Overcast skies starting out today. The drive is east on the Great Ocean Road. The coastline today is still rugged but without the landmark sea structures of yesterday. The road is winding, hugging the cliffs along the way. There are only a few small villages and public beaches along this stretch of road. When the highway goes through a grove of eucalyptus trees, you can often catch a glimpse of koalas in the branches above. There are a few scenic turnouts along the way, but you have to watch out for oncoming traffic around the curves.
There are a few scenic waterfalls along the way, with a short hike to get a good view.
Around 1pm, I reached the small village of Lorne. This was a very scenic area with nice parks, buildings, and shops. I decided this would be a nice stopover so I found a YHA hostel in town and decided to spend the nite there. After checking in, I walked through the town area and noticed the sky getting darker. I decided to go back to the car and then the rain started around 2:30 pm. I stopped in a small restaurant and ordered a hamburg – $9.50 but it was good. The prices throughout the trip have really been high – Australia seems like it would be a very expensive place to live (and travel unless you know how to cut corners).
The rain continued, so I went to my room and rested for awhile. About 4:30 there were a few breaks in the rain, so I ventured out, but the weather was not good enough to do much sightseeing. Went back to the hostel where it was very crowded in the common area. Hopefully better weather tomorrow.
Left Port Campbell and stopped at Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles again. Wanted to see the views from the morning sun. There was no sun out this morning – overcast. But the views were still spectacular and I did get to stop at a few different viewpoints.
Continued along the Great Ocean Road, although most of the trip was inland, away from the coast and into the forest and hills. Went to Cape Otway National Park. This is the site of the most famous lighthouse in Australia. Paid the admission and went into the park area, which included access to the lighthouse. Climbed to the top of the lighthouse and had a great view, although it was still overcast and dreary. After I got down from the lighthouse it started to rain, so I hurried back to the car.
In the part there is a huge grove of eucalyptus trees. When you looked carefully in the trees you could see the koala bears. There must have been hundreds of them. They are all very still with a few of them munching on leaves, but most of them just sleeping.
Continued back on the road to Apollo Bay. It was still raining, so I picked a hostel for the nite. I chose the Surfside Backpackers. It was really a nice place with good facilities and friendly people. Fortunately there was a laundry here, so I got a chance to catch up on a week’s worth of dirty clothes.
Didn’t get a good nites sleep in the trailer – bed not real comfortable. So got up early and went back to the nearby lighthouse and walked around. Then went back into town and took a few pics around the waterfront – had breakfast and a wifi break at McDonalds.
Drove to the small fishing village of Port Fairy and walked around the wharf. Then to the bigger town of Warrnambool where they had a heritage center of historic buildings and other waterfront views.
Finally got to the Great Ocean Road, where there are many seascapes sculptured by the ocean waves. Some of the landmarks are called Bay of Islands, Martyrs Bay, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Twelve Apostles. Stopped at all of these and got some great late afternoon photos At the Twelve Apostles there were several people having formal photographs taken ( I snuck in a few candids ).
Got my accomodations set at Ocean House Backpackers. This was a pleasant surprise. It was right across the street from the beach with a view of the beach out my room’s window. Again there was hardly anyone there so a had the whole room to myself. I bought a bottle of Australian merlot and mellowed out for the evening.
I took some photos of the hostel I stayed at. I was virtually alone in this huge building. There were 12 beds in the one room and I was the only one there. But I slept well and warmed a can of spaghetti and some instant cappuccino for breakfast.
The next stop was Beachport, which had a long jetty going out into the bay. There were also a few historical buildings there.
I drove to the town of Mt. Gambier. This was a fair sized town with a lot of scenic attractions for visitors. It was at the base of an old volcano crater than now housed 2 good sized lakes. There were also a number of caves and sinkholes around the town – several of which they turned into terraced gardens that you could go down into. I would have liked to spend more time but I had to keep moving on.
Arrived at the town of Portland and stopped at Safeway to pick up some groceries. This is a large town with a lot of attractions that I’ll have to check out tomorrow. There is also a Cape Nelson lighthouse here that is picturesque.
Arrived at Bellevue Backpackers for my night’s lodging. This was a surprise. From starting the day staying at a mansion, I now was to spend the night in an old, small travel trailer that was parked behind the house of the owners. Olive and Harold, a couple in their 80’s showed me how things operated. It is also a short distance away from a sheep pasture. Actually the place is kind of cozy and again there is no one around for the night. Oh well, I should sleep good tonite (as long as the sheep are quiet).
Checked out of Backpacker Oz. First stop was a drive up to Mt. Lofty where you can get a good view of Adelaide and surroundings from the top.
Then drove to the town of Hansdorf, a little German town that had a lot of shops and tourists. Had a baked potato with ham, cheese, pineapple, and beets – very delicious. Then finished that off later with a slice of fudge – just like Mackinac Island. Also drove thru the town of Strathalbyn, a Scottish settlement.
Went thru more wine country, then had to cross the Murray River on a free ferry. After that it was miles and miles of nothing (more properly: kilometers and kilometers). Arrived in Kingston –supposedly a lobster town – just as my gas gauge was starting to blink. Then on to the small town of Robe where I arrived just before dark. Checked into a YHA hostel there. It was an old mansion on a lake converted into a hostel. I was about the only one there and got a room with 12 beds in it and was the only one in the room. Will post photos tomorrow.
