Great Ocean Road to Melbourne.

 

Aren't I cute?

 

 

Great Ocean Road

 

Me and new friend Pete go sightseeing this morning – lighthouse, fossilized forest, gannet colony, seals, great fishing spots – rock ledges straight into deep water. I also saw my first Koala, crossing the road. Screech to a stop, camera out and Koala very obligingly climbs a small dead tree and sits there looking at me, not 3m away. Very cute, and I’m rapt to see one in the wild. The afternoon is spent fruitlessly trying to catch a snapper off the breakwater. I did get a few half-hearted nibbles, but local fish ‘n chips is excellent so no worries, mate.

I get attacked repeatedly by a very territorial Plover whose mate is nesting on the ground in the van park. So it is in a rather foul mood that I set off for the Great Ocean Road via Warrnambool.  Macrocarpa, old man pines and weatherboard homes give a sense of familiarity to the scenery. The GOR is spectacular. One word. Best stretch of biking coastline anywhere. Great road surface, 200 plus kms of winding roads, sweepers and hairpins. Sheer, crumbling cliffs, surf beaches, rocky ledges, clear water and beautiful native bush. The challenge is to conquer all the corners safely and adventurously while keeping one eye on the scenery. Ha, one eye for the scenery, one eye for the road, and one eye for the dickhead who’s following too closely behind me.

I head into the hills for a cheap wilderness camp on the way to Bambra. Cool gravel road climbs high into the hills and I can feel the air getting colder. My destination is a designated campsite beside a lake. Unfortunately the local 4WD lobby had been there carving it up and turning it into a bumpy bog. I found a flattish spot beside the lake and lit a campfire and put the billy on. I have the campsite to myself and pretty soon discover why. Almost immediately a zillion mosquitoes (at least) descended and I spent the evening swatting feverishly at them. My tent is a safe haven, and I retire early, tired and defeated by the mosquitoes.

A final cross-country run leads me into Melbourne where I arrange to meet Simon. He helpfully leads me through the traffic to his apartment in the central city. Next day was AFL finals (again) so we catch the train out to Simon’s bro’s place somewhere out in the sticks. I’m at friends now, helping out with a bit of gardening in preparation for an important party at the end of the month – er, which I won’t be here for. It’s nice to staying with a family, I enjoy the kids and having a bed to sleep in again.

 

With my little friends Phoebe and Felicity.

 

 

Celebrating a Collingwood victory - god you look evil Simon!

 

It feels like my journey’s pretty much over. I have my return tickets booked to NZ, just some good riding through the Great Dividing Ranges and along the coast back to Sydney. Dave at Get Routed has my Carnet and will arrange all the necessary clearances for that, I just have to clean all the dirt and myriad dead insects off the bike and present it to the freight company for shipping home, then get myself to the airport at 4am on Saturday. Just as I was fretting about my ballooning Visa debt I get some timely good news from my Accountant. She advises I’m due a tax refund that will almost clear my credit card account! Hooray, now it feels like I’ve just had a free holiday!

On Sunday me, Simon and another mate here Darren, will have a ride out through the hills for lunch, and I’ll carry on heading for Sydney and the end of my adventure. I have fitted a new set of Metzeler Tourance tyres, the Mitas tyres were getting bald and dangerous, so I’m ready now for the final leg.

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