Cycling Esperance to Salmon Gums, Western Australia (approx. 107kms)
November 1st 2006 07:43
First you need to find your way to the Esperance Highway or Coolgardie-Norseman Hwy as it is known on some maps. To do so, follow the Esplanade alongside the foreshore and then turn left up Norseman Road which eventually becomes the highway.
Once the industrial area of Esperance ends, a longish hill begins from the top of which you get expansive views over Esperance and the Esperance Bay. This is the only really steep climb of the day and from here it is much gentler and, at times, even flat all the way to Gibson Soak (around 26kms from Esperance).
Gibson Soak is your last chance for refreshments until Grass Patch (at approx. 78kms from Esperance). It has a couple of large shady trees, a general store and a pub where you can stay the night. You can even send your post from here.
It was pouring with rain all day and there was little shelter at the deserted hamlet of Scadden (at 53kms). The General Store had long since shut, as had the pub, and the toilets were locked. We huddled under a newly built commemorative shelter celebrating the long since departed settlers of the area.
The landscape to Grass Patch featured long slow hills, nothing steep, but a little wearing after a while. The open farmland we'd seen since Gibson Soak became instead wet bushland. The tree trunks on either side gleamed platinum, bronze, gold and copper in the rain.
The Grass Patch campsite should be renamed the Gravel Patch campsite. It looked great for caravans and was brand new but didn't suit us. It was $10AUS/2p/night including a hot shower. Book in the tumbledown hotel where you can also get a beer or a coffee.
We didn't see too much of the route to Salmon Gums - with the rain and the headwind it was dark by the time we arrived. "It's pretty much uphill from here all the way to Salmon Gums,'' said the barmaid at Grass Patch.
The Salmon Gums Community Campsite is down a side road on the right before the roadhouse. Go over the railway and then take another right. It doesn't look promising in the dark but it is definitely there and the hot showers are too. $5AUS/2p/night in the honesty box will secure you a berth.
Salmon Gums has a hotel with meals and a roadhouse with take out.
Once the industrial area of Esperance ends, a longish hill begins from the top of which you get expansive views over Esperance and the Esperance Bay. This is the only really steep climb of the day and from here it is much gentler and, at times, even flat all the way to Gibson Soak (around 26kms from Esperance).
Gibson Soak, last chance for food till Grass Patch
Gibson Soak is your last chance for refreshments until Grass Patch (at approx. 78kms from Esperance). It has a couple of large shady trees, a general store and a pub where you can stay the night. You can even send your post from here.
It was pouring with rain all day and there was little shelter at the deserted hamlet of Scadden (at 53kms). The General Store had long since shut, as had the pub, and the toilets were locked. We huddled under a newly built commemorative shelter celebrating the long since departed settlers of the area.
The landscape to Grass Patch featured long slow hills, nothing steep, but a little wearing after a while. The open farmland we'd seen since Gibson Soak became instead wet bushland. The tree trunks on either side gleamed platinum, bronze, gold and copper in the rain.
The Grass Patch campsite should be renamed the Gravel Patch campsite. It looked great for caravans and was brand new but didn't suit us. It was $10AUS/2p/night including a hot shower. Book in the tumbledown hotel where you can also get a beer or a coffee.
We didn't see too much of the route to Salmon Gums - with the rain and the headwind it was dark by the time we arrived. "It's pretty much uphill from here all the way to Salmon Gums,'' said the barmaid at Grass Patch.
Campsite at Salmon Gums Western Australia
The Salmon Gums Community Campsite is down a side road on the right before the roadhouse. Go over the railway and then take another right. It doesn't look promising in the dark but it is definitely there and the hot showers are too. $5AUS/2p/night in the honesty box will secure you a berth.
Salmon Gums has a hotel with meals and a roadhouse with take out.
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