21-25 Dec 2023. Jindabyne to Bairnsdale via Barry Way.

Cycling Days: 5 Rest Days: 0

Total Distance: 251km
Ascent: 3712m Time: 31hrs

Started from friends house near Jindabyne – thank you Holly, Geoff & Janine for a wonderful send off! Then a coast along the scenic Barry Way down to the Snowy River. Helped along by xmas cake slice – thanks Charmaine!

The Snowy River valley became the Snowy Mountains and it was a slow chug up … the 14km climb took us 3hrs! Am probably carrying too much peanut butter!
A few more climbs and rewarding descents through the Alpine National Park popped us out into Victoria’s East Gippsland cattle country.

We’re well prepared for bush camping – including a 10l shower! All we need to find each evening is a water source. A water filter enables us to camp virtually anywhere. One night we stealth camped behind an abondoned farm house, but the neighbours shotgun firing in the night was a little scary. Our first cafe was 3 days in – it was so good we visited twice!

The East Gippsland Rail Trail took us the last stretch to Bairnsdale for a 2 day rest stop in an official campground. Hot showers & flush loos & water out a tap – yay! Rowan got a tummy bug so a good place to rest up & recover. And wait for the wet weather to pass.