Thursday, March 3, 2016

Wednesday, March 2 – The Arch, London Bridge, The Grotto, Bay of Martyrs, Bay of Islands, Dunes, Ocean, and Pelicans – Port Campbell, VIC to Robe, SA

We started off our journey this morning earlier than usual! We couldn’t wait to be done with the “Port of Call Hotel”.  But the day ahead more than made up for it!!

We drove along the Great Ocean Road on a plateau surrounded by 8’ to 10’ high Tea-tree and Coast Beard heath. The white clouds scuffled in the baby-blue sky, and bright yellow road signs warned us about the “’Roos”
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We soon realized this is the true “ocean” and all claims that the Great Ocean Road is one of the best ocean drives “in the world” are true. Have we mentioned the propensity of the Aussies to say that everything is “world famous…..best in the world…….top tourist site in the world….the most livable city in the world?” We used to think it was only the Americans who said that; but I think the Australians top them!! 

We stopped at a number of “highlights” along the route and marveled at each of them: we not only marveled at the physical feat of nature, but at the “gift” we have been given to be able to see these structures and “learn” more about this amazing earth that we live on. 

We saw how the harsh and extreme weather conditions cause the soft limestone to erode forming these impressive off shore rock formations:  The Arch; London Bridge –  part of which collapsed in the early 1990s; The Grotto; then we were into The Bay of Martyrs, and The Bay of Islands. The one thing I realize we haven’t heard much about are the 700 plus shipwrecks that occurred along this coast. Something more to investigate! 

We passed through towns such as Peterborough, Nullawarre, Port Fairy, Yambuk, Tyrendarra, Mowrawong, Portland, Neslon, Mount Gambier, Millicent, and finally Robe. There was nothing really notable about the towns; Portland was a fairly large town with some old colonial buildings, and a port where the major shipment seemed to be lumber products, both sawdust and logs. Nelson was quite a sweet little town and I had a nice conversation with some pelicans!!


Robe was our chosen destination to relax in for a couple of days, and as we drove in and around it looking for accommodation we knew we had made the right decision. It is a small town, with many interesting points: the fishing boats in the harbour; some sweet historical buildings in the main street – Robe is one of the oldest towns in South Australia being founded as a seaport in 1845 and exports included horses, wool and sheep skins; a unique lake system lying just behind the ocean; numerous walking and running trails; around the corner a 12 k long beach that you can drive a car on; and outside of town, the now well loved by us, coastal bush. 

We had a great dinner in The Robe Hotel on the water front, which provided not only good food but also good entertainment!  There were so many people eating and drinking “out” we were shocked! After all, this is a small town: 1246 plus  population; however, judging by the number of houses there are also many cottage owners, tourists, and other transients who frequent the town. We are looking forward to a good sleep and investigating on foot what the town has to offer.

PS - We discovered that "Wednesdays" are tournament days for the various clubs in the area, and hence the large groups of women, and separately men, all eating out at the Hotel!!
The Arch

London Bridge

The Grotto

Bay of Islands
Bay of Martyrs


Bay of Islands
Timber Mills at Portland
My friend the pelican

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