Day Five
The Stunning Grampians National Park
I left the stunning Grampians National Park early in the morning at 7:30 am, expecting a hot day but it turned out to be beautifully cool. The weather was overcast and sat around 23°C, much cooler than originally projected and perfect for riding.
The journey began heading through the Moyston Rifle Range Nature Reserve, followed by a peaceful ride through Rosbridge Wildlife Reserve. From there, I passed through Mount Pleasant before reaching the scenic areas around Lake Purrumbete and Lake Bolac.
I stopped in the village of Mortlake to refuel the bike and recheck tyre pressure everything was in great shape. After that, the route continued through the Mortlake Common Flora Reserve, with some fantastic stretches of quiet road.
Then came the coast and with it, a wave of emotion I hadn’t expected.
Arriving at the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, the land seemed to fall away into the ocean. Towering cliffs, endless grey-blue water, and the steady roar of the Southern Ocean created a moment that felt overwhelming in the best possible way. It wasn’t just beautiful it was humbling. The kind of place that makes you feel very small, yet incredibly alive.
Standing there, I was reminded of how Gaynor described this coastline raw, powerful, and deeply moving, a place where the land and ocean meet with absolute honesty. That description couldn’t have been more accurate. There was a heaviness in the air, not sad, but emotional like the coast was telling its own ancient story, shaped by time, wind, and water.
The gravel roads slowed me down, stretching the ride, but they almost felt necessary forcing me to take it all in. By the time I reached the ocean’s edge, there was a quiet stillness inside me. Gratitude. Awe. A sense of connection to the journey, to the landscape, and to the people who understand what places like this can do to you.
It was more than a destination.
Distance: 293 km
Time: 6:41 hrs