Day 1 The Great Victorian Rail Trail Tallarook to Yea

I thought I was finished with cycling in Australia but couldn't resist just one more trip before packing my bike away. Then I  am going to spend my last month in Australia doing a bit of rail travel. I decided to do the longest rail trail in Victoria, 134km and because it will be a return trip to get back to the train station it will be 268km. The good thing about rail trails is they are relatively easy to ride and have no motorised traffic. What a joy, no hi-vis jacket on this trip. I caught the train at southern cross station at 10.30 after another pleasant ride along the Yarra river. The fare a massive $9 something for a 70 minute ride, why can't train travel in the UK be this reasonable? On arrival at Tallarook had my sandwiches in the park and then set off for Yea. A beautiful sunny day with little wind and blue skies. The trail was well maintained and a joy to ride on. Took a couple of hours to get to Yea where I popped into the information centre to get some maps and leaflets about the trail. Then to the only caravan park in Yea to set up for the night. It seems to be a bit greener this side of Victoria, I am looking forward to seeing Lake Eildon and cycling threw one of the only tunnels on a rail trail. If you are interested in the rail trail go to YouTube and do a search for the great Victorian rail trail. Some interesting videos and one that does the whole trail in 17 minutes. Or the tourist boards video is also very good. 

Day 9 Great Western to Ararat. Train to Melbourne

On the road just before 9. Only a short ride to Ararat today to catch the train back to Melbourne. The main highway was a bit busy with trucks pulling trailers and caravans etc. Took the opportunity to ride the first 7km on a gravel road with no traffic. Then onto the busy road. Had a chance to look around town before catching the train for a 2 hour ride into town. On arrival a lovely 5km ride along the Yarra river back to South Yarra. 

Yesterday I began thinking about whether there was anywhere else I wanted to ride. After enjoying some of the rail trails in Gippsland Victoria I had a look on their website. I have decided that I want to do The Great Victorian Rail Trail in North Victoria. Which runs from Tallorook to Mansfield 134km and reachable via a short train ride. So will be doing that next week after the Easter break. A ride with no motor traffic. 

Day 8 Great Western

Woke early and said goodbye to the two couples I met yesterday. One couple heading home the other further north. Decided to stay here an extra day instead of heading to Ararat and spending the night there. Will head there tomorrow. I have never toured a winery so since it's right next to where i am camping thought  I would take up the opportunity. Jane was our guide, me and a couple from South Australia. Went down into the cellars which was fascinating. Unfortunately this winery has been bought by a conglomerate so is closing down in June. The vineyard will remain but not the processing side of things. That will all be moved to South Australia. Shame. Anyway after the tour, got to try some of the wines. Well most of them I think. I liked the Chardonnay and the Pinot Grigio also the younger sparkling white. Needless to say I was a bit jolly by the time I left!

Day 7 Halls Gap to Great Western

Leisurely start to the day, had to pack my tent away wet but it will dry fast enough later when I pitch it again. Enjoyed a 3km ride on the cycle path out of town. Had a choice of a 22km direct route to Stawell or a 36km scenic route with a 7km side trip to see some aboriginal art. I opted for the later. Another sunny day with clear blue skies and hardly any wind. Made great progress and had some lovely views of the grampians. Once I turned off at Pomonal and headed towards Stawell the traffic was minimal which was great. Just 8km shy of Stawell I turned right and headed towards Bunjil Caves to see the Aboriginal Art. It was behind a cage to protect it as some people just can't resist destroying things. Arrived in Stawell and headed to the supermarket to stock up. First big store since Warrnambool. Then headed to the park to sit down for lunch . Decided to carry on cycling an extra 10km to Great Western to a camp at the recreation reserve, a bargain at $5 a night with shower and toilets. Right behind a winery! 2 caravans there, had a chat with George and Claire, George made me a lovely whiskey and dry with ice cubes! Very refreshing! Then Lorraine and Brian invited me for tea and a few drinks! Now tucked up in my sleeping bag. Had a lovely night. It's a full moon and the stars are really bright. 

Day 6 Halls Gap - Rest Day

Wow it was cold last night! Decided to have a rest day so got up late, even though I woke up early. Was a pleasant sunny day, clear blue skies and 21c. I went for a wonder around town/village lots of tourist shops but pleasant enough. In the last census HG had a population of around 690, this swells by more than quadruple in the high season. So they have all the amenities in place to cater for all those extra people. The campsite I am staying in has 464 sites a mix of powered and unpowered sites and cabins! Wow and this Easter weekend they are fully booked! Pretty glad I won't be here then!

Day 5 Dunkeld to Halls Gap

Was a chilly night, slept with my hat on! Got up just before 8 and slowly packed everything away. Chatted with my new friends and then we all headed in our own directions.  They were doing walking trips in the grampians, me cycling. Was a cold start so had my layers on which I soon discarded as I cycled up a big hill to mount abrupt! Great name for a mountain. Knew it was going to be a long day as google maps said it would take 3.5 hours to cycle the 64km to Halls Gap. (I did it in 3 hrs 50 mins) It was hilly but not too bad, the worst bit was in the beginning with that out of the way it was a pleasant ride. Great scenery and by 11 the sun came out. Stopped at the lake 8km from HG. Then stumbled across a bike path that went all the way into town. It's always good to get off the road. Saw a big group of emu's and some kangaroos and lots of different birds. Set up camp and made a delicious tea of vegetables, cous cous and chick peas. Then early to bed to wrap up for another cold night. 

