Day 1: Getting to Bairnsdale - 25kms
Another early morning start. Got to the airport at 4.30am for my 6am flight. As usual checkin went smoothly and the flight to Melbourne was uneventful.
Arrived at Melbourne around 7.30am. Once I got the bike all assembled I was heading to the CBD one hour later. As my train to Bairnsdale doesn't leave until 1pm, I stopped at the hardware store to get some shellite for the stove. Once I got my fuel I followed a trail which ran along side the train line from Coburg. It was a nice quiet way to get to the CBD. I stopped at my favourtie markets in Melbourne, Queen Victoria markets, for second breakfast. After one very yummy omelette I got some produce before heading to the train station. Getting the train was easy. Already bought the ticket and just needed to roll the bike on. No unpacking, no boxing it. So, so easy. I had a couple of hours sleep on the train. When I woke up we were going past lots of farms. So I was playing spot the cows! By this time it was about 35c outside and was getting a little warm inside. The train arrived at Bairnsdale just before 5.30pm. It was still hot and there was a chance of storms later, so decided to stay in a cabin at the caravan park. The cabin is cosy. I did a bit of shopping and relaxed in the evening. Today has been a long day. But also a really easy day. Everything went to plan and I had a bit of fun at the markets in Melbourne. Tomorrow I'm heading along the East Gippsland railtrail and it is meant to be a lot cooler. |
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Day 2: Bairnsdale to Orbost - 99kms
After a good sleep last night I was riding at about 8.30am. The weather is a lot cooler today. I followed the signs for the East Gippsland Rail-trail. The rail trail goes for 97km to Orbost.
Being an old railway the gradients are really gentle. After a few kms I was cycling through forests of gum trees. It was very peaceful and no traffic to worry about. For lunch I stopped at the Stony Creek Trestle Bridge. It is a stunning old, wooden bridge which was completed in 1916. You can't ride over it, which means you have to ride down and back up the gully. Which is very steep. After lunch I continued through Nowa Nowa. A few kms along I must had hit a rut in the trail and came down. Ouch! Checked the bike all good just a couple of bits got bent. Bent them back to their usual shape and checked me. Just a few grazes on the leg and arm. After that I continued to Orbust, which is at the end of the trail. I'm staying at the campsite which seems very nice. Once I was all setup I had a walk into town and had a bite to eat at the cafe. The sun had come out at last, so was a pleasant afternoon. Today has been cycling nirvana by having a trail all to myself. Tomorrow I'm heading north towards the Snowy Mountains. So will be climbing a few hills to get there. |
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Day 3: Orbost to Goongerah campground - 68kms
Last night we had the campfire going. Found another cyclist who is heading home to Melbourne after starting in Canberra. He was following a similar route to me. So was nice comparing notes.
This morning it was nice and sunny. I was on the road just after 9am. I'm following the road to Gap Creek Reserve, which is about 80kms away. The road was nice and quiet with a few climbs to enjoy. The scenery was great. Plenty of trees going all the way up the hills. I could hear the sound of the creek, which was below the road. Barely any traffic, about 1 car every hour or so. Just before 2pm I got to Goongerah campground. Thought I'd have a look and pleased that I did it as was a great spot to stop for the day. It is right next to the river and a very tranquil bit of forest. There are a couple of other people staying here. One has been here for 20 days and another, by all accounts, has been here for years! Once I was setup I had a swim in the river. Brggghh, the water is certainly fresh. But was so nice. After I relaxed around the campsite, reading my book and listening to all the different birds singing. Once again the weather has been great, roads quiet and fantastic scenery along the way. Tomorrow I have a climb before downhill to McKillops Bridge. |
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