The Great Ocean Roadtrip

Posted by Marta at 6/01/2009

We couldn’t have come to Victoria and not hit one of the most famous coastal drives of the world snaking for 250km along the spectacular unspoilt Victoria’s south-west coastline. I am talking about the obvious Great Ocean Road. This route draw heaps of tourists every year which majority come to admire the legendary Twelve Apostles.





When we reached the look out of this natural landmark I thought there was something wrong .... definitely not my vista, just had an eyetest, not going bonkers yet plus I was sober so what it was? Some of these giant limestone rocks have been eaten away by the power of the sea so they are not 12 anymore as I was expecting it but I think I counted 8 of them. So how long the one left can keep it up with the force of the nature? They are eroded at rated of 2 cm each year but if they are on your travel list too I would hurry up, you never know.

Lake Elizabeth near Forrest

However, there is much more on this coastline to be discovered. Even a drive along the rugged winding coast offer nonetheless magnificent views over the ocean that Chris had to hold me not to stop at every lookout for the inevitable panorama’ snap. Then we came across rough bays great for surfing lovers like Bells Beach, the untouched Otways rainforest, steep cliffs residence to uncountable underwater shipwrecks, the sight of sleepy Koalas on top of the trees and kangaroos on side of the road, so keep your eyes well open as there is a surprise at any corner.

Many will probably do The Great Ocean Road in 3/4 days but we spent 2 weeks wondering around, feeling the vastness space and soaking the beauty of Mother Nature also cause our beloved van, named Milky Way, decided to stop every morning unless she got a big push or jump started, but that is another (annoying for us) story.

West Barwon Reservoir, great picnic spot

Insights:

• there are many great walks along the way, check out the Great Ocean Walk site;
• if you want to splash some cash you might want to take a helicopter flight above the ocean but it doesn’t come cheap at $95 each for 10 mins(http://www.12apostleshelicopters.com.au/). Does this include take-off and landing, ummm??;
• the great thing of the great ocean road it’s that is not only a terrific scenic drive but it was built after the WWI both as war memorial and to give a kick to the economy by giving work to the many soldiers returning from the war, indeed an admirable and smart act by the Government;
• if you got time hit back to Melbourne catching the ferry on Queenscliff (http://www.searoad.com.au/ circa $68 for 45 mins crossing) and drive through Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula coast, very pretty too.

10 comments:

At 2/6/09 3:28 PM Frank and Sue said...

Hey Marta,
Great post about our backyard! We love the area and get down there regularly (we live in Geelong)
Do a bit of blogging and your readers may be interested in our posts on The Great Ocean Walk http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/06/great-ocean-walk-may-2007.html AND the platypus we saw at Lake Elizabeth. http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/01/lake-elizabeth.html Did you see one?

Hope you trip is fantastic

Frank

 

At 9/6/09 1:58 PM Dave & Deb said...

Beautiful. I love great scenic drives. We did the drive of Chapman's Peak in South Africa last year. Awesome. Now I have to add this one to the list.

 

At 11/6/09 11:34 PM Marta said...

ups..the Island Archway just collapse http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25617965-2862,00.html

 

At 12/6/09 12:25 AM Harry said...

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At 21/6/09 5:43 PM easytravel said...

Thanks for share. Great blog. I like this picture. See you on my blog also.

 

At 25/6/09 8:00 AM Lilliy said...

Great Info and loved the photos such an amazing landscape..
I always enjoy reading your adventures and seeing your photos that is why I choose your blog to forward one of "The Lovely Blog Awards" to your blog to share your link with other travel bloggers.

 

At 25/6/09 8:02 AM Lilliy said...

this is the link to the post:
http://travelwithfunlilliy.blogspot.com/2009/06/lovely-blog-award-and-paying-it-forward.html

 

At 25/6/09 12:17 PM Nomadic Matt said...

10 minutes? what if there is problem with take off and that takes 9 minutes....man i'll stick to the walk!

 

At 8/7/09 10:54 PM How to said...

wow it is really nice thank you so much andGreat Info and loved the photos such an amazing landscape..

 

At 19/1/10 10:44 PM Wendy said...

Victoria?The great thing of the great ocean road.