Great Ocean Rd

Southwest of Melbourne is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world. I've done the Road to Hana, the Amalfi Coast, the Pacific Coast Highway- none of them compare th the Great Ocean Road.

We followed the road east to west, from Torquay to Warrnambool, where we stayed in an airBNB for the night. We began at the info center, where two helpful ladies have is great tips. I'm going to try to remember them all here.

Our first stop was Bell's Beach, site of a huge annual surf competition. I could see way, the ocean was so powerful! I ran down the steps to put my feet in, of course getting much wetter than expected. Hey, it was good excuse to wear yoga pants instead of jeans for the rest of the ride. :)  Seriously, the colors of the gritty golden yellow sand against the turquoise sea and blue skies was like a painter's pallet exploded.

Next we rode on, stopping at a few lookouts for more amazing views. One of the visitor center recommendations was looking at the kangaroos at the golf course at Airey's Inlet, where we found them lounging on the driving range. We walked to Split Point lighthouse and studied Eagle Rock. Then it was on the road again.  We had lunch at a fish and chips place in Lorne. It was a huge feast! 

After lunch we were lucky enough to see some whales in the ocean south of Lorne. We even stopped at construction and got to see more of them. The road continued to wind along the coast with the most beautiful views of crashing waves and glistening rocks. 

At the recommendation of the visitor center we stopped in Kennet River to see koalas. There were tons and tons of birds around the Koala Cafe, cockatoos and parrots.  Don't feed them, they rip your arms up! But in the trees behind them were real live wild koalas! It was such a thrill to see them up in the trees. Most were asleep but one guy was moving around eating.  So cuddly!!

We were rapidly losing time, so after that it was off to the Twelve Apostles, giant rock formations off the coast south of Apollo Bay. We timed it just at sunset, which was pretty cool. They were very pretty, and huge.  But it was quickly off to Loch Ard gorge. The waves crashing into the thunder cave as the light faded seemed almost mythical.

In the dark we drove the rest of the way to Warrnambool.  Our morning attempts to see whales failed (Pete the guy said they'd had four good years and not this year.)  It was cold and dreary, but we watched fruitlessly for a little while.  Then it was back to Melbourne, the inland route, leaving the Great Ocean Road behind.