Great Ocean Road We picked up our hire car and drove out of Melbourne south to the stunning Great Ocean road. Our first stop was at Torquay for lunch on the beach and a quick dip in the water. A bit colder than we expected but there were plenty of body boarders to watch. After a quick stop at the row of surf dude shops we headed further along the beautiful ocean view part of the highway. Shortly after Torquay we stopped at Bells Beach, renowned for its world class surfing. We took loads of photos from the cliff top of the surfers as there were only rocks below. Serious waves. After a coffee stop at teh lovely seaside town of Lorne we stopped the night at Apollo Bay in a commune style backpackers with a great view of the beach and aold record player and even older skratched records. Praise to Tom Jones. 14th Jan 2005 The next day we drove to the nearby Otway National Park to go Koala spotting. After a little advice at teh lighthouse at the bottom of the park we parked at the next road and started to wander. We didn't get our hopes up but Just as teh lady had said, we saw a large Koala straight away up a tree, by the roadside. We walked off the track, startled a black wallaby and saw half a dozen more Koalas. Back by the road we saw more in just a ten minute, ten rolls of film stroll including one growling and calling to his mates (sounded like a blocked drain) and one strolling across the road, startled by some kids. After a short walk at Mike's Rest we went to the Skyway, a 45m high walkway in the forest. Gerraldine stayed at the entrance with all the flies. After another quick stop at a waterfall we drove on to the 12 Apostles, 12 pinacles which used to make up part of the cliff face. The view was stunning even despite the odd haze. We raced into Port Ca to pick up some fantastic fish and chips from the petrol station/fishmonger and headed back to the 12 Apostles to eat them while watching the sunset.It was simply amazing. 20 minutes afetr the sun set the sky was bright with colours from blue to pink. That night we stayed at a brand new, school hostal like backpackers and a tiny off the road town. 15/01/05 We went back along the great ocean road towards Melbourne, stopping at the London Bridge a huge rock formation which used to have two arches, until one collapsed, leaving some tourists stranded (oops). We also stoopped at The Arch (no description needed) and a huge blowhole. They were all very beautiful with crashing milky white water against a bright blue ocean and yellowy orange sandstone. We quickly went back to the apostles to get a look and a few piccies with the blue sky behind them before setting off on the long road to Anglesea. On the way we saw some more Koalas in the trees next to the road, they must have been there before, we reckon once you know where to look they stand out. We arrived in Anglesea and booked into our backpackers, a nice big place more like a house, there was an aussie woman and some dutch brothers staying too. At tea time we drove down to the golf course and we were astounded to find not only the few kangaroos promised but hundreds, quite literally herds. We sneakily jumped over the fence and got right up close to them. There were Joeys and mothers with babies in their puches as well as a big male. Great fun. We quickly legged it when we saw an official looking guy walking our way. We went back, cooked a nice meal and watched an old Eddie Murphy film (much to my delight(C)). .......That night thanks to a very LOUD snoring dutchman none of us got much sleep. Geraldine left the dorm and slept on the sofa, even next door with earplugs I couldnt get to sleep. really early morning, off to Philip island to see the smallest penguins in the world.