ca. 48 km
The first day with big heat. To start with the most important: In Cann River, you should stock up well with food, as in Genoa there are no shopping facilities.
Leaving the village of Cann River, the first incline awaits the cyclists to get "warm", it's 1,5 km long and not that steep. After a few miles the ascent to Mount Drummond starts. First, the road is climbing moderately for 4 km, then it's almost 2 km downhill. The next increase is more than 4,5 km long but not particularly steep. As I cycled there, paving was just ongoing, so it was really hot on the road. 200 meters after the junction of the Horseshoe Road, this part of the uphill section is done. For about 1 km it's flat wavy before the final climb of about 1,2 km length is starting. This part is a little steeper, but also quite good to bike. After 21 km and about 12 km climb Mount Drummond was conquered. With 361 meters above sea level about as high as the elevation on the previous day, but not nearly as stressful.
Then a 7 km long descent starts, which is very steep in the upper section. Drive slowly and carefully! The road is narrow, there are many blind curves, waves and holes in the asphalt and everywhere branches from trees are on the road. After that, it continues flat, the road cut is wider and there is no shade anymore. Here the heat really hits me. Behind the Wingan River it's another 2,5 km medium climb, then after km 40 of this day again for about 1,5 km uphill, all this in the blazing sun. A steep descent to Genoa follows, just before the town it's a little up and down. I already took the first exit to the town, this way I could avoid one hill on the highway (both roads run parallel).
After arrival the big disappointment: Genoa is a ghost town! Only the motel with attached "Information" is open (water, beverages), but not really friendly. The local store is closed for 5 years, she said. Also the gas station is shut down, although it looked very promising from the distance. The camp behind the old bridge can be used for free. It is not operated anymore, but at least a wash house with a cold shower can be used. There is no drinking water at the camp! A stop is nevertheless strongly recommended, as the route to Eden is long and not easy to bike, especially in the afternoon heat.
An alternative is Mallacoota, about 23 km away at the sea, where probably most people from Genoa have moved, as well as the camp. A store should be found there as well. But I stayed in Genoa, because I would have to drive back the 23 km again. At the camp I met Henning and Margret, who emigrated from Germany in 1992 and have since been on world tour. I was invited for a beer and also for dinner. In the afternoon, a stormy wind was blowing from the east, and soon dense clouds came in from SW. In the evening, the sky clears up again.