We were lucky enough to meet an awesome German woman, Dilan, on our Outback tour who had already booked a car for the Great Ocean Drive who was looking for travel companions. After one night in the relaxed small city of Adelaide we headed off on our next journey. We sidetracked to the Grampians which is a spectacular national park. Unfortunately, we underestimated how long it would take us to drive there and ended up arriving just in time to beg a dinner from the one local restaurant that was still open (8 pm!).
The Grampians.
The next day we started early to see sunrise and head off to the Great Ocean Drive and its famous formations. We stopped off at the London Bridge (which has fallen), Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles. While it was, magnificent I was having, a hard time appreciating it as I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eye open. That is one of the downfalls we are discovering about long term travel. You see so many amazing and beautiful things on a daily basis that they start to lose their wow factor.
The fallen London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles (don’t know why its named that because there are not 12 of them).
Oh and by the way have I mentioned the flies? They are out of control. It was so bad that in the Outback Jon and I purchased fly nets that go over our heads and we used them everyday. Not caring in the least bit what we looked like.
Jon covered in flies.
After a good night sleep, I felt slightly more refreshed and enjoyed our stop at Otaway Lighthouse where we gazed at koalas lounging in the trees and a rainforest walk before soaking in the beautiful town of Lorne where we left Jon to his movies and did some shopping (well for me window browsing as I have no room for anything extra).
Cute koala in the tree.
The real journey start when we attempted to drive in Melbourne. Have you ever taken a right had turn from the LEFT lane in city traffic? Let me tell you it is next to impossible but it is what is required in Melbourne, especially when we are already on the wrong side of the road. After showing Dilan our worst traits, Jon being stubborn and negative and me swearing and yelling, we arrived at the rental car place almost 30 minues late to where they told us they were going to have to charge us a full extra day! I think my head almost popped off but we were able to negotiate the fee down to a few dollars.
Where we stayed in Grampians and Apollo Bay, YHA Eco Hostels, we had a private triple room with a shred bathroom for about $90 a night. Both of the buildings were gorgeous and had wonderful kitchens In Lorne we stayed at a quirky hostel for $20 a night each owned by an older gentlemen who had tons of stories.
Our quirky hostel in Lorne.
Journey with Christina 