great-ocean-road – Reflecting on life!

After trying three caravan parks we finally found one that had a vacancy The Forest Carvan Park, Forest we arrived quite late (5.30pm), we were tired and still grumpy. Our aim was to stay for 5 days and do day trips around the Great Ocean Road without the stress of towing a caravan. We set-up and then went for a pub dinner.

Our day started by going into Geelong we had to have a look at this city – however we only managed to get to the Westfield shopping centre AFL shop and (Chemist Warehouse pills for us) to buy something for my son as he is a mad Geelong supporter. My aim was to get on the Great Ocean Road.

Our first stop was the information centre at Torquay – the young woman was so helpful and gave a list of places to see – my only aim for the Great Ocean Road was to see the Koalas. I had done this road before with a girlfriend 10 years ago when I got sick in Warrnambool and had to be flown to Melbourne. Mr C has never done this road and really wants to experience the driving of the twisting, turning steep roads. Needless to say, he did the first day’s driving.

We stopped at Bells Beach, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and continued through Lorne however, didn’t stop at Lorne because I wanted to get to Kennett River to see the Koalas. it really was a spectacular drive with the most amazing coastlines and beautiful little towns. I was surprised how big Lorne had grown and that Apollo Bay was smaller than Lorne.

All the information people said I would see Koala’s at Kennett River, turn right when you see the Kafe Koala then turn left up the dirt road and keep driving looking for Koala’s. When we arrived, we saw a group of Asian tourists, all pointing to the trees, laughing and taking photos – easy to say there must be a Koala there. Indeed, that was the first koala in the wild for me – however it was only one, I wanted to see more and so the challenge began to spot the Koala in the gum trees, not an easy feat. There were a few more but they were sleeping – we walked further up the hill, another group of Asians again standing pointing – as I looked in the bush, I thought it was a Kangaroo, because through my zoom it was brown not grey and it was bigger and on the ground – however, did not want to disappoint so never said anything – they all kept taking photos, I walked away slowly smiling to myself. Then to everyone’s surprise this big red Kangaroo comes bounding out the bushes, everyone screams and jumps, and they shout “kangaroo, Kangaroo……then broke out into laughter and joy. Mr C and I looked on smiling, all this for a kangaroo, he had seen it was a roo but let them think it was a koala.

looks like a ball of fluff – hard to spot in the trees

Mr C went to the car, I continued to walk up the hill, he then drove past me and waited for me to catch up. We drove maybe 30 minutes further up the track, looking in the trees and on the road for Koalas. I spotted several along this route and took photos of them all, they were quite high in the trees. We were on our way back, I was again walking when I saw a Koala on a low branch – he was awake, we were both delighted and watched as the Koala climbed up and down the branches, almost like putting on a show for us – I was impressed, it was delightful. We decided that it was getting late, and we had at least 40 minutes to get back to the caravan park and I was driving, I didn’t want to drive in the dark, so we called it a day.

Next day it was my turn to drive – We were heading for Erskine Falls and I took a track road cutting across from Forest to Lorne – I loved the drive, the Forest was beautiful, Mr C kept spotting brown and black Kangaroos or Wallabies, not sure what they were, but it was fun trying to get pictures of them. I think they may be swamp Wallabies, they were very shy – the beauty of me driving is that i can stop at any time and take photos. Lucky for me there were no other cars on this track road we were on.

Erskine Falls is 10km inland from Lorne however, we had cut across country so went straight to the falls. Luckly it was only a short walk for Mr C, he did well managing the stairs – he told me there were 64 steps. The falls were beautiful, it is one of the highest falls in the Otway Region. The falls are only 30m high, it was very attractive, it was flowing very fast – again lots of people around.

Next stop was Teddy’s lookout still in Lorne. It overlooks the St George River and the Great Ocean Road coastline – you can actually see where we had driven the day before.

As we were in the area, we stopped in at Kennett’s River to see the Koalas again but did not stay as long as the first time. We wanted to explore Apollo Bay and Cape Otway.

Apollo Bay was lovely, the weather had just cleared for us – meaning the sun came out to say hello. We have been cold the whole time we have been here. The temperature ranges from 10 – 19 degrees, mostly cloudy – luckily no rain. People were swimming, the water was freezing. I could understand the surfers as they had wetsuits on, but others were swimming like it was a summers day – it felt like the middle of winter for me.

