From the Aussies to the Tassies
2025-04-04 by röbi
Geelong, die zweitgrösste Stadt Victorias, hat nicht nur eine aussergewöhnlich schön gestaltete Strandpromenade, die unter anderem mit vielen buntbemalten Holzfiguren dekoriert ist, sondern auch einen Hafen mit täglichen Fährverbindungen nach Tasmanien.
Nachdem wir ab Adelaide tausend Kilometer der Küste entlang Richtung Südosten gekurvt waren, bei besten Bedingungen die Great Ocean Road mit den spektakulären Küstenabschnitten bei den Zwölf Aposteln befahren konnten und schliesslich in Geelong landeten, packten wir gestern Abend die Gelegenheit, einen Abstecher nach Tasmanien zu machen, beim Schopf und schipperten mit der "Spirit of Tasmania II" über die Bass Strait nach Devonport. In den vier Monaten, die wir inzwischen in Australien verbracht haben, fühlten wir uns immer sehr wohl und willkommen bei den Aussies. Nun sind wir gespannt, wie wir uns mit den Tassies verstehen werden ;-).
(Devonport, Tasmanien)
Munda Biddi - Path through the forest
2025-02-02 by röbi
“There are a lot of idiots on the road after Christmas, avoid the highways,” was the advice of our country lady when we set off south from Perth in mid-December with the aim of reaching Albany. We knew that there was a mountain bike trail that led to Albany, but we were advised not to ride it in summer as it could get too hot inland. We also couldn't imagine bumping over hill and dale with our fully packed touring bikes.
After two weeks on beautiful cycle paths along the coast and on the hard shoulder of highways where cars roared past us at 110 km/h, we ventured onto the 'Munda Biddi', which means 'path through the forest' in the indigenous Noongar language of Western Australia.
It began with a camp in the forest. Next to the solidly built, airy hut, which offers sleeping accommodation and protection from the sun and rain, we set up our tent in a designated area surrounded by trees and bushes to protect us from mosquitoes and other small animals. New Year's Eve was quiet, but in the morning we were woken by the loud squawking of parrots. Then we hit the trail. We balanced our bikes over a narrow, former railroad track, the surface of which consisted alternately of loose gravel, firm forest floor and soft sand and was repeatedly garnished with dry branches of all thicknesses. High above us, a canopy of huge eucalyptus trees provided cool shade.
We were delighted with this first stage and now had the confidence to continue cycling on the trail. After 605 kilometers, several overnight stays in the middle of the forest, many very steep ascents and descents on foot and sweaty sandy passages, we reached Albany - without an unreasonable driver being able to do us any harm.
Thanks to everyone who was and is involved in this unique trail, from the idea to the realization.
The scent of eucalyptus will always remind us of this wonderful trail through the forest. (Albany, Australia)
