One Year By Bicycle
[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Plan ] [ Photos ] [ Maps ] [ Equipment ] [ Links ] [ Questions ] [ Contact ] [ USA ] [ Australia ] [ New Zealand ] [ India ]

November 1st-10th, 2001

Map 35

November 1st; Meningie to Kingston

Today a pretty ride along Coorong National Park.  The Coorong is a long narrow park.  High dunes are on ocean side with a shallow lagoon and marsh behind.  Many birds and other animals on the wetlands.  Saw signs for mullet for sale and for fishing.  Saw pelicans flying, a pheasant and other smaller birds.

Adelaide news reported it was the windiest October since 1971.  The first of November started with calm winds, a nice change from yesterday.  A few gentle hills and then the road came along a lagoon.  I could smell the mud.  Quiet riding for 51 km where I stopped at Policemans Point for brekky.

At 61 km was Salt Creek and a brief stop.  There was an oil derrick replica for when they once searched for oil (before realizing the ooze came from algae and not oil seeps from below).  After this point the lagoon ended and there were thick trees on both sides.  An occasional gentle hill, but mostly flat.  Around 120 km came to end of the Coorong.  Less trees, more open terrain and also more wind.  Since Port Augusta there haven't been triple road trains.  However a normal cattle semitrailer sends a considerable gust with the crosswinds.  Still not much in way of shoulders but most traffic gives room.  This last part was farming region with sheep and cattle.  At 137 km a memorial to a police officer slain in 1881.

At 145 km came to Kingston, population 1800.  A giant rock lobster stood at north end of the town.  Lobster festival is in January.  Several streets with stores and small jetty.  Saw a tractor museum listed but didn't see it along the way.
145 km today, 21374 km cumulative.

Map 36

November 2nd; Kingston S.E. to Beachport

Today a nice ride through pasture lands and past several beach towns.  At Kingston the road splits into Highway One (106 km) and Highway One Alternate (~120 km, though my route will be longer with side trips).  I took the coastal alternate route.  Stronger SW winds today though the worst of the headwinds were sometimes blocked by trees.

South of Kingston was the Mount Benson wine region.  Saw only one winery though.  Came through Noolook Forest Reserve with tall trees planted in neat rows.  At 41 km was a turnoff and at 44 km was Robe.

Robe is one of the early ports in the South East and still has a fishing fleet.  Robe had quite a few motels, cafes, stone buildings and quaint shops.  Seemed almost too touristy though nice place for mid-morning snack.  I dawdled a bit reading the paper as a brief shower came through.

After Robe the route went inland and past several inland lakes.  Apparently rivers in this area end in marshes and didn't naturally drain to the sea.  As a result a network of drainage canals have been built.  At 80 km was a rather remarkable sight, Murray McCourt's Woakwine Cutting.  This was a one km long cut through the hill to depth of 28 meters.  Murray and a hired help spent three years from 1957 to 1960 removing 276,000 cubic meters of rock to make this drainage channel to drain a large swamp on his property.  Drainage still seems to be an ongoing issue as I noticed local papers carried notice that the Premier will be formally opening another drainage channel tomorrow in Millicent.

Along the way mostly sheep with some cattle.  These beasts seem to be skittish about bicycles again, so I've been causing small stampedes.

At 94 km I came to Beachport and had enough cycling into the wind for the day.  Beachport is a small community with large beach.  Historically it was a whaling town with small cairn marking the first whaling station.  Beachport also has South Australia's second longest pier.  It looks longer than Port Broughton (SA longest wooden pier), so not certain where a longer one is found.  The tourist info also didn't know.

This coming Tuesday is the Melbourne Cup and a holiday in Victoria.  As a result all motels were already full due to the holiday weekend.  Found an out of the way place in the caravan park, though later multiple campers parked right next door.  Hope they will be quiet tonight.
94 km today, 21468 km cumulative.

November 3rd; Beachport to Nelson

Made it to Victoria today, sixth state/territory so far.

