Driving Miss Daisy, Her Husband, Her Sister and Her Brother-in-law

3 Days on the Great Ocean Road did not disappoint. The trip was everything the guide books suggested. Barb, Mike, Vicki and John are still in one piece and seem to be having a good time.

The tramcar dinner restaurant on Tuesday was a rated success. Despite the open bar and Dad's attempt to get his money's worth (including Drambuie) and Mom's new found appreciation for Victoria's sparking wine, the dinner was mishap-free. We all had 5 courses and Dad tasted Kangaroo and everyone was home in bed by Midnight.

On Wednesday we picked up the Toyota Tarago that I am driving everyone around in from Budget car hire. We drove from downtown Melbourne, which was very crowded to Geelong (where the city was celebrating the AFL Premiership with a Parade) and then west to the Great Ocean Road. There was some minor shouting trying to exit the city, but everyone seemed to settle down once we got on the highway. We had lunch in Torquay and looked at some famous surf spots.

By the Sea in Torquay

Then we drove to Angelsea to see the golf course full of Kangaroos. From there we drove along the coast, looking at Light Houses in Aireys Inlet, Scenic over-hangs, Cliffs and inlets. We stopped in Wye River to have a drink (cola for me) and watch the surfers. From there we drove in to Apollo Bay to our B&B. The B&B was nice and had a beautiful ocean view. There were seals on the rocks out front. There was a massive gorgeous garden that once housed an echidna. The Stuckey's (Ted and Rae) were very nice. After settling in, we went into town and had a nice dinner in Apollo Bay at Buff's Bistro.

On Thursday we had a massive breakfast at the B&B and then drove to a rain forest walk called Mait's rest that was beautiful. The 20 Minute walk was straight out of Jurassic Park and we could not see the sky for the massive ferns and Myrtle Beeches.

After Mait's rest we headed to Cape Otway to see the light house. On the way there we saw loads of Koala up in trees. We pulled over to watch three together in a tree and saw one get down and run around a bit which is very rare. My uncle John got some great photos of this so I'll have to post those later. I was too mesmerized to take out my camera.

From there we drove to Otway Fly where the tree-top walk allows you to see the rain forest at tree top level. We had lunch there and then John and I checked out the walk. Due to the rain (it is a rainforest afterall) and the availability of beer and wine in the snack area, Barb, Mike and Vicki waited this one out. Here is a picture I took while on the steel walk at eye level with a massive tree in a rain forest:

Moss on the trees in the Otway Fly Tree-Top walk, in a Rain forest

From Otway Fly we drove on towards Port Campbell to see the so called 12 Apostles. These rock formations, now maybe 8 or 9 but who's counting, are beautiful examples of cliff erosion. The apostles were cool, but it was really cold and windy, and we were all getting tired and hungry, so we snapped a few photos and got back to the people mover. Here's a few:

Some Apostles

Mom and Dad were blown away by the beauty of the 12 Apostles

After that we headed to our beautiful B&B in Port Campbell. The place was gorgeous and very comfortable. There were all new furnishings and whirlpool bathtubs. We went out to dinner in Port Campbell at 20-Ate and then home to bed.

On Friday, we awoke in Port Campbell and went back out to the GOR to see the Loch Ard shipwreck and surrounding cliffs. It was great, and the most impressive views on the GOR so far. There were a number of beautiful inlets and cliffs. There were caves that the water churned in and out of and even a channel through the rock to the ocean. The force of the water would swirl up in the caves and smack loudly into the wall throwing spray 30 meters into the air.

The incredible force of the waves. Boom!

We drove home from there inland, seeing mostly cows and sheep. We had a nice lunch in Colac and got back into Melbourne just in time for Friday rush hour. I dropped Barb, Vicki & John off at the hotel and then Mike and I drove the car to the precarious parking spot I have under the building.

Next up is a trip to Yarra Glen and Healseville. We'll be touring 4 vineyards in the Yarra Wine Valley and also taking a visit to the Healesville animal sanctuary. I hope there is enough wine.