Thursday 29th October 2009

This morning was an early start as we had to be in the city by 07.40am to be picked up by the tour company ready for our 2 day trip of the great ocean road. The morning didn't run very smoothly as we were a bit late leaving Kirrilee's house so there for we ended up missing the first train and had to wait for the next one which wasn't for another 20 minutes which would have meant we would be late for the pickup. So after several phone conversations with the tour company it was agreed they would pick us up from Southern Cross Station instead, so it all worked out in the end. We were picked up by our tour guide Jude and met all the other people on the tour then we set off on a 3 hour drive heading towards Tower Hill. On the way we stopped in a town Warrnambool to get some lunch and it was a great relief so I could change into my shorts it was amazing the temperature difference between leaving Melbourne and arriving here it was so hot.

From here we then drove onto Tower Hill which is a sunken volcano home to kangaroos, Koalas and Emus. As we pulled in to Tower Hill we got our first glimpse of a Koala which was very exciting but unfortunately it had disappeared by the time we went back to take a picture after we had had our lunch. We then set off on a very steep hill walk where we were meant to see Kangaroos but we didn't get to see any but there was a stunning view at the top of the hill so it was worth the climb. Even better when we walked back to the bus another Koala had come with its baby so we got some really good pictures.

Once everyone was back on the bus we drove onto Logan's beach which in the winter the whales come in to nurse there young here. Unfortunately we were too late in the season to see them but the beach itself was stunning so it was worth coming here just for the view.

After here we drove for 30 minutes to the start of the Great Ocean Road and visited the Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, The Grotto and London Bridge which were all spectacular sights with great scenery. After visiting all of these sights we then when to check into our hostel for the night which was band new and very posh. Just a quick stop here as we needed to get to the 12 Apostles for sunset and we were running out of time so we all dumped our stuff and jump straight back on the bus. We arrived at the 12 Apostles just in time it was a bit cloudy so we were told it wouldn't be the best sunset but we still thought it was impressive. After sunset we stayed at the Apostles and waited for the penguins to return from their day's fishing, by the time they came in it was really dark so they just like little black blobs running up the beach it was pretty cool even though that was the case.

We then headed back to the hostel for a BBQ which was very good and a few wines then to bed.

Friday 30th October 2009

This morning we left the hostel after breakfast around 8am and headed straight to Loch Ard Gorge to have a walk here again the scenery was fantastic. After here we went back to the 12 Apostles to see them in daylight as last night we had only seen them as the sun was setting. From here we went to Gibson's Steps to see one of the Apostles from the beach it was a lovely beach and there was lots of people surfing here so we got to see our first Australian Surfers unfortunately they were not that hunky L .

From here it was an hour's drive to Maits Rest to do a rainforest walk which was really nice but I don't think anyone enjoyed this as much as we should have done as we were all so hungry it was nearly 2pm and we'd had breakfast at 7am. So from here we went to the lovely seaside town of Apollo Bay for some much needed lunch at a little café which even better had backpackers menu.

The next stop of the day was to visit the "Round the Twist" lighthouse which was a TV programme when we were growing up so all the English, Irish and one Australian on the bus were very excited at seeing the lighthouse the other nationalities didn't have a clue what we were talking about.

After here for the last stop of the day we drove to Bells Beach which is suppose to have brilliant waves and lots of Surfers but typically when we arrived the sea was very calm so no impressive waves and no hunky surfers but still a very lovely beach.

It was then back on the road for the drive back to Melbourne passing through the town of Torquay on the way back. We got dropped off first near Kirrilee's house and she picked us up about 7.30pm. We then had a quick change and headed straight to her local pub for dinner and drinks.