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Published: March 27th 2010
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Well, we headed off from Geelong knowing that we were on our own from here on in, with adventurous spirited butterflies zooming around inside. No more family, no more friends - just us ‘til at least Perth. In a while there’ll be no more known places. Just completely fresh. Exciting and daunting at the same time!
Anyway, off we went to Torquay, and off along the great ocean road. What an absolutely amazing drive it is, with all it’s twist and turns and ups and downs! The day we did it it was absolutely spectacular, crystal clear water, blue sky and only a slight swell. Every corner we came around we all oohed and ahhed. OOOhhhh isn’t that gorgeous, ahhhhhh how beautiful … just the whole way!
We got to Apollo Bay and camped out of town at a free camp called Blanket Bay. When we got there, I thought it was just a little piece of paradise! Just this beautiful little bay out in the middle of nowhere with Koalas in the trees all over the place! Our campsite, although no power or water, had the most amazing view of this seemingly private little bay which was all
ours, complete with cowrie shells!!! Yes the first Cowrie shells found on the trip were here, and we found quite a few I might add.
Blanket Bay is on Cape Otway, home to the oldest lighthouse on the Australian mainland. Koalas are the main wildlife attraction, and apart from the many hundreds spotted from the side of the roads, there were a few that just waltzed through our campsite like it was theirs - straight under the car and up the road to the next gum tree. Absolutely amazing experience, one that many people never get to experience in their lifetime!
Well, Victoria being Victoria we knew that the good weather wouldn’t last, and the cold change came through. With it, Kalahni came down with a really Chesty cold, resulting in Breathing difficulties similar to croup. I knew that if we had hot showers available, the steam would relieve him a bit, so our stay was cut short and we moved on to a campground a little west of Warrnambool, at a place called ‘Killarney Beach’. Kalahni laughed and joked that he made it for us, we all went along with it. We had hot showers and more
importantly steam for his chest to help it clear.
Along the way to here, we pased all the GOR amazing things to see - the 12 apostles, Gibsons steps, the Arch, London Bridge, The Bay of Martyrs etc. For the 12 Apostles, the kids jumped out, keen to see the amazing sight of these rocks sticking out of the water, but by the 3rd stop they were happy to sit in the car while I admired the view myself. Personally, I really liked the bay of Martyrs - it was spectacular!
Killarney Beach was another hidden treasure so to speak. Just a beautiful little bay in the middle of nowhere . We caught up on showers and washing, fished in the bay, and played with the monstrous seaweed along the beach. Unfortunately though, the weather didn’t get any better, and although very beautiful, it’s really difficult to enjoy beautiful coastline to the full extent if the weather is cold.
On the Sunday, I met some people that were horse riding on the beach there. After a bit of chatting, they kindly offered Shay a ride, and she got to ride a horse on the beach and in
Gorgeous Big Old Trees
The Walk at Mait's Rest was home to some absolutely amazing trees! the water. What an amazing experience for her!!! When I was growing up, I use to ride on the beach every day, but these days it’s not as easy I suppose, especially if you don’t have your own horse! A little girl’s dream come true!
Not far from where we stayed was a place called ‘Tower Hill Game Reserve’. Set in an ancient volcano, it’s apparently Victoria’s first declared National Park. Driving into there we came across emus, right near us, just walking along. I was in awe! We had been graced with the presence of many Koala’s at our last stay, and now we have these really cool birds hanging around, WOW!
Kalahni still wasn’t well, so we didn’t really get to do as much as we would have liked. The Warrnambool Adventure playground with it’s flying foxes were pretty cool, and the trash and treasure market on Sunday were Great. The weather since that first Great Ocean Road day has been cold and overcast, and I’m just ready for a warm change!
From Killarney Beach, we followed the coastline to Nelson, on the VIC/SA border, and drove inland slightly to camp at ‘Princess Margaret Rose’
Caves. The road was home to more emus, and on two occasions we had to wait for some to cross the road in front of us - one time it was a Dad and five chicks! EMUS, EMUS EVERYWHERE!! In the morning we took a tour through the caves and how very interesting! The kids were just so enthralled by these gorgeous limestone formations, and the story behind the cave’s discovery that the tour guide was hard pressed to answer all their questions! It really was quite amazing!
From there we drove into South Australia and stopped at Mt Gambier. Right near the city, in fact housing the city’s water supply, is this great big volcanic rim with the most amazingly blue lake ever to be seen!!! Around the edges the colour was turquoise even. Apparently no scientist has worked out why or how the lake is so blue - it just is and that’s a beautiful mystery.
Mt Gambier also has this beautiful cave garden right in it’s main street. I would assume that when it rains, it would be a glorious sight to see, as even without the rain it was beautiful! Who would’ve thought -
a beautiful cave like that in the middle of a town!!
Next stop … somewhere back on the coast and North West from here.
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Ian Hogan
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Gorgeous is right!!!