Off to Melbourne via the "Great Ocean Road" (aka GOR), with stops at small towns along the way. It's about 800km from Adelaide to Melbourne but we're going to take 5 nights to do it.
The GOR was built as a make work project for returning WWI vets (that's I not II). It is a spectacular piece of civil engineering. A combination of the Amalfi Coast and the LA/SF Coast Highway....only it's 12 hours of curves, bends, hills and threatening cliffs. The initial portion is through drought ridden territory....barren fields, stock clustered around water tanks and salt flats bordered by heath

Sadly, there was quite a bit of Kangaroo road kill. Wombats are nocturnal and the size of a small pig. We were warned that hitting one was equivalent to driving into a soft drink machine sized block of concrete.....but didn't see any.
But Koalas.......Liz was excited. We (or at least Liz) started looking up rather than at the road. She found one, and then another. A quick u-turn and our first Koala in the wild (others would follow with far greater humour - to come!).
We also saw a number of emus grazing by the road - all camera shy. We didn't drive at night so didn't see any wombats.
Passed the world's largest lobster (called crayfish here) on the way to our first night stop over in Robe. The coastal towns are a string of Monterey like postcard beach front villages. Robe was charming. Because the towns were built in the 20s, there is a lot of Art Deco architecture and traditional homes
Robe had the most spectacular Bougainvillea we've ever seen....
.....and some good food. We finally capitulated and ordered some usuriously priced lobster, plus shrimp in a succulent garlic sauce. As always, the lobster was tasty but not worth the restaurant mark up. We can do the same in our motel room with fresh bought at half the price
On an eating binge, we found the local Chinese restaurant - packed with locals who know good value. Great fried rice, spicy beef on a hot plate and dreamily tender breaded calamari. We over ordered and ate take away for breakfast for the next 2 days
The scenery was becoming more dramatic as we writhed our way to Apollo Bay
En route we passed through Mount Gambier, notable for its blue hole (an overrated limestone sinkhole), cottages out of a Miss Marple episode
And our FAVOURITE sign.......
Is this a.......
- guidepost for observant Muslim ladies?
- directions to the Fingerprint Museum?
- Nuns on a Pilgrimmage?
We'll never know!
Then 4 wonderful days at Apollo Bay - our own personal Carmel. Comfy accommodations, dramatic scenery, great food and an incredibly welcoming host.......see next post!