Cowaramup

Busselton to Margaret River, day 4, Thursday 30 November 1978.  I got my breakfast delivered to the door on a tray again ($2.75) and enjoyed that. I don’t think I took an early swim before setting off. I don’t do that any more if I am facing a challenging day, as this was, setting off for the unknown. I wait until the challenge has been overcome before relaxing with a swim. Sea bathing can suck out a lot of calories.

After showering I got ready, paid (I hadn’t got into the way of paying the night before, and hotels didn’t demand it in those days) and set off down the Bussell Highway as though going to Dunsborough, but with the intention of turning left about 7 km out and heading down the unknown (to me) part of the Bussell Highway.  ... Read more

Cowaramup is a town in the South West of Western Australia, 12 kilometres north of Margaret River in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. The name is believed to be derived from Aboriginal word “Cowara”, meaning Purple-crowned Lorikeet. Locals from the region often refer to the town as ‘Cowtown’, a reference to the use of ‘cow’ in the town’s name and its history of dairy farming. Cowaramup is roughly central to the Margaret River Wine Region.

Busselton to Margaret River, day 4, Thursday 30 October 2008. The wind had turned around to the SE during the night. I left Busselton at 8:50. I had only 48 km to go to Margaret River but would have to climb the Wicher Range. The wind was strong and was turning to the SW but helped me a bit on my way to the Vasse turn-off and as far as Carbunup. There were still some showers coming through.

I rested at 453 next to a farm where a huge bull reposed in the morning sun watching a man on a tractor rushing around baling hay. I took an image. There were vineyards on the other side. The country was green and there were plenty of flowers, native ones and of course the ubiquitous gladioli and arum lilies.  ... Read more

Margaret River to Busselton day 5, Sunday 26 October 1997. The morning was cool and sunny with light winds that would freshen from the NNW as the day went on, impeding my progress to Busselton. I would not even come close to my effort in 1980 when I did the journey non-stop in 1 hour 55 minutes.

As I hoped, I was awake at 7 am and got up quickly to take the walks. I set off down the main street with the new map, crossed over the road bridge and turned left onto the path. After some distance I came to the footbridge that gave the walk its name. The scene was beautiful, with the morning sun casting shadows over the rippling river and the rocks.  ... Read more

Margaret River to Busselton, day 5, Friday 11 November 1988. Overslept, as a result didn’t leave Margaret River motel till 10.05.

Went to Cowaramup then took the following roads: Miamup, Harman’s South, Mill, Pusey, Abbey Farm, Sue?(Thornton?), Wildwood, Commonage, Caves (detour into Quindalup). Had two lost stops, three drink stops and a puncture stop at 14766.

Arrived at Busselton at 3:41, 14818.

Reading at Busselton: 14818. Day’s ride: 78 km. CD 334. km/d 66.8

Charles A. Pierce

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