Sunday, March 18

A storm front moved in during the night.  Neither Fred nor I got much sleep.  It was really windy and things were banging around outside and branches were falling on our roof.  We got up early and our original plans were to leave at 8 or 9am for the Launceston Airport.  But worries set in about the condition of the roads.  If a tree fell, blocking our route in, the detour would take much longer. So we set off early and the roads were a mess with debris.  There was only one place where a tree blocked a lane and we easily got around it.  We made it to the airport with hours to spare.

I also had worried about our carryon luggage being over the limit again.  We found a scale at the airport and repacked so we wouldn’t get charged again.  But they never bothered to weigh it, unlike everyone having to weigh their carryons at Sydney airport.  So we made it without incident to Melbourne and drove to Torquay, the start of the Great Ocean Road.

Our accommodation was a lovely refurbished turn-of-the-century cottage and like others, included a kitchen.  As it happened, Fred had an associate in the area who invited us to dinner.  Phillip and Arwin were very gracious hosts and we had an authentic Australian BBQ.  There was a lot of food!

Our mainland, Australia trip was off to a good start.

Monday, March 19

Today was filled with many short stops.

We started with Bell’s Beach in Torquay.  I had considered skipping this but am really glad we didn’t.  It’s a famous surfing area.  There were many platforms from which to set up to take pictures and Fred and I snapped away, watching surfers catch waves or wipe out.

Our next stop was the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery (GORCI).  It’s huge!  The place had a massive parking lot, mostly empty as it was just past 9am.  There was a tour bus parked close to the entrance of the building.  Fred was trying to connect his phone to the car’s audio system and another tour bus pulled up!  Yeesh! When walking in, it’s a bit like walking into a large department store, where you become overwhelmed and wonder should you head right or left or indulge in the tasting trays right in front. We were like deer in the headlights.  We somehow composed ourselves and found where the truffles were and purchased a dozen.  :p

Great Ocean Road is much like Big Sur, the road hugs the coastline and is one lane each way.  Then there were several coastal viewpoints we stopped to enjoy.  Frankly, they all kind of blend in together.  A stop that stood out was Point Roadnight.  It had a beach and at the end of the point were some weird rocks we explored.  I read it had tidepools, but I don’t think the tide was right when we were there, as I didn’t see any.

At Lorne, we drove inland a bit, drove through the woods and took a short walk to view Erskine Falls.  I think I was more amused and the young lady who was dressed in shorts and a sleeveless top (it was a chilly day and the rest of us were in pants and jackets), posing for her boyfriend to take pictures.  Some cultures are very inventive in their poses.  I’m sure the pictures turn out cute, but it’s amusing to watch them pose.  The waterfall was very pretty as it cascades over some very mossy boulders. Another visitor stated it looks like lace.

Our next waterfall, Sheoak, didn’t have any water.

Our last stop for the day was at the Koala Kafe at Kennett River. We could see several people on a sideroad looking into the trees.  I spotted a parrot in the tree and was taking several pictures when Fred pointed further up and there was a koala!  After more looking around, we saw different kinds of parrots, ducks, kookaburras, and we even found some koalas of our own further up the road.

We drove up a very narrow road from Wongarra to our accommodation for the next two nights.  It was called Bed on Beattie and it was really cute with a nice view.  Fred and I were trying to figure out how the cottage was assembled, as it looked like two very different buildings linked together, when the owner came to introduce himself.  He explained that the kitchen and lounge was a converted caboose that came with the property when they bought it.  Once he said it, the design of the structure made sense.  I do wonder how in the world they got the caboose up that tiny road!

Tuesday, March 20

On TripAdvisor, there was a waterfall loop suggested if you stay two nights in the area.  So that was on tap for today.

The route to Stevenson Falls was 45 minutes and a long climb uphill.  Fred said the gas gauge was dropping pretty fast and since there were no service stations for miles and miles, I got a little nervous.  The walk to the falls was only a 30-minute return on a level path. When we arrived at the falls, a couple was packing up their tripod and leaving.

We then drove to Beauchamp Falls.  The road that traversed from Stevenson to Beauchamp was a very narrow unpaved road.  I was amused at the signage that advised it was unsuitable for coaches and caravans, yet halfway through we were advised we would be sharing the road with logging trucks! Somehow, we survived.  Once at the parking area for the falls, it started raining and we waited it out by having lunch.  As the rain was clearing, we saw the same couple crossing the area to the trailhead. They headed back shortly and told us they had changed their minds.  It was an hour return walk, but of the three falls we saw that day, I thought this one the best.

It was a short drive to Hopetoun Falls, and a 30-minute return walk to see it.  As we arrived, the couple was in their car leaving.  The falls were nice, but a few fallen trees were in the plunge pool. There were lots of people here, just as at Erskine Falls the day before.  At the bottom of the trail, we met a photography class coming down with all their gear.  One of the students was very interested in Fred’s camera.  It’s not the latest and greatest, but it often attracts attention with photographers.

We were planning on heading to the coast with no more stops planned, when we saw a parking area that seemed popular.  Here again, the same couple was driving off. We asked if there were any good photographs to be taken there and they said it was the best spot!  Little did we know it was a redwood grove!  California redwoods, just like home!

We stopped to pick up groceries at the little market in Apollo Bay and as we were heading to the checkout, the same couple passes us in the store!  By then we decided to introduce ourselves and we all had a good laugh.

On our way back to Bed on Beattie, we decided to drive up a knoll outside of Apollo Bay to Marriner’s Lookout.  It was a 5-10 minute walk to the lookout point but so worth it.  The lookouts the day before all were at sea level, all stunning, but all blended together. This was a standout because it is elevated; you have Apollo Bay in front of you, as well as both coasts on either side.  You get a panoramic view.

The Adventure Continues>>>