A Journey to Protect
Words by Lachie Bluett
Photography by Julian Schultz
View the route here.
Last week, Lachie Bluett rode from Sydney to Tasmania’s Tarkine Rainforest, then took on the Takayna Trail ultramarathon on a journey to protect the Tarkine.
The Tarkine is home to ancient rainforests, rare wildlife, and deep Aboriginal history. But logging and mining are tearing it apart. The Bob Brown Foundation is fighting to stop that, and Lachie’s journey was a call to action.
Nine days on the bike. 62km on foot. Join him on his trip below.
If you'd like to support this cause, please consider making a donation, Donate Here
The journey covered a mix of gravel and sealed roads, with an effort to stay off major highways as much as possible.
The full route can be found here: Ride with GPS.
Day 1: Sydney to Gerringong (177km, 2,118m)
I set off from my parents' house and rode into the city, meeting up with friends Brandon, Julian, and Peter. We cycled through the Royal National Park, along Wollongong’s coastline, and over the headland into Gerringong—a stunning first day of coastal riding.
Day 2: Gerringong to Braidwood (166km, 2,367m)
Leaving from my friends Sam and Gia’s place, I caught the sunrise over Gerroa before cutting west through Nowra. I climbed up the Great Dividing Range via Yalwal Road and Deans Gap Road, stopping for a classic steak sandwich at the Nerriga Pub, a well-known bikepacking spot, before pushing on to Braidwood.
Day 3: Braidwood to Cooma (147km, 2,717m)
I met another bikepacker, Taylor, who was riding the Sydney-to-Summit route. We rode together into Cooma, stopping at Captains Flat for coffee and pastries—our only resupply for the day. The heat hit 35°C, and my water filter failed, but thankfully, Taylor had a backup.
Day 4: Cooma to Suggan Buggan (156km, 2,587m)
An early start took me up Kosciuszko Road toward Jindabyne. After refueling, I hit some of the most spectacular gravel of the trip—winding through Kosciuszko National Park, descending to the Snowy River, and continuing along Barry Way into Victoria’s Alpine National Park. I camped at Suggan Buggan, surrounded by wilderness.
Day 5: Suggan Buggan to Bairnsdale (158km, 2,447m)
The day started with a 600m climb straight out of camp. I had pre-arranged sandwiches at a remote service station—fueling up on a beef roll, a curried egg roll, snacks, and iced coffee. Mist and rain followed me into Bairnsdale, where I stayed with a generous Warmshowers host.
Day 6: Bairnsdale to Drouin (200km, 1,281m)
Fueled by two portions of spaghetti bolognese and sticky date pudding, I tackled a big day linking Gippsland’s rail trails. Some rogue sections included grass up to my shoulders and steep hike-a-bike stretches, but they connected to some of the quieter, more scenic gravel roads.
Day 7: Drouin to Sorrento (121km, 605m)
A morning of hunger followed by overindulgence at breakfast set the tone for the day. As I neared Melbourne, traffic picked up, making for some sketchy riding. Finally, turning south onto the Mornington Peninsula, I caught my first glimpse of the ocean since leaving Gerroa. In Sorrento, I reunited with friends Matt, Marksy, Maddie, and their one-year-old Eddie, whom I hadn’t seen since the Nullarbor four years ago.
Day 8: Sorrento to Geelong (61km, 309m)
Not every adventure goes smoothly. I woke up with food poisoning, spent the night vomiting, and crawled through the day at minimal effort. A minor crash in Geelong—getting stuck under my bike in the middle of the road—snapped me out of self-pity. At the ferry terminal, I met three cyclists, Liam, Annie, and Zeb, who offered me a bed in their dorm for the overnight ferry to Tasmania.
Day 9: Devonport to Waratah (115km, 1,322m)
Now with a crew, we rode along Tasmania’s north coast before heading inland toward Waratah. It was a bittersweet moment—the solitude of bikepacking was ending, but I had the Takayna Trail run ahead.
The Takayna Trail
The event itself was incredible. Hundreds of runners camped on-site, and the weekend was beautifully organized by the Bob Brown Foundation and volunteers. Running through an ancient rainforest was a privilege—one that might not be possible if not for the ongoing efforts to protect this place.
Outdoor sports bring people together, and this event was a testament to that. Everyone—runners, volunteers, and spectators—seemed genuinely happy to be there, not just for the race, but to support an important cause. The run felt like a good excuse to spend more time in one of the most beautiful environments on Earth.
Final Thoughts
This journey reinforced the beauty of slow travel, the kindness of strangers, and the importance of protecting wild places. If you'd like to support the conservation of the Tarkine, please consider donating:
For those interested in the route, check it out here.
Lachie with Bob Brown (Photo by Susan Wright)