Last night my tent was next to the defacto soccer field.  Fortunately the game stopped not long after dark.  Some caravaners explained that sand dunes near Beachport are firm enough that one can drive to Robe.  This explained the abundance of motorcycles and four wheel drive vehicles I saw.  Also learned that Beachport has large percentage of millionaires due to a lucrative lobster trade.

Calm winds but with mosquitoes when starting out.  Flat terrain made for good progress.  I crossed over several man-made drainage canals again.  I also got dive bombed several times today by territorial magpies.  Typically about half a dozen close swoops where I'd hear a whoosh and occasionally some clicks.

Millicent was at 35 km.  There is supposed to be both motorcycle rally and sheep shearing competition but town was still asleep as I came through.  Stopped at petrol station for some snacks and then continued.

At 45 km was a large sawmill.  In the following 40 km I came past many areas with planted trees at various ages.  It surprised me how quickly these trees would grow.  For example, 30 year old trees at 15 meters tall and 30 cm in diameter.

At 55 km was another stop for Tantanoola Caves.  A beautiful cavern with many delicate thin pipes, curtains and other structures.  This is one of two dolomite caves in Australia, resulting in nice brown tint.

Just past the caves, came on three cyclists raising money for charity by riding from Melbourne to Adelaide.  Their support driver was also stopped.  This was day seven of thirteen of their ride.

At 85 km came into Mount Gambier, population 22000.  The town is named after an extinct volcano that erupted 4300 years ago and is still on south side of town.  A few little hills to climb through the city.  Had a late lunch and read the paper.  Also stopped at the Lady Nelson Visitor Center aand looked through the "discovery center".  This had displays on geology, natural history and a scale replica of the brig Lady Nelson.

It was getting late, but decided to ride last 36 km to the border.  A few more bouncing hills as well as winds picking up from SE meant it was a bit slower riding.  I was pleased to see the Welcome to Victoria sign at 117 km.  Hooray!
121 km today, 21589 km cumulative.

November 4th; Nelson to Port Fairy

Nice riding through rural Victoria.  The time changed 30 minutes ahead yesterday at the border.  Nelson is located on the wide Glenelg River with boating and fishing.  Crossed over the river on a high bridge constructed in 1997.  After leaving Nelson the road came across a sequence of small hills.  Biggest climb was 30 km out and it got flatter after that.  Landscapes had a mixture of forests (some with trees planted in neat rows), pastures and even a vineyard.  It looks like they trim lower branches from the pine trees.  The road had bits of bark on it, but didn't see any log trucks passing today.  More forests close to Nelson and more pastures close to Portland.  I could smell fresh cut hay.  Some of the cut hay is bundled with giant blue plastic.  Along the way I saw kangaroos, emus, rabbits and many birds.  Fortunately the magpies were less territorial today.

At 30 km was a lookout to the coast and site of a shipwreck below.  This area is known as Discovery Bay and the Shipwreck Coast.  Many boats had wrecked here between late 1800s and early 1900s.

As I got closer to Portland at 68 km, signs were marked for the 3 Bays Marathon (Discovery Bay, Bridgewater Bay and Portland Bay).  It was close to the finish line and runners were starting to arrive.  Portland was settled in 1834 and is oldest town in Victoria.  Today it has a large harbor for loading local cargos like woodchips or sheep.  In Portland I went through the Maritime Discovery Museum.  The museum had exhibits about shipwrecks, lifesaving, marine creatures and diving...though was about average as such museums go.  After the museum a leisurely lunch and reading the Sunday paper.  As I've ridden along I've also been shifting papers: Courier Mail (Brisbane), NT Times (Darwin), Western Australian (Perth), Advertiser (Adelaide), NT Times, Advertiser and now the Sun (Melbourne).  Interesting to see local concerns and issues.

After lunch decided I'd get a bit more distance.  Tourist bureau told me it would be flatter and they were correct.  I came past the marathon route with slower walkers/runners now finishing.  Definite contrast with runners from three hours before.  I gave a thumbs up and smile of encouragement.

