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Published: February 10th 2007
Just a quick disclaimer before I write this one - Pam is loading all the pictures! I take no responsibility for any of the titles or comments attached!
Leaving Queenscliff we headed for Geelong (gh-long) for breaky and tourist maps then along the Great Ocean road to Apollo Bay. Ate in Geelong at a spot called Go. For anyone who has been to Sophies Cosmic Cafe in Van this seemed to me to be the Aussie equivalent. Really neat atmosphere and great food. From Geelong drove through Tourquay where we were forced to go shopping for flip flops. Pammy had one of hers swallowed by the beach at Lakes Entrance so new footware was a priority. Watched some guys kiting around the bay (not alot of surf that day) and headed out.
The Great Ocean Road is pretty cool but wasn't as windy as we were expecting. Definately found the roads up to Canberra and back and around Omeo and Mt Hotham to be alot crazier. About half way to Apollo Bay we were going around a uphill curve just in from the ocean and had to dodge a guy with his camera pointed up into the trees. Followed
Koalas
Pam's obsessed!his gaze to our first wild Koala's. At that spot on the highway there was a colony of 15 or 20 of them asleep in the trees all around. Because of the way the hill slopes here we were only about 15' from the closest 2! We stuck around taking pictures for about 5 minutes but by the time we left there had to be 8 or 10 cars all jammed into the pull out.
From here we went inland for a while and made our way to a forestry town called Forrest (original) and Lake Elizabeth. Lake Elizabeth is at the end of about a 20 min drive on a gravel road out of town and then another 45min hike but is absolutely picturesque. Our main attraction in going there was a 'thriving platypus colony' which unfortunately didn't feel like coming out until after dusk. AFterwards found the brochure of a company that takes dawn and dusk canoe tours around the lake and offers a 95% chance to see platypus - or half your money back.
Apollo Bay Surfside backpackers was a neat place. On arrival we decided we were kindof burnt out and after a week
on the road could use to stay in the same place for more than a night.
Following day in Apollo Bay we hired a flight and went out 'flightseeing' over the twelve apostles and Cape Otway. Absolutely amazing from the air. Unfortunately we didn't have crystal clear weather so the photos won't show as far as we could see. First flight in a small plane for Pam!! Did very well - although the pilot thought she might be getting a little tense once.. 😊 After that spent the rest of the day laying on the beach, reading and working on our sunburns.
This finally brings us to today. Up to date at last! This morning left Apollo Bay and drove via Lorne (had to make our way past the Koala tribe again) to Melbourne. Dropped our hire car after a whopping 2813km in the last 8 days and off to explore the city. So far all we can tell you is internet costs $4.95 per hour and the cafe we stopped at to eat claims to make the 'Best Juice in the World!'.
Goal from now is to head over to Tassie tomorrow via a flight to
Hobart if we can get this sorted this afternoon, spend 4 days there and come back on the ferry Wednesday night to meet up with Ash and Elnaz on their mad dash from Townsville to Adelaide.
Next update will probably be Thursday or so? once we're back in Melbourne but definately before heading to NZ.
Also Mom and Dad - Answer your phone!
M
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Dad
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Phone answered
So now you have been up in a 206 do you wish you had taken your licence? I think that Cab is a bit too much with fish and chips maybe the shiraz would go better!