Day 2 - 31 May - Lake Eachon to Ravenshoe - 60 km

Woke up to light rain that persisted on and off all day.  Had breakfast of creamed rice that we did not eat last night and headed off to Malanda. More hills but at least there were some downhills.

 Reached Malanda after about 10 km and did some shopping and looked at some local art that I can't show you until I upload pictures.

 Stopped for lunch at Millaa Millaa after about 3 hours and 30 km.  Kicked back at the cafe for a while to let the legs recover.

 Headed off to Ravenshoe via a scenic road rather than the main road.  More bloody hills and rough surface but good choice because there was little traffic.

Stopped at Pepperin Falls and went past a wind farm.  I think Joe could take up wind farming.







Eventually got to Ravenshoe and had a chat with the guy at the local Visitor Centre to find the best caravan park in town. 

Turns out it is the local railway station that also does camping???
Had showers and then went shopping for meals for the next few days as we are not sure what will be open.







The train is running tomorrow but we will be long gone before it works up a head of steam.  This is Thomas by the way.

Interesting old truck.

Went to the Middle pub and watched trots and greyhound races. Fascinating.  Left and went to the Hotel Tully Falls. Great decision.  Good cheap meal in much better surroundings.

Wendy the manager offered to let us use the hotel internet to update the blog.  Thanks Wendy, very generous.

Unlikely to be able to update blog for sometime.

Day 1 - 30 May - Cairns to Lake Eachon - 50 km

Here's my bike at Cairns YHA.  All assembled and ready to go. Off to meet Joe.  But first one quick stop.

 Thought I needed some health food to get me on the way so into Maccas for a breakfast for champions.

 Joe came in on the plane assembled his bike and rode into Cairns to meet me at the Avanti bike shop at 11:00.

 We then headed off towards Gordonvale where we had to turn off for Yungaburra.  Head wind all the way but the riding was good. Stopped in Gordonvale for lunch and we're entertained by the local bogans at the pub who thought we were crazy for:

1. For riding to Darwin
2. Taking the Gillies Hwy to Yungaburra.

Apparently we have to go over that hill.








Hate to say it, but they were right.  The Gillies Hwy goes over the Gillies Ranges and after a short ride on the flat we hit the hill...and what a hill.  Went for well over 20 km and a gradient of  7-8%.  Doesn't sound like much but it was the worst hill I've ridden.  I was a fair way ahead of Joe and after about 20km started bonking so stopped and had a roll while waiting for Joe. No Joe so kept going.  Soon after had cramps in my thighs and my legs would not bend. Eventually got off the bike had a few salt tables and water and kept going.

Joe was having some troubles riding up the hill and was walking.  Sarah, James and Ros we're driving past and thought he looked stuffed so offered him a lift in their van.  Imagine my surprise when this van pulls over and Joe jumps out.  They offered to give me a lift, and my initial response was that I only had 2 km to go (at least that's what a road worker told me) that I would keep going (testosterone talking).  Turns out there was another 16 km to go and it was already 4:00 and getting dark so I loaded the bike and jumped in.


They dropped us at Lake Eachon.  Lovely spot.


We then rode to the local caravan park and got there just before the rain started and  it didn't stop.

No phone reception anywhere and definitely no Internet.


 Saw this weird looking turkey at the caravan park.

Thursday May 29 - Melbourne to Cairns

Early start, 3:30 am and my favourite daughter drove me to the airport in her dressing gown. Dropped me off and headed back to study.

Qantas Club has never been this empty, but not many people around at 5:00 am.  Is that the Prince of Darkness in the distance?  He must be missing Qantas Club.

Got to Cairns airport about 9:30 and caught a bus into town.  Booked in unpacked and went for a walk. Scenery is great in Cairns at this time of year.

Weather has been great all day, but then about 4:30 pm it started to get dark.  Didn't end up raining though.


Had tea and ready for an early night so I'm ready for the hills tomorrow.

Sat 24 - 5 Days to go

This year we are going from Cairns to Darwin via the Savannah Way - 2800 km.

The Savannah Way is a route of highways and roads across the tropical savannahs of northern Australia, linking Cairns in Queensland with Broome in Western Australia. It joins Cairns, Normanton, Borroloola, Katherine, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby and Broome.  Much of the route is Highway 1; however, much of it is on unsealed roads.

We are taking the Savannah Way from Cairns to Mataranka and then going up the Stuart Highway to Darwin NT.  Should take us about a month.

Tony heads off on the 29th of May and Joe is coming up the next day.