SYD2BNE Days 13,14,15 and 16
I stayed in the Yamba camping ground, located on the river very close to the town centre. I had great meal in the Italian restaurant on the very steep street that leads up to the Pacific Hotel.
Albeit it was still almost two weeks till Xmas that place was really starting to fill up.
Time in Yamba
My plan for heading north was to ride up the beach from Iluka. This meant waiting for the low tide. Ideally I would have taken the 1.00 p.m. ferry across the Iluka. As chance would have it, this particular ferry does not run on Wednesdays. I had to take the later ferry at 3.15 p.m.
I used the time to ride down to Angourie about 10 klms south of Yamba. This is well known as surfing mecca. The bloke that started the Billabong surf wear company built a ‘folly’ in Angourie. I remember seeing it during construction some years ago. It has a very large and expensive copper roof. The house cannot be seen from the road anymore, as a result of the trees that have been planted.
Ferry to Iluka
The distance between Yamba and Iluka as not far as the crow (or seagull) flies. The ferry, however zig zags all over the place, dogging sand banks as it crosses the Clarence River.
I got into a long conversation with the deckhand. She told me about the options for riding north. These included the beach (my original plan) and the choice of two fire trails. My new found friend rang a mate who worked with the SES for advice. He told that the beach option be Ok, however the Park Rangers that put some boulders on the track leading to the northern end of the 10 mile beach. These were designed to stop 4WDs getting on to the beach. The advice was that I “should easily be able to walk around the boulders”.
Once the ferry docked, I headed through Iluka and toward the beach.
Up 10 Mile Beach
The tide was well and truly out and the sand was nice and hard. I made good progress for the first 40 minutes of so.
I then came across section where there appeared to be underground (or under-sand) creeks heading to the sea. The going was particularly soft and my heavily laden bike sunk into the sand. I had to get off and push the bike on a few occasions.
When I got the end of the beach, I met the abovementioned boulders. I couldn’t “easily walk around” them at all. Check out the Flickr pics. I had to unload the bike and carry the panniers over the boulders and then do the same with bike. This was not an easy task for an old bloke.
Asking a German for directions
When I finally got off the beach, I was confronted with two tracks vaguely heading north. A 4WD turned up on the left one as I was trying to work out which to take. I asked the driver if “the track he has come down went to Evan Heads “. He appeared to not understand what I had said. I ask him “where have you come from?” He responded: “from Germany”. This was not what I expected.
Garmin Leads me into an ex RAAF Bombing Range
I took the track the 4WD had come down. I assumed it did not lead directly to Germany. The Garmin was in control.
After over about an hour and half the Garmin told me to turn right. After about 3 klms, I came across a locked gate and Department of Defence signs telling me to ‘Keep Out’. I had been led to a RAAF practise bombing range. Well done Mr Garmin, yet again.
I headed back from whence I had come and then made my way on to the highway. It was late when I finally made into Woodburn. I checked into the Rod ‘n’ Reel Hotel/Motel. The cost of a room was AUD 35. You don’t get much cheaper than that. I think I paid AUD 20 too much.
Ride to Byron Bay
The only option for getting from Woodburn north is Pacific Highway. Not much fun.
As I rode into Ballina, I was greeted by the ‘Big Prawn’. Australia is littered by big things – The Big Banana (see the Coffs Harbour pics) and the Big Merino Sheep (Goulburn) etc. There is a ‘Big Potato’ in Robertson in the NSW Southern Tablelands. Some people think it looks more like a ‘Big Turd’. Ballina’s Pawn is right up there in the kitsch stakes.
While I was in Ballina, I took that opportunity to stop off at the importer of Vaude sport equipment. That is the brand of my tent. I have managed to break a number of sections of the frame over the years. I must be the only person that uses the Vaude Hogan Ultra-Light Tent as their principal place of residence. Little wonder it is in the need of constant renovation. The importers in Australia and the UK have both very good in providing replacement frame sections.
Staying at the Cape Byron YHA
I head north again into Byron Bay. I checked into the Cape Byron YHA and headed to the Beach Hotel for a beer. Some reading this post know about a particular barmaid at the’ Beach’. Sadly she no longer works there. Why she worked there as long as she did is complete mystery.
I do note however, that I had a brief chat with a Swedish girl in the hostel that would make a great replacement of the ‘best in bar’ barmaid.
I had a great fish meal in a restaurant in the lane behind the hotel.
In the morning, I had had a long chat with owner of the hostel. He is looking forward to a big upswing in business as a result of the fall in the value of the AUD.
Ride o Murwillumbah
I headed north towards the Queensland border. The route took me up the highway for a bit, then into Mullumbimby. I stopped at the local bike shop to pump up my tyres . I had the inevitable chat with the cycle shop owner about Rohloff gears, Brook seats and Cannondale frames.
He suggested that I take the scenic route to Murwillumbah vai Uki. This turned out to be a rather tough ride with a lot of steep ‘up’ and the same amount of steep ‘down’ on a rough dirt road. I had one particularly scary moment on a sharp turn. Anyway I managed to stay upright made it into Uki.
I had a quick beer at the Uki café and chat with owners. This is an interesting place to open a café/bar.
Only Sober Person on Murwillumbah
I arrived in Murwillumbah quite late. I checked into the River View Hotel -another classic ‘river town’ pub. The place was packed with Xmas revelers, being the last Friday before the big day.
I walk over the bridge into town to find a place to eat. I must have been the only sober person in town. I found good Thai restaurant for a nice curry.
Ride to the Gold Coast
In the morning I had breakfast in a buzzy café in town. Lots of cyclists and motor bikes rode past the café.
I headed out of town in the dirction of the coast. This turned out to be a very picturesque ride. I can see why it is popular with cyclists and bikers.
Once I hit Tweed Heads, I headed north up the Gold Coast.
Some the route took me along the beaches. In other parts, I was inland and hard to climb some surprisingly steep hills.
My plans was to ride towards Surfers Paradise and then head inland to Robina to catch the train to Brisbane. The Garmin seemed a bit confused. When I asked a couple if I was “on the right road to Robina”, the response was “ yes, but it is a long way”. It was said in a way that suggested that it would not be possible to ride that far. Surely I did not look as though I was expecting a 30 minute ride and could not go any further.
As I headed west, I crossed the tram line that is being constructed from Surfers Paradise south down the coast. This will be a great piece of infrastructure.
Train to Brisbane
I finally got to Robina and caught the train into Roma Street Station.
Finished.
Flickr Link
billrider2013 