Lorne to Port Campbell

What a beautiful few days we have had – some have said ‘don’t get blown off Cape Otway’, ‘why on earth are you doing the Great Ocean Road in winter?’, ‘you’ll freeze your butt off’ etc but we could not have asked for better weather.
A warm jumper is all we need during the day to keep the chill out – most days are low teens, but there is not a breath of wind around anywhere so we have been VERY lucky!

Left Lorne early this morning, woke to a wonderful sunrise over the water and off we headed. Erskine Falls just inland from Lorne was our first stop – mmm… okay, seen better waterfalls but it was’ on the list of things to do!’. Teddy’s lookout was the next stop, we had no idea where it was but whoops – there’s the turn off! So pleased we found it as I still think it was the best view of the coast road so far from up high and showing the road skirting around some giant cliff or whatever!

That done we eventually left Lorne and followed the road along the Great Ocean Road. Had been told by a friend (Fee, you’re up!) that the Wye River Pub was her favourite spot on earth so HAD to stop in there – but ho hum – it was only 9.45am and a pub so not open. Have to admit, sitting up on the deck of the pub looking out into the bay would have been wonderful – took a photo for you anyway Fee of the Hotel sign – hope that’s enough!
Stopped at the next little town – Kernott River – just for a cuppa and a few photos of some birds who thought I was their next handful of bird feed! Wrong! Just want your photos boys!

Luv my camera and take so many photos in automatic mode, semi auto, manual settings and eventually cull them till I have the good ones left.

Next stop a tiny rest stop called Maits Rest which we decided to venture through the rainforest area and down to the bottom – would have to be the most under-rated little stop for a rainforest walk – it was absolutely beautiful – full of tree ferns and rainforest species in amongst the damp undergrowth plus some amazingly HUGE Victorian Ash trees (Kemm knows his trees!). But yes they were enormous. Once again no rain, no wind just cool damp air so it was lovely.

More windy roads in off the coast a bit now and turn off down the Cape Otway road towards the Lighthouse. Cape Otway was actually an early settlers telegraph station as well as the lighthouse station so of course there was all the usual touristy stuff – entrance fee to pay of course – someone has to maintain the grounds etc so don’t have a problem with that. More amazing views off the top of the lighthouse which we managed to climb up. Whales were frolicking out in the ocean and did have my camera ready on them but as murphy’s law would have it, every time I put the camera down they would come up and of course disappear once I got my camera ready again! They were there – really!!!!
A beautiful drive out to the lighthouse with once again some amazing trees in the region. But no, Margaret B – we didn’t get blown away off the Cape – there wasn’t any wind!!!!!

Next stop a diversion off the beaten track to what is known as Otway Fly – one of those tree top walk thingies! Grrr… took us 10 minutes from the carpark to the café – gobbled down some lunch – it was 2pm by then and we were starving! Another 15 minutes walk down the hill to the tree top walk – mmm.. nothing over startling, then a 20 minutes or so hike back up the hill and another 10 back to the car – pooped, and we’re not walking another step today!!!

By this time it was 3.30pm and we were still about an hour away from our real goal – the 12 Apostles but eventually pulled into the carpark there at about 4.15pm and another trek out to the lookout. We’ve certainly done our walking today!!
But what can we say – it is an amazing spot and certainly has a ‘Wow!’ factor associated with it. We were there on sunset so got some great photos – many of which I culled down to the best of those taken – so hope when you have a look at them, you’ll see what I mean.
Photos - http://picasaweb.google.com/kaybee57/GreatOceanRdTripJune2009?feat=direc...

By now the sun had gone down and we were an hour and a half away from our proposed stop for the night but decided on Port Campbell 10 minutes away from the Apostles and where we are parked right now.
Had a shared pizza for dinner at the little restaurant over the road and into bed as soon as this is over. We’re heading back to the Apostles again in the morning for a look under a different light plus there’s a ‘gorge’ thing to check out as well – will let you know on the next update!!! Whew – travel all day, book into accommodation, have dinner, do my email and it’s bedtime!