A long day driving

We left our accommodation at the Abbey Motel in Goulburn after a quick breakfast. Highly recommend the accommodation as very new and sizable rooms. We appreciated the little kitchenette which we put to good use for our dinner....

Exploring my family history

Keen to explore more of the local area, we cycled out of town on the Victorian side of the Murray with the wind behind us past fields of oats and other crops to the Murray Cruise Liner – a grand name for a punt that takes you across the river into NSW....

Punts on the Murray

It took us a while to get going as we detoured into the supermarket to pick up some basic provisions for dinner as we weren’t sure what would be available at the little general store in Milang. We heeded the advice of our host and took the punt from Tallem Bend so we could cycle the quieter back roads to Wellington. Excellent advice and we enjoyed spotting the dairy calves....

A scenic route to Strahalbyn

With rain forecast later in the week, we decided to extend our cycle route to visit Clayton Bay. Located on Lake Alexandrina and the Lower Lake cliffs, it was a small village that had lost its café earlier in the year. As we cycled round the foreshore we could see the north east tip of Hindmarsh Island....

Lunch at Lake Breeze Winery

It was a beautiful day as we headed up to Langhorne Creek past water courses and vineyards. We had coffee in the sun at the Langhorne Creek General store then headed onto Lake Breeze for a wine tasting and lunch, chosen as they were voted the 2022 Halliday Best Value Winery of the Year...

To the Mouth of the Murray

Heavy rain was forecast in the morning and afternoon, so we were up and out reasonably early to beat the rain as best we could. The first option was to at least get to Finniss where we could dry ourselves with coffee by the fire should the rain start early....

Along the Encounter Bikeway

We cycled out of Goolwa in glorious sunshine – perfect weather for exploring the 30km Encounter Bikeway, an on road and shared trail that links Goolwa to Victor Harbor via Port Elliot and Middleton....

Police escort to the River

There were lots of cyclists milling around when I arrived at Hindmarsh Square looking for Simon who had moved our car to the parking station and the space reserved through Bike SA. I heard someone say quite loudly that it didn’t look like there was anyone on the tour under 50 years which was an accurate assessment of the group....

Dinner at the chateau

We packed up a wet tent but at least our towels and clothes were dry thanks to the judicious use of the campsite dryers. It was overcast as we headed uphill out of Williamstown with a mist over the valley....

Fields of Canola

It was nice to pack up in sunny conditions, even if the tent was damp. We set the alarm for 6am in the hopes of being out a little earlier, having been some of the last to leave previously....

Taking the most direct route

The ride to Clare started out on the Rattler trail, a 19km cycle path between Riverton and Auburn. Unfortunately, a cyclist came off at the first gate, after skidding on a rail and managed to break their leg. The rest of us made sure to take extra care. The route passed through rolling farmlands and vineyards....

Visiting the wineries

Another wet day though at least we had a more leisurely start, with breakfast served an hour later from 8am – 9am. We had booked lunch for 1pm at the Skillogalee Winery, around 10kms via the Reisling Trail, so we had some time to explore....

The longest day

With 92kms to cover today, we were keen to not be the last out. Despite our best efforts, most people had already left by the time we were moving. Somehow we can’t seem to master the superquick breakfast....

Scenic cycle trails

There was a low mist over the vineyards as we set off and cycled past the vineyards around Marananga. We followed the roads for a while before joining the Barossa Trail at Tanunda. Whilst very scenic, parts of the Barossa Trail had really steep pinches....

The Shifty Lizard

It was a very cold morning, and breakfast was in the camp kitchen. Not sure how the other visitors felt about the campground being inundated with almost 200 cyclists. We warmed up quickly as we headed south through Echunga and Macclesfield where we stopped for a coffee at the general store....

Reaching the coast

A warmer but overcast morning as we packed our damp tent for the last time. The official route took us from the oval back to the main road through town. We decided to take the very new, seemingly unmapped extension of the McLaren Flat to Vale trail then picked up the Shiraz Trail back to the information centre...

Enjoying the sights of Victor Harbor and surrounds

After a leisurely start, we walked with Marg to the Planted Coffee House where Paul joined us for a coffee. We then wandered into town with Marg acting as tour guide, meeting Paul again at the tramway out to Granite Island. We decided not to take the tram and it was very windy as we walked across to the Island....

Cape Willoughby and False Cape

We were out early to ensure we had plenty of time to be at the jetty for our 9am departure from Cape Jarvis to Kangaroo Island. We had been warned that the crossing could be rough, but it was smooth sailing. We relaxed with a cup of tea and plenty of room....

Exploring Kangaroo Island

Lots of driving today as we tried to see as many sights as possible. First stop was Emu ridge Eucalyptus Oil distillery where we tried a cider tasting flight, stocking up on some Colony Cove alcoholic draught cider and non-alcoholic apple sparkling to take home to the kids....

Flinders Chase National Park

One of the advantages of our trip being delayed for three years, was the opening of the Flinders Chase National Park after the fires. We were looking forward to the chance to explore this area, and packed a picnic lunch knowing that food options were non-existent....

Exploring Sunraysia

The 8:30 ferry departed on time and it was a smooth crossing back to the mainland. We detoured via Victor Harbor to pick up our bikes and then set off on the long drive to Mildura, stopping for a quick lunch and coffee at the GCS café....

Into the Riverina

Knowing it was a long drive, we set off early to allow time for a few stops. It was pleasant driving weather and our first stop was the Discovery Café in Balranald, one of the few places open on a public holiday. It was busy and the coffee was good.....