Travel Guides and Stories

Today, I’m introducing the Great Ocean Road. I’ve already written 17 travelogues about Melbourne. Before starting the “Sydney Series,” there are still a few overlooked spots I have to add—like the Great Ocean Road, which I drove along quite some time ago.

Because I had to drive, I couldn’t take many photos, so there isn’t enough for a full post—instead, I’m including it here in “Miscellaneous Notes.” I’m not a big fan of driving, so for those who like to take it easy, I recommend joining a one-day tour from Chinatown. It only costs a few dozen dollars and saves time and hassle. But if you love driving, the twists and turns and ups and downs of the Great Ocean Road will definitely thrill you. (Tip: rent a good car; some steep hills are tough for old vehicles.)

The weather was gray when I left, but by noon, the sun came out. From Melbourne, you pass through Geelong (which I’ve covered before), and there isn’t much worth photographing for over 100 km until Torquay—the official start of the Great Ocean Road. Halfway there, I noticed all the cars in front stopped by the roadside, so I stopped too out of curiosity. Turns out everyone was looking at wild koalas hanging in the trees (see uploaded photo). Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day, so it’s rare to see them active. This stretch is said to be one of the best places to spot wild koalas.

From Torquay to the “Twelve Apostles” is about 160 km—still quite a distance, but the scenery along the way is beautiful. There are also many idyllic little towns where you can stop for a rest and a cup of coffee (I forgot to take photos). The Twelve Apostles are located in Port Campbell National Park, which has a large parking lot.

The Twelve Apostles

The Great Ocean Road was built by World War I veterans in memory of their fallen comrades, making it similar in meaning to a “martyrs’ shrine.”

The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are a group of limestone stacks on the southern coast of Victoria. For most people driving the Great Ocean Road, they’re the endpoint. These twelve rocks stand proudly along the coast, creating a spectacular sight. However, due to erosion, only eight are left today—the last collapse occurred in 2005.

The Twelve Apostles

One day, these rocks will completely disappear into the sea, so friends and fellow travelers, pack your bags and see them while you still can.

Back then, I hadn’t planned on writing a travelogue, so I took a bunch of close-ups and all sorts of bizarre, outrageous poses—too wild to share! So, there are only a few photos, but that’s fine for a miscellaneous entry.

Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Ard Gorge

Many people turn back after seeing the Twelve Apostles, but if you keep going west, there are even more spectacular sights. The 10-kilometer stretch between Port Campbell and Peterborough is the most enchanting section of the Great Ocean Road.