After a day in Melbourne, we set out west for the Great Ocean Road and Port Campbell. As you can tell from the pictures, it was a little cloudy with a few spots of sun. It was cool and rained a few times, but not really that bad.
The first stop on our journey was Split Point Lighthouse and Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary at Aireys Inlet, where we stretched our legs with a short stroll down to the beach.
After that it was on to Lorne, where we took in views of the Great Ocean Road from Teddy's Lookout and went on a quick walk to Erskine Falls in Great Otway National Park.
From Lorne, we followed the winding coastal route through Apollo Bay to Kennett River, where we got our first glimpse of Australian wildlife. On a recommendation, we walked a short distance up Grey River Road, spotting koalas napping in the branches of gum trees.
We continued on, driving up through the tree-covered hillsides and back down to the coast before reaching Port Campbell, our base for the next couple of days. Here, we would take in Port Campbell National Park, the site of numerous scenic sea stacks up to 70 meters tall.
On the way to our next destination, we stopped at Bay of Islands Coastal Park to see more sea stacks and arches, and at Tower Hill State Game Reserve, just off the Great Ocean Road near Warrnambool, where we walked around an old volcanic crater and saw numerous emus.
The next leg of our journey would take us inland to Halls Gap and Grampians National Park, where the weather would heat up and the kangaroos would abound.
See pictures here and here.
Erskine Falls
Follow the fern-lined trail and steps down to the base of Erskine Falls, one of many waterfalls near Lorne.
Distance: 700 meters round trip. (There's also a 15-kilometer round trip trail from Lorne to Erskine Falls.)
Trailhead: From Lorne, follow William Street and Erskine Falls Road about 8 1/2 kilometers out of town. Turn right and follow the access road about 1 1/2 kilometers downhill to the trailhead.
Twelve Apostles
A path leads under the highway and out a boardwalk to overlooks of the Twelve Apostles, limestone sea stacks off the coast at Port Campbell National Park.
Distance: 1 kilometer round trip.
Trailhead: Follow the Great Ocean Road 10 3/4 kilometers east of Port Campbell to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre.
Loch Ard Gorge
More sea stacks, as well as access to the beach below the cliffs, the Blowhole, Thunder Cave and Broken Head.
Distance: Three trails range from 900 meters to 3 1/4 kilometers round trip.
Trailhead: Follow the Great Ocean Road 7 1/4 kilometers east of Port Campbell to the parking area.
Gibson Steps
Steps were carved down the limestone cliffs to the beach in the 19th century. They're concrete now.
Distance: Unknown; negligible.
Trailhead: Follow the Great Ocean Road 11 3/4 kilometers east of Port Campbell to the parking area.
The Arch
The Arch is pretty self-explanatory - an arch from the cliffs to the sea.
Distance: 280 meters round trip.
Trailhead: The Arch is 6 kilometers west of Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road.
London Bridge
London Bridge used to be a double arch, but one side collapsed.
Distance: 200 meters round trip.
Trailhead: London Bridge is 7 kilometers west of Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road.
The Grotto
The Grotto is another arch, up off the ocean.
Distance: 680 meters round trip.
Trailhead: The Grotto is 8 2/3 kilometers west of Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road.
Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands has numerous sea stacks and arches.
Distance: 1.8 kilometers round trip.
Trailhead: Bay of Islands is 17 3/4 kilometers west of Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road.
Tower Hill Reserve
Tower Hill is a volcanic formation believed to have last erupted 32,000 years ago. Today, there are a handful of trails through and around old craters. We walked up and around a crater and saw several emus.
Distance: Unknown; probably a few kilometers.
Trailhead: From Warrnambool, follow the Princes Highway 12 kilometers west then turn north on the entrance road and take it 1 1/2 kilometers to the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre.
