There is nothing quite like loading up the bikes, leaving the tarmac behind, and disappearing into the bush for a few days. From October 9th to 11th, my mate MJ and I packed up our gear from home in Byford and set off for a 3-day, 2-night adventure down to Martins Tank Campground in Yalgorup National Park. The trip threw a bit of everything at us—pitch-black arrivals, misty morning downpours, a perfectly quiet lake, and the ultimate peace of camp life.
Here is how our multi-day escape actually unfolded.
Day 1: A Night Arrival from Byford to the Camp Site
Our adventure started just before the sun went down. Rolling out of Byford, we slabbed it down south under the cover of darkness. Navigating the unsealed road into Martins Tank on the bikes at night is always a thrill, and by the time we reached our designated site, the forest was quite dark, but lake was still shimmering. Our first priority was getting our shelters up before doing anything else.
Once the main tarp was secure, we transformed our little corner of the woods into a cozy haven. We paid visit to the lake, and the water was an absolute mirror, perfectly reflecting the dark, rolling storm clouds above. The entire landscape turned into shades of deep slate and blue. Standing by the edge of that glassy water, watching the clouds shift in total silence, was easily one of the most peaceful moments of the entire trip. We came back, lit our lanterns, pulled up our camp chairs, and fired up the portable stoves. There’s no meal that tastes better than a hot one cooked in the middle of the bush after a night ride. We sat up talking, listening to the midnight forest sounds, and enjoying the warm glow of the camp lights before turning in.
Day 2: Misty Mornings and Lakeside Solitude
We woke up the next morning to the steady sound of rain pattering against our shelters. The peppermint woodland was completely transformed from the night before, wrapped in a thick, atmospheric mist. Stepping out of the tents, the ground was damp and mist hung heavy in the air. But as the morning went on, the rain began to ease, and the sun started fighting its way through the dense clouds, creating a beautifully moody sky directly above our camp.
As the rain settled into a steady pour, we decided to scrap any big hiking plans and just chill out at camp for the rest of the day. We spent hours under the shelter listening to music, talking rubbish, and playing cards. In a brilliant twist of fate, I spent a good chunk of time teaching MJ a card game, only for him to completely destroy me at it for the rest of the afternoon. The day just slipped away from us like that. It kept raining all through the night too, fulfilling a proper bucket-list dream of mine—drifting off to sleep to the heavy sound of rain hitting the canvas, right out there in the middle of a forest next to a quiet lake.
Day 3: Chasing the Sunbeams Back to Byford
Our final morning arrived, and the forest treated us to a completely different vibe yet again. The heavy, dark clouds and rain from the previous days had completely cleared out and just left the patches of the different clouds of white fluffy clouds floating in the sky, leaving behind a crisp, brilliant day. Before packing down the bikes, we took one last stroll. The forest floor seemed to come alive with colours under the sunlight—vibrant green undergrowth, classic Australian grass trees lining the path, and a sunlit track leading us forward.
We followed the trail markers back out to the campsite where our bikes were waiting. Packing up camp is always a bittersweet feeling, but rolling out of those woods with dusty gear, a clear mind, and a great ride back up to Byford ahead of us made it worth every single mile.
Two nights under the stars with great company, brilliant riding, and raw nature was exactly what the doctor ordered. Until the next track calls!