As I began to run out of fresh locations in South Australia to bicycle tour, I looked East towards Victoria and the Grampians National Park.

Scenic ridges, rivers, lakes and lush scenery; an ideal place to tour in spite of the six hour drive from Adelaide.

There is caravan parking next to the park in Dunkeld and many cars seem to be left in this area while people hike into the Grampians. I drove to a nearby campsite for more privacy and, in the darkness, nearly drove into the lake (http://www.findacamp.com.au/camp-site.php?camp=1233).

Leaving my car in Dunkeld, I began cycling along farm roads to the East side of the Eastern arm of the ranges. Morning clouds clung to the peaks.

Coming off the farm roads, I stayed on dirt as I entered the National Park until I came to Grampians Rd. Despite being a long weekend (and perhaps because it was still early) there was not much traffic on this arterial route of the Grampians.

The ride up Grampians Road was quite flat, with great views of the ridges all around. At Jimmy Creek I filled my bottles with creek water and at Borough Huts I set my camp.

From there, I began the 13.6km climb to the summit of Mt William. The clouds came down to meet me and I pedaled upwards through pea soup.

Although I could not see much from the summit, I now had an 13 km downhill run back to camp. Spent the evening happily hiding in my tent, reading The Sound and the Fury.

Next day I continued north past Lake Bellfield and onto Hall’s Gap. At the markets I picked up fresh local apples and feijoa before heading west and climbing again towards Reed Lookout.

The clouds cleared and the view from Reed Lookout was expansive. Vintage cars rattled and spluttered in the opposite lane. The descent from the lookout to the Zummsteins is thoroughly enjoyable, with many turns and corners. Motorcycles were everywhere.

From the recreation area at the bottom of the hill, it was back on the dirt as I headed into the valley at the heart of the Grampians. Huge gums, orange dirt and corrugations for hours.

The corrugations slowed me down, but I eventually made it to Strachans Campground, near the Chimney Pots. My neighbours were inexplicably blasting techno music. I was given a brief reprieve while they fired up a chainsaw, but the music resumed after they had finished cutting. I thought the children might start raving with glowsticks.

On day three, I fairly well belted down that valley, through farm land and back to Dunkeld. Many of the views were again obscured by mist. I treated myself to a meal in town before the six hour drive back to Adelaide.

Many people hike in the Grampians National Park, I wholeheartedly recommend it for cycle touring.