Karta Burnu to Manjimup

Record Brook might be a familiar name to many who follow the plight of the Donnelly River as downstream from here is where they want to build a dam so a co-op of farmers can benefit from the destruction of this beautiful area. The scheme has many flaws that the CSRIO have pointed out in their investigations and it would be a crime if it was allowed to go ahead. If you value the environment then please keep tabs on the Don't Dam the Donnelly movement and help out where you can. Leaving Record Brook behind, you join another vehicle track as you continue to ascend through the forest that changes from Karri to mixed Jarrah/Marri. With a lovely tract of unburnt forest ahead, I took my time through here, admiring the Hibbertia and Pink Fairy Orchids that popped up on the side of the trail. Popping out of the forest, we reached avocado country with this next stretch taking us past some of the green gold growing regions of the South West. I'm a big fan of an avocado and don't mind paying a good price for them so it's a shame to see large areas around Manjimup and Pemberton being cleared to service the market (which is now flooded, hence the cheap prices).

You aren't here for a lesson on supply and demand so back to the riding. The roads around here have thankfully been left with some verge trees that give the area an idyllic country feel as the golden trunks of the Karri trees stand tall among the greenery. Little dams and lakes are common through here, making it odd that they feel the need to build a giant dam in the middle of the forest. Riding along Jarnadup Road, this felt more like traditional bike touring with backcountry lanes connected various farms and small towns, with a return to the forest not too far away. With a few ups and downs through this section, we eventually reached a junction where the trail heads left but for reasons I can't remember now, we headed right. Luckily we still ended up in the old mill town of Deanmill and used our powers of deduction to head into town instead of continuing on the path we had taken. With the sawmill no longer operating, the town is still inhabited and serves as sort of a satellite suburb of Manjimup. It was like stepping into a time warp with the old timber cottages setup in a way that reminded me of the Dharma Initiative village from Lost but in a good way.

I did research if any houses were for sale when I got back as it would make a pretty cool country escape but sadly nothing was available (still nothing at the time of writing some four months later). In the end we joined back up with the official trail but as we got to see more of Deanmill, I think our little detour was better. Passing the Deanmill Workers Club, we headed through the stunning section of Karri forest between town and what has to be one of the more picturesque football grounds in Western Australia. Set among what I assume is some regrowth Karri forest that is many decades old, it's an imposing but lovely sight seeing the goal posts dwarfed by the trees in the background. With no game on today, we stopped for a few photos before joining the old rail trail linking Deanmill and Manjimup for the last part of the journey. With 5km of rail trail riding to go, it was a lovely finish to what had been an enjoyable day of riding. The gentle gradients and green farmland made for some easy pedalling as Aron stormed off into the distance while I stopped to photograph the wildflowers, a fancy Blue Wren, the brutalist Macedonian community building and the nearby cows. Entering the outskirts of town, you join a paved section of the rail trail through a tree lined corridor and we were given one last gift for the day, a crackle of Black Cockatoos having a grand old time above us.

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It's always great to see these cheeky birds and they were a real highlight throughout the trip. Entering town, I decided we would finish at the Munda Biddi information board so rode along the edge of the railway towards the old Manjimup Station. I had booked us into the Kingsley Motel for the night but looking at the map, it was a lot further away from the centre of town than I remembered. It's only a kilometre from the railway station but at that point, I just wanted a shower and to rest. After checking in, we did just that and it was eventually suggested we go for a ride back into town for a supply run. I think Aron secretly wanted chips from Chicken Treat but some supplies were secured like chocolate, drinks powder and some lollies (plus Aron got his hot chips). With a successful supply mission, we really didn't feel like doing that ride again in the cold and dark so decided dinner at the motel restaurant was the smart option. I knew it had a good rating and that turned out to be accurate as I enjoyed a Marron and Truffle Pasta for mains (when in Rome) and Sticky Date Pudding for dessert. Not a bad way to cap off a lovely day of riding and I slept well that night.