The penultimate day of the holiday sees us wake up in lovely accomodation in Apollo Bay. As we drove straight from the airport we didn't have time to pick up breakfast provisions so I took the opportunity to have brunch in Apollo Bay.
Winter season here still but the town is pleasantly buzzing with locals and tourists. I get a nice feeling from the place. It reminds me of North Devon; parts of the landscape remind ROsie of Scotland. Either way it is warmer than the two and has yellow flowered Banksia trees in the gardens and Parrots picking through the grass in front of the shops. The sea is a piercing blue here with magnificent waves, and despite regular reports of Southern Wright Whales in the area over the past 2 weeks we learn that there are no sitings currently. More the shame.
Brunch was excellent and we then explored the many lovely shops, picking up a few special items on the way. Once we felt we had thoroughly done the towns shops justice we headed out on a day of exploring in the car.
Following the tourist map we headed west through Marengo on the great ocean road. Our first stop was Shell Beach. I was interested to see what the beach had that you didn't see in the perfect arc of Apollo Bay. On the way down to the beach we walk though part of the Otway National Park. Pristine Forest of massive tall Gums and in deep gulleys, towering tree ferns. Jokingly Rosie walked ahead on the lookout for snakes and Izzee was supposed to be looking skywards for Koalas. However Rosie was the first to spot one high in the treetops fast asleep. They are native here. Down to the beach and we were mesmerised by the sea's huge powerful waves. We picked about in the rock pools and collected a few pretty shells. On the way back up to the car we spotted another Koala this time chomping away on a gum tree. We realised that if you came across relatively fresh koala poo on the floor you were likely to find one if you looked straight up.
We travelled on the ocean road but then truned off inland heading into the heart of the forest. The road turned into a dirt track but nevertheless it was worth it to get immersed in the native forests; huge tree ferns everywhere. Soon the forest turned into plantation relfecting the long timber history in the region.
Afternoon snack was had at the Otway Fly treetop walk but we decided to miss out on the experience; we had seen and driven through the forest in it's wild form and the girls were non plussed about an aerial walkway.
So I decided to head for the 12 Apostles; it is a fair drive away and I was not sure it would keep the girls interested. I was quite wrong......
The 12 Apostles National Park is rightfully a tourist honey pot in the area. Even in the depths of winter is was teaming with people. The first view of the coastline is had at Gibsons Steps. Here you can get down to the beach and experience the majesty of the cliffs and the incredible power of the sea. Nowhere else had we seen such huge waves. The beautiful honey coloured cliffs glowed in the afternoon sun. On we went to the main visitor centre with it's helicopter business next door and a mdern toilet block strikingly designed using rammed earth walls. A well designed and landscaped walk took us under the main road and out to the promontory lookouts. All the pictures you see of the 12 Apostles don't do judtice to the raw power of the sea pounding against these stacks of rock in the ocean. An equally impressive view can be had looking rest through wave after wave of breakers onwards towards Princetown. There is nothing between here and Antarctica so the waves are guaranteed to be big.......
We also visited the blowhole and the inlet where the waves shoot inlanbd via narrow passages eroded out of the rock. So the trek was still well worth it.
Back in time for tea in Apollo Bay Hotel.
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