One Of The Best Drives You'll Ever Take

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Road trips come in their forms, but I speak confidently when I say that the Great Ocean Road in Victoria is one of the best drives you’ll ever take. Many roads will lead one to wonder, but this road is the wonder. A crowd favourite, this is where you’ll have your fill of beautiful beaches, ideal surf turf and plenty of opportunities to unwind, provided you avoid it during Schoolies Week. I’ve done this day long drive several times and the road never ceases to amaze.

The Apostles, Victoria (taken 2014)

Standing as the world’s largest war memorial, the road was constructed by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932. Its length being at 243 km, it reaches between Torquay and Allansford and includes towns such as Lorne, Apollo Bay and Wye River, but they’ll be saved for another day. This post is all about the natural and we’ll start from Allansford’s end.

The first few stops you’re like to make (and do your research first because they can oftentimes be overlooked) include the Bay of Martyrs, the Grotto and London Arch, formerly Bridge.

Bay of Martyrs, Victoria (taken 2014)

The Grotto, Victoria (taken 2014)

London Arch, Victoria (taken 2014)

These little spots are worthy of your time and each offers something different in the visual department. In regards to London Arch I’d hurry to see it before anymore limestone breaks off of it.

Then there’s Loch Ard Gorge which I for one find to be a favourite. This spot deserves maybe an hour of your time simply because of the peacefulness you’re like to find. There are stairs to descend and corners to turn so take them all slowly and you’ll appreciate it all the more. Additionally, this is the site of one bit of history that’s followed me around for many years. 

Loch Ard Gorge, Victoria (taken 2014)

On June 1^st, 1878, the clipper ship Loch Ard ran ashore on nearby Muttonbird Island after the fatal intervention of some sea fog. The only survivors were Tom Pearce, a 15-year-old English crew member and Eva Carmichael, a 17-year-old Irish girl travelling to Melbourne with family. Through arduous circumstances both youths made it to the shore of what is now called Loch Ard Gorge and eventually to safety. As for the ship and its cargo, the only thing recovered was the porcelain Loch Ard Peacock which is now on display at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. This in turn is the type of story that makes me want to take up writing historical fiction.

With the first of my favourites done and dusted, we then come to one of the greats of Australian tourism; the Apostles. These grand limestone stacks stand above the hammering surf and offers everyone the most majestic of views. It’s just about impossible to get a bad shot of these marvels so don’t feel like you need to run all over the view point to make something happen. And for the love of the gods, DO NOT CLIMB OVER THE RAILING!

The Apostles, Victoria (taken 2014)

Originally there were twelve Apostles, without doubt named for the disciples of Jesus Christ, but in recent years nature has begun to take its tole and the stone has started to break off, much like what’s happened at London Arch. Is this disappointing, I’d say so, but the Apostles still something to plan a trip around. Dusk and dawn are great times to come by and there are helicopter rides on offer too.    

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria (taken 2014)

I truly urge you to make the Great Ocean Road a priority on your great Australian journey. It’s not but nature in its truest form.

Link: www.visitvictoria.com.au

'Zu Dayz'

I felt that this was worthy of its own post. After a food court luncheon last year with a co-worker, to whom I shared many a tale not suitable for decent peoples ears, I decided to start a blog where I could share more human friendly stories of the places I'd been with the hope they'd get out there and gain more 'printed' exposure. Well, this sheep is happy to say that it's finally happened.

(Taken by the Sheep, 2015)

Not long ago I was approached by the managing editor over at St Kilda News who asked if I'd like to submit anything to their local rag. I was at first happy to do so before hearing about the deadline and thought, okay. Luckily they asked for something I'd already posted and so I suggested my take on the Royal Melbourne Zoo, thinking that it would have some relevance. They agreed.

So after some culling of words (some I'm going to miss), a submission was left standing and is now gracing page 17 of the February edition. This I can only describe as a step in the right direction, and I certainly hope that you'll join me for those to come.

Link: http://stkildanews.com/zu-dayz/

Rustic And Ghostly

Port Arthur, Tasmania

To date my first and only trip to Australia’s island state was back in 2002 when the school surprised us with a five day camp. Enjoyed myself I did, but with very few shots to look back on (had myself a disposable camera on this trip and I can’t find the pictures), I wasn’t sure if I had something worth talking about on the blog. However, when a good day at the Port Arthur Historic Site (95.8 km both east then south of Hobart) came back to me I figured a post was possible. Add to that some nice, rustic shots taken by the well-travelled aunty; this sheep has been able to knock some words together.

Whilst only being here for one day I found myself enjoying everything the site had to offer, most notably the swarm of rabbits hopping all over the place. I for one was taken in by the historical side of things, a recurring thing with me, and so I can’t recommend Port Arthur enough. Two experiences of note include the harbour cruise and ghost tours which I’ll get to in the paragraphs to come.

Port Arthur, Tasmania (taken by Dale Brooking, 2014)

Established back in 1830 as a timber station, Port Arthur grew into a lively southern haunt that drew in the many. It wasn’t until 1848 that a separate penitentiary was built to house the convicts shipped in from England; these prisoners were set to work on cutting timber with a select few being taught to build ships also. Officials saw this as one of the few means to rehabilitate the many convicts but this practice dwindled in the 1870s. 

Now onto the touristy side of things which is why I’m writing anything. Combining historical buildings and nature that bring a palette of colour together, the site is a feast for your eyes. Nowadays you’re like to get better shots with your camera which should fuel the envy of those who didn’t come along for the ride. I know many who’ve all claimed Tasmania was the best travel decision they’ve ever made, giving me cause to go back once Europe is out of the way.

Port Arthur, Tasmania (taken by Dale Brooking, 2014)

The harbour cruise, which is included in the cost of entry, gives you a superb view of what’s on offer. The boat ride takes you on a round trip of the harbour and for additional cost visitors can tour the Isle of the Dead where close to 1100 prisoners were laid to rest. I know it’s been over ten years since my time here, but I feel like the harbour cruise is the icing of the day, adding only to Port Arthur’s authenticity.

With that said we’ve now come to the ghost tour which is the cheery on top. The longest operating tour in Australia, the crew at Port Arthur place a great emphasis in the storytelling side of things instead of having people dressed up in masks ready to jump out on you. On the tour I took, several of us found ourselves experiencing something ‘unexplainable’. I heard something tapping (which isn’t unique but still) but others around me were saying they’d seen something red stand out in the darkness. It’s an experience to consider nonetheless.

Port Arthur, Tasmania (taken by Dale Brooking, 2014)

On a more serious and informative note, with this post coming to a close I’ll acknowledge something all visitors should be made aware of before coming here. Whilst Port Arthur is still known for being a tourist drawcard, the tragic massacre of April 28^th 1996 still lingers in the minds of the locals to this day; it’s appreciated that this event isn’t brought up.

With everything said, if you’ve found yourself cancerous with the travel bug then this post has served its purpose.

Go check it out!  

Link: www.portarthur.org.au