We got our day started a little early since there were a lots to see today. The target was to spend the night in Warrnambool (2.5 hours from Apollo Bay). Last night, our inn keeper told us about 20 km back by Kennett River we are guaranteed to see koalas hanging out in trees.
We back tracked to Grey River Road by Kennet River. It took us no time to find a few koalas sleeping high up in the trees, especially there were already a small group of tourists gathering. Instead of turning back onto the GOR, we kept on driving on Grey River Road hoping to spot more of these cuddly bears a bit closer to the ground. The detour rewarded us with a few more koalas and a young kangaroo waiting by the side of the road.
Eventually we got back on GOR after about 1 hour. Next stop was the oldest lighthouse in the Australia. Our original research told us the road that led to the lighthouse is full of koalas. But the inn keeper in Apollo Bay told us, it wasn't guaranteed unless we went to Kennet River. Well, we spotted a big koala almost right away hanging out on a tree branch that was practically arm length from us.
This Cape Otway lighthouse cost us $18.50 AUD to get in. We were able to climb to the top and the 360 degree view was pretty spectacular. The rest of the grounds had an old bunker, a small simple museum and a few pieces of sculpture. Nothing to write home about.
Drake so far has been doing really well in the car. He played with his toys in the car and slept a lot. I think the motion really soothed him. I did feel really bad having to take him in and out of the car, especially when he had just fell asleep. Our next stop was Wreck Beach. Unlike the Wreck beach in Vancouver, this one actually had ship wrecks instead of anti-clothing enthusiasts. Unfortunately we got terribly lost by taking the wrong turn onto a road called Old Coach Road. To be fair, although it looked completely unpaved and full of giant pot holes, the road had a name. Our logic was why would anyone bother naming a road if it wasn't meant to be traveled on. After 30 minutes of driving mostly on the shoulder of the good old Old Coach Road, we gave up and turned back. It was good thing. When we finally found Wreck Beach, we were certain Old Coach Road probably would've led us off of a cliff.
Wreck Beach also took 300 steps to get down to. By the time we got there, it was already high tide. We didn't want to trek too far to seek out the wreck in fear of being trapped by the water. Despite not finding the ship wreck, the beach was still beautiful to see. Soft yellow sand met with sapphire blue waves. It was worth getting lost for until we had to take the 300 steps back up to our car.
We drove on for about ten minutes. "What is that?" We spotted a slow moving animal waddling on the side of the highway. A bulldog? As we approached, we collectively screamed. It was a large koala! As we got closer, he ran up the nearest tree. He stayed low and stared at us as we stared at him in awe.
For the grand finale, our last stop of the day was the 12 Apostles, a collection of limestone formations by the GOR. We first stopped at Gibson Steps which was a set of stairs (much easier than the Wreck Beach steps) that led to the beach where you can see the first Apostle up and close. Another 500 meters past Gibson Steps was the viewing spot for the rest of the Apostles. There were only 7 left standing. The rest collapsed into the ocean over time. The viewing point consisted a platform that extended out into a rock formation, so you can view the Apostles face on. Watching the Apostles against the sunset and the white capped ocean was an amazing feeling. It was an awesome way to finish up our day.
Nightfall had set in. The road got really dark. We drove another hour to Warrnambool to settle in for the night. We were tired, so the hour long drive felt so long. We wished we had just stayed in Port Campbell which was the town closest to the Apostles, but that meant we had a lot of driving to make up tomorrow to reach Adelaide. When we reached Warrnambool at 9:30PM to check-in to our hotel, we were surprised to find out we almost missed the reception hour. I was really surprised since all the hotels I have been to in North America had 24 hour reception. Glad we made it! Time for bed!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We back tracked to Grey River Road by Kennet River. It took us no time to find a few koalas sleeping high up in the trees, especially there were already a small group of tourists gathering. Instead of turning back onto the GOR, we kept on driving on Grey River Road hoping to spot more of these cuddly bears a bit closer to the ground. The detour rewarded us with a few more koalas and a young kangaroo waiting by the side of the road.
Eventually we got back on GOR after about 1 hour. Next stop was the oldest lighthouse in the Australia. Our original research told us the road that led to the lighthouse is full of koalas. But the inn keeper in Apollo Bay told us, it wasn't guaranteed unless we went to Kennet River. Well, we spotted a big koala almost right away hanging out on a tree branch that was practically arm length from us.
This Cape Otway lighthouse cost us $18.50 AUD to get in. We were able to climb to the top and the 360 degree view was pretty spectacular. The rest of the grounds had an old bunker, a small simple museum and a few pieces of sculpture. Nothing to write home about.
Drake so far has been doing really well in the car. He played with his toys in the car and slept a lot. I think the motion really soothed him. I did feel really bad having to take him in and out of the car, especially when he had just fell asleep. Our next stop was Wreck Beach. Unlike the Wreck beach in Vancouver, this one actually had ship wrecks instead of anti-clothing enthusiasts. Unfortunately we got terribly lost by taking the wrong turn onto a road called Old Coach Road. To be fair, although it looked completely unpaved and full of giant pot holes, the road had a name. Our logic was why would anyone bother naming a road if it wasn't meant to be traveled on. After 30 minutes of driving mostly on the shoulder of the good old Old Coach Road, we gave up and turned back. It was good thing. When we finally found Wreck Beach, we were certain Old Coach Road probably would've led us off of a cliff.
Wreck Beach also took 300 steps to get down to. By the time we got there, it was already high tide. We didn't want to trek too far to seek out the wreck in fear of being trapped by the water. Despite not finding the ship wreck, the beach was still beautiful to see. Soft yellow sand met with sapphire blue waves. It was worth getting lost for until we had to take the 300 steps back up to our car.
We drove on for about ten minutes. "What is that?" We spotted a slow moving animal waddling on the side of the highway. A bulldog? As we approached, we collectively screamed. It was a large koala! As we got closer, he ran up the nearest tree. He stayed low and stared at us as we stared at him in awe.
For the grand finale, our last stop of the day was the 12 Apostles, a collection of limestone formations by the GOR. We first stopped at Gibson Steps which was a set of stairs (much easier than the Wreck Beach steps) that led to the beach where you can see the first Apostle up and close. Another 500 meters past Gibson Steps was the viewing spot for the rest of the Apostles. There were only 7 left standing. The rest collapsed into the ocean over time. The viewing point consisted a platform that extended out into a rock formation, so you can view the Apostles face on. Watching the Apostles against the sunset and the white capped ocean was an amazing feeling. It was an awesome way to finish up our day.
Nightfall had set in. The road got really dark. We drove another hour to Warrnambool to settle in for the night. We were tired, so the hour long drive felt so long. We wished we had just stayed in Port Campbell which was the town closest to the Apostles, but that meant we had a lot of driving to make up tomorrow to reach Adelaide. When we reached Warrnambool at 9:30PM to check-in to our hotel, we were surprised to find out we almost missed the reception hour. I was really surprised since all the hotels I have been to in North America had 24 hour reception. Glad we made it! Time for bed!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Great Ocean Road, Australia
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