Around Australia: Day 34, Millicent to Cobden

Summary: Day 34 of my trip Around Australia on my Burgman 650 Executive allowed me to explore the Grampians! I wished the sun would have lurked out a bit more often. Despite the lack of colour due to an overcast sky the Grampians looked stunning. Fantastic!

Diary Entry for May 27, 2010

My initial, short entry in my "Around Australia" diary for the day read as follows:

Day 34: Millicent to Cobden
Oops, I slept well and got out of bed at 07:10 — a bit late for an early start at sunrise.  The ride into the morning was magnificent! Morning fog, obscuring the surrounds, providing interesting shapes and patterns depending on the fog density. The sun was battling to get through the fog. Lonely trees deprived of their neighbours were reunited after the sun evaporated the fog. What a scene to watch!
The highlight of the day were … The Grampians! I wished the sun would have lurked out a bit more often. Despite the lack of colour due to an overcast sky the Grampians looked stunning. What was even better — and this is a 2-wheeler comment — the road was fantastic. One corner after the other for some 24 km. A word of caution: while this is the first time I rode this road, I am not shy to say: this road is neither a race track, nor is it a great ride for a Sunday out, nor a road to practice your skills. This road should be treated with respect. One mistake and you will be gone for good. There is often no more than 10 cm between the left white line and the abyss. And it goes down steep, tens, sometimes a hundred metres. Nevertheless, if you know what you are doing this road is a blast. 
Considering this is supposed to be a summary: I settled in Cobden for the night.

Photo of the Day

"The Grampians" Views from Mount Victory, Victoria

Millicent to Cobden

Oil Gauge, Burgman 650 Executive

Yes, I had a good night sleep! This is actually normal, at home that is — it takes me usually a minute or two and I am asleep like a baby. Now being on the road for many days, the quality of sleep has sometimes become a problem; something I am less and less willing to tolerate.
I was up at 07:10, dressed at 07:20, breakfast eaten by 07:50, packed by 08:00 and gone 08:05 — the problem though is, my GPS log starts at 08:12. Maybe I checked the oil. Nope, I looked at the oil level, but did not refill any. The interesting thing I noticed was the relatively low oil level, just 30% above the minimum mark. The workshop must have been listening when I said that the bike usually has its oil overfilled when I get it back from a service. I feel the Kessner people serviced the bike well; do I have any evidence? Not really. It could have been either a good, average or bad service. How would I know?

What I did notice was the maintenance lid has noses and flaps that need to slot into the plastic on the bike, for a close and snug fit. It has not been fitted nicely into the slots, hence, sand and other debris started collecting in the gaps, grinding on delicate plastic seams. Yes I am disappointed, considering this is a part the user can remove — to refill oil if required — and is straight forward to put back on. Yes, a bit of skill is required to get it on and off. And I forgot: the only screw holding this lid into place was over-tightened, hence, most of the tread was gone. I have no good opinion about mechanics in this country. But this is another story…

Maintenance Lid Not Fitted Properly, Burgman 650 Executive

The road to Penola was covered in fog, slowly clearing as the sun rose further. The 10 °C dramatised the spectacular scenery. Why am I going back to Penola? To continue Bear Ride #83 I started yesterday.

Foggy Forests, Old Penola Road, South Australia

Welcome to Victoria

I was not sure, whether I really liked the idea of being in Victory. Images of police hiding behind all sorts of contraptions and the silliest spots to catch speeding motorists — and the zero tolerance applied to policing the speed limit. All in the name of filling the State coffers. Just to clarify: I am — in my current life — a public servant, respecting and upholding the law. This implies that I will stick to the sign-posted speed limits. Having said that: I am also a human being, and believe in the Reasonable Man philosophy the law refers to in daily practice.

State Border Sign, Victoria, Australia

One of my aims on this journey was — despite riding in unknown territory — that I would not attract any fines along the way. I have written the first draft of this report on July 25th and have so far not had any tickets in the mail.
I have also been using my cruise control — on over 85% of the distance during this journey — to aid achieving this goal.

Victoria greeted me with rain clouds. It was going to remain this way for the rest of the day. A drizzle here and there would add spice to the some of the leafy roads I passed through. 
Oxbow Lake was nice to look at, with the Discovery Bay (Southern Ocean) in the background, and the waves coming in… beautiful — if only the sun would show up more often.

Oxbow Lake, Nelson, Victoria, Australia

Alright, Mount Gambier to Portland is Bear Ride #45. I crossed the state border, headed to Portland and turned north. North, you know: The Grampians man! The Grampians is what I was looking for. Last time I rode from Hamilton to Horsham — on my way back from my 1st documented SaddleSore 1600K and the Great Ocean Road —, I was totally unaware of the Grampians. 

The road from Mount Gambier to Portland was also Bear Ride #45.

Big Wool Bales, Hamilton, Victoria, Australia

I passed through Cavendish after an 18 km-long straight, when I got a glimpse of beautiful mountains. Nope, not the Grampians… still too far south; it was the Victoria Range.

