The squatters Last mountain and fields
Hawkers+26 – Quorn – Yapunna Spring – Wilmington 80
So I awake early, and try to repair the matelas. I easily find the hole, putting one litre of water on it. But then I discover I don’t have the repair kit. So I try to use the one for bicycle, but it doesn’t stick. Well I have nothing more to do, than finding the repair kit later, and sleep on a flat matelas, boring.
I follow the boring road, 40 km till Quorn, flat, through poor grass fields. Well there is a little forest just 2 km before Quorn, just on Schmidt road, if in need to camp.
Fortunately the supermarket is open till 2 pm on Sunday, so I go shopping for 4 days food. Then I have breakfast, and feel better. Then I go to the tourist office for internet, but the price is 12$ an hour, so I don’t use it, of course!
I continue, I turn on right just after the Hotel, way to Wilmington. 4 km ahead, I turn again on right, in Gunyah road, smooth gravel actually, undulating through fields and crops, with scattered oaks and eucalyptus. I have backwind and it is sunny. I stop and camp in Yapoona Spring cross. And miracle the matelas is repaired, the glue for bicycle was enough!
Well it is the last place to camp, then come farms till Welmington. And Welmington is just a village, the store is closed, no library for internet, but at least there are 2 picnic areas, at each end of the village, and a petrol station.
Welmington – road B56 – Horror pass – Mambray creek – Port Germein 90
It is raining, showers and light rain, but hoping it will clear, I decide to follow the scenic drive. So I won’t go to Melrose. I take the road B56, way to Port Augusta, to cross the Horror pass. There are 7 km climbing, not so steep, by a narrow valley between very steep slopes, covered with green grass. At the top there is a cairn. Then comes 14 km downhill till the highway A1, 6km quick, and then it flatters. Well I could take a shortcut, about 5 km after the pass, by Nectar Brook gravel road, but as it is raining, I prefer avoid to dirt the bicycle. When it flatters, there is a beautiful lookout at the North part of Mount Remarkable, a long lane of big hills with only green grass.
Then there are 30 km of highway A1, but there is a large sealed shoulder, so it is acceptable. And the view should be nice on a sunny day, on left the Mount Remarkable, and on right the fjord of Port Augusta. At Mambray creek there is a picnic area, table and roof, but no water and noisy. Then 500m later comes the cross to go to the Mount Remarkable park, and to camp in the roadhouse, an ordinary caravan park in the end, not a National Park camping in the forest, not the same price nor the same ambiance. It is raining, so I don’t miss it at all and I continue.
I don’t take the middle track gravel road, which goes from Mambray creek till Germein Port, parallel to the A1. I follow the highway for 20 km more. Well there is a campsite, 10$, 10 km before Port Germein, a rodeo ground, but it is closed.
I turn left just before Port Germein, way to Germein pass. Just after I see a unfinished and so empty house, and I stay on the terrass, under a roof. I take lunch and have a short sleep, but then the owner comes and pushes me away. So I continue, and about 8 km after the cross, just before the start of the climbing, I turn on right in a mud road, Telowie gorge way, and I discover a free campsite there at the start of the road, where I stay. The rain stops for the night.
Port Germein+8 – Germein pass – Wirrabara forest campsite 40
There are 13 km climbing, not very steep actually. The first 10 km passes by a very narrow valley with slopes like walls, with pine trees and eucalyptus. Then it rises the top of the hill, and it flatters, through green fields and crops. 500m after the top, I turn on right, in Willow Dam road, gravel, but I go ahead 500m more, and I turn again on right to follow Yellow cut trail, here don’t miss the Mawson trail sign! All that is going by fields and crops. At the end of the trail, I turn on right in White Park road and enter in the forest. And 500m after, at the limit between forest and crops, I turn again on right in Block Nine road, there is a big sign with a lot writing on. If you pass it, I did, you will meet quickly a creek and a farm on right.
This road goes rounded by eucalyptus, and through pine trees plantations, for a long while. 2 km before the campsite, there is a shortcut, a trail on right, indicated by a Mawson sign, which drives in 500m to Avonmore road, that I take on right. And 500m ahead it cuts a large gravel road, Forest road, which I take on right to join the bush campsite, toilet, hut tables, tank water. I camp here, and I take one day rest.
And that gives me the time to decide the next of my travel. I understand it is better not to go to Kimberley, too expensive, 600$ airplane ticket, and 2400 km more cycling, as I fell already tired. And also I have to speed a little, to be in Melbourne before the November 20, to catch the plane to Perth and Tasmania out of new year’s high prices, so I won’t go till the end of Kanguru Peninsule.
Well it shouldn’t be a big lost, hills, eucalyptus forest, and fields, certainly.
