The Great Ocean Road

It has been a dream of mine to explore The Great Ocean Road in Victoria for a long time and it did not disappoint. It's absolutely magnificent - not just the spectacular iconic landmarks like The 12 Apostles, London Arch, Loch Ard Gorge, Martyr's Bay, Bay of Islands, The Arch, The Grotto and Gibson's Steps but also the many beautiful secluded coves and bays off the beaten track.

There is also the gorgeous Great Otway National Park with it's many cascading waterfalls and shady ferns, not to mention old lighthouses and quaint, historical villages and the sight of wild koalas along the way.

The Great Ocean Road hugs the Victorian coastline for much of its 300 kilometres.  The road was built by returned servicemen between 1919 and 1932 as a World War 1 memorial.   It is in effect, the largest memorial in the world.

I spent 10 wonderful days exploring all the area had to offer, making some great friends along the way.  This is definitely a part of the world I want to come back to over and over again.

The 12 Apostles

One of the most impressive and anticipated views of the Great Ocean Road is that of the towering rock formations of The 12 Apostles set against 70 metre cliffs. From sunrise to dusk the changing light enhances the beauty of this awe inspiring vista. I visited the sight several times to try to capture the different moods. A huge highlight for me was seeing the stacks from the air in a tiny helicopter.

My hero, David Attenborough, discusses the formation of The 12 Apostles in this short video segment. Worth watching...

Helicopter flight over The Great Ocean Road

Here is the little helicopter that flew me over The Great Ocean Road.  It was a truly amazing experience.  And to make matters better, I only paid $75 for a $350 flight as there was a seat going at the last minute.

And here are some sublime views I saw from the air ...

The Twelve Apostles

The Sentinal

London Bridge

Muttonbird Island

Muttonbird Island

Bay of Islands

The Sentinal

This is the highest rock stack along the coast, viewed from the helicopter...

Loch Ard Gorge

The Gorge

The Island Arch

Muttonbird Island

The Razorback

Gibson's Steps

London Arch

As you can see below, London Arch used to be called London Bridge and it had an arch connecting it to the mainland.  On the evening of 15 January 1990, this arch cracked and fell into the sea, leaving two very shocked tourists stranded on the outer section.  A helicopter was called to rescue them.

A sign that doesn't mince words...

Chinders Cove and surrounds