Melbourne to Broome to Robuck Plains Roadhouse

Lisa dropped me off at Tullamarine Airport at 6.00 am early enough for me to get my bags and bike box  through the baggage check early. All “Self Check-In” is good until you can’t print enough bag tags. Despite having purchased additional bags the Self Check machine doesn’t allow you to print more than 3 tags. Ok so find the QANTAS service person who sends you to someone who does help you at the same time telling you that this isn’t their job because she actually works in the International terminal. Finally got the bags on conveyor and took the bike box to “oversize baggage”.

Down at Gate 22 no announcements until last minute when there was 30 minute delayed called because there was a failure of lighting on the plane. How many QANTAS techs does it take to change a light bulb? The delay extended to 90 minutes. Apparently the engineers had to get permission from Boeing to allow them to change the LED Globe!

Uneventful flight of 4.5 hours saw me in Broome around 11.30 am. After a short wait my luggage appeared and I was able to grab a trolley and take my bags and bike box outside the terminal. The bright sunlight and heat of Broome was an immediate contrast to the cloudy cool weather of a Melbourne winter.

The first trick was to find a spot to rebuild my bike. Fortunately the crowd from the QANTAS flight dissipated quickly and I was able to wheel my trolley into some shade.  An hour  later the bike was
reassembled and the pannier bags attached. I was very happy that all the parts were there. I have a dread fear of opening the box only to find the pedals are still in Melbourne.

The 1st stop was at the Kimberly Camping Supplies to get a gas cylinder for my camp stove and some 5 litre water containers. According to my plan there is no water for 1st 300 km. Being a main highway I am confident I can flag down some water but would hope that isn’t necessary.

Next off to the supermarket to get supplies. Fitting everything in the panniers was a struggle, Finally a quick stop at Broome Cycles to pressure up the tyres with a floor pump.

The ride out of town was very pleasant. A nice breeze at my back and I thought this is good but as the road bent around near the Cape Leveque turn-off it was in my face. It was also generally up hill. With the temperature in the high 30s it became a bit of a slog.

Finally reached Roebuck Plains Roadhouse at 4.30 pm. I decided that was enough for the day. I had planned another 23km to a rest stop but the temptation of a few beers and a swim were too much.