Where is the Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most popular travel destinations luring both national and international visitors to the south-western coast of the state of Victoria. I decided to spend my recent summer holiday exploring the region with my family. I will admit, I was a little apprehensive after my husband booked the holiday because I’d been to the area on three previous occasions and experienced miserable weather with horizontal rain! Not the best conditions for sightseeing.

A couple of days after Christmas we had the car and trailer packed with all our camping gear and set off early for the seven hour drive from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road which is signified by a memorial arch just before you arrive in Lorne. The arch commemorates the returned service men that commenced building the road during 1918, and on to our destination, Warrnambool.

During our 10 day holiday (my 10 day ‘digital-detox’) we enjoyed the beach at Warrnambool, a day trip to the ‘Shipwreck’ coast taking in the 12 Apostles, The Arch, London Bridge, Bay of Martyrs, Bay of Islands and Port Campbell. Helicopter flights over the coast seemed very popular with as many helicopters as flies!

A lovely day trip was also taken to the nearby historic township of Port Fairy where the children enjoyed a camel ride and I drooled over the historic cottages by the old inland port. From Port Fairy we visited ‘Tower Hill State Game Reserve‘ which is based around an extinct volcanic crater, so makes for some interesting landscapes and plenty of wildlife can be seen including emus, kangaroos and koalas. We were very impressed with the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre. Its design blended beautifully with the landscape and is very well hidden within the crater.

One of the highlights of our stay at Warrnambool was the ‘Shipwreck Sound and Light Show‘ at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The spectacular laser show depicts the voyage of the ill-fated Loch Ard ship bound for Melbourne from England during 1878 and was wrecked on the reefs near Port Campbell. There were only two survivors which is miraculous in itself when you see the size of the cliffs they would have been confronted with. The Loch Ard Cemetery is located near Loch Ard Gorge and named after the wreck.

Our holiday ended with a superb meal at Simons Waterfront Restaurant. The restaurant is situated right on the foreshore of Lady Bay with a lovely view over the water to sit back and enjoy the sunset. We all enjoyed our summer, family holiday but for me, the digital-detox was very necessary and a chance to enjoy the 3D world!

Australia’s Great Ocean Road: Walks, Beaches, Heritage, Towns, Ecology and Sustainable Tourism: The Complete Guide to Southwest Victoria

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the Great Ocean Road to Warrnambool

One Great Reason to Visit the Great Ocean Road

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the spectacular coast line that can be viewed via the scenic drive through coastal towns, national parks and open, salt-bush, cliff tops.

Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

For More Information

Wikipedia

Great Ocean Road – Official Tourism Victoria Site

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Where is Wilsons Promontory?

Wilsons Promontory or more fondly known as ‘The Prom’ is the most southerly tip of mainland Australia. It has been one of my favourite camping spots for many years, offering bushwalking, wildlife viewing, swimming in the clear waters and general relaxation in the protected National Park.

Wilsons Promontory National Park was one of the first national parks declared in Victoria, more than 100 years ago, and is an icon of the park system and draws visitors from all over to this travel destination.

Development within the park has been minimal and it was only recently that a major objection was fought to keep development and commercial tourism out of ‘The Prom’. The only facilities for camping are located at Tidal River camping ground. The park information centre, small supply shop and petrol station are also found here.

During the summer peak season camping is so popular that you not only have to book a site but enter a ballot system due to the demand. Unfortunately, there are times when you will miss out!

The special attractions include Tidal River, a hike to Squeaky Beach, Whisky Bay, a 20km return hike to Sealers Cove (the only access is by foot) and Lilly Pilly Gully. It is a bushwalker’s delight.

The National Park offers the perfect opportunity for taking photographs of beautiful landscapes and wildlife you will encounter. You might like to take a look at Tony Page, professional photographer and writer and what he has on offer.

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Wilsons Promontory

One Great Reason to Visit

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to experience the sunset from the top of Mt Oberon looking over Tidal River and Norman Bay.

