Great Ocean Road trip & Wineries
Jan 16th, 2012, 05:45 AM
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Great Ocean Road trip & Wineries
It's my first visit to the land down under and I'm planning a Great Ocean Road trip in March. I guess I'll be doing all the obvious stops along the way. Are there any must see/do's that I can't miss out on. I love wildlife and scenery.
We also intend touring some of the wineries along the way. Can anyone reccommend places for tastings. Coonawarra I guess is an essential area but which wineries in particular. And what about vineyards around Geelong ,Colac, Apollo Bay.
All advice gratefully received.
We also intend touring some of the wineries along the way. Can anyone reccommend places for tastings. Coonawarra I guess is an essential area but which wineries in particular. And what about vineyards around Geelong ,Colac, Apollo Bay.
All advice gratefully received.
Jan 16th, 2012, 08:56 PM
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Tower Hill Reserve (just west of Warnambool) is also a great spot to view koalas, emus and kangaroo.
Port Fairy (just after Tower Hill travelling west) is one of my favourite spots along your route. If your travel is in early March be aware that March 12 is a public holiday and a large folk festival at Port Fairy (9-12) will have an impact on available accommodation in this area.
One of my favourite wineries is Majella - they have a beautiful sparkling red! - but there are many wineries in a relatively small area for you to try.
http://www.coonawarra.org/page.php?id=1
Not sure what sort of accommodation you are after but I can highly recommend these cottages in Naracoorte that we often overnight in on our way through (from the SA end.)
http://www.willowbrookcottages.com.au/
Have a great trip and don't forget to visit my local wine region - Mclaren Vale!
Port Fairy (just after Tower Hill travelling west) is one of my favourite spots along your route. If your travel is in early March be aware that March 12 is a public holiday and a large folk festival at Port Fairy (9-12) will have an impact on available accommodation in this area.
One of my favourite wineries is Majella - they have a beautiful sparkling red! - but there are many wineries in a relatively small area for you to try.
http://www.coonawarra.org/page.php?id=1
Not sure what sort of accommodation you are after but I can highly recommend these cottages in Naracoorte that we often overnight in on our way through (from the SA end.)
http://www.willowbrookcottages.com.au/
Have a great trip and don't forget to visit my local wine region - Mclaren Vale!
Jan 17th, 2012, 04:40 AM
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Thanks Ozgirl, going in late March so will miss the crowds at the folkfest. Thanks for the tip on where to see the critters and Port Fairy is already on my itinerary, it looks so quaint. Can't wait to try that red fizz!
Jan 18th, 2012, 05:31 PM
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take a trip to the Otway fly and walk amongst the tree tops -just near Skene's Creek. Also the views from Chris''s restaurant are fab just near Skene's Creek.
Victorian school holidays start 30th March
Victorian school holidays start 30th March
Jan 18th, 2012, 05:38 PM
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Coonawarra is not on the GOR -it's in South Australia.Scotchman's Hill in the Geelong area is worth going to . Try this link for others http://www.winegeelong.com.au/
Jan 18th, 2012, 08:23 PM
#8
Here's an excerpt from my trip report. It's long ... but I think it will help.
******************************
A stop at the Melbourne tourist information center had yielded a very helpful brochure with a list of the highlights along the GOR. About 90 minutes later we reached the first recommended stop: Bells Beach. From the car park we strolled a path that wound atop the cliffs, snapping pix and marveling at what seemed to be endless coastline below. It was bright and sunny and in the mid-60s (F). After soggy NZ we were in heaven as we watched the surfers in that beautiful blue water. Lunch was delicious sandwiches at Bells Bakery, a nearby outdoor café. Then we were back on the GOR.
My car soon learned to automatically pull into every turnout marked “scenic lookout” and I made great progress toward catching up to the photo quota that I’d fallen so far behind on as a result of the NZ rain. The drive to Lorne should take two-and-a-half hours—without stops. It took us more than seven! That should give you an idea how many lovely beaches we walked on and photographed—and how many scenic lookouts we pulled into. Point Addis and the lighthouse at Split Point were among our favorites.
We’d booked an apartment at the Lorne Cumberland resort for approximately $110 US and it was by far the nicest vacation rental unit I’ve ever been in. It was an enormous one-bedroom and the balcony featured a partial ocean view. After three weeks of restaurants we were happy to stop at a market and pick up salads and meat pies to take back to the apartment.
