Almost everybody we spoke to about Melbourne gushed about the Great Ocean Road. Stretching over more than 400 kilometres, it was widely regarded as one of the world's most scenic drives. Famous landmarks (for those who went all the way) include the Twelve Apostles, Otways Rainforest, Bells Beach and Skenes Creek. Naturally, we had to give it a try during our recent vacation there, and it was certainly fun (albeit a little tiring).
Here are some pictorial highlights of our journey along the Ocean.
The first stop at Torquay, which is regarded by some as the centre of the surf world and the official start of the Great Ocean Road.
There were actually some surfers in the ocean when we were there, though you can't really see them from this photograph. I hear that they were at it even in winter, where temperatures can drop to 5 to 6 deg C. Brrr....
A shot of the beautiful landscape near Skenes Creek from a lookout point about 300 metres above. Notice the wind-blowing-in-my-hair effect.
A view of the Southern Ocean (which leads to the Antarctic) in the region between Lorne and Apollo Creek. I believe they call it the Otways?
Yet another view of the same area, this time from a lookout embankment in the area called Big Hill.
A contoured map with the relief of the Great Ocean Road area at the view point.
More shots of the ocean (ok, it isn't called the Great Ocean Road for nothing), at the region nearer Apollo Creek. Of course, there were other highlights too...
Like these cattle serenely grazing in the miles and miles of farmlands which stretched as far as the eye can see.
A lunch stopover at Lorne helped to perk us up after a long drive. Note the highly nutritious looking greens.
Sooner or later, I had to get into the action too. My brown sweater kind of blended into the beach sand actually.
On our way back (yes, it was getting cloudy and rainy, although nothing like our thunderstorms), we managed to get this lucky shot of a rainbow.
All good things must come to an end. Good thing that we managed to sustain Ethan's interest (amidst stretches of snoozing) for a pretty long time.Labels: attractions, great ocean road, lifestyle, melbourne, travel