Road trip to Johanna Beach

Thursday, 2nd May

The forecast for the surf conditions doesn't look good. All easily accessible beaches don't really show any waves. In other words, it was flat like a pancake.

For this reason, Kim suggested heading towards Apollo Bay. As the waves are usually surfable in this area when the swell is low. Johanna Beach is usually 3 ft higher than anywhere else. So it's a day trip, as you usually can't drive faster than 80 km/h or even less.

Alright then, sandwiches were prepared, apples were sliced, and some smoothies were made, because supermarkets or even bistros are scarce in this area, or rather, there are none. We had a 150 km long journey ahead of us through almost uninhabited areas and a breathtaking drive through the Otway Forest Park.

So let's hope that the journey is worth it.

We started off in rainy and unpleasant weather, but the closer we got to Cape Otway, the rain turned into sunshine.

Our way stretches through a green wilderness, past large, unknown trees and endless fields.

Where it is rather dry in Torquay, the area around the Otway Forest Park is beautifully green. After passing the last larger town of Winchelsea, only individual houses appear during our journey. I wonder why anyone wants to live so far away from civilization. To do any shopping, you have to drive to Colac or Winchelsea. Being so remote, the cost of groceries and other things must be incredibly high. Well, what is cheap in Australia anyway!

As we approach the end of our journey, we turn onto a rather undeveloped road. I can hardly believe that we will reach the beach here soon. Next to a small farmhouse where cows graze, a small campsite is indicated. Only 2 more cars park at the entrance to Johanna Beach. If something happens here, there is no mobile reception for kilometers. Oh well, just make sure I don't get hurt.

Johanna Beach is a postcard beach, bordered by small dunes, with a long sandy beach. The beach is known for its challenging conditions, as the current is strong and occasionally a white shark swims around. But in Kim's words: 'don't worry, there have been no attacks in recent years, worry more about the current'.

While changing, we chatted with two Japanese who had just arrived from Melbourne to surf here. They said they were rather inexperienced surfers. Kim's expression was enough for me, he just said: 'okay, let's all surf together'. I think that was the best idea for the two of them. Both struggled with the current, and there were fewer waves for them. Two other guys were surfing a bit further away from us. Apart from that, there is no one else to be seen on the beach. After nearly 2 hours in the water, we decided to leave because the current and paddling had exhausted us. We waited on the beach until the others were out of the water, and Kim had to help the surfer get out of the current towards the beach. Tip for surfers: the beach is worth a visit, but inexperienced surfers should not go into the water here unless they have someone experienced with them. Otherwise, the waves can be super fun.

For the way back, we decided to make a short stop at Castle Cove and drive back along the Great Ocean Road.

We made a short stop in Apollo Bay. Here, it's more touristy for Chinese and Indians, and you can only find Asian restaurants and overpriced cafés. Better to keep going and make a coffee at home.

I still had hope of seeing a koala on the drive along the coast, as they can be found around Kennett River. I saw this gray ball sitting in a tree from afar, but unfortunately we couldn't stop. Hope dies last, one more week to go to see a cute koala, until then, hang loose guys!