En route to Lorne we took the well marked, quick detour to the Anglesea golf course, a well known hangout for kangaroos. We pulled into the car park and scanned the greens but saw only golfers. Disappointed, I was about to turn back when I spotted a ‘roo in the distance. I parked at the clubhouse and looked closer—and checked out some different areas—and we were soon treated to hordes of kangaroos, mostly lazing in the late afternoon sun. My first kangaroos in the wild!!! I was ecstatic—although it felt a wee bit like cheating as we’d gone where I knew they congregate—and they were mostly tagged.
After breakfast in our apartment we loaded up the car, wishing we could spend an additional night in Lorne. It had an old-time sweetness and charm to it. Before getting back on the GOR we followed the advice of our brochure and visited Erskine Falls. En route a kangaroo hopped out of the bush quite close to our car. Now this was a REAL wild kangaroo spotting and I was a happy camper!
Erskine Falls was GORGEOUS. The lookout is easy to access—but we decided to descend what seemed like a thousand steps to get a better look—at the base of the falls. The views were well worth the effort. The area surrounding the bottom of the falls was like a primeval tropical rainforest with massive ferns and palm trees. My camera was very happy—but my legs were not, because while we were admiring the beautiful falls, the ascent back up mysteriously became far steeper—with at least a thousand more steps than when we’d gone down! (Well, that’s how it felt.) This was a highlight among highlights!
Next stop: Teddy’s Lookout for famous views down onto the GOR. We saw lots of signs for the lookout—but no lookout. We parked and walked through the bush in search of wildlife (and the lookout). Low and behold … could it be? No… YES! I spotted a koala high up in a tree. Well, it wasn’t an entire koala—just a round gray butt—but nonetheless, it was a koala in the wild and I’ve got lots of butt shots to prove it. I might not have found the lookout—but I found something better! Then DP spotted a kookaburra only a few feet away. It posed as if it were a professional model and I took lots of photos. We congratulated ourselves on our wildlife spotting—and on being so fortunate to have lost Teddy’s Lookout.
Back at the car we drove about fifty feet looking for a place to turn around—and suddenly … there it was: Teddy’s Lookout! There were beautiful views from the cliffs looking down on the road winding along the coast. I had a hard time believing the people who told me, “It’ll get even prettier ahead.”
Cape Patton was one of the prettiest lookout points. Our next stop for the night would be Port Campbell. It was another perfect weather day and the scenery indeed just kept getting better. Lunch was at Wye River—a picnic overlooking the beach. Sandwiches and a spinach feta roll from the Wye River General Store were as tasty as the views.
We pulled off to follow the signs to Kennett River in hopes of spotting koalas but didn’t have high expectations. Of course, I’d already found a koala butt, and once you’ve seen one …
Immediately after taking the turnoff we saw a tour bus parked on a residential street so we parked to join its passengers who were photographing trees that were teeming with two different types of gorgeous parrots. The parrots were landing on people’s arms—but they were not the star attraction. An adorable koala was resting quite low in the tree—and at just the perfect angle for full, fuzzy-faced photographs. There was no need to continue to Kennett River because we couldn’t possibly get much closer or get better koala photos. I was practically delirious with excitement.
There were countless parrots outside the little store and café at the corner where we’d turned off the GOR and we stopped for a look. A bright red beauty landed on DP’s head and I got a terrific picture. Continuing toward Port Campbell the scenery never stopped putting on a show. We drove right past the Gibson Steps, but luckily, when I noticed the tour buses I backed up. WOW. Gorgeous views of an exquisite beach. I didn’t realize it at the time—but I was seeing two of the famous Twelve Apostles. It was one of my favorite stops.
We’d hoped to arrive at the Twelve Apostles at sunset—for the best light—and the penguin parade. Instead, it was a couple of hours before sundown when we pulled into the visitor’s center. Sadly, the light was terrible for photographs—but there were still some beautiful views back toward the Gibson Steps. We continued on to the other iconic formations and the light was much more cooperative. The area was exceptionally beautiful—far beyond expectations. I’d hoped to return to the 12 Apostles before sundown—but we spent so much time gawking at and photographing the other nearby formations that we were too late. We decided to return at sunrise.
It was dark by the time we pulled into the Best Western motel, a basic, old motel with kitchenette. It was cheap and fine. Port Campbell is tiny. There are no upscale hotels—and not many restaurants to choose from—and most of them were closed. (It was a winter weekday.)
We settled for takeaway from the fish and chips shop attached to the gas station. They were both being run by one woman—and I hoped they used different oil. She said there would be a short wait while she made fresh batter. This should have been a giveaway as to how fresh the food would be. I ordered Australian prawns and scallops and I’ve never had any seafood that was even close to being that good. DP loved his fish & chips, as well.
