On trek to Queensland

After planning the trip for the past two years, Stephen Day has set off from Goulburn, NSW on a 1207 kilometre trek to Kooralbyn, Queensland, on a journey that many would be daunted by.

Cycling on a cross-tyred mountain bike with a tent and paniers, Stephen has been braving mountainous terrain and wet weather on what is a fitness challenge of a lifetime.

“The fact that I had to wait and plan for two years due to the COVID pandemic, was advantageous in a way”, said Stephen.

“It meant that I could save up for better gear before I set off”.

The day that I ran into Stephen, he had just the previous day cycled 60 kilometres in three hours through wind and rain on the Newell Highway.

No mean feat for anyone, no matter how fit they are.

On the stretch between Coonabarabran and Narrabri, Stephen had reached the halfway mark of his journey.

It was dark, and Stephen decided to pitch a tent in a rest area on the Newell Highway.

He had 60 kilometres to go before he would reach Narrabri.

He set off the next morning through the wet weather, determined to reach Narrabri as quickly as possible and enjoy a hot breakfast.

“When I arrived, I was saturated and very cold.

“I pulled up at a local café and asked the staff if I could change out of my wet clothes.

“Since then, I have enjoyed meeting the locals and a few wandering nomads like myself staying at the caravan park in Narrabri.

“I love meeting people and hearing their stories”.

Stephen says his reasons for the trip are simply to challenge himself.

“I am inspired by a ‘going off the grid’ concept.

“I have no access to internet, my mobile phone is an old pre-digital phone, and the idea is to get away from the pressures of modern-day life.

“I have no interest in posting updates to Facebook or Instagram, as my journey is meant to be one of personal fulfillment rather than a publicly acknowledged achievement.

“It has been tough and hard going.

“When I first set off, I negotiated three days of mountainous terrain through the Goulburn Mulwaree ranges.

“This was torture, and I very nearly gave up. I’m glad that I didn’t”.

Stephen’s final destination is his brother’s property in the Kooralbyn Valley, where he will enjoy a much-earned rest and time with his family.