May Squares #31 The End

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

Even though the Great Ocean Road is only 243 kilometres long, we spent six days driving and exploring along this scenic route. On day seven we reached the western end of the road where it joins the A1. 

A left hand turn would have taken us further along the Shipwreck Coast to places we’ve been before; the seaside city of Warrnambool, the historic town of Portland and beyond to a favourite of ours, the beautiful fishing village of Port Fairy. 

But this time we turned right, heading east towards Colac then north to Ballarat to visit family. This was the start of our long journey home to Queensland – just another 1,800 kilometres to go!

May Squares #30 Moving Images

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

The Great Ocean Road

As a passenger on this road trip, it was my job to navigate and while not doing that, I took photos through the windscreen, recording our journey in the rain

and on sunny days. 

Several times we had to stop for roadworks in places where the road was being upgraded. 

We marvelled at homes overlooking the ocean, envying them their spectacular views, 

although this home might be a step too far (or too high). 

And every day we were awestruck, as we followed the curves of the coastline, by the beautiful scenery along the Great Ocean Road.

May Squares #29 At Day’s End

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

Bay of Islands Coastal Park

It was early evening by the time we reached the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, our last stop on the Great Ocean Road. 

In the fading light the colours of the limestone stacks deepened and the contrast between the red earth and bluish green of the cushion bushes was even more stark.

Groups of sea birds, clustered together on the rocks, looked more at home than these two corellas. We wondered how long it would be before they moved on, finding somewhere more hospitable to spend the night. 

May Squares #28 The Grotto

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

The Grotto, Port Campbell National Park

From above, the Grotto looks no different from the rest of the rugged and constantly changing landscape along the coast, and the weatherworn sign isn’t encouraging. 

But halfway down the twisting staircase into the small gorge, there are glimpses of something intriguing. 

It’s only when you reach the floor of the small gorge and turn to face the ocean that the true beauty of the Grotto is revealed. 

May Squares #27 London Bridge

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world.

~

London Bridge, Port Campbell National Park

On 15th January, 1999, tourists exploring the double arched formation known as London Bridge were stranded when, without warning, the arch connected to the mainland suddenly collapsed into the sea. Fortunately no one was injured and the people caught on the limestone bridge were rescued by helicopter. 

Like all the formations in the national park, this dramatic change to the natural bridge was caused by the constant movement of wind and water. Eventually the second arch will also fall into the sea, creating two new stacks. 

I remember walking out to the end of the bridge when I visited in the 1980s. This time, with the first arch missing, we could only see it from the safety of a platform on the mainland. 

May Squares #26 In Bloom

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

Western Headland, Port Campbell National Park

Springtime brings an abundance of wildflowers to the coastal heath on the cliff tops of Port Campbell National Park and, by the time we arrived at the start of October, they were blooming everywhere. 

• Prickly Tea Tree, laden with tiny white flowers and scented leaves 

• Port Campbell guinea-flower, endemic to this area and found only on the cliffs between Port Campbell and Peterborough

• also native to this part of Victoria, Australian pig face or sea fig

• Xanthorrhoea australis, the grass tree – its tall spike covered in hundreds of miniature white flowers, each perfectly formed with six tiny petals. The flowers, full of nectar, are a magnet for honey-eaters. 

And many others we couldn’t identify but whose beauty stopped us in our tracks. 

It was hard to decide which was more spectacular – the wildflowers or the view. 

May Squares #25 The Port Campbell Discovery Walk, Part Two

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

Port Campbell 

After retracing our steps over the headland, back down the staircase and across the bridge, we continued on the path into town. At the foreshore of Port Campbell Bay the water looked calm and welcoming, and a few people were even swimming. 

But when we walked further around and on to the jetty, we saw the ocean from a different perspective. Closer to the entrance of the bay, the water was churning in a relentless rush of crashing waves. 

From the jetty we walked up the grassy hill, stopping along the way to read about Port Campbell and its people.

In the Memorial Reserve we found the Port Campbell Soldiers Memorial. Originally dedicated to local men who died in World War One, a second plaque commemorates those who lost their lives during the Second World War. 

Remember that lone figure we could see from the western headland? We found where he was standing, at Prady’s Lookout. 

After a long walk exploring both the western and eastern headlands, the Sow & Piglets Brewery was a welcome sight. There was no better way to finish the day than with local beer for Glen, a warming hot chocolate for me and freshly made pizza to share. 

Also joining Jo for Monday Walks

May Squares #24 The Port Campbell Discovery Walk, Part One

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

Port Campbell

From the centre of town, the Port Campbell Discovery Walk goes in two directions. We decided to do the longer section of the walk first, up onto the western headland. 

To get there we had to cross the tidal flats of Campbell’s Creek and climb 191 steps to the top of the hill.

As we went up expansive views of the creek and the bridge, the town and Port Campbell Bay opened up before us. 

At the top, the track led through dense coastal heath. At times the slope dropped away dramatically, revealing views of the southern ocean and the sheer limestone cliffs of the headland. 

Looking eastwards we could see Sentinel Rock just off the coast and, in the distance,  Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles.

Closer was the eastern headland. Do you see that person, standing at a viewing platform? That’s where we went next. 

Also joining Jo for Monday Walks

May Squares #23 Thunder Cave

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

Thunder Cave, Port Campbell National Park

When the southern ocean is forced through a narrow gap into this deep gorge the water churns in a tumultous foaming mass. 

The force builds up until huge waves rush into Thunder Cave, where they hit the back wall and push back out again. A loud boom resonates outwards and a cloud of seaspray fills the entrance of the cave. 

May Squares #22 30,000 Kilometres Around the World

Postcards from The Great Ocean Road ~ Joining Becky for May Squares, featuring scenes along Victoria’s  iconic Great Ocean Road.

#SquaresRenew ~ moving forward, reconstructing, renewing or burgeoning

The heritage listed Great Ocean Road follows the coast of south-eastern Victoria from Torquay to Allansford for 241 kilometres, past beautiful sandy beaches and bays, through lush rainforests and over rugged limestone cliffs. Built by soldiers returned from World War One between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. Construction of the road provided employment for more than 3,000 returned servicemen, giving them purpose and providing much needed rehabilitation after the horrors of war. The Great Ocean Road linked towns along the coast previously only accessed by sea or tracks through the bush and created a route now acknowledged as one of the most scenic tourist drives in the world. 

~

Mutton Bird Island, Port Campbell National Park

Along with its connection to the sinking of the Loch Ard in 1878, Mutton Bird Island has its own claim to fame. In September every year around 12,000 mutton birds come to breed on the island, after travelling 15,000 kilometres from the Aleutian Islands in the Bering Strait. 

Also known as short-tailed shearwaters, mutton birds have several breeding sites, including Mutton Bird Island, on the coast of southern Australia. Each pair lays one egg which hatches in January. By April, the adult birds are ready to return to the northern hemisphere, while their chicks wait until they are fully grown before beginning their own migration. 

The return journey takes about four weeks, following a route from Australia to Japan then onto Siberia and northern Alaska. The birds rest over the northern summer before beginning their incredible journey south once more.