Today‘s final section is Wungong hut to Carinyah hut. Straight line north. I recall last year (north to south) the terrain was fairly arduous, but then it was only the second day of the trail and the weather remained a scorcher. ☀️ This time though, I’m trail fit 💪 and the weather is mild in comparison. Still significantly warm but not the late thirties. The terrain though, felt relatively benign in comparison, but then I’m going in the opposite direction 🔙 There was only one steepio (my made up Aussie word) section and I was trying not to have a section were I didn’t have to walk ... I walked! 🚶‍♂️ Not really a case of I couldn’t cycle, more one gains no traction on pea-gravel! 

I arrive at Carinyah hut in good time. A light second lunch and a brew ☕ before setting up camp a distance from the hut.

The New Year is spent in the bush. Along with Xmas too, doesn‘t get much better than that! 2018 becomes 2019!

I did hear some Bogan (Hill Billys!) in the distance revving up car engines 🚗 and been total knob heads. Fortunately, they didn’t make a visit to the hut, as at one point they sounded close! 

New Years days is expected to be a bit of a blinder, as I’m kindof planning to push on after Mundaring (official northern end of the trail) westerly towards Perth. Big kilometer day.

I call into the Mundaring Weir Hotel for hopefully a slap up lunch. New Years Day every other person seems to be in toe with all the family members of varying ages too. Cup of coffee, a packet of crisps and I‘m out of there! 

The final midday push to the Munda Biddi Trail head is 7 km. I drag this out as long as possible as I don’t wish for it to end. But soon enough the customary photo 📷 is taken by the northern terminus sign. The plan was to have a bite to eat, fill up my water carriers and find a place to wild camp. Well, that went straight out the window as soon I was anchored on a bar stool in the Mundaring Hotel Bar. I roll out after two pints of lager 🍻 and a basket of chips!

Feeling well refreshed (beer and potato sugar will do that) I head westwards towards Perth and the coast. I haven’t seen the coast since leaving Walpole in what feels many moons ago.

I‘ve now 55 ish kilometers to go. Normally leaving this distance late afternoon I‘d consider myself to be mad, but two pints of lager and I‘m capable of anything! I was also aware half the distance is gradually downhill on the well surfaced Heritage Trail 🚵 and then after it should be relatively flat.

Soon, I‘m onto tar roads through the northern suburbs of Perth. New Years day and early evening it’s dead quiet. My two pints of lager were starting to wear off. I popped into a BP ⛽ station and filled up with a large bottle of Coca Cola. More sugar. I also received a free Coca Cola glass ... take it while it‘s there I say!

The majority of the ride through northern Perth was on cycle lanes beside the road or dedicated cycle lanes next to walking lanes on the pavement. I hit the western seaboard of Australia just as the last light was fading. Next only a 10-minute cycle northwards to Hut no.1 ... my Perth base!

As soon as I’m indoors, shoes off, feet up, wine poured ... 🍷