Day 12: Merimbula to Bermagui

A slow start as we were just revelling in the paradise that Sally and Danius live in at Merimbula. We had breakfast in the Bar Beach Café and chatted with them and some locals whilst watching the standup paddle boarders and swimmers on the bar break below us.

The only downer was the drizzle, which was on and off all day - cue the orange rain jackets again.

We stopped for lunch in Tathra - which looks an amazing beachside village - although not at its best in the drizzle.

Then - our first stay with a Warmshowers host. We’ve hosted a few cyclists over the last year, but this was our first time staying with a host - and what a host. Simone had just moved into the new home she’d built in Bermagui, but was still happy to welcome us, and another cyclist, Greg, in from the rain for a warm night.

We have a lovely meal and lots of chat, ending with the Dutch treat “stroopwaffel” to finish. Truly and excellent evening. Thanks Simone, and Greg for being such good company.

Day 11: Timbillica to Merimbula

A lazy start to the day, in our lay by next to the A1. We’d been joined by a family who were travelling in their “Partridge Family” bus during the night, so had a nice chat with them and they offered us some fresh water, which was handy. 

Then another day of ups and downs on the A1, punctuated by a strange visit to the Killer Whale Museum in Eden.  

The highlight of the day was ending up in Merimbula to stay with Sally and Danius. Sally was a college friend of Sarina’s sister , Natalie. They moved to Australia 25 years ago and they now live in a jaw droppingly nice house with a remarkable view of the bay and the hills above Merimbula. 

We had a great evening chatting and a comfortable beg to sleep in. Thanks Sally and Danius.  

Day 10: Cann River to Timbillica

It turned out that Cann River was a bit of a metropolis in the morning and had the best café we’d seen in a long time. The Wild Rye Bakery made great coffee, lovely breakfast sandwiches and ace pies, which we had for lunch. We even found time for a second coffee. ​

The main event of the day was crossing into New South Wales. We’re now interstate cyclists, if not yet international. ​

We’re spending the night at the Wallagaraugh River rest area, which is just a lay by on the A1. We have a toilet and picnic bench and a stream to filter water from, but otherwise it’s just us and the passing trucks

We did find time for a swim in the river - well, a sit in the River anyway.  

Great cyclist tan there! 

Day 9: Orbost to Cann River

​On the road all day, but it was quiet on the A1 on a Sunday. Not a flat road though. It’s a road with a large number of hills. We did over 1,000 metres of climbing in the 82 km, which is a lot of work with a full load of panniers. 

We treated ourselves to a couple of beers in the Cann River Hotel, spending the rent money on beer as the campsite tonight is free. No power and cold showers, but doing the trick for us. ​

Day 8 - Lakes Entrance to Orbost

A hot and humid day with thunderstorms around us but, somehow, we stayed dry.  

It was a day of rolling hills and quiet tracks as we followed the East Gippsland Rail Trail to its terminal town of Orbost. There were many enormous wooden tressle bridges on our route but none deemed passable by bicycles, so it was a steep descent followed by a sharp climb instead.  

Prize for the most supportive township goes to Nowa Nowa, who had a full bicycle maintenance setup with pump, tools and bike stand. Great thinking.  

Video: Australia, Melbourne to Lakes Entrance

Rest day

A day off in Lakes Entrance doing everything from spitting cherries to withdrawing pensions.  

Sailing on the Lady Jodie

We were up early this morning to meet a man with a boat on Point Wilson. It was slightly surreal riding through the bush with not a soul around to the very tip of the peninsula. Here, there is a jetty, and we wheeled our bikes onto the jetty and waited. Well, Sarina and I did. Tiger decided that the rain was too wet and went and found a shelter.

Then, out of the distant rain filled sea, a boat appeared heading our way. It was Rob in the Lady Jodie – here to whisk us across to Paynesville so we could continue our journey.

Rob was fantastic - we made the crossing with a nice warm cup of tea in our hands and a chocolate Santa too. Great service.

The weather wasn’t too great - persistent rain for most of the morning, but the outlook for tomorrow was even worse, so we decided to press on to Lakes Entrance via the East Gippsland rail trail. Yet more pleasant riding in the countryside, free of cars and steep gradients.

Now we’re holed up in the Lakes Entrance RSL (Returned Services Legion) and looking forward to our rest day tomorrow. Most likely, in the middle of a huge storm. We should get some admin done though - and Tiger’s VCE results come out too.

Trekking across the salt flats

An interesting and unexpected kind of day.

We set out from Woodside Beach in the morning intending to head up to Sale and right around the outside of Lake Wellington. However, a swift bit of googling by Tiger threw up the possibility of heading up the coast and getting a boat ride across to the mainland. This knocked a day off our journey - but could we find a boat?

We called a boat hire company but they couldn’t help us, but they gave us the number of Rob Ashworth, skipper of the Lady Jodie, a 35 foot boat. We gave him a ring and soon came up with a plan for him to get us across the water.

Next challenge was coming up the ocean side path. It was fine to start with but started degrading into soft sand, send us flying on occasions. It slowed us to walking pace - mainly because we were walking most of the time.

In the end Tiger did a quick scouting exhibition and found we were just next to a large salt flat. It looked ok to cross, and at just 1.5km wide, it was going to be quicker than carrying on along the oceanside track.

Crossing the salt flat was pretty weird though. Problems like quicksand or the tide coming in were occurring to us, but everything looked pretty cool, and we made it across.

That left us 20km ride into Loch Sport, which we were pleased to find had a Foodworks - the first supermarket we’d seen for two days.

On the Bass Coast

We got to revisit the Bass Coast today, with a fair bit of the Bass Coast cycle path and the Great Southern cycle path.

We were here a few years ago with my sister’s family and my Mum and we had lunch on exactly the same bench we’d eaten fish and chips on then. 

Finishing up with yoga.  

We managed 95km without too much trouble so we’re getting closer to England.  

Moorooduc Estate

The first night of our trip was a wonderful evening hosted by Richard and Jill of the Moorooduc Estate. Sarina has been managing the cellar door here for the last year, so this was also the company Christmas dinner.

We were treated to some wonderful food and, of course, amazing wines. Thank you to Richard, Jill and Kate for their hospitality. The bar for food on our trip was set pretty high on the first night. 

Now, we’re off into uncharted territories as we head east along the southern coastline (although, I am currently sat on a ferry to Cowes, so it seems like we’re nearly home!)

We’re off and riding

At last, after months of planning we’re on our way - to England (eventually). 

We started our day with a trip to Excite Gym in Mordialloc where Sarina was able to say goodbye to coach Chris and all her training buddies.  

Then it was back to Omara Cycles for a coffee and farewell with the Bandidos- the best cycling group in Melbourne.  

...and then it’s just the open road and occasional beach stops. 

Previous trips - Vietnam, 2017

As a practice for our “big ride home”, we cycled a two week tour of southern Vietnam.

Previous Trips - Tasmania, 2016

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