29 March 2025 (513kms to date)

Nothing much to say about today. Portland to Nelson is all about farming and forestry. Thankfully the logging trucks don’t run on a Saturday.

Had a coffee at Nelson. Was going to stay there but the campground was very small, and Nelson didn’t have a vibe that said, ‘stay the night’.

Roadside break heading to Nelson, Vic

So, I pedalled on to Mount Gambier. Very happy to arrive after a 109km day of rolling hills. Met with rain and strong winds, but after a hot shower I couldn’t care less.

Early night tonight!

Pine Country Caravan Park | Mt Gambier

28 March 2025

Killarney became windy and cold, no potable water, very basic amenities, and a school camp to boot. My airbed informed me that after twenty years of abuse it had had enough, splitting at the seam in harmony with atmospheric pressure. Made for a very poor sleep.

Up at the crack of dawn, I made my way to Port Fairy, a pretty little tourist town that, according to the internet, had a sports and camping goods store. Unfortunately, they only had a large velour covered mattress, weighing in at three kilos. I enjoyed a coffee, thinking, one more crap night and I’ll be in Portland. Hopefully there’s an airbed with my name on it there.

Princess Highway to Yambuk Lake. Trucks, cars, and caravans, but joy of joy, a semi decent shoulder. Still on edge, but amazing what a white line can do to make one feel relatively safe.

Pulled into Yambuk store to get some water. Lady behind the counter said a caravanner had popped in and paid for a coffee for the cyclist passing through. I enjoyed it thoroughly while taking back all the things I said about people towing caravans😂😂

Enjoyed a coffee compliments of a passing caravan - I will pay it forward

Pitched my tent next to Fritz, a German guy out celebrating his 75th birthday, by himself, at Yambuk Lake. He welcomed me with a filtered coffee, and we enjoyed a pleasant conversation about nothing in particular.

No shade at Yambuk Lake, a pleasant enough place, but very hot in the sun. I attacked my airbed with the last of my sealant and it only deflated four times in the night.

Up early in fog, so had to curtail my enthusiasm. With sixty kms on the Princess Highway… I wanted to be seen!!

Big place Portland. Four bulk carriers in the harbour, and lots of tourists.

I found one of those shops that sells absolutely everything, and they had one “Sea to Summit” airbed for sale. So happy😊😊. Bit expensive, but a good night’s sleep is a good night’s sleep! Treated myself to a coffee before booking into the campground at Portland.

26 March 2025

Allowing a few extra days in case of bad weather, to cross Northern Tasmania, proved to be a bit of overkill as I enjoyed three glorious days in Latrobe contributing to Banjos profits (coffees!).

Banjo's Iced Coffee :)

Much as I like Latrobe, I was very happy to board the Spirit of Tasmania on Tuesday evening.

The Kona on board bubble wrapped for protection

The weather was perfect, the crossing like a cruise, and I was sorely tempted to partake in some alcohol with my fellow travellers, but somewhere inside a voice cajoled me, saying, I hadn’t done enough yet to enjoy such a treat. Fare enough, inner bastard!!

Met a couple of very experienced fellow cyclists heading off up country through Victoria and New South Wales. They were happy to share their hard won knowledge, which I lapped up greedily, though disconcerting to hear they still suffer the same riding pain I’m enjoying at the moment😂😂

Spirit of Tasmania leaving Devonport

Have to say I found the Spirit experience okay. I slept, sort of, in my recliner and found the process and Staff all very agreeable.

Bed On Board the Spirit

Fiddling around with my bike lock awaiting daylight in Geelong, I somehow managed to reset the code, creating a useless lump of metal in the process. Suitably binned, I found a bike shop and purchased a replacement lock, this one with a key, which I got them to test in the shop😊

Brekkie in Geelong

Humming and hawing about the Victoria Coast tourist traps, big hills, and no shoulders on the winding roads, I opted out of the Great Ocean Road and caught the train to Warnambool. For only $11, it was a very enjoyable journey. A few years ago I would have felt guilty about such a decision, but the beauty of getting older is you do start making smart decisions! (it’s taken a while….)

Killarney Campsite

Camped up in Killarney ready for a good night’s sleep and looking forward to devouring some kilometres over the next few days.