Brisbane to Casino - The Back way...

Leaving...

 Leaving for a cycle tour from home made our Tour start a bit special. Our neighbours gave us a lovely send-off.  We were finally on our way. We rode up the Goat Track with a great deal of excitement about heading off on our long-planned trip.

Of course, not everything went strictly to plan – but that only added to the adventure. From the top of the Goat Track we rode through to Fernvale. From Fernvale to Lowood was a very easy rail trail ride. We spent our first night camping at the Lowood Showgrounds. We had the whole Grandstand to ourselves – apart from the resident cat.

The Goat Track

Lowood Showgrounds

Day 2 - It was hilly and hot!  We Rode through Rosewood, Lanefield and Mt Walker. The countryside was all cleared farmland. We stopped for a beer or two at the Rosevale Pub – and never left! It got too hot – so we camped behind to the pub next to an old Brisbane tram! Very convenient!

Near Rosewood

Great Location..Needs some TLC

Breakfast at the back of the Pub

Rosevale Pub

Day 3 - A short ride to ‘The Gorge’ near Aratula.  It was a very nice private camping ground next to a creek in a gorge. We will definitely visit again.

Goanna at 'The Gorge'

Cooking Lunch

NSW Border

Day 4 - We had a very big climbing day through Main Range National Park in 35 degree heat. Some of the gradients were 13 percent. We were very relieved when we made it to Koreelah NP for the night. We finally made it into NSW! 

Near Koreelah

Tooloom

Water filter 

 Day 5 -  Yet another big climbing day on the Urbenville Road to Tooloom Lookout (I guess look-outs are always high up!). After that it was a fun descent to Tooloom Falls for our nights’ camp. We had another great spot right next to the creek. It was great fun watching the turtles feeding at dusk.

Urbenville

 Day 6 – Today felt like it was less climbing – but it actually wasn’t. We must be getting used to it! We rode along the Clarence Way (a bitumen road – very quiet, only 4 cars passed us). After Bonalbo we hit the dirt roads again and climbed the Richmond Range to Peacock Creek – where we made camp for the night. Another great spot with huge pines, bellbirds and a Satin bowerbird that really liked all our blue items.

Peacock Ck Camping

Day 7  - Today was a bit easier, a bit less climbing, finally! We rode downhill and then along the plateau through Cambridge Plateau Forest Road – a very stunning ride. After that we rode easy rolling hills through cleared farmland into Casino.

Day 8 – Rest day in Casino, re-stocking food, eating burgers and watching the V8’s at Bathurst. Great fun!