The next morning was foggy so there was no need to rush out at sunrise as planned. This was serious fog. Grrr … It was still early and DP convinced me to return to the 12 Apostles. It was only a ten minute drive at most—but it seemed futile, as the fog completely obscured the coast. But wait … is that a little patch of sunshine?
The 12 Apostles seemed to be rising out of the mist while clouds and fog rolled and swirled behind them. I could barely believe how beautiful and mystical it was. I got some terrific photos—but nothing that fully captured what we were treated to that morning.
I’d expected the GOR to be treacherous but with the exception of a few curves it was an easy drive that far exceeded all expectations. It wasn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as many of the roads I’ve driven in Ireland—or the Pacific Coast Highway in California. The Great Ocean Road is a nature lover’s and photographer’s paradise that shouldn’t be missed.
We’d seen some amazing coastal scenery and now it was time to head to the mountains. Next stop: Hall’s Gap in the Grampians—estimated to be a four hour drive—but we were learning that if there were scenic lookouts or places to hike, we’d have to double our estimates ;-).
******************************
A stop at the Melbourne tourist information center had yielded a very helpful brochure with a list of the highlights along the GOR. About 90 minutes later we reached the first recommended stop: Bells Beach. From the car park we strolled a path that wound atop the cliffs, snapping pix and marveling at what seemed to be endless coastline below. It was bright and sunny and in the mid-60s (F). After soggy NZ we were in heaven as we watched the surfers in that beautiful blue water. Lunch was delicious sandwiches at Bells Bakery, a nearby outdoor café. Then we were back on the GOR.
My car soon learned to automatically pull into every turnout marked “scenic lookout” and I made great progress toward catching up to the photo quota that I’d fallen so far behind on as a result of the NZ rain. The drive to Lorne should take two-and-a-half hours—without stops. It took us more than seven! That should give you an idea how many lovely beaches we walked on and photographed—and how many scenic lookouts we pulled into. Point Addis and the lighthouse at Split Point were among our favorites.
We’d booked an apartment at the Lorne Cumberland resort for approximately $110 US and it was by far the nicest vacation rental unit I’ve ever been in. It was an enormous one-bedroom and the balcony featured a partial ocean view. After three weeks of restaurants we were happy to stop at a market and pick up salads and meat pies to take back to the apartment.
En route to Lorne we took the well marked, quick detour to the Anglesea golf course, a well known hangout for kangaroos. We pulled into the car park and scanned the greens but saw only golfers. Disappointed, I was about to turn back when I spotted a ‘roo in the distance. I parked at the clubhouse and looked closer—and checked out some different areas—and we were soon treated to hordes of kangaroos, mostly lazing in the late afternoon sun. My first kangaroos in the wild!!! I was ecstatic—although it felt a wee bit like cheating as we’d gone where I knew they congregate—and they were mostly tagged.
After breakfast in our apartment we loaded up the car, wishing we could spend an additional night in Lorne. It had an old-time sweetness and charm to it. Before getting back on the GOR we followed the advice of our brochure and visited Erskine Falls. En route a kangaroo hopped out of the bush quite close to our car. Now this was a REAL wild kangaroo spotting and I was a happy camper!
Erskine Falls was GORGEOUS. The lookout is easy to access—but we decided to descend what seemed like a thousand steps to get a better look—at the base of the falls. The views were well worth the effort. The area surrounding the bottom of the falls was like a primeval tropical rainforest with massive ferns and palm trees. My camera was very happy—but my legs were not, because while we were admiring the beautiful falls, the ascent back up mysteriously became far steeper—with at least a thousand more steps than when we’d gone down! (Well, that’s how it felt.) This was a highlight among highlights!
Next stop: Teddy’s Lookout for famous views down onto the GOR. We saw lots of signs for the lookout—but no lookout. We parked and walked through the bush in search of wildlife (and the lookout). Low and behold … could it be? No… YES! I spotted a koala high up in a tree. Well, it wasn’t an entire koala—just a round gray butt—but nonetheless, it was a koala in the wild and I’ve got lots of butt shots to prove it. I might not have found the lookout—but I found something better! Then DP spotted a kookaburra only a few feet away. It posed as if it were a professional model and I took lots of photos. We congratulated ourselves on our wildlife spotting—and on being so fortunate to have lost Teddy’s Lookout.
Back at the car we drove about fifty feet looking for a place to turn around—and suddenly … there it was: Teddy’s Lookout! There were beautiful views from the cliffs looking down on the road winding along the coast. I had a hard time believing the people who told me, “It’ll get even prettier ahead.”
Cape Patton was one of the prettiest lookout points. Our next stop for the night would be Port Campbell. It was another perfect weather day and the scenery indeed just kept getting better. Lunch was at Wye River—a picnic overlooking the beach. Sandwiches and a spinach feta roll from the Wye River General Store were as tasty as the views.
