The Great Ocean Road and more, Australia 2014

Our stay at Queenscliff has been very restful. We have been battling the cold wet southern Victoria winter weather, but it keeps us hopeful with the sun breaking through every once in a while.

Fort Queenscliff

Looking towards Point Lonsdale and the third lighthouse.

The Black Lighthouse located inside Fort Queenscliff

Sunrise over the Bay

WWII gun emplacement and the White Lighthouse

The crew in the observation tower.

Queenscliff is at the opening of Port Phillip Bay just to the east of Torquay

We soon started on our trip along the Great Ocean Road stopping for lunch along the way. One of my first trips here was with Debbie and Christopher in 1996. Christopher was two and a half years old. We had almost the same exact weather. A little sunshine mixed with a bit of cold rain just to keep us alert.

We started out with some beautiful weather, enjoying the sunshine, most of the day. We were traveling in two vehicles, the girls, Debbie, her mum, Vickie and Sandra in Sandra's car. Christopher, Davis, Coleman, Allen and myself in the van.

We intended on this being a day trip out to Port Campbell to see the Twelve Apostles, stopping along the way at several other sites like Bells Beach, the Loch Ard Gorge and Apollo Bay. If I remember correctly we had lunch in Anglesea, at a beautiful little Asian Fusion restaurant. We parked along the beach road and sat at the tables outside, under the gas heaters.

Lunch time getting Christopher's order

It was beautiful looking out at the water. After lunch while walking back towards the car we did a little shopping in the local shops and then decided to have some ice cream before heading on. Not sure that was a good idea, putting ice cream on top of asian noodles.

Christopher's tummy sure didn't think it was. the combination of foods and the winding ocean road soon had us stopping to clean up a mess. Luckily we had a change of clothes for Christopher. Little did we know at the time we would soon be stopping to buy him a shirt and another pair of sweat pants. The roads was doing a number on him.

Well with the frequent stops and added shopping we were running out of daylight and we still hadn't made it to see the Twelve Apostles. After one more stop we finally made it to Port Campbell but the sun was already setting, so we decided to find a place to stay the night and try again the next day.

She's a beaut mate! Hey, it is clean and the people were friendly.

The girls found us three rooms at the the Twelve Apostles Motel & Country Retreat, Christopher was ready for a shower and bed. Oh, he did somehow find the strength to eat several pieces of pizza before retiring to bed. He was quick to recover from the ill effects of the road and had plenty of room for something to eat.

Anxiously waiting for breakfast. I have to say it was worth the wait!

12 Rocks Cafe and Beach Bar Port Campbell Australia

We started off the next morning with breakfast in Port Campbell, we sat there long enough for a monsoon storm to pass by before heading out to see the Twelve Apostles. Just a few miles back up the road, past where we spent the night, is the entrance to the Twelve Apostles site.

Wish I could take credit for this picture, breathtaking colors!

This is an amazing site to see, there are only 8 remaining rock formations, the southern ocean has taken it's toll on the others. We were lucky enough to be able to miss the storms in the area to see everything, without getting wet. I was able to get some great shots with the rainbows over the water.

Christopher striking a pose.

 

The rain is coming in again. Time to head back.

The rock formations stand as high as 45 meters (nearly 150 feet), the surrounding cliffs reach 70 meters, (over 200 feet). Over the years this has been one of the most treacherous sections of shoreline in Australia, with many shipwrecks and lost lives.

To keep ourselves safe and Princess Vom Vom in good health, we are heading back to Queenscliff via the main highway. Should be a little straighter road and less likely to cause Barfarella any issues. We love you Christopher, but the car stinks and we are out of paper towels!