The Great Ocean Road

It was a work trip — a meeting in the Barossa Valley — but this time I skipped the flight. Instead, I pointed the bike south and rode to Melbourne first. I wanted a few days on the Great Ocean Road before the meeting, so I left Sydney early and headed inland.

The Hume took me through Goulburn and up into the highlands. The Snowy Mountains were green and quiet, and I stopped there for the first night. The next day I rode on to Melbourne with enough time to take a walk in the evening and end the day with sushi.

I left Melbourne early and headed west. The Great Ocean Road was exactly what I'd hoped for: cliffs, long views over the ocean, and a steady rhythm of corners. It also happened to be my birthday.

After a clear start, I reached an area known for koalas and saw one crossing the road in front of me — a small moment, but one I'll remember. By the afternoon the wind picked up and the rain moved in, but the day still held its shape. I made it to the Twelve Apostles in heavy wind, and they were as dramatic as everyone says. I reached Portland by evening, tired and in good spirits.

I camped at Portland that night. The next morning I packed up and rode north toward Adelaide.

Adelaide and the Barossa Valley were the reason for the trip — a two-day work meeting — so I settled into a different pace for a couple of days. In between, I had time to be in the valley, among vineyards and wine country, and to let the ride catch up with me.

From the Barossa I headed east. The Sturt Highway took me across the Hay Plains — flat, open, and endless in the way only inland Australia can be. The sky felt huge, the road ran straight, and I enjoyed the simple miles back toward Sydney.