Wirrabara forest campsite – Stonehut – Caltowie – Jamestown – Bundaleer forest hut 72
I choose to join the sealed road, not to continue by the Mawson trail, as it goes off the forest. So I turn left when I get off the campsite, and then turn on 2nd on right gravel road. I join the sealed road and I turn on right way to Gladstone. I cross Stonehut, a village with antic huts made in stones, something typical here. It has a sport field.
All the countryside around is fields and crops in gentle hills, and scattered trees with farms.
Just after Stonehut, I turn on left to Caltowie and Jamestown. I arrive in Jamestown at 11 am and go to the library for internet, it is free around here. Good, some warmshowers guys can lodge me, and I find fly tickets for the next of my trip. Then I do my food shopping and I lunch. As there is a big park west of the town, I am thinking to stay here, but I decide to continue, to sleep in the bush.
So I turn around, and follow the way to the golf. Just before the turn to the golf, I take a short cut straight ahead, through a field. And I join the Mawson trail, but it is barely a trail, better a walking path, barely visible in the grass, mostly through fields, always up and down, with a lot of gates, very harsh. I have to push the bicycle at least half the way. Fortunately it is well signed, or it should be impossible to follow it. It may be 15 km like that, and at the end it joins a gravel road. I take it on left, and turn on the first one on right. After about 3 km downhill, I arrive at the cross, where the Heysen trail joins, and where the Mawson trail gets off the gravel road. The hut is just here, behind the gate, along the Heysen trail, 500m away on left, by a path. But the gate is closed, so I have to jump the fence with the bicycle and the stuff. And when I arrive at the hut, it is closed too! Well there is a table and beautiful pine trees where I camp, lot of birds, and a water tank, so I wash myself and the clothes. I am exhausted, so I have a nervous and bad night.
Bundaleer forest hut – Spalding – Townhill 50
I go back to the fence, I jump it off, and I follow the Mawson trail. Well it is the same sort of trail than yesterday, so I push the bicycle, through fields, by an animal footprints. At the end it joins a steep downhill and rough trail, and then the sealed road. Then it is a short trip to Spalding, with backwind. Every where yet are fields and crops and scattered trees and farms. So I understand all that part should be the same countryside, and I decide to go straight to Clare.
Spalding is a village, with a store and a sport field. I want to avoid the main road to Clare, too busy, so I turn on left way to Burra, and a few km ahead I turn on right in River hill road. It is sealed for a while, and then it becomes smooth gravel. After 20 km I arrive in Townhill, and on right I see a big community building “memorial soldiers hall”, with a sport field, where I camp. It starts to rain and fortunately there is a shelter with roof, where I move the tent. It rains heavily all night.
So I awake early, and try to repair the matelas. I easily find the hole, putting one litre of water on it. But then I discover I don’t have the repair kit. So I try to use the one for bicycle, but it doesn’t stick. Well I have nothing more to do, than finding the repair kit later, and sleep on a flat matelas, boring.
I follow the boring road, 40 km till Quorn, flat, through poor grass fields. Well there is a little forest just 2 km before Quorn, just on Schmidt road, if in need to camp.
Fortunately the supermarket is open till 2 pm on Sunday, so I go shopping for 4 days food. Then I have breakfast, and feel better. Then I go to the tourist office for internet, but the price is 12$ an hour, so I don’t use it, of course!
I continue, I turn on right just after the Hotel, way to Wilmington. 4 km ahead, I turn again on right, in Gunyah road, smooth gravel actually, undulating through fields and crops, with scattered oaks and eucalyptus. I have backwind and it is sunny. I stop and camp in Yapoona Spring cross. And miracle the matelas is repaired, the glue for bicycle was enough!
Well it is the last place to camp, then come farms till Welmington. And Welmington is just a village, the store is closed, no library for internet, but at least there are 2 picnic areas, at each end of the village, and a petrol station.
Welmington – road B56 – Horror pass – Mambray creek – Port Germein 90
It is raining, showers and light rain, but hoping it will clear, I decide to follow the scenic drive. So I won’t go to Melrose. I take the road B56, way to Port Augusta, to cross the Horror pass. There are 7 km climbing, not so steep, by a narrow valley between very steep slopes, covered with green grass. At the top there is a cairn. Then comes 14 km downhill till the highway A1, 6km quick, and then it flatters. Well I could take a shortcut, about 5 km after the pass, by Nectar Brook gravel road, but as it is raining, I prefer avoid to dirt the bicycle. When it flatters, there is a beautiful lookout at the North part of Mount Remarkable, a long lane of big hills with only green grass.
Then there are 30 km of highway A1, but there is a large sealed shoulder, so it is acceptable. And the view should be nice on a sunny day, on left the Mount Remarkable, and on right the fjord of Port Augusta. At Mambray creek there is a picnic area, table and roof, but no water and noisy. Then 500m later comes the cross to go to the Mount Remarkable park, and to camp in the roadhouse, an ordinary caravan park in the end, not a National Park camping in the forest, not the same price nor the same ambiance. It is raining, so I don’t miss it at all and I continue.