Gippsland, Victoria including Wilsons Promontory

For More Information

Wikipedia

Wilsons Promontory NP – Official Park Site

Wilsons Promontory NP – Official Victorian Tourism Site

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Where is Great Barrier Island?

Great Barrier Island is located 90 km from Auckland on the east coast of New Zealand. Angela Pearse spent a weekend on the island courtesy of Tourism Auckland and Sealink ferries.

Visiting Great Barrier Island is like winding back the hands of time. The 800 or so islanders generate their electricity by wind, solar, battery or diesel power. There is no main water supply or street lighting. Mail is infrequent and supplies of fresh food such as bread and grocery items are shipped over on the ferry.

But it is this back-to-basics lifestyle and untouched natural landscape which makes Great Barrier Island such a special travel destination. On our trip we met some locals who are passionate about “The Barrier”.

In Port Fitzroy on the west side of the island, Sven Stellin extracts manuka and kanuka oil and makes products, such as mosquito spray, balms, soaps and essential oils. He gives visitors a first-hand look into the process of extraction and a chance to buy Barrier Gold products.

Also at Port Fitzroy is Glenfern Sanctuary run by Tony Bouzaid. Glenfern is a 150 acre reserve where endangered species such as the rare black petrel, brown teal duck and North Island Robins can live safely from predators. Tony’s guided walk takes you through the sanctuary, which has elevated boardwalks through native forest and a suspension bridge into a 600 year old kauri tree. A ride in Tony’s Unimog, a 4WD all terrain army vehicle, is included in the walk.

Whether fishing, diving, kayaking, bush walking or general sight-seeing is the interest of the day, contact Steve Billingham of the Barrier Tour Company for an ‘Ultimate Tour’ of the island. Steve is renowned for his extensive local knowledge and humorous stories. He also runs Crazyhorse Trike Tours. A trike is a custom built motorbike that can seat two passengers side-by-side at the rear of the driver. Riders get a ‘wind in the face’ experience and commune with nature on an exhilaratingly intimate level.



Great Barrier Island accommodation and camping grounds

The largest settlement in Great Barrier Island is at Tryphena Harbour in the south west of the island where the ferry docks. It has a good selection of accommodation including:

Sunset Waterfront Lodge

Shoal Bay Lodge

Tipi & Bob’s Waterfront Lodge

There are eight camping grounds on Great Barrier Island, with some situated a short distance from pristine white sand beaches. Medlands Beach and neighbouring Okupu Bay on the east coast are particularly beautiful and it is not uncommon to see dolphins there in the warmer months.

Other top notch accommodations include Mt Saint Paul Lodge at Medlands Beach and Great Barrier Lodge at Whangaparapara Harbour on the west, which has self-contained cottages and backpacker cabins.

Currach Irish Pub, Mt Saint Paul Lodge and Great Barrier Lodge

For eating out there’s the Currach Irish Pub at Tryphena, a relaxed bar with live music and delicious speciality seafood dishes.

Or 20 minutes from Tryphena by car, Mt Saint Paul Lodge. A colonial style manor house set back from at Medlands Beach which offers fine seafood dining and stunning deck views. Hosts Trish and Ivan McMannaway are warm and welcoming.

Or try Great Barrier Lodge Restaurant and Bar at Whangaparapara Harbour, a perfect place to unwind after a day of tramping, kayaking, fishing or diving.

Sealink ferries and Fly My Sky

You can reach ‘The Barrier’, as it is affectionately known, by a relaxing four and half hour Sealink ferry ride (with onboard café + two movie theatres) or a 35 minute chartered Fly My Sky flight from Auckland Domestic Airport.

New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Great Barrier Island

One Great Reason to Visit Great Barrier Island

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the more than 100 kms of walking tracks. One of the most popular is Kaitoke Hot Springs. Reached by a gentle meandering bush walk, Kaitoke Hot Springs has a series of natural pools for bathing and is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hard day of sight-seeing on the island.

Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island from Dave Woodard on Vimeo.

For More Information

Wikipedia

Great Barrier Island Tourism

Great Barrier Island Tourism Directory

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Kaikoura, New Zealand

Where is Kaikoura?

