We have done this tour the same time last year for 6 days, but this year we reduced it to 5 days and changed the route a little to include some different roads and return home via the beautiful NSW South Coast from the lovely seaside town of Eden.
The tour went without a hassle and everyone involved had fun and enjoyed the wonderful scenery available to us right at our back door. We welcomed Kelly, Grant, Mick and Belinda who are relatively new to our group but are fitting in very well and we look forward to our big tour through Europe next year with them.
Day 1: Map (431 kms travelled)
So the ride began with 6 bikes in all. Cathy and I met Ed and Graham in Liverpool then we rode on half an hour down the freeway and met up with Jalal, Mick, Belinda, Mop and Kelly on another 3 bikes, and continued on the highway to Goulburn where we had our first coffee break.
Our bikes wait patiently outside while we have our break.
This coffee shop is in an ideal location in the east of Goulburn.
But not before photographing these three masked bandits.
We eventually ride in to Jindabyne and head straight to the lake for a couple of pics.
As you can see, the weather was excellent and the temperature in the mid twenties.
Our good mate Ed, who has been an inspiration to us since we have met him 5 years ago.
This is the Banjo Patterson Inn, across the road from Lake Jindabyne.
This is the first time we have stayed here and we found it a great place to spend the night due to it's position, price and cleanliness. They also provide lockup parking underneath for our bikes.
They also serve cold beer !
Mop and Kelly enjoy the view from the pub's verandah.
We unpacked the bikes and headed for a quick blat out to Charlotte Pass. The roads out to the pass are excellent with clear views over the mountains through the National Park.
There's always one rat bag in the group isn't there.
Cathy makes a new friend.
There is a great lookout at the end of the pass, where you can see some great views over the valley through to Mt Kosciusko.
The snow gums up here are so windblown but manage to hang on to life.
Cathy poses for a pic.
A close up of this beautiful stream down in the valley.
Even in cold places like this, lovely flowering shrubs come out in the summer months.
The three girls strike a pose.
It's hard to imagine this whole area completely covered in snow.
The walkway out to the look out.
There's that stream again from a differant angle.
Another great view from up there.
This peculiar ground cover deserved a pic I thought.
The view back down to the path.
On our way back to town we stop to enjoy this scenic Alpine river at the start of the national park.
A popular fishing spot for trout.
This spot also has picnic tables and BBQs for public use.
The guys enjoying the sunshine but I have no idea what Mop is doing. Maybe he needed to go to the toilet.
One of the picnic tables put to good use for a group shot.
We eventually make it back to the pub, This is the view from Ed's room which was at front of the Inn, and also had a verandah.
The bikes locked away in the underground car park.
The next morning, we enjoyed a buffet breakfast downstairs before starting day 2 of our trip.
Graham,Ed and Jalal joined us out to Thredbo before Ed and Jalal turned back to head for home, while Graham rode out to Khancoban with us, before heading north and back home.
Graham struggling to "back one out". More fibre in your diet is needed mate!
Not lady like Kel.
Ok, jokes over, time for pic of Kel taking a pic of the group
I knew Graham was tall but ...
This is Pilot's Lookout. A scenic peaceful spot for a quick break.
At the bottom of the valley is this picture perfect camping area.
There was a couple camped here overnight. That's their tent blown over to the left.
This crystal clear stream runs through the camp and under the road.
Hi Mop !
As you can see, the water is so clear.
We head on and stop once more to appreciate this lookout just before descending in to Khancoban for a coffee break.
Cathy and I have always ridden past and never stopped, but Graham suggested a brief stop to check it out. The view across the valley was awesome.
Mop's impression of Steve Mcqueen.
Finally we make it to the tiny village of Khancoban. These two have no shame.
Can't it wait till we get to our next destination?
After lunch in Myrtleford, we head on to the town of Whitfield in Victoria for one last break before pushing 61 kms on to Mansfield for the night.
This German style pub, complete with beer garden, was the perfect spot under the shade.
A welcome break at the end of a big day.
Our bikes wait patiently under the trees in the car park.
After a big day, we make it in to Mansfield and the Hotel Delatite for the evening.
This beautiful town sits in Victoria's high country and holds on to it's history proudly.
The view from the verandah.
And another direction.
As with many pubs, the food that came out of this kitchen was outstanding. This evening we meet up with friends Dicky and Jenny, locals in Mansfield, and Martin and Susan who also met us for the evening while on their own road trip.
Day 3: Map (300 kms travelled)
The next morning we chose to have breakfast at the Mansfield Coffee Merchant Cafe.
This place serves very good coffee and above average gourmet breakfasts.
Although Mop thought it a good idea to pour salt in his coffee. Good on you mate.
Mick and Bel enjoying breakfast in the sunshine. Note the tea timer. Each colour represents differant strength of the tea, depending on how you like it. I've never seen one.
Mop tucking in to egg on toast.
This morning, Dicky decided to take time off his farm and have breakfast with us and follow us out for a ride out to Mt Beauty. Here we stop once again at Whitfield before heading out on 20 km of dirt road through Rose River and Lake Buffalo.
Here we take a short stop for pics at the Lake Buffalo dam.
Old mate Dicky.
