Great Ocean Road

I’ve never been a big fan of Australia. I admit, It is a beautiful country but it doesn’t have the right vibes that would made me fall in love. But this place is different. This place got me definitely! Great Ocean Road is great!

Rising out of the Southern Ocean, alongside Australia’s famous Great Ocean Road, you’ll find the 12 Apostles – the most popular (and instagrammable) natural attraction in Australia and most visited part of Port Campbell National Park. I’m talking about limestone pillars that were once connected to the mainland cliffs. Waves and wind carved them into caves, then arches, and eventually battered them down into 45-meter tall columns. There are, in fact, only eight Apostles at the moment, but who knows when the next stretches of cliff will become pillars.

Since I saw the first picture on Instagram I had this place on my bucket list so when my Tinder date on my last layover in Melbourne suggested to take me there next time I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve been just waiting for a longer layover and 32 hours seemed to be enough for this trip. So how to get there? The best way is to rent a car and drive. The scenic 4,5 – hour drive form Melbourne via Geelong along the Great Ocean Road is not only a way, it might be goal itself. So beautiful drive is. But also very winding, so not that easy for every stomach. You can do it as we did – wake up early (I went straight after my arrival) and enjoy the drive. Stay for night in small town Aireys Inlet with popular Fairheaven beach – great holiday destination for families, beach lovers and surfers. Next day go back taking the shorter 3,5-hour inland route along the Princes Highway. If you don’t want to drive From Melbourne there are also many options for day tours, with accommodation available for short trips and longer stays.

You can’t really walk among these spectacular columns. It’s dangerous and protected. The closest look you can get is panoramic view from the viewing platform. There leads small touristic path starting at Apostles Visitor Centre. The best viewing time is at dawn or dusk, when you might also see little penguins. Or take 7-kilometer moderate walk on boardwalk, crushed gravel, steps and rubber tiles (sometimes maybe even with kangaroos) from Princetown. If you’re keen to enjoy a longer walk, there is an another option – four-day 12 Apostles Lodge Walk with superb eco-retreat accommodation. Full scenery you can get with a helicopter flight tour over the 12 Apostles. Flights depart throughout the day from the heliport behind the 12 Apostles Visitor Centre. From above you might see not only the world-famous limestone stacks but also Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, the Grotto, the Bay of Islands, and the entire Shipwreck Coast all the way to Cape Otway, site of the oldest lighthouse in Australia (1848).

Because I have limited time and budget and I can’t really get closer to 12 Apostles as I pictured I much more enjoyed our next stop – Loch Ard Gorge. It’s easily accessed by car (linked by three car parks) but it’s not as well known and crowded as 12 Apostles and you can really enjoy the beach and even swim in the ocean. It was here that the Loch Ard, probably Victoria’s most famous shipwreck, was smashed against Muttonbird Island in 1878 with only two young survivors. I fell in love with this place and in comparison to 12 Apostles Loch Ard Gorge was almost empty! Water quite cold but so refreshing. 🙂

Before we left coastal town Aireys Inlet we have stopped at very picturesque lighthouse which stands on the Shipwreck coast since 1891. It’s a must-see attraction once you are nearby like us. The view over the wild and dangerous coastline where hundreds of ships have crashed will take your breath away.