The Great Ocean Road

A panorama of the Southern Coast of Australia
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We left from Geelong to head out along the Great Ocean Road. The first part was not very remarkable as it wound through small villages that were along the coast, but not along the coast itself. As we got to Lorne the beauty of the coast opened up before us, the ocean was a lovely shade of teal that melted into a deep blue further away from the shore. There were small beaches tucked between imposing rock cliffs. The road was very similar to the Pacific Coast Highway as it clung to the coast, with a few spots to stop and enjoy the view or even take short walks. We mostly drove while staring out the window awed by the sights. We stopped for lunch in the town of Apollo Bay where the road turned away from the coast and cut across Cape Otway.

Bill and Michelle enjoying the view
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Shortly down the road we noticed a number of cars stopped on the road. We got out to see what they were looking at when we noticed a large number of Koalas taking naps in the trees. As we walked around we spotted almost a dozen in the various trees in various different positions, but all sound asleep. Michelle was estatic at getting to see a Koala in the wild on just our third day in Australia. A little further down the road, we spotted more Koalas and again got out to watch them. This time we got lucky as one hungry Koala had climbed down a tree to eat and was only about 6 feet off the ground. He quickly drew a large crowd of people all trying to take pictures. In an attempt to get Michelle’s picture “with a” Koala, I had her go around one side and I went on the other to take a picture. The Koala sat quite calmly until the Japanese tourist showed up and took advantage of his calm nature by walking up to a couple feet from the Koala and sticking their cameras in his face. The flash sealed the deal, as he quickly scampered up the tree in search of food, without the crowd. But we did manage to see a Koala in the wild up close.

The coast is absolutely amazing
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As we continued along out to the point at Cape Otway, where the lighthouse is located we continued to spot a Koala or two napping in the trees. The lighthouse is on the Southern most point of mainland Australia. The view was incredible from the top as you could see the rocky cliffs diving into the ocean from both sides of the point. The sea was incredibly blue and we had a gloriously sunny day with which to enjoy the view. We walked around the a little, but the top of the lighthouse really did provide the best vantage point.

The water looks warm, but it on the other side is Antartica
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Once across the cap the road came back to the coast only to veer away again driving through more of the farmland and light bush that covers this region of Australia until we got near the Twelve Apostles National Park where the road again joined the ocean. What makes this section of the coast so spectacular is that fact that the soft rock of the cliffs has been eroded away to form a series of arches, and when the arches break pinnacles that dot the water just off the coast. We stopped at a number of view points were we could walk around and take in view. There is not one place where you can see all twelve apostles (named because at one point there were twelve pinnacles sticky out in the water). At this point I should just stop trying to explain and let you look at the pictures.

A Koala taking a nap in a tree
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Paul and Doreen where a little tired after our long day, so we drove to Port Campbell where we rented a two bed/two bath apartment with an ocean view. The place was absolutely amazing, and may have been bigger than our condo in California, the kitchen definitely was. Michelle and I wanting to take advantage of the sunlight that lasted until 8:30 at night decided to head back to Loch Ard Gorge for one more walk. This is an area inside the National Park, just past the Twelve Apostles. There were a number of sea caves formed on the beaches from the waves pounding in, some of the more protected caves had stalactites that were made in a rainbow of colors. There was also a large arch that stood defiantely out in the middle of a small bay. But I think what I was most impressed by was the Razorback, which is when a long sliver of land breaks off the main land and then becomes surrounded by ocean. These defined the odds by not toppling into the water a long time ago. The entire seen was set off by the sun getting low on the horizon and magnifying all the browns and red from the cliff and deep blues from the ocean. This was the most beautiful stretch of coastline that I have seen.

A brave, hungry Koala comes down to entertain the tourist
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Bill