Mostly small farms along the way with a few small settlements: Allestree, Narrawong, Tyredarra, Codrington and Yambuk.  Codrington had 14 large wind turbines and place for tours (www.myportfairy.com/windfarmtours).  I skipped the tour but did speak briefly with Tim.  He let me know of other cycle tourists on tandem just ahead.  I also saw a couple on tandem heading west though we didn't stop.  Codrington was also supposed to have a heritage festival.  However as I passed saw only three old tractors and four dollars entry, so continued past.

From the wind farm, a last 27 km and I was at Port Fairy.  In the 1820s, Captain Wishart sailed his ship, "Fairy" into the Moyne River to escape a storm.  Hence the name.  Port Fairy has two streets of shops, multiple motels and cafes.  Lots of tourists out walking the streets.
139 km today, 21728 km cumulative.

November 5th; Port Fairy to Peterborough

An overcast and rainy day today.  Left Port Fairy and cycled through mostly flat farmlands with black and white dairy cows.  One hill to climb at tower hill, but otherwise quick travel for 28 km to Warrnambool, population 26000.  Wider shoulders and fast traffic along this road.  Light sprinkles along the way and then a brief shower as I had brekky.  Warrnambool had a monument to an annual bicycle ride from Melbourne to Warrnambool.  Good collection of bicycle signs and lanes, though also directed bikes onto bumpy sidewalks for a while.

Road heading out from Warrnambool was busy, but after 12 km was a turnoff to the Great Ocean Road.  I've been seeing Great Ocean Road signs since the SA/Victoria border, but believe this is the more traditional start of this scenic route.

Within a few km of the turnoff was a giant cheese and butter factory and a shop named "Cheeseworld".  One could sample the cheese, purchase cheese and other products.  There was a small free historical museum with farm implements, butter churns, cheese presses, an old generator and other items.  It seemed to be missing many particulars about their operations, but still a nice stop.

After Cheeseworld, back to riding through farmlands.  These cows aren't as skittish as further out.  Stopped briefly at a settlement Nullawarre and then followed the road to the coast.  Stopped here at overlook for the Bay of Islands.  In the bay is a collection of short rock stacks.  White specks of birds were on some islands.  It was overcast on verge of drizzle, but still a nice view.

As I rode the last 5 km to Peterborough, got some more drizzle.  It was still early, but I decided to stop for the day in hopes of getting some clearer weather tomorrow morning for the scenic lookouts to be found just ahead.
81 km today, 21809 km cumulative.

November 6th; Peterborough to Lavers Hill

Wind, rain, hills and beautiful scenery conspired today to make for shorter distance.  Last night a front came through with heavy rain.  This morning had strong south winds and light drizzle.  Crossed over Curdie's Inlet and then through gentle hills along the coast.

The first 30 km were through Port Campbell National Park with dramatic cliffs, arches, islands, rock stacks and crashing waves.  Geologically speaking this area is very recent, 18,000 years since the seas dropped and these limestone cliffs started eroding back.  At 6 km I stopped at the Grotto, the first arch.  Small steps led down to the base with nice views of seas behind.

At 7 km was London Bridge.  London Bridge was falling down on January 15th, 1990 when a span connecting it to the main shore collapsed, stranding two tourists.

Shortly past London Bridge was another arch, named "The Arch".  Just past that was Port Campbell at 13 km.  Had brekky at Port Campbell while another drizzle shower came past letting me dawdle a bit.

At 20 km was another turnoff to Loch Ard Gorge.  This is site where the sailing ship, "Loch Ard" wrecked in 1878 with 36 crew and 18 passengers on board.  Only two survived and only four bodies washed ashore.  I took the short walking trails to view location of the little cemetery where others were buried.  There was another arch, an area with muttonbirds and other places to see.  I had fun going to different tails and lookouts.

At 24 km was my next stop at the Twelve Apostles at a large parking area and exhibition pavilion and paved trail to cliffs edge.  These apostles are large rock stacks in the ocean.  Depending on how you count, there are either seven or nine visible.  Sun was coming out and it was nice to see the apostles in a row.

