Day 1- The Great Ocean Road
For my 25th birthday I decided to give myself one of the best presents of going on The Great Ocean Road Trip. It is on lots of bucket list and highlight of places to visit. I did lots of research on the internet through websites, blogs, and maps. I didn’t want to miss anything.
Claire another American from South Carolina that was Au Pair in Australia that I meet agreed to go with me. We decided to meet in the city to go over plans. We decided to walk down Centre Pl Ally to see a place to eat. We decided to eat at Aix Cafe Creperie. It is just a tinny tinny cafe with a couple tables crammed inside. Our server Adam was another American from Alabama. As we were planning I came up with a idea to ask him to go with us even though we were leaving a couple days later. He surprisingly agreed to join!
I was a au pair for a family in Carrum Downs, AUS which is about a hour out of the big city. Claire stayed over the night before as we were going to be leaving early in the morning to only having a few days available. That morning I woke up excited and ready! As the weather in Victoria I found to change a lot I packed for a little of everything. We left on October 29 (Spring to Summer).
Tips For The Trip:
- There are signs and lookouts everywhere. We had plenty of time to spend a half hour at each spot if not more each day. Do it take your time and if you see something you think is extra pretty stop and look. The whole drive is pretty and there is something to see.
- 3 days was plenty to do everything. I never felt rushed.
- Take clothes for all weather. It can be warm one second and than freezing the next. Bugs are a issue to so bring bug repellent and sunscreen.
- Takes snacks and drinks… if you want to save money.
- Make sure you don’t forget your camera.
- HAVE FUN!
Day 1
First Day we left the city around 7am; after Claire and I picked Adam up. It took us about (2 1/2 hours Drive) to get to The Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostle which are limestone were named by tourism in the 1920s. Currently there are only eight Apostle left. One thing I can tell you I didn’t expect was all the bugs. It was crazy! It was actually hard to get a picture without one getting in the way. I thought the Apostle were cool, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t what I expected. It was packed, very popular. I wish that we got there even earlier before everyone. We had to wait a long time to wait for people to get out of the way to get a picture. It was impossible to get a picture of all eight in one picture, from all the spots we visited. That being said each apostle was unique and cool and it is a bit sad that they will not be there at all one day.
https://greatoceanroadmelbournetours.com.au/blog/history-of-the-12-apostles/
3 Min: The Razor Back Loch Ard Gorge
14 Min: Port Campbell National Park
We checked in at Port Campbell Hostel around 1pm. We choice that hostel because it had a lot of good review. It was clean and the staff was friendly. I would recommend it for sure. I went through Airbnb because it was a little cheaper than buying from Port Campbell itself. The hostel has its own website so check their rates to compare when you go http://portcampbellhostel.com.au/.
Right Outside of Port Campbell: The Arch & London Bridge
8 Min: The Grotto
One of my favorite place I had a pleasure to experience. We were there at a good time with the light and the water it was a sight I’m so happy I didn’t miss.
5 Min: Worm Bay
It was a dirty beach, rough sand, but still pretty.
4 Min: Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands was a little bit hard to find cause we missed it a couple time driving back and forth, it was so worth it we went back to it twice. We stayed for the sunset so the walk back to the car was a little bit scary. There were a couple spots the brush was pretty high and I just felt like something deadly was going to come out and kill me. It didn’t so that is good.
The Drive from Bay of Islands and The Twelve Apostles is a little over a half hour; which is crazy. There is so many amazing in different things to stop and see. After all the research I did there was still more we found the internet didn’t tell me. We took random roads that were on the ocean side, and when we saw signs we would stop and look.
