Day 25 & 26 Coffs Harbour to Melbourne

Early start at the youth hostel as we packed up and carried our gear to the station.  We had to make 2 trips, one to take the bikes and gear over and another to take the bike packing boxes.  We packed the bikes in the boxes at the station while we were waiting for it to open.  Checked in the luggage and train headed off at 7:40 am.

Travel on CountryLink was pretty good.  Fair bit of room in the seats and a smooth ride.  Not much to do on the train so we looked at the bush we passed through and read our books.  We both went through a few.

Eventually got to Sydney Central at about 4:30 pm.  There were no lockers for us to put our stuff in and the Luggage area was officious and unhelpful, so we headed off carrying our gear.  Our next train was not due to leave until 8:40 pm so we decided to kill a bit of time by going to a movie.  Went to the George St Cinemas and saw The Mechanic.  This is a remake of the original, made in the 70's, that had Charles Bronson and Jan-Michael Vincent in it.  Stick with the original, the one we saw was needlessly violent and was unrealistic.  Still it filled in the time.


We then had some noodles in Chinatown and headed back to the station.  The train was running a bit late, but we spent the time having a chat to a guy who ran a school outdoor education program and had just come back from New Zealand where he had take Year 10s on the Otago rail trail.


Got on the train for the long trip from Sydney to Melbourne and after reading for a while tried to sleep for as much of the trip as possible.  Many people on the train.  I didn't realise so many people traveled by train.


Had a bit of a holdup when we were about 25 minutes from Southern Cross station as another train had damaged the line.  We ended up being about 45 minutes late getting to the station.


We unloaded the bikes and luggage and Joe's wife Lisa picked us up and ferried us home.  Thanks Lisa.

Great to be home and loved the balloons and banner.

Day 24 Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour - 43 km

Made breakfast by the river and packed up.  We were keen to get to Coffs Harbour as early as possible so we could organise a few things for the trip home.

Had a quick but enjoyable ride and reached Coffs Harbour by about 10:00 am.  As we were coming into Coffs, Tony got a puncture and the valve length on the tube he had was too small so he had to pump the original tube up till he could get a better tube.  A bit scary going down some of the hills on a soft tyre with all the weight on.  Luckily we were able to make the Coffs Harbour YHA just as it went flat again.

Booked in , had showers and then set off on a long walk to find a bike shop and get some bike boxes.  We needed the bike boxes to pack the bikes in for the train ride home.  Got the boxes and then went to the local shops for some lunch and carried them back to the room.

Fixed the puncture and then went for a ride around Coffs Harbour to have a look.  Joe had not been here before and it is a long time since I was here with Janelle.  The place has certainly developed since we were last here.

Went to the Big Banana and had our picture taken.  What a couple of good looking chaps and what fine tanned and muscular legs they have.

The souvenir shop was full of the cheesiest most   expensive kitsch ever so didn't buy much.

What else would you have at the Big Banana, but a banana smoothie?  Went to the shop and the girl at the counter was very impressed with the fact that we had ridden from Wilson's Promontory.  She made us special banana smoothies and wrote "Well done" on them.  We were stoked.

Went for a swim at the Parks Beach.  The water was really warm.  It was like getting into a bath.  Went back to the YHA which seems to hold some attraction for Joe and updated the blog.  Had a meal from the local fish shop of oysters and a tropical pack washed down with some Stone's Ginger Beer.  Great stuff.

Blog up to date, so off to bed for an early night.  We have an 5:30 start tomorrow to box bikes and get stuff to the station.

Look back over past blogs as we have updated some of the text and added pictures.

Day 23 Port Macquarie to Nambucca Heads 116 kms

It looked like we would get away early as we were both up and about early but discovering the trailer tyre was flat delayed our departure until our usual time (8.oo am). The flat tyre was a portent of things to come. Tyre fixed, we set off down the Pacific Highway.

Our first stop was Kempsey where we visited the Information Centre and took on the board the suggestion that we continue on to Frederickton another 6 kms to have morning tea at Fredo's Pies.

