Cruising the Great Ocean Rd

Well what can is say about the GOR? What an experience.. we tried to get hold of a camper to do the three day trip but couldnt get one at such short notice so hopped into a car instead.

Headed out of Melbourne city really quickly... didnt take long and gives you a real idea just how small the place is.. The weather starts off really cool but my word the midday sun is scorching and my drivers arm (as creamed up as it was) is really feeling the heat.

The first day of our drive would see us hit the first part of the road leading up to a small seaside town of Apollo Bay.

The views on the way over were absolutely fantastic with much of the road hanging right on the edge of steep cliffs and overlooking the gorgeous rough sea below.

Stopped along the way at various beauty spots for snaps. Went on a couple of really nice beaches and enjoying watching the surfers strut their stuff on the huge waves... will def be trying my luck later on!!!

Got to Apollo Bay around half 5 in the evening at headed to our pre-booked YHL hostel... apollo bay eco-lodge it was called. Now YHA's have been really good throughout our trip and they have always given us a good standard of accomodation but this was getting ridiculous...

The eco-lodge was 5 star hotel standard... no kidding! A lush setting right near the beach. The place is mostly made from wood and glass and has plasma widescreen tv's every where. The kitchens are huge with just about everything you could want and the lounge's are so relaxing with leather sofa's, log fires and gorgeous carpets lacing the floor....bet you didnt have that in your day dad did you?

Checked into a really nice double room with a balcony looking out to sea and relaxed watching Lord of the Rings on our huge TV. !

Got up reasonably early the next day and drove out to one of Aussies main tourist joints... 'the 12 apostles'... i say 12 but in actual fact there are now only about 5 official appostles left seeing the rest of them are now submerged under water!

The view accross them was breathtaking and the sea a beautiful deep blue colour. We spent quite a bit of time here before carrying on to see 'London Bridge' a bridge like rock formation that is slowly sinking into the ocean...

Spent some more time on the GOR before arriving at Port Fairy, our second over night stop. After staying in the rather nice YHL previously we were looking forward to staying in this one. Port Fairy's YHL is in fact the oldest one in victoria (state) and it looked it... kind of like a cross between an old canteen and a doctors surgery. Luckilly our room was brand new and recently done up in the back of the olf hay loft... really nice it was too and we celebrated by scoffing a load of fish and chips before hitting the sack.

Next day we carried further down untill we hit the original birth place of Victoria, Portland. Many of us Pommies arrived here many years ago when setting up in Australia. We travelled a bit further down the coast and went on a 2 hour walking hunt for a place called 'Seal Cove'.

Made our way on a fairly easy but nice walk but starting to realise how annoying these bloomin flys are. They're like super strength buggers they really are and dont let up... you literally have to flick them off.. they're everywhere!

On our way we finally got a first climpse of the Kangaroo.... been waiting ages to see these guys... well apart from the road kills of course...

A whole group of them started hoppin around in the distance. To start with they looked alot like deer but as soon as they stand up you know exactly what they are!

Arrived at Seal Cove to find thousands of the guys flapping around and making a racket. They were everywhere and we had a great spot to view them!

Strolled back to the car and before you knew it we were back on our way over the GOR and back to Apollo Bay Eco lodge. Cooked ourselves a mean curry and sat down to watch The Bill on a Plasma... this place!! Couldnt get into a double room tonight so have had to stay in a 4 bed dorm... still rather nice though!

Next morning we left for Melbourne City as had to get the car back for 1pm.

Still no sign of a wombat .....

What a drive this was........

---

---