Cycling Australia Diaries

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.

Had a slight southerly tail wind today and very hilly terrain. Were able to cycle up the hills at about 8-12km/h and down the other side at 50-60km/h. Had lunch at Mt Garnet and stopped in for a quick beer at Innot Hot Springs (Great Pub). There was a very steep climb and massive hills on the way to Ravenshoe (QLD's highest town). We quickly called in to see Millstream waterfalls before town. The scrub was gradually changing all day, but as we made the last climb into Ravenshoe we were suddenly swamped by hot humid air from the coast and were surrounded by rainforest. Stayed the night in the Tully Falls Hotel (the highest Hotel in QLD) where we both had 2 counter meals for dinner.