Victoria Range, north of Cavendish, Victoria, Australia

Twenty minutes later and the Grampians came into view… at least sort of — the mountain tops where covered in rain clouds. At least I had time to mentally prepare for dull colour in an otherwise most beautiful landscape.

The Grampians, Glenisla, Victoria, Australia

I made it to Horsham and turned south-east onto the Western Highway. Instead of taking the C222 turn-off, I chose the Green Lake Road instead. It was the start for a lot of this little detour roads I was going to select on this day. Yes, so unpredictable, and yet so much fun. Not one vehicle on this little road. Ten kilometres of flat 100 km/h and then joining the C222 I disregarded earlier. All of a sudden these road signs popped up saying "dangerous road" and "motorcyclists die" what a bloody insult. Is this kindergarten? I mean, who in their right mind would visually pollute beautiful roads like this? Once I saw the umpteen sign I did not look at any sign anymore, just followed the road. Zumstein was next on the map, and the twisties started. Wonderful, the Burgman and I where in our element. Early afternoon, on a weekday, not many tourists, this was going to be great; And great it was! I enjoyed every kilometre of it!  Go riding there!

Northern Grampians Road, just past Zumstein, Victoria, Australia

The Northern Grampians Road followed the Mackenzie River Valley, uphill, windy, and mostly around 70 km/h mark, which was certainly pushing it; in fact a lot of the corners had enough at 50 km/h. The road is nice, but I would say, without wanting to debate it: ride to your ability and to the road conditions. Any mistake, playing road racer or other non-sense like this will cost you dearly. This road will be unforgiving for the foolish.

I made a quick visit to Lake Wartook.

Lake Wartook, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

Yes, the image above and below are showing the same Lake Wartook! The image above is looking south-east, almost at water level; the image below is looking north from Mount Victory Lookout.

Lake Wartook, View from Mount Victory Lookout, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

I back-tracked onto the Northern Grampian road and rode further up the winding road to Mount Victory Lookout. The weather was holding it together, just. Clouds hanging low, and a glimpse here and there for the sun to break through. I could vividly imagine what this landscape would like when lit up by the sun. Simply magnificent! The 15 minutes I had to spare did not do justice to the view! I vowed to come back one day.
The following photos show Lake Wartook as seen from Mount Victory Lookout, and a view west from Mount Victory Lookout over the Victoria Valley and the Victory Range on the horizon. The body of water is the Mora Mora Reservoir.

Victoria Valley and Victoria Range, looking west from Mount Victory Lookout, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

Victoria Valley from Mount Victory Lookout, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

Down I rode, and took the Silverband Road — simply great riding. It is a one-way road, all yours to play! The afternoon progressed, and I had miles to do. I arrived at Lake Bellfield, and turned left to Halls Gap. Shortly before Halls Gap I turned around to head south — Warrnambool and beyond was waiting.
In hindsight: I should have continued with the loop, by riding through Halls Gap, up the mountains and left to run down the Silverband Road again. It would not have taken longer than 15 minutes. Bummer, I did not realise this at the time.

Silverband Road, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

Lake Bellfield, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

I rode through the Wannon River Valley, past Mount Abrupt and then Mount Sturgeon near Dunkeld. this completed Bear Ride #145 from Horsham to Halls Gap, and #146 from Halls Gap to Dunkeld.

Mount Abrupt, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

Mount Sturgeon, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

It is funny to see what roads I took. Gravel! But great gravel; through the middle of nowhere. I find it always enjoyable to own the road — not seeing one vehicle. The cows seem to have never seen a motorbike and are somewhat puzzled; some take flight.

Purdeet Road, 3 km past The Gums, Victoria, Australia

The Purdeet Road led through farmland country; very nice. I enjoyed the run. Considering it was only 17:00, it was getting dark quick. I had no intention to call it a day yet. Off to Warrnambool, via Woolthorpe, Winslow and Mailors Flat.

Looking West on Warrnambool–Caramut Road, Victoria, Australia

I needed some food for a change; today I felt Maccas was the right place to go in a hurry. I had a Fish-o-Filet Burger with a salad and a Coke™ all it took was 20 minutes. I decided Cobden was the place to stay for the night.

Trip Data for the Day

727 km over the elapsed time of 10 hours 15 minutes.

Accommodation for the Night

My room at the Cobden Motel Caravan Park, Cobden, Victoria, Australia

I stayed at the Cobden Motel Caravan Park in Cobden for the night. Cost: 55 AUD.

My comment: I was Ok considering the dollars paid. The interior is dated; the light is too dark hiding what you do not want to see. Nevertheless, it was clean, and an effort was made to make the stay enjoyable. I had a hot breakfast the next morning. For what it is, a very affordable accommodation, if "a bed for the night" is the main driver (which it was for me).

Visitor's Comments

Sorry, there are currently no moderated / approved entries for this page.
Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this article!