The road along the spectacular southern coast of Australia, is not just about sea and shore, there are hills, grassy plains, farms, forests, wild life and stories of death and survival that takes you back in time.
I like to call it Go Along, a small town at the mercy of the busy Princess Highway in many ways resembles towns in the US. Our strategy was to spend the night at Go Along so that we could start early the next day so as to maximize our day light time at the Great Ocean Road. Motels sprout in Geelong as weed in jungle, having said that I still suggest one should pre-book as motels there are of teeny-weeny sizes with rooms fewer than fingers in one hand.
Point -1- Torquay- The starting point
Torquay, Victoria (there is one in UK too) is a surfer's paradise and a shopper's delight; There are three big outlet stores in Torquay, Surf City Plaza, Rip Curl and Quicksilver. We stopped at Quicksilver outlet mall, Hooray! at 9 am it was open and it was a wear house, were fashion clothes, aquatic-wear, equipment and accessories spread all around like spider web. I bought some useful stuff, could have bought more if I did not have to leave in 30 minutes; We stopped at the world- famous Bells Beach, a top favorite among surfers who flutter in and out of the ocean, making the sport seem like eating a cake.That particular morning, cold breeze blew and the sun was conspicuously absent leaving no appetite in my family for eating that cake. Well, I must confess " Grapes are sour" appropriately applies.A board walk is provided to feast and snap excellent views.
Torquay, Victoria (there is one in UK too) is a surfer's paradise and a shopper's delight; There are three big outlet stores in Torquay, Surf City Plaza, Rip Curl and Quicksilver. We stopped at Quicksilver outlet mall, Hooray! at 9 am it was open and it was a wear house, were fashion clothes, aquatic-wear, equipment and accessories spread all around like spider web. I bought some useful stuff, could have bought more if I did not have to leave in 30 minutes; We stopped at the world- famous Bells Beach, a top favorite among surfers who flutter in and out of the ocean, making the sport seem like eating a cake.That particular morning, cold breeze blew and the sun was conspicuously absent leaving no appetite in my family for eating that cake. Well, I must confess " Grapes are sour" appropriately applies.A board walk is provided to feast and snap excellent views.
Point-2- Anglesea- white sandy expanse
The Great Ocean Road map, a priced possession for this trip informs you that you are approaching Anglesea. At this point, refer to the map to make a prudent choice for your stops. There are scenic views, walking/ cycling tracks, national parks, forests etc all along; If you plan to visit Port Campbell and return to Melbourne the same day feast your senses through your eyes, you cannot indulge in too many activities by foot. Anglesea has a beautiful white sandy beach which is a must see, near the beach is a recreational park for children which they will love if they are under ten years. Also, relish the beauty of river entering the sea. A little walk along the beach is physiologically and psychologically essential so do make the most of this large sandy beach.
The Great Ocean Road map, a priced possession for this trip informs you that you are approaching Anglesea. At this point, refer to the map to make a prudent choice for your stops. There are scenic views, walking/ cycling tracks, national parks, forests etc all along; If you plan to visit Port Campbell and return to Melbourne the same day feast your senses through your eyes, you cannot indulge in too many activities by foot. Anglesea has a beautiful white sandy beach which is a must see, near the beach is a recreational park for children which they will love if they are under ten years. Also, relish the beauty of river entering the sea. A little walk along the beach is physiologically and psychologically essential so do make the most of this large sandy beach.
Point -3 Aireys Inlet- Split Point Lighthouse, Memorial Arch
The drive gets more and more scenic with glistening blue of the ocean playing hide and seek with grassy plains, hills and livestock. Follow the signs and park your car to visit the Split Point Lighthouse, the walk is not too less so be brisk as you may get carried away by the flavors of a quaint coastal village nestled in the shadow of Great Otway National Park. The lighthouse has historic significance and definitely worth a close look. I believe, sometimes entry is allowed and one can go up but that particular day, when I was there the entry was closed.
5 km west of Aireys Inlet is The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch,built as a tribute to the soldiers from the First World War who were engaged in the construction of the Great Ocean Road, the memorial arch provides a great photographic opportunity for travelers entering Lorne.
The drive gets more and more scenic with glistening blue of the ocean playing hide and seek with grassy plains, hills and livestock. Follow the signs and park your car to visit the Split Point Lighthouse, the walk is not too less so be brisk as you may get carried away by the flavors of a quaint coastal village nestled in the shadow of Great Otway National Park. The lighthouse has historic significance and definitely worth a close look. I believe, sometimes entry is allowed and one can go up but that particular day, when I was there the entry was closed.
5 km west of Aireys Inlet is The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch,built as a tribute to the soldiers from the First World War who were engaged in the construction of the Great Ocean Road, the memorial arch provides a great photographic opportunity for travelers entering Lorne.
Point- 4 Lorne- Great Otway National Park
Welcome Lorne with sea side and dense forests. The Great Otway National park provides you a sneak peak into a Mediterranean woodland. You scramble through a board walk that leads you to a waterfall and there are first rate chances you may rendezvous a koala or a kangaroo in its natural habitat but remember it is just chances.
