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”
.
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.
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