Great Ocean Road – An Australian Legend

The Route 66 is beautiful – the Great Ocean Road is overwhelming. Those who have driven both the Australian scenic route and the 66 agree that the American version fades in comparison.

More than 300 kilometres long, the Great Ocean Road winds its way along the limestone cliffs of Australia’s southern coast. It marks the line that separate the lonely Southern Ocean from Victoria’s rolling hills hiding virgin forests and magnificent waterfalls.

Armed with a pick and a shovel, the soldiers returning from the First World War hacked the road into the stone. The monumental task served two purposes: It created employment and made a region accessible that previously could only be reached by ship.

The starting point for the Great Ocean Road, labelled road 100, is Torquay. The scenic drive always tempts the traveller to pull over: Romantic resort towns like Anglesea and Lorne sport brilliantly white beaches inviting you to take a dip.

A few sharp bends and stunning vistas of the Southern Ocean later, the road takes an inland detour near the quaint fishing village Apollo Bay to meander through the pristine rainforests of the Otway National Park.

The Otway Park has become famous for its large Koala population. The endearing marsupials have unfortunately become rare in other regions. Take the time to wander the eucalypt forests with your neck bend backwards and a picnic scheduled on one of the park’s idyllic beaches.

The closer you get to the Port Campbell National Park, the more rugged and dramatic the scenery becomes. Between Princetown and Port Campbell, the Australian continent plunges vertically into the ocean.

The most famous formation of the Great Ocean Road are the so-called Twelve Apostles, giant rock pillars up to 60 metres high that defy the tumultuous sea tearing at their bases. An inspiring sight!

And a wonderful photo motif: The apostle’s colours change spectacularly with the morning light or the sunset, ranging from a dull grey to glowing gold. Despite the name, there are only eight apostles left; four have already succumbed to the relentless ocean.

The ninth, 50 metres high apostle collapsed recently, on July, 3rd 2005. Erosion continues fast, eating away at the base of the limestone with a speed of approximately 2 centimetres a year.

However, from the land you can only spot seven of the remaining eight apostles. Those who are keen to see the eighth need to hop on a scenic flight, a wonderful experience that offers more than spotting a rock out at sea!

Warrnambool is the end of the line. However, it also a last great highlight. Especially between May and October, the coastal water around Warrnambool transform into a Humpback Whale nursery.

Countless of the gentle giants migrate from the Antarctic to the warmer waters to give birth and raise their young. The 95 tons mammals can be observed on the whale watching cruises or, occasionally, even from the platform at Logan Beach.

Witness a newborn whale’s first steps or, more appropriately, its first Eskimo roll. Pack your swag and go on walk-about Down Under! Australia – continent of dreams, freedom and nature – one bloody hell of a holiday destination!