We pulled off to follow the signs to Kennett River in hopes of spotting koalas but didn’t have high expectations. Of course, I’d already found a koala butt, and once you’ve seen one …
Immediately after taking the turnoff we saw a tour bus parked on a residential street so we parked to join its passengers who were photographing trees that were teeming with two different types of gorgeous parrots. The parrots were landing on people’s arms—but they were not the star attraction. An adorable koala was resting quite low in the tree—and at just the perfect angle for full, fuzzy-faced photographs. There was no need to continue to Kennett River because we couldn’t possibly get much closer or get better koala photos. I was practically delirious with excitement.
There were countless parrots outside the little store and café at the corner where we’d turned off the GOR and we stopped for a look. A bright red beauty landed on DP’s head and I got a terrific picture. Continuing toward Port Campbell the scenery never stopped putting on a show. We drove right past the Gibson Steps, but luckily, when I noticed the tour buses I backed up. WOW. Gorgeous views of an exquisite beach. I didn’t realize it at the time—but I was seeing two of the famous Twelve Apostles. It was one of my favorite stops.
We’d hoped to arrive at the Twelve Apostles at sunset—for the best light—and the penguin parade. Instead, it was a couple of hours before sundown when we pulled into the visitor’s center. Sadly, the light was terrible for photographs—but there were still some beautiful views back toward the Gibson Steps. We continued on to the other iconic formations and the light was much more cooperative. The area was exceptionally beautiful—far beyond expectations. I’d hoped to return to the 12 Apostles before sundown—but we spent so much time gawking at and photographing the other nearby formations that we were too late. We decided to return at sunrise.
It was dark by the time we pulled into the Best Western motel, a basic, old motel with kitchenette. It was cheap and fine. Port Campbell is tiny. There are no upscale hotels—and not many restaurants to choose from—and most of them were closed. (It was a winter weekday.)
We settled for takeaway from the fish and chips shop attached to the gas station. They were both being run by one woman—and I hoped they used different oil. She said there would be a short wait while she made fresh batter. This should have been a giveaway as to how fresh the food would be. I ordered Australian prawns and scallops and I’ve never had any seafood that was even close to being that good. DP loved his fish & chips, as well.
The next morning was foggy so there was no need to rush out at sunrise as planned. This was serious fog. Grrr … It was still early and DP convinced me to return to the 12 Apostles. It was only a ten minute drive at most—but it seemed futile, as the fog completely obscured the coast. But wait … is that a little patch of sunshine?
The 12 Apostles seemed to be rising out of the mist while clouds and fog rolled and swirled behind them. I could barely believe how beautiful and mystical it was. I got some terrific photos—but nothing that fully captured what we were treated to that morning.
I’d expected the GOR to be treacherous but with the exception of a few curves it was an easy drive that far exceeded all expectations. It wasn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as many of the roads I’ve driven in Ireland—or the Pacific Coast Highway in California. The Great Ocean Road is a nature lover’s and photographer’s paradise that shouldn’t be missed.
We’d seen some amazing coastal scenery and now it was time to head to the mountains. Next stop: Hall’s Gap in the Grampians—estimated to be a four hour drive—but we were learning that if there were scenic lookouts or places to hike, we’d have to double our estimates ;-).
Jan 18th, 2012, 08:52 PM
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Queenscliffe is a good place to stop overnight, an historic town with interesting architecture, and while Lorne was once our favourite, it is now very commercial and touristy. If you stayed an extra day at Queenscliffe you could do the ferry trip across to Sorrento too, with or without car, though car would make it easier to visit back beach etc. Well worth a visit. The vanilla slices at Just Fine Foods in the Main Street next to the Continental Hotel are renowned in the district and beyond..
Vue Grande would be my first choice of hotel in Queenscliffe .... see
http://www.vuegrand.com.au/
It's a lovely historic and charming hotel. Not partic cheap but worth the price for a special visit. There's a great gallery in Airey's Inlet called Eagles Nest Fine Art Gallery and it's at 48-50 Great Ocean Rd.
The other two great stopovers are Apollo Bay and Port Fairy.
Apollo Bay - a former fishing village and in an area notorious for its nineteenth century shipwrecks Has a great restaurant, with views to die for. Book next to a window if poss. It overlooks Bass Strait, set high above the Great Ocean Road, Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant and Villas 280 Skenes Creek Rd., Apollo Bay, 3233
Phone: 03 5237 6411
Fax: 03 5237 6930
[email protected]
The Great Otway National Park & Forest Park has waterfalls, forests and rainforest with fabulous views. It covers around 102,470 hectares.
