Worth a visit: the great ocean road
Australia's spectacular Great Ocean Road stretches from Melbourne to Adelaide and boasts rugged cliffs, raging surf, tranquil bays, lush rainforests, towering rock stacks, historic villages and fascinating wildlife...
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most unforgettable road trips. The very best of Australia's local produce is available at some of the local wineries and organic food markets dotting the peninsula.
The first must-see on the route is Queenscliff, which marks the far Eastern tip of the Bellarine Peninsula. Its heyday was in the ‘Marvellous Melbourne' era of the 1880's when it was known as the ‘Queen of the South,' due to its maritime history.
Queenscliff has now been restored to its former glory and is a fashionable seaside resort boasting renovated Victorian buildings housing art galleries, boutique shops, restaurants and hotels.
On a watery note, the huge military fortress guarding the entrance to Port Phillip Bay has been fully restored and towers above lush golf courses, antique shops, spotless beaches and a tree-lined foreshore which sweeps majestically out to sea.
The next stop on the Great Ocean Road is the charming fishing village of Barwon Heads, which lies at the mouth of the Barwon River, southwest of Melbourne.
Best known for being home to Victoria's longest wooden bridge, (which stretches to Ocean Grove where you will find one of the best beaches in Victoria) Barwon Heads also has peaceful river beaches and a stunning estuary.
Lucky for some, this famous sandy beach is called Thirteenth Beach and is hugely popular with surfers. Further along the Coast lies well-known Bells Beach with its enormous waves. Bells is a must for the hardcore surfer.
From huge waves to dangerous rips. Point Lonsdale sits in a quiet village overlooking The Rip, which is the notorious entrance to Port Phillip Bay. This narrow outlet, where bay and ocean waters collide, has been the setting for many shipwrecks as sailors battled to navigate through one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the world.
Point Lonsdale offers fabulous views of the Melbourne skyline and the majestic granite peaks of the You Yang Mountains. You can pass the time by swimming on the beautiful foreshore, gorging on blue mussels or visiting one of the areas' many craft markets, all bursting with a range of local goodies.
Top of many sightseeing lists are the Twelve Apostles. These giant rock stacks are one of the world's most photographed natural phenomena and are a central feature of the spectacular Vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=175">Port Campbell National Park.
Sea spray and strong winds gradually eroded the soft limestone cliffs, creating arches, which, on their collapse, formed rock islands as high as 45 metres.
The natural elements have now reduced the 12 apostles to eight, which visitors can see from viewing platforms set on a neighbouring cliff. Dazzling at any time of day, the golden light at sunrise and sunset ensures the Apostles are witnessed at their breathtaking best.
Picture by absolutewade