April 5 Lethbridge to Apollo Bay

After a wonderful evening meal and sleep at the Taberners we departed for the drive to Apollo Bay.  Craig & Lara had lent us their Ford Mondo station wagon which was very roomy and we felt very privileged to be allowed to use their car.  We had decided to drive as we had been advised that the AB airstrip was not very wide nor safe since the rains.

The day was bright and sunny and after wishing Ian (Kevin’s brother) a happy birthday via telephone we headed off with advice on what we should see when heading for the Cape Otway lighthouse.  Our first stop was Torquay to refuel and buy supplies and then locate the entrance to the famous Bells Beach where all the international surf carnivals are held.  The beach access was very steep and the surf was almost non-existent however it was great to actually see this beach.   

 

Kevin & Nanny at Bells Beach


We drove on to Anglesea – a very popular holiday spot where famous landmarks are the two bathing beauties.

Bathing Beauties



Winding our way down the coastline, we were astounded at the beautiful views that opened up around every headland.  The teal blue waters and perfect white waves rolling onto yellow sand or craggy rocks is the perfect outlook for any holiday maker.  The hills got steeper and the houses fewer past Airey’s inlet and Moggs Creek – where the most spectacular pole house stood out against the sky line.

Round many u corners and 35km bends we wound further down the

Great Ocean Road

with the sun shining constantly on the beautiful beach & coastal views.  Lorne is quite a large holiday resort with many motels, shops and very picturesque.  Stopping at many view points to take photos we passed both old and new holiday homes, Kennett River Caravan Park and Skenes Creek until Apollo Bay opened out before us.

As Karen was still at work I decided to show Kevin the local airstrip.  We introduced ourselves to the local pilot and took a walk out to find that the strip though narrow, was well sealed and the grass alongside was quite long but the ground hard – we could have landed there after all!

I finally found the way to direct Kevin to Paradise where I had seen the most magnificent holiday chalets when I had visited a few years ago.

Barnam Road Paradise Chalets

The drive up was through tropical rainforest full of tree ferns and wrens.  Kevin & Nanny were most impressed with both the forest and countryside considering we were so close to the coast.  Coming up to the chalets we found that they were for sale – Oh how exciting…… And we found out that they were only asking 1.94m$  [read….cough, cough, choke…..choke]  Oh well, it was well worth the drive.  The entire valley was very pretty and appealing in the afternoon April sunshine.  On the return drive we stopped at the picnic spot where I had previously seen a platypus however he was not to be seen anywhere this time.

We drove to Karen’s place to wait for her to come home from work but were very surprised to find her and Kristy already home.  With much excitement, we greeted each other and the remainder of the afternoon and evening was spent:- settling in, chatting, preparing the room, chatting, organizing dinner, chatting, walking the dogs, chatting and just talking a bit (hehe) [For those who don’t know Karen was a great friend from Mundijong until she left some 3 years ago to move to Apollo Bay – so we had a bit of catching up to do.]