Fredo's have 56 different pies on offer including crocodile, camel and venison, (and maybe platypus). I had Beef Strogonoff and Steak, Bacon and Cheese. Tony had Chicken. Asparagus and Cheese and Mongolian Beef. The trailer tyre was flat again so we fixed it again. Still 50 kms to Macksville our projected next stop.

Next 30 kms went quickly, with Tony riding ahead when you guessed it the trailer tyre went flat. Knowing there was a roadside rest stop 5 kms on I kept going guessing correctly that Tony would be wait,ing there. Finally got there and fortunately there was a sheltered picnic area as it was getting quite hot. Removed the tyre and attempted to fix the tube 4 tims. Each time we put it back it went flat. Old patches were coming unstuck and new patches were not sticking. In the end we decided to bind the biggest problem patch with duct tape and then race for Macksville where there was a bike shop. Set off with Tony to follow behind and raced towards Macksville hoping and not daring to look that the tyre would stay up. Passed two riders with Bob Trailers going the other way. Would have loved to have had a chat but couldn't stop. Tony caught up with me just I reached Macksville and the tyre finally gave out.

Found the bike shop behind the main st and bought 2 tubes and new tyre. The owner was very helpful and help me fit the tyre while Tony shopped for dinner. We went to the local pub, the Nambucca hotel, were Tony bought me a schooner of heavy which went down very quick followed by another one. The pub was pink and pretty rough so thought two men in bike knicks ordering a pony of light might get us bashed.

Decided to push on to Nambucca Heads only another 11 kms. Not wonderful riding on narrow roads with the feeling I should not have had the second schooner particularly when dehydrated and hungry.

Found ourselves at the Foreshore Caravan Park where we were given a brilliant campsite by the river. Set up our tents, showered and had dinner (salmon and chinese rice). Finished off the night with a few lemon squashes at the local RSL.

Day 22 Taree to Port Macquarie - 93 km

The Exchange Hotel is located right on the Manning River.  Tony got these pictures just as the sun was coming up.

Early breakfast at Maccas on the way out of town.  Good munga.  Covered 50km by 9:45 am and stopped at Kew for morning tea.  Pushed on to Lake Cathie where we stopped for lunch by the lake.

After 4 hours of fairly flat riding the approach to Port Macquarie was a bit tiring.  The road took us up and down many steep hills and the legs were not ready for them.

We booked into the Big 4 caravan park in the centre of town, set up tents and went for a well earned swim.  The surf was pretty good for board riders, and felt good to us as well.

Joe organised our train tickets for when we get to Coffs Harbour while Tony read, fell asleep and showered.




Had fish and chips on the waters edge.

Got these pictures of the sunset.

Day 21 Bungwahl to Taree - 80 km

Left Bungwahl after a few short prayers to St James to say "Thanks" for his hospitality.  Had a lovely ride of about 39 km to Forster, past some beautiful lakes.  As it was flat we were able to make very good time and got to Forster about 10:30 am.

Had some morning tea at Forster Fresh, and while we were there had an incident with the St George dragon.  But it didn't phase us.  We finished our coffee/tea and went down the beach.

The beach at Forster was great.  We went to the sea baths and took up location in the picnic shelters next to them.  Liked it so much we decided to spend more time and had lunch there as well.  It was great to be able to go for a swim.

We reluctantly headed off at about 2:00 pm.  It bucketed down just after we left Forster and soaked us.  Knicks, shirts, shoes, everything.  Fortunately it was still relatively warm. 

Trucks and buses sprayed water over us everytime they went past.  The riding was fairly dangerous as it was difficult to see and we were often riding in rivers of water running down the road.

We were very happy to get to Taree.  We would normally camp out or go to a caravan park, but decided to treat ourselves to a room at the Exchange Hotel.

The view from Tony's room was great.

Tony went to the local bike shop to get his nuts tightened, headset that is.  The shop owner, Noel, recognised the bike, Motobecane and said that he used to race a carbon fibre one 35 years ago.  Was so excited he went and got the frame to show to me.  Tightened my nuts for free.