I don’t take the middle track gravel road, which goes from Mambray creek till Germein Port, parallel to the A1. I follow the highway for 20 km more. Well there is a campsite, 10$, 10 km before Port Germein, a rodeo ground, but it is closed.
I turn left just before Port Germein, way to Germein pass. Just after I see a unfinished and so empty house, and I stay on the terrass, under a roof. I take lunch and have a short sleep, but then the owner comes and pushes me away. So I continue, and about 8 km after the cross, just before the start of the climbing, I turn on right in a mud road, Telowie gorge way, and I discover a free campsite there at the start of the road, where I stay. The rain stops for the night.
Port Germein+8 – Germein pass – Wirrabara forest campsite 40
There are 13 km climbing, not very steep actually. The first 10 km passes by a very narrow valley with slopes like walls, with pine trees and eucalyptus. Then it rises the top of the hill, and it flatters, through green fields and crops. 500m after the top, I turn on right, in Willow Dam road, gravel, but I go ahead 500m more, and I turn again on right to follow Yellow cut trail, here don’t miss the Mawson trail sign! All that is going by fields and crops. At the end of the trail, I turn on right in White Park road and enter in the forest. And 500m after, at the limit between forest and crops, I turn again on right in Block Nine road, there is a big sign with a lot writing on. If you pass it, I did, you will meet quickly a creek and a farm on right.
This road goes rounded by eucalyptus, and through pine trees plantations, for a long while. 2 km before the campsite, there is a shortcut, a trail on right, indicated by a Mawson sign, which drives in 500m to Avonmore road, that I take on right. And 500m ahead it cuts a large gravel road, Forest road, which I take on right to join the bush campsite, toilet, hut tables, tank water. I camp here, and I take one day rest.
And that gives me the time to decide the next of my travel. I understand it is better not to go to Kimberley, too expensive, 600$ airplane ticket, and 2400 km more cycling, as I fell already tired. And also I have to speed a little, to be in Melbourne before the November 20, to catch the plane to Perth and Tasmania out of new year’s high prices, so I won’t go till the end of Kanguru Peninsule.
Well it shouldn’t be a big lost, hills, eucalyptus forest, and fields, certainly.
Wirrabara forest campsite – Stonehut – Caltowie – Jamestown – Bundaleer forest hut 72
I choose to join the sealed road, not to continue by the Mawson trail, as it goes off the forest. So I turn left when I get off the campsite, and then turn on 2nd on right gravel road. I join the sealed road and I turn on right way to Gladstone. I cross Stonehut, a village with antic huts made in stones, something typical here. It has a sport field.
All the countryside around is fields and crops in gentle hills, and scattered trees with farms.
Just after Stonehut, I turn on left to Caltowie and Jamestown. I arrive in Jamestown at 11 am and go to the library for internet, it is free around here. Good, some warmshowers guys can lodge me, and I find fly tickets for the next of my trip. Then I do my food shopping and I lunch. As there is a big park west of the town, I am thinking to stay here, but I decide to continue, to sleep in the bush.
So I turn around, and follow the way to the golf. Just before the turn to the golf, I take a short cut straight ahead, through a field. And I join the Mawson trail, but it is barely a trail, better a walking path, barely visible in the grass, mostly through fields, always up and down, with a lot of gates, very harsh. I have to push the bicycle at least half the way. Fortunately it is well signed, or it should be impossible to follow it. It may be 15 km like that, and at the end it joins a gravel road. I take it on left, and turn on the first one on right. After about 3 km downhill, I arrive at the cross, where the Heysen trail joins, and where the Mawson trail gets off the gravel road. The hut is just here, behind the gate, along the Heysen trail, 500m away on left, by a path. But the gate is closed, so I have to jump the fence with the bicycle and the stuff. And when I arrive at the hut, it is closed too! Well there is a table and beautiful pine trees where I camp, lot of birds, and a water tank, so I wash myself and the clothes. I am exhausted, so I have a nervous and bad night.
Bundaleer forest hut – Spalding – Townhill 50
I go back to the fence, I jump it off, and I follow the Mawson trail. Well it is the same sort of trail than yesterday, so I push the bicycle, through fields, by an animal footprints. At the end it joins a steep downhill and rough trail, and then the sealed road. Then it is a short trip to Spalding, with backwind. Every where yet are fields and crops and scattered trees and farms. So I understand all that part should be the same countryside, and I decide to go straight to Clare.
Spalding is a village, with a store and a sport field. I want to avoid the main road to Clare, too busy, so I turn on left way to Burra, and a few km ahead I turn on right in River hill road. It is sealed for a while, and then it becomes smooth gravel. After 20 km I arrive in Townhill, and on right I see a big community building “memorial soldiers hall”, with a sport field, where I camp. It starts to rain and fortunately there is a shelter with roof, where I move the tent. It rains heavily all night.
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