The Great Ocean Road

I took a 2 day tour of the Great Ocean Road with a company called Natural Treasures. They are geared more towards a slightly older crowd with a bit more money to spend who are a bit more concerned about what they eat and where they sleep. While it was about twice the price as most of the other tour options (three times as much without the discount I got) I decided after what I had just finished dealing with I figured I deserved to treat myself.

There were 5 of us touring (I was younger than the next youngest by at least 30 years) and 2 tour guides (1 was the owner of the company and main tour guide the other was being trained). Touring with such a small group means it costs more, but it is definitely worth it. The van was comfortable, the conversation was so good, and the guides were outstanding.

We made our way towards the Great Ocean Road and were greeted with the worst fog the locals have ever seen. Never in my life have I seen such intense, dense fog. It was to the point where you'd be talking with someone and you'd see the fog slowly, quietly make its way between the two of you. You couldn't see past the waves breaking. Unfortunately, this meant we couldn't see the beautiful coast that is the highlight of this part of the drive and we couldn't see Bells Beach either (a major surfing beach and the home of brands like Rip Curl and Quicksilver). We stopped to see it, but everything was so gray and the fog was so dense you couldn't see much at all. The sun managed to show itself for just a quick second and our guide pulled over right away so we could get at least one photo with the sun. We didn't let the fog get us down though. We enjoyed seeing the wild kangaroos, koalas, and birds. The birds were so crazy - landing on our arms, backs, heads, climbing up our sweatshirts, and other crazy stuff.

We drove into the forest for a walk, but the walk was closed unexpectedly because a tree had fallen, so the guide decided we would go check out a light house he knew of instead and we would do a different forest walk in the morning. This is one of the other benefits to a small group - being able to alter the itinerary as needed. Where the lighthouse was was perfectly clear. Turns out they didn't get the fog that the rest of the coast got so we got a nice view from the top. We also got to check out an Aboriginal hut and tools and learn about different cultural things from an Aboriginal man.

After dinner it was time to turn in for the night to our villas. It was amazing. I had a unit entirely to myself - full kitchen (with provided biscuits), full bathroom, laundry facilities, living room, and bedroom. There was a fire place, heater, and electric blankets. Going to bed I still couldn't get an idea of the view because of the fog, but falling asleep to the sound of the water was enough for me. In the morning I woke to the sound of the water and the songs of the local birds. As soon as I woke I jumped out of bed and yanked back the curtains all while hoping the fog was finally cleared up... AND IT WAS!!! The view was just beautiful. My bedroom window and back patio doors opened up to look out over the edge of the cliff to the water. I got to watch the sun rise over the water as I got ready for my day and I made friends with the birds who were pretty certain they were going to come inside. The sky could have been clearer, it was still a pretty cloudy day, but I'll take anything over that awful fog.

After a yummy breakfast we did a cool walk through the forest and then headed out to the 12 Apostles. I treated myself again and paid extra to do a short helicopter tour over the 12 Apostles - definitely a cool way to see it all. We also checked out Loch Ard Gorge, which has an amazing story behind it, and London Bridge, which also has a pretty interesting story. We checked out a few other places like Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands and then headed to Cheese World for a cheese tasting. I've never done a cheese tasting before and have never really been into the flavored or fancy cheeses, but the garlic and black pepper cheese was too good. After Cheese World and an yummy strawberry milkshake we headed to Logan Beach to check out the whales. There were quite a few, but unfortunately they were taking it easy and wouldn't show us anymore than a flipper or two. Then it was time for the long ride back to Melbourne and then a relatively long tram ride to where I'm staying.

Loch Ard Gorge

London Bridge

Whale Flipper

This was such an unexpected trip considering I thought at this time of this week I'd still be working, but things really worked out. I had such a great time with the tour guides and the other people on the tour. I got to see and do things I hadn't seen or done yet. I got to get out of Melbourne and just enter a different space physically and mentally. Seriously, at times I completely forgot I was still only a couple hours away from the city. It was so refreshing and just what I needed. I'm so glad I got to do this before I went home and I'm so glad I spent a little extra money to treat myself. The people who live here are so lucky to have something like the Great Ocean Road so close to home.