At long last I’ve an opportunity to escape the English winter and spend a month cycling in the heat. Australia was an obvious pick albeit it is a long way away! The ease comes with the language, quality of the campsites, weather and my desire to see more of the country.

I cycled there in 2020 until I was pulled out of the country at a couple of days notice due to the onset of Covid 19. That exciting trip, which included losing my passport, torrential rain, meeting an old friend and time in three major cities – Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane is covered in a series of blogs starting with the first (click here). That was a ride from Melbourne, across country to Sydney and then onto Brisbane up the coast. I’d intended to cycle further north to Cairns. However, I got to drive it in reverse with Anna in 2023 but the itch for Australia still remained to be scratched but on two wheels.

In compiling another bike ride I wanted to see Adelaide and Canberra. I looked at a coastal ride via Melbourne but the road route meant quite a lot of time on a motorway hard shoulder. I did this last time and whilst direct and never dangerous it obviously lacked a lot of charm. A trip across country and maybe a little sightseeing in the outback appealed. Frankly this is where you find the real Australia rather than the inevitable diverse selection of folk and concrete sprawl of the large cities.

My planned route is below although things usually change when I’m on tour. There will a lot climbing to start with on the first couple of days and then things seem to flatten out but with, often, undulating terrains. The weather seems to be late 20’s or early 30°C throughout. Checking on the weather in Australia can be a peek through your fingers activity with the potential of out of control bush fires or flooding, however, I’m not anticipating any of that on this route but if things do deteriorate I’ll find somewhere else to cycle in the country.

I will be blogging, as and when, I get the time but I may more frequently put some videos and snaps up on Instagram so please follow me.

In the meanwhile it’s been about getting and maintaining fitness. Normally during this cold weather without a trip in mind I’d cycle regularly but not long distances. However, given the ride in Australia it’s been necessary to gird my loins, wrap up and do the miles. The coldest I’ve had this winter is 1.8°C and when it’s not been perishing I’ve had flood detours to contend with. I’ve never seen York so underwater! Anyway, as they say, it’ll be worth it.

Hope to see you on the road.