Australian Bicycle Camping Fact Sheets
via the
By Grace Newhaven
PO Box 3331 RUNDLE MALL SA 5000 / eMail : bikefish@iinet.net.au
2000/15
May , revised 2008
Purpose
This fact sheet is intended as an
introductory guide to bicycle tour-camping on the minor roads between the Blue
Mountains (W of Sydney) and
Resources
There is no bicycle-specific map of
this region.
NRMA's
" Regional Touring Map # 2 : Canberra & South East NSW ( scale
1 : 550 000, edition 1999/April ) is useful for the minor roads, showing some
roads that are not listed on larger scale road maps. Free to members of car
clubs, otherwise $5.00 from NRMA offices in larger towns. http://www.nrma.com.au/index.html
The Australian Bicentennial
National Trail passes through this area, and extends beyond
Wind directions: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/wind/wrselect.shtml
Freewheeling Magazine featured articles on Oberon
district (issue 53:40) and a severe condition tour round Yerranderie (53:30).
Issues 09:32, 16:36, 49:34 carried articles on the
Pedal Power is the
Bicycle User Groups : Blue Mountains (Peter, 02 4751 1682) ;
Lithgow ( Bronwyn < laing@lisp.com.au
>)
Bicycle NSW is the established bicycle advocacy group
for NSW. There does not appear to be any independent touring information at its
site. http://www.ozemail.com.au/~bikensw/
The Roads & Traffic
Authority of NSW [Department of Transport] has some token information
about bikes, but nothing about long distance bike travel. http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/
History
Aborigines inhabited the region for
millennia before European settlement by sheep farmers in 1840's. The region was
also the location for a number of " bushranger" episodes in the
middle 19th century. At the present time, the area is often described as the
"wool capital" of
Environment
West of Mt
January is the warmest month
(average temperature 23 - 13 C) and July the coldest (10 - 0.9 C).
Getting there
by bike
If you wish, you can ride the whole
distance from either
by bus
Greyhound & McCafferties intercity buses serve
the highway towns. Both have " flat fee" charges for bikes that
effectively discriminate against short journeys with a bike. The train (below)
will be much cheaper, at least to/from
by rail
The
Roads
The roads in the region range from
modern highways to rough, sandy single lane farm roads. Most of the roads are
sealed, sometimes with a useable shoulder. On the minor roads however, traffic
is generally so light that you can leave the shoulder safely and comfortably.
The surface on minor roads may be somewhat rougher than is the standard in
other developed countries, but is still easy enough to ride. Car traffic is
generally very light and considerate on the backroads even when the surface is
good, but sealed through roads between major towns will be much busier and less
pleasant for cyclists.
There are also some sand or gravel
sections, readily noticeable on the map, (N of Taralga, W of Goulburn , E of
Gundaroo and then approaching
The
In all cases, it will be worthwhile
to wear brightly coloured clothing to enable motorists and truck drivers to see
you as early as possible - in particular, avoid dark helmets.
Water
The longest stretches without
access to drinking water would be around 20 km or less. Tap water is
theoretically safe to drink in all places, though there is concern with septic
run-off contamination in the Mountains following rain. If possible, however,
try to find rain water, which is collected from roofs of buildings into metal
or plastic tanks and is usually much more palatable - farmsteads will usually
be happy to provide drinking water. Bottled water is readily available in large
supermarkets. Ground water will not be safe anywhere.
Food
Most small settlements still have
general stores with a limited stock of non-perishables (see below). Major
centres have well stocked supermarkets with competitive prices and long trading
hours ( useful to the tired cyclist arriving late ). Supermarkets often have
liquor stores attached. Beer drinkers should try "Toohey's
Old" a traditional dark beer, and Resches "Real". Wholefood
stores are useful if you can find them, as the cyclist can buy smaller
quantities of basic foods ( eg honey, milk powder, dried fruits etc ) than are
available in supermarkets.
Camping
Roadside camping is generally
permitted overnight anywhere outside the 60 km (ie, town) limits. Free camp
sites are easy to find on quiet unsealed minor roads & stock routes leading
off from the sealed roads. Around most of the small towns, it would be possible
to stock up on water and food, then proceed to an overnight "free"
campsite nearby if desired. Be sure to bury all toilet waste carefully. In many
places there is enough wood for a small pit fire, and you can cook or make
damper easily. Use wood sparingly and observe all fire precautions and bans -
always bury your fire when you leave.
Alternatively, caravan parks in
some towns provide tent sites, and hot showers, at about $5.00/person and up - managers
may ask you if you need power!
Services
Blackheath
"real bread " bakery;
helpful wholefood store (with cyclist operator).
Black Springs
small, friendly general store (till
1800). Free camp in small park with OK water
Breadalbane
good tank water at the church.
Telephone. Emergency campsite at the church.
Collector
a couple of pubs, general store.
Historic village, somewhat neglected
large urban centre, all services.
Cyclists Home stay: Kerry < kldyer@tpgi.com.au
> ( tel 02 4821 8917 or 4822 2498)
Gundaroo
pleasant village with 7 day
Pub & perhaps a small store
with fast foods.
tourist café, small camp site (
$10.00). Tours are worthwhile (YHA discount 10 %). Free camp in the nearby
forests, before the steep descent on each side.
major tourist icon, all services. Bike shop . Cyclists
Home stay: Julia ( tel 02 4782 7663).
Parkesbourne
nil. Taps have been removed from
the water tanks.
Porters Retreat
nil. Private house may have water
Taralga
small general store, pubs,
Note : the NRMA lists a number of
" localities" on its map. These are generally abandoned settlements,
with no facilities at all.
This
fact sheet was produced by grassroots cyclists. No responsibility for errors or
omissions can be accepted. It is intended for free or low cost distribution on
paper or on the www, and you are free to copy it on that basis.
Suggestions
for improvement are most welcome!
Other
Bicycle Camping Fact Sheets include Central
Australia, Kangaroo
Island, the Flinders
Ranges, North
Queensland, Kimberley WA
, Stuart
Highway
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