A Birthday eve to remember! Great Ocean Road!
We booked onto a last minute tour today with ‘Go West’ tours on the Great ocean road sunset edition. We were gonna do a 3 day coach tour but changed plan, as Leon didn’t fancy a 3 day coach trip. I was thinking we would miss out, we had a free day so it made sense!
We set off at 10.15am gathering all the troops, and time passes until about 11am when we set off, stopping at the iconic memorial arch to show the start of the old great ocean road, and grab some photos with Rachael’s lil smiley face gracing most of them! The tour guide Rachael is very funny and endearing & explains to us in her excitable sounding Oz lilt, it took 30 years to finish!
Leon & I got to see koalas & parrots in the wild, which was rather incredible! Koalas are so incredibly cute! One in particular was edging his bum down a branch and stretching to try to reach a eucalyptus leaf. Something about their fluffy large ears just makes any head motion seem so sweet. On the coach, we also spot a really cheeky looking one clinging onto a singular vertical sapling, swaying in the wind. Facing straight at us. I forget all about the stench that the one I held marked me with and am in love with them once more.
We also stop at a posh town called Lorne which has a beautiful stretch of beach and sea, dotted with stand up paddle boarders, and learner-surfers. We went to Apollo Bay too but I will leave some surprises for the trip!
We stop at a glorious bay called Loch Ard Gorge that has an interest tale behind it. Back in 1878 a ship came from the UK on its maiden voyage to Melbourne. 18 passengers, and almost double that as the crew. Tom Pearce & Eva Carmichael have a semi romantic tale …. which you will get to hear all about. Ooh a cliff hanger! Badum Tish! (Its a pretty steep cliff)
Gibson’s steps boasted spectacular views!
We went to the 12 Apostles for a bit of a cloud covered sunset & ate some fish and chips (own expense of $11 but worth it!)
Although it was a long drive back, Rachael’s effervescent personality made it a pleasing day for all. I would bring a fleece and a neck rest as a tip! We saw my birthday in landing back in Melbourne bridge at midnight, and I am not sure how, but Rachael got the whole bus to enthusiastically sing happy birthday to me!! This woman works miracles! A really lovely day, and a great way to see the great ocean road with not much time to spare.
20-12-2017
By cat