Current

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to the coast
April 5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Load up and head down to Docklands to catch the ferry to Geelong. Sunday but a rad bit cool. Speed along (saving us a day of riding). Arrive and then a short ride to Torquay. Take a walk along the coast before getting dinner supplies.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Melbourne Day 3
April 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Cool and cloudy so we head indoors to get some culture. Check out the National Gallery of Victoria: Australia. Great collection of Australian art from the last 200+ years. From there do some shopping at a very large outlet mall, refuel with gelato and return ‘home’. Not a big picture day.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
1
Melbourne Day 2
April 3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Go off in separate directions for awhile. Check out Carlton Gardens, Carlton neighborhood (very Italian), and University of Melbourne before staring at Queen Victoria Market. The variety of food and goods was somewhat overwhelming. Eat Borek for lunch and get fresh fish for dinner. Meet up and head south of Yarra river and explore Royal Botanical gardens. Quite the collection of native and nonnative plants trees. Head back through quite the elaborate war memorials. Check out one of our local pubs before making our dinner.Read more
Traveler Ohh I remember this too
4/8/25Reply
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Melbourne Day 1
April 2, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Beautiful day though morning chill reminds us that it is fall. Wander about with little direction. Visit Fitzroy gardens, Cricket Club and sports fields and the Southbank of the Yarra River. Very busy city but it also seems on the small size. Back to hostel for dinnerRead more
2 likes
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A ferry ride, cycleways and Melbourne
April 1, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Early morning departure as we need to catch the 8:30 ferry to Stony Point - back on the mainland. Head north through small towns and eventually hit beautiful cycleways along the roads and railways. Cross over to the coastline (on a bay) and continue towards Melbourne. Nice protected paths almost all the way to Mansion Hostel. Check in and head out into town. Wander around the city a bit and have Mexican food and gelato.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A day of wildlife
March 31, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C
Very windy, still. Start the day with a little walk along the northern beach. Much calmer than the southern side. Ride to the Koala Conservancy and get up close to them as we walk along the raised boardwalks. Return to the campsite and attempt to arrange an Uber to take us to penguin parade. This does not work, so spend the next hour trying to figure out a cab - which we ultimately do. Arrive at very crowded and touristy site and find our seats and wait in the wind for the little blue penguins to come ashore in rafts (groups).
So cute as they tentatively leave the ocean and make a beeline across the sand to get to their nests. Able to see them close up in the dunes as well. No photos allowed.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Bass Coast trail to Phillip Island
March 30, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Very windy night and it persists - though thankfully, in our favor. Another long day but a tailwind certainly helps. Sadly spot many dead animals. Come into a supposed koala area and lo and behold, Doug spots one. Towns are getting bigger as we get closer to Melbourne. Hop on Bass Coast trail and make our way to the southern coast, across the bridge and onto Phillip Island. Cross the island - and check in to caravan park ( with a few minutes to spare. Offices tend to close at 5:00).Read more
2 likes
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Great Southern Rail Trail
March 29, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Into the wind we go along the Great Southern rail trail. Nice surface but the exposed sections are rough. Pass through small towns; Welshpool, Toora ( great Italian deli) and Fish Creek (fun sculpture garden) before popping off the trail and get back on the road. A short ride to Tarwin Lower but nowhere to stay. Continue on to Venus Beach and check into a cabin in the caravan park.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Yarram
March 28, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Sun is back! Nice start along a river on a bike path. Less cows and more forest. See another echidna and a live copperhead crossing the road. Arrive in Yarram - a little town with some historic character.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Long ride to Sale
March 27, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Another cloudy day but a flat day awaits us - albeit long. Lots of cows and sheep and not much else. Hard to even find a place for lunch. Find our way to caravan park in Sale. Not even a picture to mark the day (took one the next morning)Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Raymond Island & Koalas
March 26, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Sleep in as it’s a day off of riding. Return to town for breakfast out before catching the very short ferry to Raymond Island where koala sightings are “guaranteed”. Sure enough one is spotted tight by the ferry. Over next few hours, stare upwards into the eucalyptus trees and spot 30+! Most are high up, lounging on small tree limbs. A few are more active but all very cute! Take our tired necks back across the waterway and lounge about ourselves. A very successful outing!Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Paynesville
March 25, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Longer yet flatter day awaits us. Get an earlyish start and hit the rail trail. Pass an impressive trestle bridge and run into fellow cyclists. Hop off the trail for a bit and find ourselves amongst a lot of cows. Back on the trail meet up with a few kangaroos. Stop for lunch and finish off the trail on smooth asphalt. Pass through busy town of Bairnsdale and then onto Paynesville. First caravan park is full so end up in a somewhat deserted one.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
