The shoreline at Queenscliff led us to the Great Ocean Road. We had perfect sunny and comfortable weather. We banned all electronic devices from use in the car so that the incredible views and landscape could be fully enjoyed by all.
The Great Ocean Road officially begins at Torquay and follows the coastline all the way to Warmambool. It is about a 4 hour drive but it took us 2 full days because of all the sights to see. There is a great number of wildlife to see along this route depending on the time of year. You can take in some great whale watching along this coastline depending on the time of year - we weren't here at the right time THIS drive but hopefully we will have the chance to get back.
We stayed the night at a caravan park in Torquay and could feel the surfing vibe STRONG with the shops and outlets specifically geared to the surfing crowd here. It is a playground for those who can afford the surf coast lifestyle and we were a bit envious. Torquay is the home of Bells Beach and the birthplace of surf brands like Rip Curl and Quicksilver. Torquay is Victoria's surfing capital and we happened upon it just prior to a huge surf competition to be starting that weekend: The Rip Curl Pro.
We settled into our cabin and the boys went about exploring the park, bouncing on the giant pillow and playing ping pong and just getting some much needed activity while Dan and I enjoyed some much needed quiet time.
The next morning we wentout to Bell's Beach before heading back out on the road. Bells Beach was alive with activity as preparations were being made for the big competition - tents were being erected, sound systems hooked up, sponsor branding being hung. There were a few surfers out already and we watched them a while from above. It always feels surreal to me to see a surfer because I spent most of my life watching them on TV, in old Elvis movies or in Point Break. We don't know if any of the big names were out when we were there but we'd like to think they were. We climbed down to the beach level and the boys played a bit and pretended to be surfers. It was sunny but it was brisk so we didn't venture into the water - also the force of the waves crashing on the shore and the giant beach sign convinced us that swimming was not an activity we wanted to enjoy at Bells Beach.
On the way back up to the car, we came upon a hang glider getting reading to step off the cliff. We chatted with another hang glider and learned that the updraft off the cliff makes this an ideal place for taking flight. He told us that the day before, they spent 3 1/2 hours in flight going up and down the coast. Wow - peaceful and beautiful. I asked if they are exhausted by the time they land from the exertion but he said you just "chill" - relax up there and enjoy the ride. As he said that, the fellow in the glider stepped off and up and away he went. Amazing.
We left Torquay and headed West and it wasn't long before we were treated to the beauty of the road. I have never seen the ocean look so vast and blue as on the road. I don't know if it is because of the elevation you travel on parts or the knowledge that the next piece of continent south is Antarctica. We discussed the sharks that this coastline is known for (we were told repeatedly that we should not swim in there) and the power of the waves as they cut away at the shore. It is truly something to behold.
Along the way, we would see surfers in spots we couldn't even fathom - how did they get there? How can they catch those powerful waves? How can they be out there knowing they could be eaten at any time? YIKES!
The shore landscape was also changing along the way. We passed through rugged cliffs, lush areas, scrubby coastline and traversed swichback roads that had us putting the
windows down and staring straight ahead for fear we would be seeing our breakfast or lunch again.
The Great Ocean Road is truly set up for tourists. The sights are well marked and there are plenty of washroom facilities along the way. The viewing areas have lovely boardwalks and paths out to the viewing points and every platform gives you a view that makes you gasp in awe. Some sights have multiple platforms and we quickly leanred why you want to take the tiem to get to each one. Every turn gives you a different perspective of the same sight and each view is like a present you just opened. I took picture after picture after picture but I couldn't help it. If you take the time to watch the Smilebox of the Great Ocean Road sights, you will see why.
The highlight for all of us, was the Twelve Apostles. I don't know if it was extra special given the time of year, with Easter approaching or just seeing something you've heard about in real life, being there as the sun was setting (sunrise and sunset are the best times to be there) or just the awe of the site itself. Even Sam was taken by the beauty of it and openly commented about it. Also, watching the sun set on it with the hundreds of other people who were there and the silence as we were all gobsmacked by it's beauty. It was a powerful experience.