Welcome Lorne with sea side and dense forests. The Great Otway National park provides you a sneak peak into a Mediterranean woodland. You scramble through a board walk that leads you to a waterfall and there are first rate chances you may rendezvous a koala or a kangaroo in its natural habitat but remember it is just chances.
Point -5-Apollo Bay- Kennett River
If one plots a graph of the picturesqueness against distance traveled of The Great Ocean Road, its a one way line going up. After Lorne, you will drive through beautiful hamlets and zip through strips along the back water of Kennett River, merely fifteen steps from the road can take you to beautiful beach. One minute you are driving along the coast and the next minute you find yourself in the middle of a large grassland, surrounded by tall wet forests in the foothills of The Otway Range. Please curtail your temptation to stop and get closer to the four-legged near the farm lands if this a day trip for you.
If one plots a graph of the picturesqueness against distance traveled of The Great Ocean Road, its a one way line going up. After Lorne, you will drive through beautiful hamlets and zip through strips along the back water of Kennett River, merely fifteen steps from the road can take you to beautiful beach. One minute you are driving along the coast and the next minute you find yourself in the middle of a large grassland, surrounded by tall wet forests in the foothills of The Otway Range. Please curtail your temptation to stop and get closer to the four-legged near the farm lands if this a day trip for you.
Point-6-The Twelve Aposotles
Its here! We made it in time, suddenly my car is surrounded by monstrous buses and there are so many vehicles all around, the sense of monopoly which I felt once on the ribbon roads is threatened. The parking lot felt like a super tourist destination, and all mankind walked towards the same direction in haste. They were largely Asians in the crowd and the only thing common among uncommon was Polaroid equipment hanging on the necks, sleeves, hands, waists and at times also rested on a head to get stability for a masterpiece photo.
The twelve appostles can be viewed from various angles as there are many gallery points demarcated for it. There are eight remaining of the twelve giant limestone stacks. They stand out as mountain peaks would from outer space. The gigantic pieces have been crafted by nature and its beauty attracts tourists from all over the world. The Twelve Aposotles Marine National Park is doing exceptional work in order to preserve the rich plant and animal life in the Southern Ocean, also protects underwater arches, canyons and sloping reefs.
Its here! We made it in time, suddenly my car is surrounded by monstrous buses and there are so many vehicles all around, the sense of monopoly which I felt once on the ribbon roads is threatened. The parking lot felt like a super tourist destination, and all mankind walked towards the same direction in haste. They were largely Asians in the crowd and the only thing common among uncommon was Polaroid equipment hanging on the necks, sleeves, hands, waists and at times also rested on a head to get stability for a masterpiece photo.
The twelve appostles can be viewed from various angles as there are many gallery points demarcated for it. There are eight remaining of the twelve giant limestone stacks. They stand out as mountain peaks would from outer space. The gigantic pieces have been crafted by nature and its beauty attracts tourists from all over the world. The Twelve Aposotles Marine National Park is doing exceptional work in order to preserve the rich plant and animal life in the Southern Ocean, also protects underwater arches, canyons and sloping reefs.
Point-7 Port Campbell
A coastline under constant attack, Port Campbell has spectacular cliffs made of soft marine limestone.
Razorback- Natural phenomenon like salt laden winds, ocean currents and changing temperature has endowed the south coast of Australia with beauty beyond words in the form of hard razor sharp rocks.
A coastline under constant attack, Port Campbell has spectacular cliffs made of soft marine limestone.
Razorback- Natural phenomenon like salt laden winds, ocean currents and changing temperature has endowed the south coast of Australia with beauty beyond words in the form of hard razor sharp rocks.
Loch Ard - Loch Ard is the name of the ship that sailed from Britain for Melbourne, after three months, the voyage was coming to an end. The crew and passengers celebrated in the night as they were to reach their destination in the morning. Destiny played foul as a dense fog surrounded the ship, the captain stayed awake on the deck all night. As the mist cleared at 4.AM in the morning, the ship was steadily moving towards the barriers. The rest is history. This ship wreck site is also called Loch Ard.
London Bridge
Ship wreck is the tragic outcome of war between nature and human race. It is a harsh reality of life that gives you goose bumps every time you think, see or read about it. After the wreck site you can drive to see the London bridge, a large rock standing tall in the sea resembling a bridge.
Ship wreck is the tragic outcome of war between nature and human race. It is a harsh reality of life that gives you goose bumps every time you think, see or read about it. After the wreck site you can drive to see the London bridge, a large rock standing tall in the sea resembling a bridge.
The End
The great trip ended for us at The London Bridge, after which we took The Princess Highway to Melbourne.' It was a very satisfying experience' would be an understatement for all that I saw and experienced in one single day.
The great trip ended for us at The London Bridge, after which we took The Princess Highway to Melbourne.' It was a very satisfying experience' would be an understatement for all that I saw and experienced in one single day.