20.02.2017: GOR: The Highlights

The most famous part of the Great Ocean Road is between Apollo Bay and Warrnambool. The first stop was Mait's Rest Rainforest, where you could walk among giant trees and impressive ferns. Then we went to Cape Otway, where you could visit the famous lighthouse. The next stop was the famous Twelve Apostles. Although you had to fight with hundreds of other tourists for a good spot to take photos, the view was definitely worth it. Unfortunately, not many of the 12 pillars are left, but most of them still stand.

The next highlight was Loch Ard Gorge, a cliff gorge where the Loch Ard, a sailing ship, suffered a dramatic shipwreck in the 19th century. Only two people survived the accident. An Irish girl and a sailor apprentice who heroically saved the lady. The gorge still houses some caves with impressive stalactites.

On the rest of the way, there were many limestone formations to admire, which the rough sea has shaped and destroyed over the years: The Arch, Thundercave, Blowhole, London Bridge, The Grotto, and the Bay of Islands. Ten years ago, these formations looked different in some places.

The rest of the way led through a lot of pasture to our next stop: Warrnambool at the end of the Great Ocean Road.