The Last Six Days: Part One

From Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road

03.20.2011 - 03.23.2011 67 °F

I haven't been able to post much this week because of spotty internet and well...let's face it...I am in Australia. A computer is not where I want to be! It is now, however, just before 6am on Saturday morning here (4pmET Friday in the states) so I thought I would post my pictures and brief thoughts of the last week.
Sunday we rented a mini cooper convertible to take to the Great Ocean Road. If anyone in Australia tries to talk you out of a convertible, don't listen. They are hard to find in Melbourne but it was worth it for what was to come.
The highlights---We drove through Geelong, Torquay (if you are a surfer--you know this town: home to Rip Curl (the brand and the event). We stopped in Torquay because it is home to the surfing mecca: Bells Beach. (more in the photos)
Great little town with a definite chill and surf feel. I could set up post here and never leave. The Great Ocean Road is an incredible drive. Part Road to Hana, part Pacific Coast Highway and all beautiful. We saw a million signs warning of kangaroos and we saw 3. Sadly, they had met their demise before meeting us. The road is full of amazing views, sharp turns, incredible forestry and koala bears!
We rented a house in Skenes Creek overlooking the ocean for a couple of nights. There isn't a ton to do in this area so come for the peace, quiet and views.

On our last full day in this area, we trekked down Great Ocean Road and made a few stops...the first was in Otway at this old lighthouse. Shipwrecks are huge in this area (or were) but for some odd reason in 1994 they decommissioned all lighthouse keepers. We met one who had turned into a tourguide. STRAIGHT OUT OF CENTRAL CASTING See below:

From here...we were off to Mornington Peninsula!