Cycling Australia Diaries

Only had to cycle 60km today to Normanton through very hot conditions and gently undulating terrain. Arrived in town at 1pm and checked into the Normanton Caravan Park. Had a great room directly in front of the BBQ area and swimming pool! Had a quick dip then headed down to the store to resupply and send home unwanted wet/cold weather gear. Had a BBQ for dinner and the caravan park owner invited us to use his brand new artesian hot spa! Sat in the Spa for 2 hours then went to sleep feeling very revitalised.

With the continent now crossed and the Burke and Wills section of our journey completed, we set out east towards the coast and rainforests. The Gulf Savannah is very flat and vegetation spaced out, fairly uninteresting but a great contrast to the deserts.

Pushed hard today and didn't get off the bikes until we had covered 100km to Blackbul. There was a small camping area and a homestead, but we decided to have a quick dinner and beer before setting off for a night ride.

Didn't even unpack the bikes last night, only got out sleeping bag, so we were able to make a quick and early get away. Cycled the remaining 5 km into Croydon where we ate a large brunch and relaxed in the shade for a while. Cycling in extreme heat yet again. We are now approaching the Great Dividing Range and the terrain has started to undulate as it climbs into the ranges. Waited until 8:30pm for the moon to rise then cycled for two hours, camping to the west of Georgetown.

Made a quick dash to Georgetown where we had brunch and a free swim in the local swimming pool. Didn't get away from town until 3pm and not long after leaving we hit a very steep and large mountain range. Struggled up the road in 38°C heat and were thankful when some people stopped to give us a cold drink. Were very fatigued by the time we reached the top of the range but were instantly revived after the steep decent and 60km/h speeds! Stopped again for dinner on the side of the road at sunset then headed off again 9pm as the moon was rising. Cycled until 11:30pm then camped on the top of a batter slope.

Cycled into Mt Suprise for breakfast and had a bit of entertainment as the QLD variety bash passed through town. The road climbed gradually but constantly all day as we made our way up the basalt flows of the Undara volcanics. Hit the Kenedy HIGHWAY at 4pm then turned north into the start of the dry rainforests. Camped at 5pm in the 40 mile scrub. Cooked dinner under a shelter as the sun was setting through the forest and the brush turkeys scratched around us all night.