Lake Elizabeth, near the township of Forrest, was created more than 50 years ago when record rainfall sent tonnes of rock and earth into the East Barwon River, This dammed the river and formed a lake in this forested valley.
There is a 2-kilometre loop walk to and around the lake from the car park. There are Information boards along the way which give the history of the lake and its flaura and fauna.
There is also the Otway Fly which is 25 m above ground and 600 metres long which travels through a stand of temperate rainforest.
I really wouldn't miss Port Fairy, stay a night if you can. It is the most scenic, charming, historically interesting village and has the best coffee - and restaurants and shops etc along the coast. It is quite affluent these days so has all that goes with that (like good coffee!) All those ex-pastoralists retiring and taking up residence along the Moyne River I guess.
The viewing area for the 12 (now 8) apostles at Port Campbell has been updated and you now pull off to the opposite side of the road, walk under the road and to the viewing platform. Much better arrangement. One can organise a helicopter trip too. If one chooses (pas moi).
Also see http://www.visit12apostles.com.au/da...e-vistas-loop/
for local foodie stuff around Port Campbell.
For Port Fairy accommodation, see
http://www.portfairyaccommodation.co...reakfasts.html
This lists some of the best though the last couple are not in Port Fairy itself, which would be a disadvantage.
There's some history relating to the road at
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...971073423.html
and
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...971018222.html
Vue Grande would be my first choice of hotel in Queenscliffe .... see
http://www.vuegrand.com.au/
It's a lovely historic and charming hotel. Not partic cheap but worth the price for a special visit. There's a great gallery in Airey's Inlet called Eagles Nest Fine Art Gallery and it's at 48-50 Great Ocean Rd.
The other two great stopovers are Apollo Bay and Port Fairy.
Apollo Bay - a former fishing village and in an area notorious for its nineteenth century shipwrecks Has a great restaurant, with views to die for. Book next to a window if poss. It overlooks Bass Strait, set high above the Great Ocean Road, Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant and Villas 280 Skenes Creek Rd., Apollo Bay, 3233
Phone: 03 5237 6411
Fax: 03 5237 6930
[email protected]
The Great Otway National Park & Forest Park has waterfalls, forests and rainforest with fabulous views. It covers around 102,470 hectares.
Lake Elizabeth, near the township of Forrest, was created more than 50 years ago when record rainfall sent tonnes of rock and earth into the East Barwon River, This dammed the river and formed a lake in this forested valley.
There is a 2-kilometre loop walk to and around the lake from the car park. There are Information boards along the way which give the history of the lake and its flaura and fauna.
There is also the Otway Fly which is 25 m above ground and 600 metres long which travels through a stand of temperate rainforest.
I really wouldn't miss Port Fairy, stay a night if you can. It is the most scenic, charming, historically interesting village and has the best coffee - and restaurants and shops etc along the coast. It is quite affluent these days so has all that goes with that (like good coffee!) All those ex-pastoralists retiring and taking up residence along the Moyne River I guess.
The viewing area for the 12 (now 8) apostles at Port Campbell has been updated and you now pull off to the opposite side of the road, walk under the road and to the viewing platform. Much better arrangement. One can organise a helicopter trip too. If one chooses (pas moi).
Also see http://www.visit12apostles.com.au/da...e-vistas-loop/
for local foodie stuff around Port Campbell.
For Port Fairy accommodation, see
http://www.portfairyaccommodation.co...reakfasts.html
This lists some of the best though the last couple are not in Port Fairy itself, which would be a disadvantage.
There's some history relating to the road at
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...971073423.html
and
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...971018222.html
Jan 20th, 2012, 06:31 AM
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Northie - thanks for the tips. The Otway Fly might be too scary for my partner but sounds like fun. I realise Coonawarra isn't on the Cost Road but we're travelling from Adelaide so can go en route - will head to Scotchman's Hill and Chris's restaurant though.
Jan 20th, 2012, 06:37 AM
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francophiletasmania - interesting to hear about Queenscliffe, it hadn't come up in my research so far. As for the vanilla slices - mmm - I can tell this trip will do my waistline no favours!
Jan 25th, 2012, 12:41 PM
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NeilB
if I can do the Otway fly anyone can-I hung on to the sides all the way but I was so glad I did it-it's just walking on a high bridge!!!
We saw a black wallaby on the road leading to Chris's and the views are fab
if I can do the Otway fly anyone can-I hung on to the sides all the way but I was so glad I did it-it's just walking on a high bridge!!!
We saw a black wallaby on the road leading to Chris's and the views are fab
