Mt Barker

Mount Barker is a town situated on Albany Highway 360 kilometres (224 mi) south of Perth and 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of the city of Albany. Mount Barker is the administrative centre of the Shire of Plantagenet, which contains the Stirling and Porongurup Range National Parks. The Plantagenet Shire also owns and operates the Great Southern Regional Cattle Saleyards.

Cottesloe to Valley of the Giants 2002 – 10 days, 610 km cumulative distance.

The aim of this trip was to visit the Valley of the Giants again, and to see the tree-top walk built since my last visit in 1987. This time I would go by a reverse route and with some motorised assistance, but none from the Australind train.

Other days on this Tour:

Daily Locations for this Tour:

Tenterden to Mt Barker, DAY 1, WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2002. I left Liz’ cabin at 2:14 on a mild cloudy afternoon with some rain and a north-westerly gale blowing. The odometer read 1007. Rain fell as I crunched along the 3km or so of gravel tracks to get to the Albany Highway.

When I got to the highway and turned south the wind was a great help, which was good because I didn’t feel well – I had got a cold a few days before and it had reached the stage where one might take a sickie if at work, but I was on holidays and determined to proceed with my plans.

About a dozen km into the ride the main gear cable broke.  ... Read more

Mt Barker to Albany, day 2, Thursday 17 October 2002. I left Mount Barker at 7:40 on a warm sunny morning with a north-westerly gale blowing. The wind would never be this helpful again, and I sort of knew this as I rode along, and enjoyed it while I could.

I rested at 1069 and reached the Ace motel, some 3km from the Albany town centre, at 9:37, 1091. It was way too early for check-in and I acknowledged this to the receptionist and explained why I had rushed down so early. She said it was OK if the room hadn’t been used the night before, she would just check. It was all right, so I moved in. It was Unit 8, $71.  ... Read more