East Gippsland rail trail
March 24, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Cloudy morning and again get a late start. Load up on food and baked goods and head off to our first Australian tail trail. Path varies in quality but a nice change from the road. Mist ensues but not too bad. Arrive in Nowa Nowa and opt to stop. Nice, eccentric caravan park.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Orbost via Salmon Rocks
March 23, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Pack up somewhat grudgingly as the location is great but have minimal food. Spot a few Roos on the way out. Stop and explore Salmon Rocks. Tempted to snorkel but it feels too chilly. Continue onward along the relatively flat coast. Stop at Marlo for some lunch and then down into the farmland. Arrive in Orbost - a tiny town with a good supermarket.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to the coast
March 22, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
A cloudy start to the day but it’s dry. Begin our last overland day with hills of course. Though they are longer, they seem easier with gentler grades. Stop at McKenzie river and rainforest walk. Eat lunch and finish up our time on A1, turning off it and heading south. Very nice quiet road to Cape C park and Banksia campground. Set up and go check out beautiful beach. Too cool to swim but nice anyway.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A soggy day
March 21, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Very rainy night and the resident roosters complained loudly all night. Get ourselves up during a break and again huddle in the gazebo (with the soggy chickens). Wait a bit for rain to pass and set out. Sadly it begins again and though it’s relatively warm, the sogginess gets irritating; particularly after Doug gets a rare flat. Finish off our climbing and arrive in Cann River - an actual town. Opt to stay in hotel for some comfort and eat at the pub.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Day 1: Overland to Genoa
March 20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Set off with our 3 days worth of food as few services for the next 100 miles. Though we are on A1, it’s relatively quiet. Lots of rollers and it’s hot and humid. Stay amongst forestland with no towns in sight. Enter Victoria, our second Aussie state. Arrive in tiny Genoa and our free campground. Manage to set up before the rain starts. Huddle under the gazebo for the remainder of the day.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Boydtown Bay
March 19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Nice sunrise over a calmer lake. Hit the road and quickly begin our hills. Stop at a nice cafe/brewery/chocolate store for a bit of lunch and ice cream. Arrive in Eden and do food shopping for the next few days. Head out of town to Boydtown bay and large, mostly empty campground right on the water.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
2
Hobart Beach
March 18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
A few viewpoints over a calmer ocean as we head along scenic highway south. Day is sunny and wind is light but the hills await. SE corner of Australia is hilly and green. Nice tree cover for most of the way. Spot a number of animal crossing signs but no animals. Finally a fur ball crosses the road. An echidna. Continue on, stopping in another tiny town for food. A bit further and we make our way to Bournda park and our Hobart beach campground. Greeted by a pair of kangaroos and a wallaby. Nice quiet spot.Read more
Traveler Hard to tell which end is up and which end is down. Bird? Porcupine? Legs? Wings?
3/25/25Reply
Traveler !!!!an echidna!!! So cool
3/26/25Reply
2 likes
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A change in the weather
Mar 17–19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
The storm overnight brought in cool weather and wind. Quite the change! Head into the winds yet the coolness makes riding more pleasurable. Stop at little town of Bodalla for a wee break. Continue on, spending the day wandering inland over the hills and then back to the coastline. Even manage a corned beef sammie in honor of St. Pattys day. Stop at Bermagui. Check out the Blue pool but too chilly for swim.Read more
2 likes
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Lazy day
March 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C
Though the day is overcast, it remains toasty. Go on a short walkabout, attempt to do long range planning and sit at the beach. Forecasted wind holds off until the evening and then it lets loose! Thankfully tent stands!Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Turros Heads
March 15, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Another short day planned as still hot. Fortunately under shade and by water for a lot of the ride. Stop by a Saturday market (mostly stiff vs food) before finishing the last hills to the turnoff for Turros Heads. Find the campground, check in and head for the beach. Dine out in our first Aussie pub.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Bateman’s Bay
March 14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
Short day planned as the heat continues. Get an early start which helps. Quite a bit of inland road. End up in meh campground but right across the road from the beach. Relax and cool down.
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
1
A hot one
March 13, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Nice sunrise and visits from our resident kangaroos start the day off right. Long and hilly ride in the heat makes for a tough day. Ice cream to cool off before ending in Ulladulla. A soak in the pool cools one off.Read more
Traveler Oh wow!
3/16/25Reply
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A Bushwalk and beach day
March 12, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Lazy start as we are laying over. Ride back to Murray’s Beach and walk through forest, up on cliffs and back down to the beach. Attempt to snorkel but the water is too stirred up. Do see 2 wallabies on the beach. Ride back and prepare site for the return of the possum posse (which doesn’t come).Read more
1 like