The Great Ocean Road officially begins at Torquay and follows the coastline all the way to Warmambool. It is about a 4 hour drive but it took us 2 full days because of all the sights to see. There is a great number of wildlife to see along this route depending on the time of year. You can take in some great whale watching along this coastline depending on the time of year - we weren't here at the right time THIS drive but hopefully we will have the chance to get back.
We stayed the night at a caravan park in Torquay and could feel the surfing vibe STRONG with the shops and outlets specifically geared to the surfing crowd here. It is a playground for those who can afford the surf coast lifestyle and we were a bit envious. Torquay is the home of Bells Beach and the birthplace of surf brands like Rip Curl and Quicksilver. Torquay is Victoria's surfing capital and we happened upon it just prior to a huge surf competition to be starting that weekend: The Rip Curl Pro.
We settled into our cabin and the boys went about exploring the park, bouncing on the giant pillow and playing ping pong and just getting some much needed activity while Dan and I enjoyed some much needed quiet time.
The next morning we wentout to Bell's Beach before heading back out on the road. Bells Beach was alive with activity as preparations were being made for the big competition - tents were being erected, sound systems hooked up, sponsor branding being hung. There were a few surfers out already and we watched them a while from above. It always feels surreal to me to see a surfer because I spent most of my life watching them on TV, in old Elvis movies or in Point Break. We don't know if any of the big names were out when we were there but we'd like to think they were. We climbed down to the beach level and the boys played a bit and pretended to be surfers. It was sunny but it was brisk so we didn't venture into the water - also the force of the waves crashing on the shore and the giant beach sign convinced us that swimming was not an activity we wanted to enjoy at Bells Beach.
On the way back up to the car, we came upon a hang glider getting reading to step off the cliff. We chatted with another hang glider and learned that the updraft off the cliff makes this an ideal place for taking flight. He told us that the day before, they spent 3 1/2 hours in flight going up and down the coast. Wow - peaceful and beautiful. I asked if they are exhausted by the time they land from the exertion but he said you just "chill" - relax up there and enjoy the ride. As he said that, the fellow in the glider stepped off and up and away he went. Amazing.
We left Torquay and headed West and it wasn't long before we were treated to the beauty of the road. I have never seen the ocean look so vast and blue as on the road. I don't know if it is because of the elevation you travel on parts or the knowledge that the next piece of continent south is Antarctica. We discussed the sharks that this coastline is known for (we were told repeatedly that we should not swim in there) and the power of the waves as they cut away at the shore. It is truly something to behold.
Along the way, we would see surfers in spots we couldn't even fathom - how did they get there? How can they catch those powerful waves? How can they be out there knowing they could be eaten at any time? YIKES!
The shore landscape was also changing along the way. We passed through rugged cliffs, lush areas, scrubby coastline and traversed swichback roads that had us putting the
windows down and staring straight ahead for fear we would be seeing our breakfast or lunch again.The Great Ocean Road is truly set up for tourists. The sights are well marked and there are plenty of washroom facilities along the way. The viewing areas have lovely boardwalks and paths out to the viewing points and every platform gives you a view that makes you gasp in awe. Some sights have multiple platforms and we quickly leanred why you want to take the tiem to get to each one. Every turn gives you a different perspective of the same sight and each view is like a present you just opened. I took picture after picture after picture but I couldn't help it. If you take the time to watch the Smilebox of the Great Ocean Road sights, you will see why.
The highlight for all of us, was the Twelve Apostles. I don't know if it was extra special given the time of year, with Easter approaching or just seeing something you've heard about in real life, being there as the sun was setting (sunrise and sunset are the best times to be there) or just the awe of the site itself. Even Sam was taken by the beauty of it and openly commented about it. Also, watching the sun set on it with the hundreds of other people who were there and the silence as we were all gobsmacked by it's beauty. It was a powerful experience.
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| This picture slideshow generated with Smilebox |
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