Cycling from Pemberton to Shannon Campsite, WA
October 1st 2006 07:58
The hard steep climb out of Pemberton wasn't made any easier by the presence of the "dodgy dude" halfway up. We began calling him this after two days of him practically stalking us. We'd be cycling along, minding our own business, and there he would be, parked on the side of the road, window down, glasses all steamed up and a big smile on his face. I still have his rego number and a description in my diary.
After the turn off to Northcliffe, the road is pretty straight which in WA often means rolling hills. You'll cycle first through more stunning tall trees before the road opens out and becomes farmland.
Northcliffe has two caravan parks but the one on the left hand side on the way into town before the supermarket has a brochure which specifically states that bicycles are welcome. It is the tiniest campsite I've ever been in but there are flat grassy sites, picnic tables and hot showers for $15AUS/2pax/night. If you ask nicely the owner will even leave you the key to the tiny log cabin where there is a kettle, a fridge and a sink.
From Northcliffe, we took Wheatley Coast Road and then Middleton Road. They undulate through dairy country becoming forested again near the turn off to the Shannon Campsite.
At Easter time these roads, with their speeding campers, unclear markings, blind corners and escapee stock were perilous but they're probably very quiet during the rest of the year.
To get to Shannon Campsite, turn right at the end of Middleton Road onto the South Western Highway for 500-600 metres and follow the sign on the right. After we'd puffed up the little gravel hill to the campsite we met the Ranger who was still reeling from the sight of thousands of Great WA Bikeriders swarming over the normally quiet campsite.
The shady tentsites are on a bit of a slope and if you want a hot shower you'll need to stoke up the wood burner from the plentiful wood pile. The Shannon National Park is renowned for its rainfall and it rained on us. Thanks to the slope, we weren't flooded and how can you begrudge the birds the rain when they so clearly take such delight in it?
It cost us $12.50AUS/2pax/night for a nice quiet night beneath the trees. There are also bunkhouses if you prefer to be under a roof rather than under canvas. We filled our water bottles from the rainwater tank without ill effects.
After the turn off to Northcliffe, the road is pretty straight which in WA often means rolling hills. You'll cycle first through more stunning tall trees before the road opens out and becomes farmland.
Giant Karri on road to Northcliffe, WA
Northcliffe has two caravan parks but the one on the left hand side on the way into town before the supermarket has a brochure which specifically states that bicycles are welcome. It is the tiniest campsite I've ever been in but there are flat grassy sites, picnic tables and hot showers for $15AUS/2pax/night. If you ask nicely the owner will even leave you the key to the tiny log cabin where there is a kettle, a fridge and a sink.
From Northcliffe, we took Wheatley Coast Road and then Middleton Road. They undulate through dairy country becoming forested again near the turn off to the Shannon Campsite.
At Easter time these roads, with their speeding campers, unclear markings, blind corners and escapee stock were perilous but they're probably very quiet during the rest of the year.
To get to Shannon Campsite, turn right at the end of Middleton Road onto the South Western Highway for 500-600 metres and follow the sign on the right. After we'd puffed up the little gravel hill to the campsite we met the Ranger who was still reeling from the sight of thousands of Great WA Bikeriders swarming over the normally quiet campsite.
Camping in Shannon National Park, WA
The shady tentsites are on a bit of a slope and if you want a hot shower you'll need to stoke up the wood burner from the plentiful wood pile. The Shannon National Park is renowned for its rainfall and it rained on us. Thanks to the slope, we weren't flooded and how can you begrudge the birds the rain when they so clearly take such delight in it?
It cost us $12.50AUS/2pax/night for a nice quiet night beneath the trees. There are also bunkhouses if you prefer to be under a roof rather than under canvas. We filled our water bottles from the rainwater tank without ill effects.
| 45 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
