DAILY UPDATE #06 – AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 2018

Shorter drive = More Stops

Today’s drive was under 500 km, however we still managed to arrive at the hotel by 9pm.  Unlike yesterday we arrived at a major road by the time darkness truly set in so my concern on meeting a Kangaroo this evening was significantly lower than last night.

Today we drove east starting in Mount Gambier, to arrive in Melbourne.  What’s there to see between these points?  Lots.

Umpherston Sinkhole

Located in Mount Gambier, along with Blue Lake (I’ll save that for the full post later) this sinkhole was modelled into a garden by a prior owner.  Today, it’s a free attraction where one can escape the heat of South Australia, and literally smell the flowers.  It was a very unique feeling to be at the bottom to be surrounded by plants, and veins spanning the walls of the sinkhole.

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean road is an extremely popular, winding road that starts near Geelong and travels along the ocean west to near the end of Victoria State.  It’s so popular, that there are “Drive on the left” signs are posted outside of every parking lot that contains a view or lookout.  We traveled the western portion stopping along several spots along the way.  I feel that we were spoiled as the first two places we stopped we had the entire lookout & view to ourselves.  It was excellent.

Arriving at Twelve Apostles, it’s most likely to most popular area to view Limestone erosion by the ocean, and is overrun with people.  I was glad it was our last stop as I felt smug knowing that we got to stand, watch and listen to the waves crash onto land without dozens of other people jostling for a prized spot for a picture, while talking on the phone to somebody who wasn’t on their trip.

Tomorrow’s plan:  Penguins.