, Google Street view shows a paved shoulder. Groceries mid day at Waikerie, destination Moorook South Caravan Park.
End Odo: 14550 Distance: 70 Time: 3:43 Average km/h:
09 October 2025 - Morgan Caravan Park to Marook South Caravan Park
Favourable wind today. The section of Sturt Highway was 30 km not the 20 I expected. It was nice to get away from the traffic noise for the final 15 km of the day. I shopped for groceries in Waikerie. Kranskies and pasta for tea. The recreational reserve here has bqs and toilets, at $12 per night it is popular with the gray nomads.
End Odo: 14635 Distance: 85 Time: 4:11 Average km/h:
10 October 2025 -Marook South CP Paringa Caravan Park
The breeze was favourable for most of the distance, an unfavorable cross wind for the final 9 km of the day. My campsite is next to the camp kitchen, I can recharge phone and power pack and sit on a chair. Mostly cabins here and the caravan sites are a bit short for the grey nomads.
Tomorrow's route is on the Sturt Highway to Cullullerane, maybe there will be fewer trucks on a Saturday.
End Odo: 14717 Distance: 82 Time: 3:56 Average km/h:
11 October 2025 - Paringa CP to Cullulleraine Lake - Bushman’s CP
Favourable breeze again today, some occasional drops of sweat though. The Highway has a 0.8 metre shoulder and most vehicles give appropriate when space is available. I had a half chicken schnitzel at the Paringa pub last night. Ice cream sale at IGA and I enjoyed that yesterday. I brought enough food and snacks for tonight and tomorrow AM. I met a lady touring cyclist east of the Loxton road. She built a bike touring trailer and was testing it on a return trip Loxton - Mildura - Loxton. I will stick with the two 20 litre panniers and tent on top of the pannier rack. I have cycled 400 km of the planned 750 km distance. The night locations will be decided in the afternoons for the rest of the tour
End Odo: 14802 Distance: 85 Time: 3:39 Average km/h:
12 October 2025 - Cullulleraine Lake to Gol Gol Rivergarden Tourist Park
The campground is 10 km from the Mildura Aldi store, where I shopped on the way. The favourable breeze continued. The camp kitchen is about a minute away by bike. I had nice river view from near the camp kitchen. 6 or 7C overnight with a forecast of 24 C wit light clouds clearing.
I purchased burning alcohol in Loxton. I used up the spirit I carried from home to clean the bike chain before lubrication with wax. I have now used the food items that I brought from home, except for one can of tuna
Noodles, zucchini and smoked salmon for tea. The liquor store had warm bottles of Cooper's 25th Vintage Ale for $4 so I got two.
Heading southeasterly tomorrow along the Sturt Highway. Google Street View shows some areas with minimal shoulder width. The Victorian part of the highway had smooth shoulder areas of adequate width for cycling.
Weather forecast shows daytime temperatures increasing, so perhaps the wind will be from the Northwest soon. The westerly winds have made it much easier for me.
End Odo: 14869 Distance: 67 Time: 2:58 Average km/h:
13 October 2025 - Gol Gol Rivergarden TP to Robinvale Caravan Park
Google indicated that the Euston general store was closed on Mondays. I decided to cycle the extra 5 km to Robinvale, a town of 8000 with an open IGA store. I stocked up for next day or so. Ice cream on sale again... 80 km today. The breeze was less helpful today, I was heading southeast. The weather radar indicates the wind should be more helpful tomorrow. I will be on the Murray Valley Highway until Swan Hill. It seldom has a paved shoulder but the traffic should be much lighter.
End Odo: 14952 Distance: 82 Time: 4:27 Average km/h:
14 October 2025 - Robinvale CP to Boundary Bend CP
I decided to stay at Boundary Bend. Toolybuc was another 47. So I did the laundry and bike maintenance. The campground is ageing and needs maintenance but my tent site is grassed and shaded. Annoying flies are abundant. I miscalculated the distances from Robinvale. I will probably ride the 88 km to Swan Hill tomorrow. The morning train from Swan Hill departs at 06:54 most days.
End Odo: 14999 Distance: 47 Time: 2:20 Average km/h:
15 October 2025 - Boundary Bend CP to Swan Hill
I arrived SH before 15:00, about 93 km to the campground near the train station. I shopped at Aldi before getting my VLine train ticket to Ararat ($5.50). Departure 06:54 so I will adjust the alarm I will sort out the Friday Overland ticket tomorrow. There is some sort of group gathering here for ancient car enthusiasts, rubber types but wooden spoked wheels. They arrive in or on trailers.
Vineyards and orchards are still being planted in the area I passed through.
The forecast high for tomorrow is 36C, a good day to ride trains.
End Odo: 15094 Distance: 95 Time: 4:40 Average km/h:
16 October 2025 - Swan Hill CP to Ararat Station
The Swan Hill train did not get to Footscray in time for the earliest connection to Ararat. I took the next train to Ballarat and had two hours to look around before the 4pm train arrived
The Ararat campground is nice, I stayed here before. It is near the train line to Adelaide.
My Overland ticket is all sorted.
End Odo: 15103 Distance: 9 Time: 0:40 Average km/h:
17 October 2025 – Ararat to Athelstone
Late departure from Caravan with the tent packed dry. Rode by the Lutheran Church and manse, no vehicles there at that time. I made a tour of the main street and visited a bakery for coffee and pastry before going to the train station. The train departed about an hour behind schedule and arrived into Adelaide Parkland station about 40 minutes behind schedule. I changed into cycling attire before cycling through the city. There were many younger people enjoying the pleasant evening in the city streets. I arrived home after dusk.
End Odo: 15126 Distance: 33 Time: 2:33