Day 46 (December 18)

The rollercoaster that is Highway B-12

Today we had our longest distance pedaled in a day so far on the trip – 134 kilometers from Walpeup, Victoria to Tooleybuc, New South Wales. That, despite the persistent crosswind from the south and southeast.

The Murray River at Tooleybuc, New South Wales, Australia

Our route took us through a region of wheat fields alternating with scattered trees and rangeland. Several small towns were situated along the route, which provided a great opportunity for us to stop and refuel with Coke, ice cream bars, and even a huge helping of fish and chips in the town of Manangatang.

Reflections in the Murray River

Further down the road, we encountered the Murray River for the second time (the first time was several days ago in the town of Murray Bridge). The river begins in the mountains in southern Victoria, travels north, then west, then south to empty in the Southern Ocean south of Adelaide. The segment that we came across today is the portion that travels north from its source. It is also the border between the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

We found a nice riverside campsite on the Victoria side of the river, directly across from the town of Tooleybuc, New South Wales. Tomorrow, we’ll continue east toward the Hay Plains region.

The rusted remains of an old-fashioned steam-powered tractor, on the banks of the Murray River at Tooleybuc

Posted by Scott