Days 2 & 3 Heathcote to Kerang via Elmore and Mitiamo

Day 2 Heathcote to Mt Terrick 110 km

Last night I made a plan for today. Unfortunately I set it aside after 5 minutes cycling when I saw a sign directing me down the Northen Highway to Elmore. Elmore was in the plan however via another route. It meant that I missed 2 Burke and Wills memorials that I should have seen.

I was packed up and ready to go to 7:15 am. It was very gloomy so I rode with my lights on for the 1st hour. About 5 minutes out of Heathcote I saw a sign directing me to turn left towards Elmore which I did without thinking.

I was 5 km further on before I realised my mistake but there was no going back. This road bypassed Knowsley so I missed the memorial there and the one at Barnadown on the same road. Aargh!

More hills leaving Heathcote although less severe than yesterday. After 30 km I pulled up for break. Feeling a bit down I realised I needed a snack. After some sesame snaps I was back on the bike and powering towards Elmore. The link between my stomach and my moods is undeniable. 

A pastie and a cup of tea in the Emore bakery was enjoyable.  A chat with a fellow cyclist was encouraging and then a couple of workmen “you’re crazy” made me feel better. The workmen tooted and waved as they went past 2 hours later.

Elmore was halfway to my planned destination at Mitiamo. Now the road and surrounding fields were flat. It must have been a relief for Burke and Will to be away from the hills and gullies at last. It certainly made for easier pedalling.

The Terrick Terrick Plains are now mostly huge crop fields with some sheep and cattle. In 1860 this was mostly grasslands. Major Mitchell passed this way in 1836. His descriptions of the vast grasslands meant that by the time Burke & Wills came through there were already many squatters here.

Even though it was flat the afternoon became slog. I stopped beside the road and boiled the kettle for some miso soup to eat with my sandwiches before continuing on.

Eventually I rolled into Mitiamo. I bought a drink and chatted with the woman serving in the store. She showed me where the campsite was on the map, another 6 km out of town.

Mitiamo from Mt Terrick Rd

I got to Mount Terrick National Park campground at 4:30 pm. I had enough time to put up my tent and gather firewood before it got dark. I had the campground to myself. 

Must work out how to take a good picture of my campsite

Dinner was Mexican Rice with ChIlli Salmon followed by a cup of hot chocolate. I had a small fire going that was putting out plenty of heat. I sat outside the tent until 9:00 pm before retiring.

Day 3 Mt Terrick to Kerang - 80 km

I woke just before 6:00 am and started packing up in the tent. I listened to the radio while I had breakfast. Rain was forecast for the afternoon and evening.

Having had 2 long days I planned to have a shorter day. I finished packing and loaded the bike about 8:30 am. With no need to rush I climbed the granite cap of Mt Terrick to see the view. Looking out to the south east I could see down to Burke and Wills Camp 10 on Kow Swamp Rd. 

Scar tree, Mt Terrick

Leaving the campground I followed the track through the National Park until the turn off to Reigels Rock. I debated with myself as to whether I should do the 4 km round trip to the rock. In the end I decided to go there reasoning that I might not ever come back this way and I had plenty of time due to it being shorter day.

Riegels Rock

Reigels Rock is another grouping of granite boulders. I didn’t climb to the top this time although it would have been fun. Leaving the rock I followed the wrong path before realising my mistake. Although I easily retraced my steps it reminded me how easy it is to get lost when the bush looks the same in all directions.

The road toward Mount Hope deteriorated to a mix of tacky clay and loose sand with corrugations. Just before Mount Hope there was a turn off to Pyramid Hill.

There is a Burke and Wills marker at Mount Hope but I didn’t want get caught on this dirt road with rain threatening. 

About 3 km down the road I performed my 2nd sheep rescue. Same story as before - nice green grass on the other side of the fence. Harder work this time as old mate kept vigorously pushing forward. Can sheep not walk backward? 

Pyramid Hill

I rolled into Pyramid Hill with thoughts of a nice site in the caravan park and an afternoon climbing the pyramid. This was destroyed when i viewed the caravan park. Without other accommodation and with rain on the radar i decided to keep going to Kerang. A quick look on the App showed a further 40 km - no problem. 

Of course the 40 km was as the crow flies! 56 km later I rolled into Kerang. To add to my joy it rained for the last 25 km. Fortunately there was a motel room available so I could dry out in comfort.

Ironically Burke and Wills route through this area was much shorter than mine. They went in a direct line through the flat Terrick Terrick Plains. Now there are farms and fences so I zigzagged across the plain occasionally intersecting with Burke and Wills original path.