Today was all about the Great Ocean Road – one of the most famous and beautiful roads in Australia. But even before our alarm clock rang today, we heard the rain splashing outside. Unfortunately not good conditions to drive along the coastal road.
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The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre scenic route on Australia’s south coast between Torquay and Allansford. It is one of the most popular destinations in the whole country and one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Every year, up to 8 million visitors visit this beautiful coastal road. Because of its historical and cultural importance, it is also listed as a national monument on the Australian National Heritage List. In 2004, the Great Ocean Walk was opened, a 104 km long walk along the coastline near the Great Ocean Road from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles.
You can download a good overview map here.
A map of the Great Ocean Road in Australia
The Bay of Islands
We drove the Great Ocean Road from the west towards Melbourne. Our first stop on the route was the Bay of Islands, a bay made up of many solitary rocks. From the viewpoint you had a great view of the bay – with now also slightly better weather.
The Grotto
Our next stop was at The Grotto. Through the rock breakthrough you have a view of the water basin behind it, which gives a nice contrast to the roaring waves coming in.
Die London Bridge
The London Arch is a natural rock arch. Until 1990, it was a double arch with a connection to the mainland. However, it collapsed in January 1990.
More photo spots on the Great Ocean Road
In the further course of the Great Ocean Road there are always interesting viewpoints and photo spots.
The 12 Apostles
For many, the 12 Apostles are the highlight on the Great Ocean Road. This can also be seen in the specially built information centre and the huge parking lot. If you go to the observation decks, you will see limestone rocks up to 45 meters high, standing in the sea. But not 12 pieces. Currently there are only eight rocks left, but even when it was named in the 1950s, there were only nine rocks.
Koalas in Great Otway National Park
In the run-up to our trip we had researched where in Australia you can see koalas in the wild. And on the Great Ocean Road we found 2 special places here. On the one hand, there is a junction (see Google Maps) to the “Cape Otway Lightstation” in the middle of the Great Ocean Road. About halfway to the coast, you have the opportunity to discover koalas in the eucalyptus trees on the right and left of the road in Great Otway National Park.
We just kept to a small indentation and looked out a little in the eucalyptus trees above us. And indeed, we were able to find several koalas 🙂 In a tree above our car, a koala mom slept with her baby in her arm. Some of the koalas can also be found at the top of the tree tops. A little further in the forest, however, a small young koala hung just 2 meters above us and munched his eucalyptus blower
A koala on the Great Ocean Road
The Cape Patton
Afterwards we drove further along the coast, to the next viewpoint at Cape Patton. But unfortunately there wasn’t so much to see here.
The koalas in Kennett River
Another place on the Great Ocean Road to see koalas in the wild is the small town of Kennett River. When you get there, you just have to drive in at the green sign and then turn left again into Grey River Road. From here you can already see the typical eucalyptus trees everywhere and we didn’t have to look long, and after only a few meters found the first koala sitting comfortably in a tree. The path then leads you further and further into the forest and we have seen several other koalas here – eucalyptus mamping or just sleeping. That was really great.
A koala near the town of Kenneth Cole
The Parrots in Kennett River
But Kennett River has something else to offer. Directly where you turn into the Grey River Road, you will find on the right several trees with wild parrots. These are fed by people every day and therefore they are very trusting. Some food on the hand and they arrive.
A video of the wild koalas
Here is a short video of the koalas in the south of Australia.
Since it started to rain again and we still had a long way to go, we got back in the car and went through the rest of the way to Melbourne.
All travelogues from Australia (2015)
With the entry to Australia the 2nd half of our 6-month world trip started for us. During our stay in "Down Under" we experienced a lot on the east coast, in the south and in the interior of the country: We visited the big cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns, explored one of the country's most famous landmarks - Ayers Rock, held a sugar-sweet koala in our arms, experienced kangaroos in the wild, drove along the Great Ocean Road, went on a diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef and experienced a breathtaking scenic flight over Whitsunday Island and Whitehaven Beach. We enjoyed our trip through Australia very much and the country has enchanted us from the beginning.
» New South Wales: Sydney - Tourist Attractions, Things to Do & Photo spots» Northern Territory: Ayers Rock (Uluru) & the Kata Tjuta (Olgas)
» South Australia: Adelaide - Holding a Koala at Gorge Wildlife Park
» South Australia: Adelaide – Tourist Attractions, Things to Do & Photo spots
» Victoria: The town of Hahndorf & Kangaroos at Cape Bridgewater
» Victoria: The Great Ocean Road – 12 Apostles, Parrots & Koalas
» Victoria: Melbourne – Tourist Attractions & Dendy Street Beach
» Queensland: Brisbane – Tourist Attractions, Things to Do & Photo spots
» Queensland: Airlie Beach – Gateway to the Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef
» Queensland: Airlie Beach – A sightseeing flight over the Great Barrier Reef
» Queensland: Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven Beach
» Queensland: Cairns – Scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
» Queensland: Cairns – Snorkel, Dive & Cruise the Great Barrier