Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road has rightly been famed as one of the worlds most scenic drives.  I expected a beautiful meandering coast road and of course the famous 12 appostles, but was surprised to find great diversity with rich rainforest, pastoral land, wildlife and many incredible and remote rock formations out to sea. 

The 250 kilometers road sets out at Wanambool, where we stopped into the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village - a recreation of an 1850's seaside town.  It was bitterly cold and slightly raining – we were the only people there and it seemed like a ghost town.  The kids were able to climb through the sailing ships and wander the coble stone streets. 

Then we embarked on the Great Ocean Road.  The many different rock formations are awe inspring.  My favourite was the 'The Grotto', you could walk down a rustic stair case to the foot of a cave and watch the waves crashing in.  It was great for the kids to be here and see all this.  When they are older the erosion and continual change of the lanscape may mean that these rock formation will may only have a few lasting memoirs.  Only last year the rocks arch of famous 'Island Archway' had sucomb to the elements and fallen into the sea.  As they stand now, there are only 11 of the 12 apostles remaining, (one falling in 2005) and many years prior the 'London Bridge' had also party callapsed.  Even I felt amazed to see it all now.  Some of the rock titles now need description plaques because they no longer resemble their original namesake shapes.

At the 12 apostles we watched two little fairy penguins as they sat on the ledge of one of the apostles looking out to sea.  Meanwhile, Amy drops her precious Lamb through the lookout fence, almost plumbetting 45 meters to the wild sea below if it was not caught by a small ledge just within arms reach.  Phew.   One of many close calls with Lambie on our adventures. 

We camp midway in Otway National Park national park.  It was my birthday so we tucked the kids into bed and indulged in wine and goodies from our time in the Barossa Valley.  The campsite was a muddy bog, and we were inspired by a group of brave campers nearby who were walking the Great Ocean Road - it takes six days, the last few for them had been in the rain.
 

The next morning we had the company of a Koala in the tree outside our camp feeding her baby leaves while we enjoyed our toast and coffee.   On the road down to Cape Otway we saw more Koala’s in the trees.  It was the first time I had seen Koala’s in their natural habitat. 

On another first – we climbed to the top of Cape Otway lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia perched on the top of towering cliffs.   Cape Otway is the most southerly point of our trip and it felt symbolic to climb the lighthouse there.  I wanted to stand along time and soak up the view, but a strong freezing wind was blowing - and the kids were a little scared, so the moment didn't last long.

It was a precarious adventure with three little twinkle stars.  Joshua was far too brave darting up the very narrow winding stair case and steep ladder.  Amy needed to be carried while Sam was petrified and froze a few times on the stairs.  We thought coming down to send Josh first, seeing he could climb on his own, but his little three year old adventure spirit meant he reached the bottom and just came back up again.  Leaving all three of us still stuck at the top – no progress made.   When finally all five of us where on solid ground we retreated from the chaotic escapade with devonshire tea at the lighthouse cottage. 

The Great Ocean Road then winds through coastal farmland and greenhlls.   From Apollo bay the road hugs the shore with narrow winding roads, and a vista around every bend.  After about 250km's of beauty we arrive in Geelong.   It was another magnificent part of OZ!

We are excited about the next chapter of our trip which is all about visting family and friends on the road to coming home.

The Grotto