2014 - 15 Australian Bicycle Adventure, 6 Stanley - Pontypool

Stanley - Pontypool,        6th. & Final Leg


Stanley - Pontypool, Click here for Map



It was a pleasure getting to move on for a change, without any rain in sight. Traveling east also meant getting closer to more populated areas. The more people also increases the number of road users, but by the same token, the lanes were getting wider with an actual paved shoulder to ride on. This made riding somewhat more relaxed and some more time could be utilized by scanning the countryside and ocean views.

Soon Burnie was in sight, which was supposed to have a bike shop to have the spoke replaced. As it happened, the mechanic was off duty; and since I already wobbled over a 100km, there was no urgency to wait. So I followed the coastal road with its splendid views and that beloved ocean smell in my nostrils.

After passing through Penguin, Ulverstone followed, where I got that missing spoke replaced while stopping for lunch and a tasty cappuccino. To stay off the main road I traveled inland to Forth, riding over some hills, passing agriculture fields and ending up in Devonport again, where I had arrived about a month ago.

Devonport Campsite

The Mersey Bluff campsite was a lovely spot by the ocean, but some of the resident campers looked a bit of questionable character. Then after walking into town, I met Mike & Jill “again”, with their ever present loyal 4-legged sidekick Sheba, for dinner at the Irish Pub. The next morning I hurriedly packed up and left without the customary morning coffee, just to avoid those shady people. Instead I had breakfast in town at “Banjos”, at what had become one of my favorite hangouts.

Sheba

Soon the handlebar pointed south toward Railton, in Kimberly; then it went up a steep incline. Already in the “Granny” sprocket, I could have used a smaller gear yet. This is one of Mike’s motorcycle routes, and he insisted that his Triumph Tiger never had a gearing problem going up those hills! ?? As it was a country road there was no traffic, so all the sweating and lung action was forgotten with the views once I had arrived at the plateau.

Country Mailbox

Mount Roland

Riding along the ridge with a constant view of Mount Roland was soothing for the eye, before descending to Deloraine. This quiet small town with a lovely Caravan Park along the Meander River was perfect for an overnight stay. The terrain was now flat, farmland mixed with sheep country, until the road climbed up to Grindelwald. The name was about the only thing that had any resemblance to the same town in Switzerland. What was familiar though were the faces of Mike, Jill & Sheba. 

Deloraine

Sheep Country near Launceston

Flying Pig Mailbox
 

ET Mailbox

It was lovely to meet and to hang out like old times. Unlike on previous trips, the daily riding distances this time around have been shorter and herewith given more time for sightseeing and socializing. So we spent a day in Launceston and hiking in the nearby Cataract Gorge.

Cataract Gorge, Launceston

Launceston

The next day, as they turned south, I pedaled north across Batman Bridge, when a familiar headwind showed its presence on a hilly ride to Lilydale. The Lilydale Falls were a short walk from the campsite, along a fern tree covered trail following the stream.

Batman Bridge
 

Ned Kelly Mailbox

Lilydale Falls

Continuing west, it seemed the hills were getting longer and the valleys lower. For the next couple of days it was just like a roller coaster ride, all the way to St. Helens on the east coast. The countryside on and off reminded me of the terrain around my hometown in Switzerland, with just a fraction of the people and traffic though. To Switzerland’s 200 people per square km, Tasmania only has 7.

What Hill?

St. Helens Bound

On the road to St. Helens

Just a short ride north of St. Helens is Binalong Bay on the Bay of Fire, with endless beaches of blue waters and white sands.

Binalong Bay

Binalong Bay

Binalong Bay

Binalong Bay

Inching my way down the coastline, the “Iron House Brewery” popped up with splendid timing, just as my legs needed a break. In a beautiful setting, the beer can be sampled while enjoying the views over the Tasman Sea.

Scamander Beach

6 Pack Sampler

Little Beach

Little Beach Campsite

Now just a day’s ride from completing the Tour de Tasmania, I stopped in at Natureworld north of Bicheno. Since most of the wildlife I’d seen was road kill, this was a good opportunity to see some alive, up and close. The much talked about Tasmanian Devil is the highlight of the park and the ferocious feeding process is not to be missed.

Tasmanian Devil

Wombat

Ostrich & Emu

North of Bicheno

Bicheno

Bicheno Bay

Bicheno

Now I came full circle back to Pontypool, this time around to park the bike for good, trade, the tent for a “proper” accommodation and the sleeping bag for a “proper” bed….

Pontypool

Until next time from …..?

Tony Bike

 

As another trip has come to an end, I would like to thank all my friends for their kind comments and especially Kristie who is always very supportive and tolerant with my adventure lust.