Went for a wander around town and had noodles for dinner (carbohydrate loading) by the Manning River.  Saw the locals taking their dragon boat for a spin.  Watched the news and went to bed.

Day 20 Newcastle to Bungwahl - 120 km

Monster day of riding.  Started off with a scenic ride to work with Greg who took us past a few of the Newcastle beaches, unfortunately they involved going up (and down) a few decent hills.
A bit rude for first thing in the morning.

Got some pictures of us in front of the office with the permission of the guards and while we were waiting for Greg to make himself beautiful, who should roll up but John Howarth.  John is looking fit and well and still has that booming voice.  Great to see him.

Greg, Andrew and Ivan came down and took us to the Embassy Cafe for the $5.00 breakfast deal.  They are a good looking bunch as you can see and know good value and a good feed.  They really know the classy places to go.  Do they ever take their hands out of their pockets?

Headed off about 8:30 am for a good day of riding.  Road to Karuah was reasonably flat and we made good time.  I think we got there by 11:00 am.  Not alot at Karuah.  We bought some salad rolls and kept going for another 20 km and had lunch at a roadside stop.  Weather was starting to get hot by then.

Travelled on to Bulahdelah, again making good time.  Bought some food (and drink) for dinner as we intended camping out and headed off.  Soon after Bulahdelah we turned off towards the Myall Lakes intending to find somewhere in the bush to camp after about 20 km.  Road was hilly and rough with some of the cars and trucks coming close.  Couldn't find anywhere suitable to camp and so kept on going and as we were getting close to Bungwahl (Aboriginal for the sound made when you've had a few bongs) pushed on. 

It started to rain just as we got to Bungwahl.  There is nothing at Bungwahl, so we took shelter in the Anglican Church while we prayed for the rain to pass.

We were just in the porch, but it was great to get out of the rain.  By the time we had got there and done 120 km we were buggered.

As the sign on the door said that they would not be running services, we decided to have dinner in the porch and camp there for the night.

After a good dinner of cup-a-soup, tuna salad, two fruits and some beer (preceeded by grace, of course), Joe decided to sleep in the porch rather than set up the tent in the rain.

Tony was too long for the porch, so set up his tent when there was a break in the rain.

Hit the sack fairly early as we were both so tired.  It bucketed down all night with thunder and lightening.  A real tropical storm. Joe was pretty dry in the porch apart from the odd buzzing mosquito and Tony was dry in the tent.

Day 19 - Lake Munmorah to 10 Queens Rd New Lambton 45 kms,

Woke up early but still raining. Eventually full bladders and a slight break in the weather enabled us to escape the tent for the BBQ shelter. While we were waiting for the rain to clear we were joined by other campers under the shelter. Tony was prevailed upon to render assistance to the Ladies toilets where paper had run out. Although the Gents had plenty it was secured with a padlock so he went back to his tent and grabbed his personal supply. What a good bloke!! The women showed their appreciation in the time honored manner. We were tortured by the aroma of other campers cooking breakfasts while we were limited to muesli. It continued raining until 10.30 am when it finally stopped and we were able to get under way. About 10 kms down the road the trailer wheel punctured again and we pulled to the side of the road to repair the tube. While we stopped Tony switched on his phone and read an email from Greg Rose inviting us to stay at his place. Tony gave Greg a call and accepted his offer and then we went on to Swansea for lunch. We ate our "footlongs" beside Lake Macquarie. Following Greg's directions we found the Fernleigh Track and enjoyed a lovely ride down to Greg's home. We both thought the bike path was one of the best we have ridden. Arriving at Greg's beautiful home we were greeted by Greg and sat down for a chat in the back garden. We lay out our wet tents to dry and Andrew Howard arrived to say "hi" and because he thought there was free beer. For some reason he wants to move to Melbourne. He says it is so he can see more Demons games but that seems too bizarre, even though the Demons are the premier AFL club!! Must be because he wants to become an elite data analyst. Greg cooked a lovely dinner on the barbecue and demonstrated to us what a SNAG he is. Great BBQ Greg.