Day 4 Penshurst to Dunkeld

A super easy short ride today. Almost flat, any hills were over with in a couple of minutes. 30km covered in an hour and a half. Only issue was the cold. 14c had 2 layers and my rain jacket on. Over cast skies the occasional shower but nothing significant. No wind which was great. Arrived in Dunkeld just after 11. Popped into the tourist information and had a good chat with the lady in there, she spends her retirement travelling the world. Her last trip a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. The time before that, Iran. Wow! Decided to stay in the caravan park here but the caretaker was over the bowls club so went to the recommended tea gardens for coffee and a cake. The camp sites between here and Halls Gap are pretty basic with only toilets and no drinking water. So need to decide if I am going to go straight threw to Halls Gap tomorrow or camp half way in which case I will need to make sure I have enough drinking water. Returned to the campsite and set up, then to the general store to get a few fresh vege's to add to my pasta. Talked to Martin and Elizabeth who are on there way home from the womad festival in Adelaide. Then later Mac and Maggie also travelling home from the festival. All ended up chatting around the fire until dark when we all retired to our respective cosy warm sleeping bags. 

Day 3 Penshurst- Rain day!

Pretty wild night, thunder, lightening, wind and rain. Which continued into the morning, well the wind and rain. Then heavy showers and strong winds throughout the day. So I stayed put, and the temperature dropped to 11c, what a difference from yesterday! Just after I finished my late breakfast the lady across the street from where I am camping came over and invited me in for a cup of tea. So popped over to Myrtle's for tea and a chat. Which was nice, also gave me some home grown cherry tomatoes which were delicious. Then I took a look around town. Have some lovely old buildings and a few shops. Was just about to head back to my tent when it absolutely chucked down with rain and a gail swept threw the Main Street. I was in the grocery store and the gentleman kindly offered me a chair while I waited for it to pass. Had a good chat with him. Spent the adternoon reading then got up and walked around the small botanical gardens. Then back in my warm sleeping bag, beanie firmly planted on my head. Brrrrr.

Day 2 Hawkesdale to Penshurst

Slept pretty well considering it was a hot night. Was joined at the free camp by a French couple which was good as it was out in the sticks a bit. Packed up my stuff and headed back to the other free camp to cook breakfast at the picnic benches. On the way there I met Elie a French cycle tourist, who had cycled all the way from France a total of 33,000 km wow! I have so much respect for people who can do that. He was a bit frustrated about wearing a helmet. He had bought one when he arrived in Australia. Didn't wear it until he got stopped by the police. The first time he talked his way out of it. But the very next day, 100km down the road the very same policeman stopped him again. Which resulted in a $180 fine! It can get really hot in a helmet especially if you have think hair! I did a few stretches before I set off this morning, in the hope of sorting my knee out. Still sore but not as bad as yesterday. Today for me was really tough the temperature hit 28c by 11 and by 1 it peaked at 31c. Plus a 40kmph northerly wind, unfortunately a head wind. Going was slow, you know it's windy when you have to peddle going down hill! So there was no way I was going to make it to Dunkeld, it was a relief to get to the camp ground in Penshurst. Had a free washing machine so took the opportunity to use that, luckily that dried just before we had a rain shower. Super! Forecast rain overnight and tomorrow the temperature will drop to 14. 

Day 1 Warrnambool to Hawkesdale

On the road to The Grampians! Said goodbye to Sharon who I had been hanging out with since I finished my Great Ocean Road ride. Now slowly heading towards The Grampians National Park. Hot and a bit windy today. Was tough going as I have done something to my left knee, pretty sore. Hopefully it will sort itself out otherwise I am not going to get very far! Most of today's ride was threw farming land, lots of straight roads and slow long hills. Not too bad. Oh and lots of flys and locusts. I think they were locusts! Stopped at a Lake for lunch and a bit of a rest. Got into Hawkesdale at 1.30, was around 29c by then and very humid. Had a choice of 2 free camps, so stopped at the one on the road for a couple of hours to cool down. Decided it was too hot to carry on to the next campsite 25km down the road today. So after resting at the BBQ area I headed to the other free camping at the golf club. Pitched my tent by the side of the clubhouse, it's a small golf course only has 5 holes. No showers here but do have nice clean toilets. Not a good mobile reception only one bar so that limited my internet time. 

Day 8 Port Campbell to Warrnambool 64km

Took a while to get on the road this morning a couple of guys from Germany were interested in my journey and my bicycle. So hung round chatted about the set up and how they wanted to tour in Europe. Was also chatting with Lexa, so it was after ten before I got going. Lexa gave me a cheese sandwich and some left over pasta to fuel me on my way to Warrnambool. It was a hot day today, it got up to 31c. Started off with a steady climb out of Port Campbell which turned out to be easier than I anticipated, Just after Peterborough got my last look at the formations in the sea on the great ocean road. The bay of islands, it really has been beautiful. The road headed inland to dairy cow country. Very flat and I think the roads were built by the Romans, they were straight and long, and it was getting hotter. Passed two cycle tourists heading in the opposite direction, just about to start their adventure on the great ocean road. I think they will love it, it's a great ride. Just before 4 I arrived in Warrnambool and was met by Sharon. Who saved me from the boring stretch of road up in Queensland. Was great to see her again and be welcomed into her home. That was it The Great Ocean Road ride completed, it felt good to complete it without taking any lifts or hopping on any buses. My legs are stronger for it. Total distance cycled 284.36km, 3 other cycle tourists seen. I would highly recommend cycling the great ocean road it's stunning.