Australia > The Great Ocean Road

When I walk out of the hotel in the morning wearing just a T-shirt and shorts, it turns out to be cooler than expected. It’s drizzling a little. I hadn’t really thought about the weather at all. Quickly, I put on a sweater. The city of Melbourne immediately looks gloomier. What luck that we didn’t have this weather yesterday during the bike tour. Today we leave Melbourne and drive westward along the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful roads in Australia. The coastal road was built between the two world wars as a kind of employment project. Today it is one of the best-known tourist destinations. From Melbourne, we drive to Geelong, where the coastal route begins. This gives us the opportunity to do a round of introductions. We hadn’t gotten around to this earlier because the microphone on the bus was missing in Tasmania. One by one, everyone tells where they come from and why they chose this trip to Australia. When we arrive at the coast near Torquay, it’s dry.

Australia - A koala bear in the trees near Kennett River

However, dark clouds still hang over the sea. At Fairhaven, we stop at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch. An arch over the road marks the start of the Great Ocean Road. A statue next to the arch commemorates the construction workers who built the road. As we drive along the Ocean Road, I have a view of the beautiful rocky coast and the clear blue water. The waves crash against the rocks. Every now and then we pass lovely sandy beaches. It’s a pleasure to follow the coastline. In Lorne, we pause for coffee and a toilet break. Several small restaurants are in the village. We split up among the eateries. In the trees, a yellow-crested cockatoo watches us. As soon as some food is left on a table, it quickly grabs it. The next stop is Kennett River. Sometimes koalas live in the trees around the parking lot here.

Australia - The famous rock formations along the Great Ocean Road

There is exactly one in a tree. A large group of tourists stands under the tree watching the animal. We walk up the mountain road looking for more koalas. Unfortunately, no luck. By bus, we pass Apollo Bay, the southernmost point of the Great Ocean Road. Here the road leaves the coastline. This gives us the opportunity to take a walk through the rainforest at Melba Gully. Large ferns grow along the path among the tall trees. The half-hour walk leads to a small rapid. Nice to stretch the legs here. Meanwhile, I eat my packed lunch. Around two o’clock, we arrive at the ‘Twelve Apostles’. These rock pillars in the surf form the highlight of this route. Several rocks stand upright in the sea. A few years ago, one pillar in the sea collapsed. The Bay of Islands, further along the route, contains several islands and rocks in a small bay. Here too, the view of the rocks surrounded by the rough sea water is impressive. Since we still have some time, we also stop at Childers Cove.

Australia - The beautiful sea inlet at Childers Cove

The driver has never stopped at this bay before. “Don’t expect too much,” Derk warns. Through a narrow road, the driver takes the bus toward the bay. Luckily, we don’t meet oncoming traffic. Childers Cove is a sea inlet with a beautiful beach. I can descend to the beach via a wooden staircase. The tide has just gone out. The water reaches right up to the rocks. You can see from the waves that the sea is retreating. Each wave comes a little less far. This bay is also beautiful to see. A nice addition to the program. Around half past four, we drive to Warrnambool. This town is considered the end point of the Ocean Road and is our overnight stop for tonight. It’s a quiet town with many historic buildings. The street plan in the center is perfectly straight. We stay overnight in a kind of motel. All rooms have outside entrances. Next to the hotel is a supermarket. Here I buy yogurt for tomorrow’s breakfast. In the evening, we want to eat at a Mexican restaurant. There is no room for seven people there. At the Sri Lankan restaurant across the street, there is space. We are the only guests. The food tastes no less delicious.

Australia - Aboriginal mural in Warrnambool