The Last Victorian Leg - Metung to Cowes Shared With the Bogans on a Long Weekend

Packing Bruce's trailer with bikes to transport to Stratford.

We departed Metung on a coolish, windy and slightly damp morning. The plan was to car it into Stratford and ride to Lake Glenmaggie from there. Good plan indeed as although we had the benefit of a rail trail all the way to Heyfield, there was a strong headwind, so 60kms was a whole lot better than 100kms. 

Lake Glenmaggie

Lake Glenmaggie was a lovely place to camp, although by Friday afternoon it was filling wih large groups and even larger camping rigs as people flooded in for the long weekend. Everyone seemed to own a dog or two so we got in some gratuitous patting.

The following day we rode back into Heyfield then onto rail trails for some considerable distance en route to Lake Narracan. The scenery along the rail trail was spectacular - dams full to the brim, rolling green country, fat cattle, birds galore. What a treat that section of Gippsland is.

Lunch was at Toongabbie. Further along the trail we came across a huge winch that would have been used to lift goods onto and off trains.

And even further along, we arrived in Yallourn North. There had been some discussion about bogans between the group, a definition had to arrive at. We Australians all know a bogan when we see/hear one, and especially when they rev their stupid old Fords and Holdens, drive right up your arse and give out two finger signs to us bike riders. Really. What is this stupid mentality? A few old farts on bikes providing such a threat to the psyche of the bogan? Get over yourselves, grow up and stop being so stupid, I say, but despite shouting they of course do not hear as they roar off to some destination at least a kilometre away.

Yallourn North power station.

And so the traffic continued to roll on all weekend, large vehicles, SUVs, trucks, utes, boats, caravans, trailers....and all of them seemed to be in such a hurry to get wherever they were going.

Karen and Brenda survived riding through Moe and celbrated with coffee.

From somewhere up high in Gippsland

And another beautiful Gippsland view.

Lucky we had that coffee in Trafalgar, as the heights of Thorpdale rose before us, followed by the heights of Mirboo North. At some stage Sally, Des and I lost Karen and Brenda and headed off on dirt country roads going uphill and downhill seemingly endlessly. Well, it was kind of endless as we three arrived back in Mirboo North, and after 70kms and twice climbing into the place, we called Garis and he came and icked us up and drove us all the way to Meeniyan. Meeniyan was jumping: the pub was on the street and the horses had raced around the course earlier in the day. We dined on take-away pizzas and slept the sleep of the bike rider in a funny little old motel. Bliss.

A night at Kilcunda with speccy ocean views then a leaisurely ride into Cowes for a two-night stay prior to the Tasmanian ride. Everyone has circumnavigated Victoria, riding about 1200kms each, depending on driving days and so on. A grand effort and we have certainly seen all the various terrains and agriculture. Victoria has a most varied landscape. We've seen everything from flat farmland of wheat, vineyards, orchards, potatoes, rice, dairy cows, cattle and sheep; then steep mountain forests, some burned, some not; to rolling hills that reminded some of New Zealand or England as they are so green, unusualy for this time of the year; to a coastline ringed with surf, cliffs and gentle waves.

Al says the highlight for her is the fun and camaraderie. She is a demon on the card-playing front, though. Garis says his highlight was climbing Hotham in 3 hours 10 minutes, a six-month planning project that came to fruition. He added that it's an excellent way to become aware of Victoria, affording future plans for adventuring.

Des and Al spot a koala.

On the way into Cowes we stopped off at the koala conservation park and spotted koalas sleeping in trees. Our favourite was the chap below, stretched out in the sun, snoring away.

Tomorrow we transport ourselves and our gear to Melbourne where we board the Spirit of Tasmania. We also say farewell to Paul and hello to Maureen and Pauline. May we have fine clear days and lots more fun as we skitter down the east coast of Tasmania.

Statistics

Friday 6 March - Stratford to Lake Glenmaggie. On the Gippsland Plains Trail for a total of 36km.
Saturday 7 March - Lake Glenmaggie to Lake Narracan. 66kms to arrive at a bogan-filled caravan park
Sunday 8 March - Lake Narracan to Meeniyan. Lost, 70kms and 1138 metres of climbing. Oh...
Tuesday 10 March - Kilcunda to Cowes. A bike path all the way which was really really good in most places.