Another kilometer down the road was Gibson Steps.  This was another large rock stack.  I walked down to Gibson Beach, watching the waves crashing onto the beach beautiful scenery behind.

A little east of Gibson Steps the road headed inland and along some gentle hills.  I climbed a little hill up to Princeton to lunch at 34 kms.  Princeton had small restaurant/pub and also a post office and store.

From Princeton the route went inland and uphill through the forest.  It was slow going in my low gears.  The road climbed up on a ridge before descending to the Gellibrand River and then slowly climbing again.  Some parts were steep enough to have me get into granny gears.

At 3:10 pm in first Tuesday in November is the "race that stops the nation", the Melbourne Cup.  I came to the Lavers Hill Roadhouse at 3:15pm to find the roadhouse closed with about 25 people in the bar.  The race was already over and a horse named Ethereal won (I'm just happy one named "Rain Gauge" didn't).  Apparently over 100 million dollars is bet nationwide ($53 million in Victoria last year) and about 92,000 people came to the track at Flemington (120,000 last year).  In addition to ten horse races, it is also a major fashion display with hats seeming to be prominent accessory (though this year umbrellas seem necessary as well).  I did meet two couples earlier today from Melbourne who were happy to escape all the Melbourne Cup hype and drive the Great Ocean Road instead.

I had only ridden 63 km today, but nice to be at top of the hill and get a rest.  Still beautiful views from up here down past forests to the sea.
63 km today, 21872 km cumulative.

Map 37

November 7th; Lavers Hill to Lorne

A pretty ride first to the coast and then along the coast.  Weather forecast called for showers early and then clearing but it did the opposite with mostly clear skies starting out.

First 15 km were mostly downhill with just two slight uphill climbs.  This is country where the sheep and cows would do well to have shorter legs on one side.  Beautiful green pastures on these hills.  At 15 km was Glenaire a brief view of the coast and a turn back inland and along a valley.  Mostly flat for a while before climbing again near Hordem Vale at 24 km.  Several signs for B&Bs or self-contained cabins, one gets the impression homeowners in this area do this for supplementary income.  It definitely has feel of a vacation area.

From Hordem Vale junction a slow climb up and over the hills again.  I met two New Zealand cyclists riding from Geelong to Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road.  We traded info briefly before I descended into Apollo Bay at 48 km.

Apollo Bay is a small resort town with shops and many accommodation choices.  I had brekky at a cafe.  The slow service let me read the entire paper and check Pocketmail.  From Apollo Bay the road went along the coast, mostly flat except where it would climb along the hills.  Hills were steep off to the ocean.  However, unlike yesterday no sheer 20 meter cliffs at the edge.  Nice views as I rode along with an occasional small settlement and more signs for an occasional B&B.  Made reasonable progress to reach Lorne by early afternoon.  Many more tour buses out today.

The drizzle started about 5 km prior to Lorne and harder rain gave me excuse to wander past shops, get a bite to eat.  Folks were out collecting for Greenpeace and stopping people on the street.  While the worst of the rain subsided, there was still drizzle and grey skies on the horizon.  Decided to make it an early day.

I got a Melbourne map and checked up on the ferry schedules to Tasmania.  Looks like I have ~140 km and two days until the next ferry.  Also I was surprised to discover my back tire had bare patches again.  Not going to replace it yet, but have barely 2500 km since it was new in Port Augusta.
93 km today, 21965 km cumulative.

November 8th; Lorne to Werribee

The numbers for today are 30 and 8.  The Australian newspaper has a weather map with 55 cities listed.  When I came to Geelong, this was the 30th weather map city I have visited.  Tomorrow Melbourne should be #31.  (Back in the US,  I'll have to compare how I've done against the USA Today weather map).

Beautiful almost clear skies with fresh east winds this morning.  Nice ride along the coast with occasional climb over a hill.  Just after "Big Hill Creek", the road climbed to 95m at Cinema Point.  Shortly thereafter Fairhaven had some luxurious looking houses perched precariously on the hillside.

