Day 89 - Tuesday 2nd April 2024

Up early, and into breakfast at 07:00 after publishing yesterdays blog. Room all packed away, and checked out and onto the road at 09:00, escaping the busy Melbourne streets onto the busy motorways (with Google Maps sending me wrong once) and into the countryside.

About 80km on the M1 followed before the first stop of the day at Harry's Lookout. Then into Torquay and the seafront for a coffee before moving on once more.

The next stops were at Anglesey Scenic Lookout and Urquhart Bluff Lookout before I reached the iconic Memorial Arch that marks the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road. Built by returning soldiers after the first world war between 1919 and 1932, it is dedicated to the fallen; the road is the worlds largest war memorial.

Onwards to Erskine Falls, which was a lovely waterfall, spoiled only by the fact that I wasn't there alone! Why do people have to make so much noise and ruin the beautiful sound of the falling water ...... or go beyond the viewpoint barriers and ruin the photos?

Anyway, down the 230 steps to the lower viewpoint, and the effort was well worth the reward; it was better from the lower site than the higher.

As I made my way back up to the car park, the rain caught up with me, and was a fairly constant companion for the rest of the day. From Erskine Falls I went to Teddys Lookout which gave a view of the winding road ahead.

The next stop was planned to be Sheoak Falls, but there were no car park spaces at all, and it was also hammering down with rain, so I moved on and Mount Defiance Lookout was the next stop.

Onwards once more, and Kennett River was the next stop and Koala Cafe ..... the rain had stopped as I left the car and made my way a couple of hundred metres along the road to where a small crowd of people stood. The heavens opened and they dispersed, but I sheltered under a tree for a few minutes until it eased a bit, then saw the Koala up in the tree that they had been looking at. 

I made my way back to the car before I was soaked, even though I had my raincoat on that doesn't protect the legs! Back onto the road once more, and Cape Patton Lookout was the next stop, where a view along the coast was obscured in part by the rainstorms lashing down there. 

I had one more planned stop at Marriners Lookout at Apollo Bay; up the steep hill to the car park, but the rain seemed set in. I'd passed my accommodation for the night on my way into Apollo Bay, so this is something that I can revisit tomorrow morning if the weather improves ... the current forecast shows the morning much like today, but the rain clearing away after 11:00.

Into town to have a small explore (and get some beers in as I won't be able have any until I've stopped driving for the day) .... I was a bit too early for dinner, so I drove back up the road to my accommodation and checked in. I have a room facing the sea which is just across the road, so suspect I may spend the evening watching the surf until it gets too dark!

Into town for a fish and chip supper before returning to the room, and a fantastic view of a rainbow out to sea before settling in for the night to the sound of the surf against the beach.