Bicycle Tours in South Western Australia:

Bunbury - Augusta & return

6 days, Cumulative distance 402 k.

Day 1, Bunbury - Dunsborough

Monday 7 November 1988.

Reading at Bunbury at start; 14484 km.

Left Bunbury at 12:12 pm, after having come down on the new Australind train for the first time. It is faster but you have to book a long way ahead.

There is always pressure on this leg to Dunsborough because of not being able to start until early afternoon, and because of the prevailing, (i.e. almost every day with rare exceptions, westerly), wind.

Got to Capel and took the traditional rest break at Colroy's tearooms. Kept going, then at 38 km. a spoke broke in the back wheel. I seemed to have forgotten to bring any spares, besides it was on the cluster side - can't fix without special leverage. So I wibbled on to Busselton, where I found a bike shop and bought spokes - unfortunately no extra thick ones were available. On to Dunsborough, which I reached at 5:35 pm. I booked into the Hotel and postponed the spoke problem till morning.

Reading at Dunsborough: 14559 km. At day's end: 14560. Day's ride: 76 km. Speed: 13.9 km/hr, 4.3 min/km including stops.

Cumulative distance: 76 km/day: 76.

Day 2, Dunsborough - Margaret River

8 November.

Left Dunsborough 9.37 after having fixed the broken spoke, by borrowing a piece of pipe from building works at the Dunsborough Motel to use for leverage. Arrived at Margaret River 12.59. Stopped at the roadhouse to check maps and enquire as to the state of Caves Road between Margaret River and Augusta (see Day 3). Fell into conversation with a woman who showed an interest in my book which I had just got back from flogging round the eastern states. Gave her my name and the book's title and she said she would order it through her local library.

Same type of motel unit as in 1984, but 250% dearer - $50 instead of $20. For the first time, explored the forest east of the town. Found a charming forest walk with numerous wildflowers. Nice cool damp scented atmosphere, with the roar of water falling somewhere. Went towards it and found a weir associated with the town's water supply.

Reading at Margaret River 14606. At day's end 14607.

Day's ride 47 km. CD 123. km/day 61.5. Speed 13.7km/h.

Day 3, Margaret River - Augusta

9 November.

Left Margaret River 7.48, headed down connecting road to Caves Road. Arrived Lake Cave 8.48 (14624). Saw the cave, always impressed by the depth you have to descend and by the huge trees growing out of the hole. Left at 10.55, headed down Caves Road. Last time I went to Augusta this way, in 1980, there was 16km of unbikeable gravel starting 3km south of Lake Cave, ending finally in a stretch of unsealed but bikeable road before rejoining the bitumen somewhere near Jewel Cave turnoff. In 1988 the whole thing was sealed and there was no problem.

Reached Augusta Motel at 1.19. Got a unit overlooking the sea. Dumped the luggage, just took essential spares and towel and set off to Flinders Lookout at Cape Leeuwin, for the traditional leap-year initial-carving in the brass plaque there. Could make out CAP 1980 and CAP 1984. Had a lovely swim at Flinders Bay beach, where Southern and Indian oceans meet. Went back to motel, rest, followed by shower, walk, phone calls, dinner in usual place in restaurant as in 1980, 1981, 1984.

During the night the easterly wind gathered strength, scuttling my plans to go to Nannup the next day. I wanted to reverse the traumatic trip of 1981, when I was beset by westerly storms on a ride from Nannup to Augusta. I was struck by the fact that only 3 days before, when I had needed a strong easterly, I had struggled against a strong westerly; now when I needed such a westerly, a strong east to north-east wind had developed and was to last through Day 4.

Reading on first arrival in Augusta: 14661. At day's end: 14674. Day's ride 67 km. CD 190. km/day 63.3.

Day 4, Augusta - Margaret River

10 November.

Left Augusta 9.13, day heating up and the wind opposing me all the way up the Bussell Highway. Arrived at Margaret River (12.15, 14718) and booked into a different motel this time, slightly cheaper and just as good, about 1.5 km out of town on the Wallcliffe Road. I dumped the luggage and set off for Prevelly Park-Gnarabup Beach (arr. 14727) for a delicious swim. Back to the motel (14736) on a gentle sea breeze, rest and shower and a ride into town for tea - Indian food.

Reading at Margaret River: 14740. Day's ride: 66 km. CD 256. km/day 64.

Day 5, Margaret River - Busselton

11 November.

Overslept, as a result didn't leave Margaret River motel till 10.05. Went to Cowaramup then took the following roads: Miamup, Harman's South, Mill, Pusey, Abbey Farm, Sue?(Thornton?), Wildwood, Commonage, Caves (detour into Quindalup). Had two lost stops, three drink stops and a puncture stop at 14766. Arrived at Busselton at 3:41, 14818.

Reading at Busselton: 14818. Day's ride: 78 km. CD 334. km/d 66.8

Day 6, Busselton - Bunbury

12 November.

Left Esplanade Hotel at 9.22, went via Wonnerup to Capel, arrived 10.55, 14844. Left 11.10. arrived Forrest Road traffic light 12.25, 14870, 26 km in 75 minutes, not my best but not bad. Got lost on the way to the rail terminal, arrived there 14872. Dumped most of the luggage, went to the beach. Got back on the train and returned to Perth.

Final reading at Bunbury: 14886. Day's ride: 68 km.

Cumulative distance 402 km. Average km/day 67. Speedo apparently OK.

Charles A Pierce 1988

Do you have questions about bicycle touring in Western Australia's SouthWest? You're welcome to ask Charles!

Email Charles

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