I tried for another early start but packing up seemed to take forever. I rolled out the gate at 8:00 but only as far as the only cafe that was open. Coffee and toastie before heading across the Murray River into NSW.
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| Memorial Burke and Wills expeditionary Charlie Gray |
Ideal cycling conditions- lovely and sunny with a southerly breeze. Not much traffic and the road surface was pretty good although the shoulder was unsealed. I covered 40 km by 11:00 am. Feeling hungry I found shelter from the cold wind in an old pump house above a creek.
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1st lunch location
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I had a 45 minute break and ate 1st lunch during which I discovered that I had lost my iPhone charger. Emptied out my bags to no avail. Fortunately I have a spare but I was very frustrated and annoyed.
Another 90 minutes and I arrived at Kyalite on the Wakool River. I had a lovely reminiscence of Simon and I paddling our kayaks through the junction of the Wakoool and the Murray in 2017. It was a very hot day and we had a swim there. From memory Simon thought it so nice he researched real estate there afterward.
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| Kyalite Pub and General Store |
Kyalite is a lovely spot. Burke and Wills crossed the river on a punt at a site opposite where the Kyalite pub is today. The pub and general store were closed which was a disappointment as I was ready for 2nd lunch.
I considered stopping here in the caravan park behind the pub so I could enjoy a lazy afternoon in the sun however Balranald was only 35 km away and it was only 1:30 pm. With the breeze behind me I made into Balranald before 3:00 pm.
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| Wakool River at Kyalite |
I went to the Tourism Centre and discussed my plans. Burke and Wills left Swan Hill and travelled via Kyalite and Balranald to the Darling River at Pooncarie. Today much of the expedition’s route after Balranald to Menindee is unsealed roads. It was my intention to go this way if the conditions were dry.
The roads are open to Pooncarie currently. Unfortunately rain is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.I do not want get caught on these dirt roads when they are wet. The alternative is to head to Mildura and then head to Pooncarie. This still leaves 114 km of unsealed road to Menindee. I plan to reevaluate the situation in Mildura after the rain.
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| Attention seeking blogger |
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| Murrumbidgee River at Balranald |
Day 7 Balranald to Robinvale 80 km
Last night I went to the RSL Club for dinner and ordered from the Chinese Menu. Remember when pubs had Aussie or Chinese menu? Ginger Shallot Seaford Combination - yum! Passed on the bananas fritter dessert.
The Balranald caravan park is in the corner of the Sturt Hwy and the road from Swan Hill. Sturt Hwy is the main route between Adelaide and Sydney. All night long big trucks were rumbling past the park. Apart from my sleep being disrupted I was concerned for my safety riding toward Mildura. Fortunately the number of trucks eased off as daylight arrived.
My neighbour in the park “Dean” was surprised when I said I had been too hot during the night. He told that the temperature had gone negative. My Speedo showed 2 degrees at 7:00 am and dew had not frozen on my tent so I don’t think it was that cold. In any case a good 4 season tent, down sleeping bag and an insulated sleeping mat will cope with very low temperatures. I did have my thermals on and I was too hot so I slept with my sleeping bag unzipped.
Slow packing up again this morning. After a quick stop for coffee I headed toward Robinvale. The road had good sealed shoulder most of the way. It was cool but sunny which made very pleasant cycling.
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| Gravel pit lunch spot |
At 11:30 am I stopped in a gravel pit for an early lunch having covered 45 km. With the gravel reflecting the sun’s warmth it was very pleasant sitting and chatting with Lisa who was on her way to work. I also took the opportunity to dry out my tent.
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| Lake Benanee - photo doesn’t do it justice |
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| Bike on the Murray River bridge at Robinvale |
The remaining 35 km to Robinvale seemed quite slow. There were a number of very good rest stops in this section including a fabulous spot adjacent to Lake Benanee. I was tempted to stop there and set up camp beside the lake just because it was so beautiful. I kept going as I want to get to Mildura before it rains tomorrow night.
Arriving in Robinvale I went straight to the caravan park that I have stayed at previously on my kayak trips. Only powered sites again! The park is very damp but I was able to get a good spot that was not far from the kitchen shelter and amenities.
Apart from workers staying in cabins the only people staying here are “Crusties” with big caravans. They all seem to go to bed early and sleep in late. Occasionally someone wanders over to chat. After dinner I did have a chat with a lovely couple who are following Ludwig Leichhardt.
After a week on the road I have covered 500 km. Unfortunately only 1 night of bush camping so far. As I get further north and away from the towns I will get more opportunities sit around a campfire and stare at the stars.
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