New South Wales: Rocky road to nowhere

Seeing New South Wales from the back of a bike is a rewarding by often challenging way to travel. Photo / Supplied

Tracey Nearmy doesn't reach Canberra but says it's about the journey, not the destination.

I make it up the first hill out of Picton, just barely.

On the second hill, my confidence grows and I realise I can do this cycling thing.

Five kilometres down the road, I notice we are going in the wrong direction. And back we go.

Bicycle touring isn't a precise art and grand plans can be thrown into chaos by many variables.

My husband and I have a goal to spend three days riding from Picton, in NSW, to Canberra using back roads and taking in the scenery of the Southern Highlands.

Our first day dawns with a bright blue sky as we leave Picton train station. After finally heading in the right direction we crank our pedals steadily uphill for the morning.

We take a break at Tennessee Orchard (a farm gate shed) at Yerrinbool to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables.

Continuing uphill becomes harder and harder as we enter the alpine region of NSW, stopping often to catch our breath.

Despite the hard work, the roads are peaceful with the sun gently streaking through the trees.

We discover we've missed a turn-off and take the exit on to the Hume Highway.

Pedalling frantically along bridges with low railings and no shoulders while trucks storm past and create billowing gusts of dirt is no fun and a little terrifying. It's cycling hell and we soon abandon the highway at the next exit at Bowral.

We finally stop at Moss Vale Village Caravan Park and take advantage of the hot showers and camp kitchen.

Afterwards, we collapse into our sleeping bags exhausted, having only made it 56km of our 250km journey.

The morning dawns foggy but bright and we relish cycling with ease through the rolling hills and beautiful countryside.

Reaching Canyonleigh we are surprised to find no town and a dirt road ahead. Canyonleigh Rd is remote and more difficult to ride on but definitely worth it, especially after we pick up extra water from a passing campervan.

The day proves uneventful (in a good way) as we ride through paddocks of lush grazing land.

It's lovely and peaceful but by nightfall we have a flat tyre.

As we search for a place to camp we realise there is no way we are going to reach Canberra. It puts a dampener on what has been a fun trip so far but then I remember the main point of cycle touring - it's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

After a night of roadside camping, we pedal a final 10km to Marulan - 125km northeast of Canberra - and continue our journey by train.

Our mini trip has been enough to convince us to hit the road again, to see Australia from the slow lane.

CHECKLIST

Getting there: Qantas flies several times a day from Auckland to Sydney, with one-way Economy fares starting at $197, all inclusive.

Details: To help plan your adventure, visit biketouringtips.com and VisitNSW.com.

- AAP