A Century-Plus Day: Sale to Port Welshpool

October 2, 2012

Day 11
Sale to Port Welshpool
Tuesday 2 October 2012

Excellent early morning start with clear sky and no wind. We exited town past the Port of Sale on a local bike trail toward the historic swinging bridge. From there we rode onto the South Gippsland Highway to Yarram. Top riding conditions allowed us to make 70 km through the green, damp countryside to the tidy little town of Yarram by lunchtime.

The relatively fast ride was fun. The road was a bit busy near Sale but had a wide shoulder for most of the way.

Beyond Yarram in the afternoon the conditions were not so good as the morning with more traffic, less shoulder and strengthening wind.

Still we made it to Port Welshpool in good time and booked into a cabin. It was very windy and cold, so being in a cabin was great.

We had clear views from Port Welshpool across to Wilson's Promontory, which is the most southern point of mainland Australia.

There was a dim glimmer of Melbourne city light reflected onto distant cloud to the north west.

Evening meal and a few games of pool in a modern pub/cafe at Port Welshpool.

Early night after a big day of riding.

Distance 109 km
Average 16.5 km/ hr
Maximum 41.6 km/ hr
6 hrs 37 mins riding

The Swing Bridge...historic and has been restored. The centre section of the bridge can be swung laterally to open the bridge for river boats. Crossed a few kilometres after leaving Sale.

The South Gippsland Highway. A good shoulder from Sale to Yarram.

Another country church stop for morning tea. Like the others, it has a rainwater tank and a pleasant, grassy enclosure to rest.

Yarram has quite a few interesting old shopfronts

Huge eucalypt blossom on a Yarram street tree

A grass tree. There was an extensive stand of them along the roadside.

Picture perfect pastoral scene near Welshpool

Port Welshpool. Looking across to Wilson's Prom. and inlet islands.

I thought this was made especially for my legs after riding 109 km on a loaded bike

Port Welshpool pub for dinner and pool. Will pots one in the corner pocket.

Today's ride: 109 km (68 miles)
Total: 806 km (501 miles)

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Mike AylingG'day Graham,
In May 2017 (five years later than your journal) Mary and I rode the reverse direction from Welshpool to Yarram and we found a good shoulder most of the way so maybe the road has ben upgraded since you were there.
We had an interesting discussion with a local dairy farmer on that stretch - see our journal East to Bairnsdale.
Cheers
Mike
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