Stirling Range

Bluff Knoll is a peak in the Stirling Range in the south-west of Western Australia (WA). It is 1,099 metres (3,606 ft) above sea level, and is one of only a few places to experience regular snowfalls in Western Australia, with some snow reported in most years. The mountain is often shrouded in a mist which curls around the peaks and floats into the gullies.

Perth to the Stirling Range, 9 days, 1993. Cumulative distance 596km. This was to be the fulfilment of a dream that started in 1987, when I rode by the western edge of the Stirling Range and was prevented by weather and tiredness from taking a detour into it.

The idea was to get to Bluff Knoll, climb it, and ride back to Perth. Instead of starting the ride at Bunbury, as I had so many others, I decided to start this one at Albany, using the new flexibility offered by the discovery that, for $25, Niteroad will take your bike to Albany or Bunbury in less than 24 hours, or to any other point at which it is desired that a ride should start.  … Read more

Porongurup to the Stirling Range, day 2, Thursday 21 October 1993. It had rained most of the night and was still drizzling in the morning. Grey clouds tumbled down the Porongurup Range and a cold wind blew from the ENE. When the hills were visible and the sky had brightened and the rain eased to a few spots I decided to get going, which I did at 8:05. The rain increased in intensity after a few minutes and kept going, though the sky seemed to be clearing, for an hour.

I had decided to take a short cut through ‘Spring Road’ a muddy gravel track, saving about 3km of the journey, though I don’t know if it was worth it. I was soaked by the time I took my first rest, at 27396.  ... Read more

Stirling Range to Gnowangerup, day 3, Friday 22 October 1993. I cleaned and oiled the bike, as I normally do on these rides after a wet ride, and left Stirling Range Caravan Park at 9:38. It was late but I had wanted to rest up.

This was to be a harder day than I had expected. I think I had overdone it on Thursday, also conditions were different from what I had imagined when planning the trip. I had thought I would be leaving the Stirlings with a good downhill run and a tailwind. Actually the winds turned northwest and freshened, and they were to stay NW for five days – quite unusual and demoralising for someone riding NW for five days.  ... Read more

The Stirling Range or Koikyennuruff is a range of mountains and hills in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, 337 km south-east of Perth and is over 60 km wide from west to east, stretching from the highway between Mount Barker and Cranbrook eastward past Gnowangerup. Notable features include Bluff Knoll, the tallest peak for a thousand kilometers or more in any direction and most popular tourist attraction. The Stirling Ranges is one of the richest areas for flora in the world.