Lonesome (Expedition NP) by Bicycle

Lonesome is a small section of the large Expedition National Park. We arrived a day earlier than our booking so bush camped high on the escarpment overlooking Arcadia Valley. We enjoyed dinner & wine on a rocky ledge with an amazing view overlooking the valley. 

The next morning we drove to the official Lonesome lookout where we had breakfast. To get even better views we took the small footpad track out to the northern tip (approx 100m).

We then drove down to the grassy campsite set in the valley on the banks of the Dawson River.

After a quick setup, we took off for a cycle. Turning right out of camp we cycled 3.7km before turning right again.

Along here we had views of the Candlesticks high to our right.

At the 6km mark, the road forks, and we headed left in search of the old Stockman’s hut. This we found at approx. 8km. The hut is high above the river and is an interesting piece of history. 

(All tracks to the hut could be driven in a 2WD with reasonable clearance in dry weather, except the last river crossing which is only a few hundred meters from the hut.)

We retraced our cycle back to camp.

The following day we set out to cycle a loop taking us back up the escarpment.

Once again turning right out of camp we cycled for 3.7km before turning right again. This time upon reaching the road fork at 6km we took the right branch. The road took us closer to the Candlesticks (high up on the right).

Continuing along the valley were spectacular rocky escarpments either side of us.

We cycled past Boabs and Cycads which seemed at home in this special place.

At 9.5km we came to the climb UP. It was steep and rocky so it became a hike-a-bike for the next 1km. But we were rewarded with great views and more rocks!

Once on top, we followed the road to a track on the right. This is the track we had camped on the first night. A short 50m walk through the bush gave us great views over the valley yet again.

Continuing along the main track we arrived at the bitumen Arcadia Valley Access Road and visited the Lonesome Lookout again where we had morning tea this time.

It was then a fantastic 4km downhill cycle...

...with some amazing views before arriving back to our campsite in the valley.

(This loop would require a 4WD only for the 1km steep uphill otherwise all points could be reached in a 2WD with reasonable clearance, in dry weather.)