At 18 km I came to Aireys Inlet for a break.  I phoned TT Lines to book a ferry trip on the Spirit of Tasmania for tomorrow.  At 28 km was small town of Anglesea with a store to get some brekky.

Road shoulders were wide as the road climbed a hill away from the coast from Anglesea.  I was thinking how much glass was on the road when I heard a hissing from my back tire.  While glass might have contributed, primary cause for the flat was because I'd worn through the tire.  This means I've now worn through eight tires, two in front and six in back.  I unloaded things and then slowly got back tire #7 on before loading again.

At 48 km was Torquay, the largest town I've been through since Warrnambool (and perhaps larger than Warrnambool).  It is also home to Rip Curl surfboard manufacturer and the Australian Surfing Museum.  A fun little museum.  While stopped at the info center I met with Keith from the UK who was cycling Sydney to Adelaide.  A short bit later, Terry from Brisbane cycled up.  Terry was riding from Brisbane to Adelaide.  I had lunch at the McDonalds where I met two cyclists from New Zealand who were riding Adelaide to Melbourne.  Wow!

Map 37

From Torquay the #1 recommended cycle route to Melbourne is to cross from Queenstown to the Mornington Peninsula and ride the east side to Melbourne.  The #2 recommendation is to take the train from Geelong to Melbourne.  Neither of these suited me, so I asked further.  Problem is that much of the direct route is the M1 Motorway.  I asked and was told bicycles were allowed on the Motorway even if it is unpleasant.

So I set off for Geelong another 21 km further.  Surprisingly busy city with a fair amount of roadwork going on.  I passed two bicycle shops and at the second one, The Bicycle Factory, they had a good replacement tire.  The owner of The Bicycle Factory also had more details about the route into Melbourne.  Roadworks were happening on the motorway, so there was an extensive detour for bicycles.

I rode on a busy road through Geelong.  Occasionally there were signs of service roads in parallel with a "cyclists ride on service road" sign.  While it got out of traffic, it was also obnoxious since these side roads sometimes ended with a very awkward search for how to continue again.

At North Geelong I finally left the main highway and took smaller roads via Lara and Little River.  A brief stretch of 7 km back on side of M1 Motorway.  Eventually ended up in Werribee.  Had a bit of a seach but found a motel.  Long day overall.
114 km today, 22079 km cumulative.

November 9th; Werribee to Melbourne

A short ride today ending on the Spirit of Tasmania.  A few showers early in the morning, but then a clear sunny day.  I took the back roads into the city.  Navigation wasn't too hard since the skyscrapers were visible.  The first 10 km were agricultural passing by the Open Range Zoo and a RAAF base.  On outskirts of Laverton were new homes.  Stopped there for brekky before continuing via Altona and Williamstown and passing refineries, sewage treatment and industrial areas.

At 28 km I rode into heart of Williamstown since I'd heard of a ferry.  However, it was more of a tourist ferry going right downtown.  So back along the shore to Footscray in combination of bike paths and streets.  Melbourne has quite a few cycle lane markings but unfortunately also a lot of glass on the road.  From Footscray past the industrial docklands district and then downtown at 40 km.  Hooray, made it to Melbourne!

I walked my bike through parts of the Central Business District going via Victoria Markets, Swanston Street, Bourke Mall and to Federation Square.  Trolly lines go through middle of some of these streets making them feel a bit busy as a pedestrian.  Stopped off at the post office and looked at book stores.  Nice downtown though think I prefer Adelaide and Perth as a pedestrian.  Environment protestors had hung a banner on a spire by the National Gallery.

I crossed over the Yarra River and then rode along the south bank past the botanic gardens.  Briefly rode north to Richmond to check on my camera (not ready yet) and then back to center of town.  From here I rode around Albert Park to the bay and then back to Station Pier.