Hmmm what can I eat next?
This scene on the other side of the dam.
We then head out to Mount Beauty look out.
More wonderful views.
Mop and Kel.
Bel and Mick.
Here we asked a lovely lady to take a group shot for us.
At the foot of Mount Beauty is the town of the same name and we find a cafe with tables under the trees to enjoy a light lunch. This is where we said good bye to our good mate Dicky before he headed back home.
The guys asked about a place to have a quick swim on the ride and I remembered the lovely village of Bogong has a fresh mountain stream running through it. We saw a family having a swim in it when we passed through last year, so it was the obvious choice.
Yes we see you Mop.
Here Mick takes on some sort of iron man challenge.
All these guys live on the water so it made sense they were missing it.
They clearly enjoyed this break.
We then head off through Falls Creek and a brief stop at this beautiful dam and recreation area.
The scenery through this area is breathtaking.
And popular with bikers.
Eventually we arrive in Angler's Rest and the it's Blue duck Inn on the Cobungra River.
Another nice isolated spot for our final break before riding to Omeo for the night.
This old bridge stands just outside the Blue Duck inn.
The lovely Cobungra River.
Finally we make it to the lovely town of Omeo. This is the Golden Age Hotel, where we stayed for the night.
This grand old lady is very well preserved and a nice place to take a break. The Junction Creek was our room for the night.
Even the lovely old verandah was beautifully renovated.
Actually the entire town of Omeo is proudly preserved. This view from the pub's verandah.
Day 4: Map (430 kms travelled)
After a peaceful night's sleep and another complimentary buffet breakfast, we once again head off on our 4th day of the tour. The ride out from Omeo is stunning in the morning with it's winding road through terrific alpine country side.
Our first break in a town called Bruthen. This area is a first for Cathy and I. We were on our way to Orbost then head north through the Bonang Highway.
These cafes are a welcome sight on tours such as ours.
This is the Bonang Hwy. This sign shows that Delegate as a possible right hand turn, but we rode on through Bonang then Delegate and on to Bombala and eventually Eden.
As I've mentioned, this is a first for Cathy and I but it was a pleasure to share it with good friends.
As you can see, there were 2 short stretches of dirt but the scenery was fantastic through this whole area.
The town of Delegate was a welcome sitght to refuel our bikes and our bellies.
Again we couldn't pass this country pub for a cold beer and a meal.
The pub's BBQ. Aussie ingenuity at it's best.
Such a small quiet town that I hadn't even heard of before.
This is the Monaro Hwy. One of the absolute best rides in my opinion, running from out side Delegate, down the highlands through to the NSW south coast.
Good quality tarmac with unspoilt bushland.
We rode ahead to take an action shot of the others but here a car disrupted me while I took the first pic of Mick and Belinda.
Then I panicked and attempted this second shot. Oops too close!
This one of Mop and Kel was a little better.
And off they go.
Finally we arrive in Eden and its boat harbour.
The Eden fishing fleet.
The boys taking a break in the shade.
We then head off to the Great Southern Inn for the night.
Another grand old Australian pub.
This pub also serves fantastic restaurant quality meals, Here we meet up with Ross and his wife who are friends from NSW Riders. A good place to meet for a meal and a chat while enjoying the ocean views from the verandah.
Day 5: Map (465 kms travelled)
This was our final day and Cathy and I were keen for a brisk morning walk down to the beach. The sunrise was stunning and well worth a few pics.
A nice shot of Cathy's silhouette looking out over the ocean I thought.
This board walk runs right along the beach and makes for a fantastic walk.
Couldn't resist including this shot.
And this one of a surfer enjoying the morning.
After freshening up and packing the bike, we crossed the road to a cafe for breakfast. Another shot of the pub in the morning light.
This plaque tells the story of the hotel.
Time for coffee and breakfast.
My token pic of Cathy eating.
All good things come to an end. Our final breakfast together before heading home.
After breakfast, we head off but not before a visit to Eden look out.
You'd go a long way to find fantastic scenery like this.
So clean and unspoilt.
Heading North, we stop in Tathra.
And it's historical wharf.
Popular among fishermen.
Sadly, 2 young boys and their father lost their lives on this wharf 7 years ago.
The wharf stands proudly in very deep water and was originally built to service the old steam boats in days gone by.
This fellow catches a lovely size Australian Salmon.
One our way north to Bermagui, we stop at this pristine lake.
The NSW south coast has so many unspoilt areas such as this.
And this character filled old wooden bridge still serves the traffic well.
This is the inlet that flows in to Cuttagee lake.
Nearing the end of our tour, we pass by wonderful Mollymook, our future home, and take a quick pic in front of our block of land by the beach. All going well, we hope to build a home here and live happily ever after. Well that's the plan.
Our last planned stop with the group is at the Heritage Bakery in Milton for lunch. This bakery is famous for it's pastries and loved by both locals and visitors alike.
This has been one of the best rides we have shared with friends. We saw so many differant landscapes and fantastic roads and met up with more friends along the way. Although we did some large km days, I think our mates did very well and the smiles on their faces showed over and over. Till the next one !
Finally a big thank you to all that joined us, and special thanks to Ed for the use of a few of his pics.
