Great Ocean Road Part 2

Jean writes:

We awoke to rain, which scuppered our plans to have a walk on the long, sandy beach before setting out.  We stopped off in the small shopping area of the town, though, and during a brief dry interlude, strolled over the low dunes for a quick viewing, before the rain started again.  The beach was empty of human life.

In fact, it rained for most of the morning.

We've now seen several groups of Galahs, or rose-breasted cockatoos, and they appear to enjoy feeding in groups on grassy areas.

Apollo Bay to Lorne is one of most spectacular sections of Great Ocean Road.  The route follows a narrow, twisting road, with sheer cliffs on the landward side, often with with rockfalls in evidence, and some forested areas.  On the other side, there was a drop to ocean, with super views of the beach, rocks, stretches of sand and bays.  There were plenty of viewing points, but we had to be content with noting the sights from the car as the speeds were low, reflecting the road conditions, and we had a ferry booked at 13:00. 

Once again I made an comment about koalas and added that we were unlikely to see one on this stretch of road.  Ten minutes later, we came round a bend to see a car in front of us with its reversing lights on.  

"What a stupid place to stop!" I fumed, as I thought the driver was trying to reverse into a viewing place on the opposite side of the road.  

We soon saw the reason though.  A few metres ahead a koala was sitting in the middle of the road! The passenger from the other car approached it from the back, put his arms around its body and picked it up, to place it on the side.  The koala was not happy!  We assume it all worked out alright.

There are quite a few small towns along the route but again, no time to stop for coffee. 

The ferry leaves from Queenscliffe on the western side of Port Philip Bay and forty minutes later arrives at Sorrento on the eastern side.

"The Baths", by the way, serves what is probably the best raspberry sorbet in the world!

We had booked a motel at Hastings - home from home, you might think.  Well, yes, and we. And across other well known names of towns and roads too - Eastbourne, Red Hill, Rye, Capel Sound, Canterbury, Sussex, Bromley, Grace and Elizabeth were but a handful.

The motel room is large and has reasonable facilities.  We excitedly checked out the pool as a dip seemed like a good plan for the morning, but it was tiny - and locked in any case!  In fact, the whole place is a little drab and uninspiring.

Battle for Hastings 

Dave writes:

Apollo Bay to Hastings is longer than you think - especially if you've got a ferry to catch. 

Great Ocean Road part two is spectacular but full of sharp bends and climbs. 

So when Satnav (we call him Jimmy) told us we would be pushing it to make our 1230 check-in ferry time the pressure was on. 

Complicating matters on the run-in, our route crossed the last-minute preparations for a big bike race being staged in honour on of local hero Cadel Evans, riding in his last event.

We finally made it at 1245 but no problem. We were ushered through for the 1.0 pm sailing across to Sorrento on the other side of the bay. 

Battle not over though as Jimmy wanted to do the last 20 miles to Hastings on the main highway while  we were seeking the picturesque route through the vineyards. 

When we finally made it to our motel Jimmy was sulking and refused to announce the customary "You've arrived at your destination."

Hoping he's in better humour tomorrow. 

Word of praise though for excellent ferry company which loaded and unloaded very efficiently for swift turn-round. 

Also for garages here which now we are back nearer Melbourne are doing petrol for just over a dollar a litre compared with a dollar 25 up-country.