Only 2:30 pm but the Spirit of Tasmania was berthed and starting to load.  I was able to board my bike and tie it off on the car deck.  From here I found my cabin (four berths, shared accommodation in middle of the ship).
65 km today, 22144 km cumulative.

Map 40

November 10th; Melbourne to Devonport (ferry) to Burnie (bicycle)

Nice to make it back to Tasmania.  My previous trip was two years ago while investigating this round Australia trip and is described here.  Tasmania lies across the Bass Straight about 240 km south of rest of Australia.  The island is 83,000 km² so only about as big as ten of the largest cattle/sheep stations I've passed or twenty average size stations.  However, it is hillier with the saying being if you ironed it out, Tasmania would be half the size of rest of Australia!  The west is wetter and hillier than the east of Tasmania.  Last time I went through the east coast and middle, so I plan on riding through the hills in the west this time (forecasts called for bits of hail and snow on top peaks).

Travel on Spirit of Tasmania was nice.  This huge ferry is 6th largest in the world.  It has space for 1323 passengers, 315 cars and 40 semi-trailers and weighs as much as 90 747s.  If all cars carried during a year were lined end to end, they would stretch from Melbourne to Sydney.  There are six passenger decks with cabins and three vehicle decks.  There were 1050 passengers on board including five traveling by bicycle.  All the bikes had fenders.  I was on deck J, just at the waterline and below the vehicle decks, in a 4 person shared cabin.  My roommate was from Tasmania, but now lived in Melbourne for medical reasons (waiting for a liver transplant I believe).  There are several restaurants and lounges, a photographer, video games, poker machines, movie theater, tourist info center and shops.  I saw diagrams listing a swimming pool in bowels of the ship, but wasn't able to find it.  The photographer took the classic boarding photos for later sale.  The fare included buffet dinner and breakfast.  The boat goes three times a week and takes 14 hours.  I slept quite well with only deep hum of engines and occasional splashing of water at waterline.  My roommate won about $1000 in the casino and came in late.  I got the maps out and starting looking a bit more at Tasmania destinations.  Had to wait 80 minutes after arrival before I could finally leave with my bike.

On leaving the ferry and passing through quarantine check, I followed signs to major two lane each way highway from Devonport.  The road went over a few smaller practice hills via Don and then along the shore.  At 22 km was small town of Ulverstone and a lunch stop.  Ulverstone had a nice center with small shops.  They seem to be more open here on Saturday afternoon.  I'm told it is because of restrictions on Sunday opening.

From Ulverstone there is a scenic route right along the coast.  Nice rocky islands, a narrow gauge railway and one point where one could watch fairy penguins come ashore.  At 34 km was the town named Penguin.  The penguin motif was spread throughout the town in shop names, statues and signs.

Today is election day and polls are open from 8 am to 6 pm.  Each three years a lower house parliament is selected.  It has thus been an election year since I arrived, though formally just five weeks since parliament was dissolved.  I stopped briefly at the polling place and talked with a few workers.  All 150 members of the lower house are up for election today.  Australia also has an upper house senate with ~76 members, twelve per state and two per territory.  Half the senators are also up for election.

There appear to be three major differences with US elections:

Despite these differences, I've been surprised at the similarities with US campaigns.  It seems like the Prime Minister and party choice is more emphasized than local member choices.  The campaign commercials work the same themes with perhaps greater latitude in negative ads.  All somewhat interesting to observe.

From Penguin I continued along the coast with the scenic route merging with highway one again.  Around a bend I saw large port areas with ships loading wood chips and logs.  At 50 km I came into Burnie located on Emu Bay.  With the late start and west winds it was already mid-afternoon.

Burnie is one of the largest towns in Tasmania with several blocks of downtown.  I walked downtown and visited the Pioneer Village Museum.  This museum had a small street with replicas of businesses around 1900.  There was a dentist shop, carpenter shop, butter factory, print shop, saddler, blacksmith, general store/post office and several other shops.  The rest of the museum had other exhibits.  Overall one of the better such museums I've seen.
50 km today, 22194 km cumulative.