Next stop was Cape Otway to see the lighthouse, unfortunately for us by the time we got there the gate was closed. The only way to see the lighthouse was going for a walk through the bush to see it from a distance. Mr C waited in the car, and I went for the hour walk return. On the way I met a rather large Echidna which gave me a fright – I stood back and watched it for about 10mins, he was just making holes looking for food, it was so interesting, he was not bothered about me at all. I stepped over him and continued my walk, after taking numerous photos. I finally got to the end of the track and saw the lighthouse in the distance and returned – the Echidna was still there, still looking for food – it was much bigger than I imagined, in fact it’s the largest one I have seen about the size of a very large watermelon.

We had dinner at a beautiful Chinese restaurant in Apollo Bay – when we were leaving there was a family of 5, mum dad and three kids 6, 3 & 2. The littlest one was tired and playing up – I sat next to them and started a conversation with the children, they flocked around me – I started talking about the Koala’s I had seen, they were captivated – I showed them my video and they were delighted. Mum got up and went to the bathroom, dad was enjoying his dinner, Mr C was paying for ours, I was having fun with the children, they were delightful. When mum came back, she said, “Can I borrow you for the rest of the week please” the dad laughed and Mr C said, “No, she’s coming with me, without the children” – we all laughed and said our goodbyes. I do really miss the grandchildren.

Day 3 – we had a small sleep in. The weather was a bit warmer than yesterday; our aim was to get to the Twelve Apostles and surrounds. Mr C was driving – we cut across country again, (spotting another Echidna walking across a track) and started from Apollo Bay, people were swimming again. The road was less winding the countryside beautiful, at times you could mistakenly think you are in NZ or the Southern part of WA – the hills were green littered with cattle or sheep.

We took a detour to Lake Costin and the Aire River, again people were swimming, when I asked the young man was the water cold – his response was “it’s f—king freezing, not going in again.” The road was gravel and full of potholes, this part of the drive was not enjoyable. We swapped drivers as Mr C was not feeling the best, so I drove the rest of the way. Through Lavers Hill, Princetown then Twelve Apostles. To my surprise there were car park attendants directing where to park – there were a lot of cars and even more people.

There is a small walk to get to the Twelve Apostles, it has changed dramatically from the last time I was there 10 yrs ago. The view is undeniably spectacularly beautiful and breathtaking. The sun had come out which meant I would have great photos. We stayed for about an hour admiring the view and people watching – there were so many different nationalities it was amazing. January seems to be the busiest time, so maybe plan when it’s not so busy if you don’t want lots of people and cars. Further along the road is Loch Ard Gorge, The Arch, London Bridge and the Grotto.

We were both tired and Mr C wasn’t feeling well, so decided to call it a day – again it was a long drive back however we did another cross-country drive – it really is beautiful country where the hills meet the sea.

Lake Elizabeth only 15 mins from where we are staying in Forrest the road was steep and winding. Not surprising then that the walk took me about 4 hours using my walking stick – that included sitting quietly and patiently for a platypus to appear – sadly no platypus appeared. However, I did see two tiger snakes. The snakes did unnerve me, so I walked banging my walking stick and then I didn’t want to sit on the seats. The walk was beautiful, up and down steep hills, but was well worth it – the Forrest was lush, green and I could hear beautiful birds singing in the background with the sound of running water – it was so peaceful.

the lake, tree ferns and gum trees behind.

Geelong – we went for a drive to Geelong City and walked around the waterfront – unfortunately for us it rained, not only did it rain but there was thunder and lightning – so we did not stay long.

Overall, we spent 5 days doing the Great Ocean Road and seeing a little bit of Geelong. For me I had noticed that the towns along the Great Ocean Road had grown in the 10 years and the Koala population has reduced. The reduction in the Koala population could be due to the devastating fires that Victoria have experienced over the years – so some of the people in the information centres are reporting. I did notice so many more people visiting all the tourist spots – could be that we choose the busiest time Dec/Jan – this did not detract from our enjoyment – the weather has been bitterly cold for us, most days start at 12 to about 19 – our last day raining in the afternoon.

On our way back to Forrest we stopped at the West Barwon Reservoir – I had gone there earlier in the day on my scooter but couldn’t make it up the steep hill – I walked up the hill leaving my scooter on the ground after I had a small fall, I noted there was a road on the other side – so wanted to see the whole dam. These little Blue Wren’s where everywhere, they were so lovely, they posed nicely for me so I could get a perfect picture.