From Refuge Cove to Apollo Bay

On January 20th Things continued as planned. The destination was Refuge Cove. Another night trip. After 18 hours we dropped anchor. We actually got there earlier, but had to drive another 2 hours back and forth because we didn't want to go into an unknown bay in the dark.

Refuge Cove is incredibly beautiful. Two opposite sandy beaches and forest. No phone reception, even Starlink only limited. To check the weather online, we walk uphill through the forest.
Since there are mainly eucalyptus trees here, I was hoping we would see koalas. Not even close. Two kangaroos hopped through the landscape. -Nice from you.

There we also met Elena, a very communicative American, about 35, who has been sailing alone for 6 years. She has the same path as us, so we are not completely alone on our challenge through the great Australian bay. The Australians also say the bite bay because you have to bite through it.

On January 22nd We continued again, destination Greater Melbourne. On our way, a gigantic rock in the middle of the sea marked the southernmost point of my journey. 28 hours later we were in Apollo Bay. Cute little port, incredibly nice staff and a small town with souvenir shops and restaurants. But that's all of secondary importance when you see the magnificent beach.

There is one that is right outside the city, there are a lot of tourists and families there. A little further, behind the harbor, there is a never-ending, beautiful beach with only a few visitors. You can walk for 2 hours and there is no end in sight.

One beach follows the next, interrupted by rocks that are exposed at low tide and form small rock pools that house their own little universe.

In the morning I met the Australian Mel and her partner. They too will walk with us through the bite bay, and would also be happy to have company. We're having dinner with them tomorrow on Australia Day.

They told me that afternoon that they saw a koala down the beach. Right on the Great Ocean Trail. Armed with a camera, I set off, but by the time I got lost on the beach and walked the 4km, he was no longer there. -But the little shits aren't so lethargic. I took a nice walk and now I know that the Apollo Bay cemetery is quite far away and that this is not the way to the koala tree.