Kaikoura is located at the top of the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. A small township with a population of only 3,000 people, it draws around 900,000 tourists a year because of resident giant sperm whales and up to seven other species of whale which come to feed in the deep waters off the coast.

Angela Pearse spent three days in Kaikoura and had her own up close and personal whale experience.

“Our first sperrrrrm whale coming up ladies and gentlemen!”, shouts Jim our onboard commentator, and general funny man, for the two and a half hour whale watching experience.

Up until now we’ve been motoring at a steady pace from shore but suddenly the boat shoots off, rocking alarmingly up and down on the two metre swell. When checking in with Whale Watch Kaikoura [www.whalewatch.co.nz] there was a sea-sickness warning but I came prepared with my ‘Ease the Quease’ pills which I dutifully took before even setting foot on the boat. I have a weak stomach at the best of times.

A fellow passenger lets the waves get the better of her and throws up gracefully into a complimentary paper bag. I’m sympathetic but with cries of “We’re chasing a whale, ladies and gentlemen,” from Jim, there’s no time to waste being sick.

We all pile over to starboard (“If you’re on the left, you’re on the wrrrronnng side”, drawls Jim). And wait and wait. The captain turns off the motor and we galoop up and down on the swelling sea. Nothing. The whale has already dived and is now feeding somewhere up to three kilometres beneath us. “It could be down there for up to two hours,” says Jim, “We lost that race. But not to worry, the captain is going to listen to see if there are any other whales around”. A handy whale listening device is hastily produced which looks like a long bendy bit of plastic tubing with a funnel duct-taped to the end. The captain listens intently to whale noises which apparently sound like trying to start your car with a flat battery.

We take off again. Jim tells us that all the whales in the area are male as the water is too cold for the breeding females. The females are all (rather cleverly, I think) in the Bahamas. Some of the whales which we will encounter, like Manu, are resident and stay in Kaikoura all year round.

Soon enough we see our first whale, blowing and snorting up ahead. “Our first encounter, ladies and gentlemen, fantastic!” says Jim voicing our enthusiasm for us. But it is thrilling to see a whale close up, it looks like a large floating black log. But we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg, the very top of the whale’s head, the rest of the huge mammal is submerged somewhere beneath the waves.

“We don’t know how long he’s been up, he could go at any minute”, says Jim cheerfully, making us grab for our cameras. No pressure, I think. Sure enough the whale lies there for a bit then arches its back taking a last breath. “Cameras ready people”, calls Jim, “He’s about to dive!”. Sure enough the whale ducks down and its tail flicks gracefully up into the air. You could have heard a pin drop (apart
from the clicking of cameras). We are hooked. We want more whales and Jim knows it. We set out on the hunt once again with all of us hanging on for dear life as the boat powers off.

The experienced crew seem easily able to spot the whales from a long distance, and in total we see five sperm whales. But on the way back into shore Jim says he has a surprise treat for us. A sixth whale, a rare Southern Right is in the area.

We all pile outside again as the boat plies patiently up and down the shoreline in search of the whale. “Over to starboard mate”, says one of the crew. After a few seconds a black hump and a tell-tale waterspout emerges on the slate grey horizon. “This whale’s behaviour is slightly different”, Jim tells us. True enough, it doesn’t lie on top of the sea and flick its tail but duck dives smoothly beside the boat as we putt alongside like its anxious child.

We gaze in mesmerised awe until Jim says it’s time to leave the whale to continue feeding. Though I doubt any whales had actually stopped feeding for a minute because of our presence. They probably
never even noticed we were there.

Jim plays us a series of videos on the trip back to shore which show typical whale behaviour, such as tail thumping and jaw clacking. In one of them called ‘The Encounter’ a determined whale tries to make contact with the boat. On second thoughts, I consider, perhaps it is best to leave them feeding in peace.

The Complete Whale-Watching Handbook: A Guide to Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Kaikoura

One Great Reason to Visit Kaikoura

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for an up close and personal experience with majestic sperm whales.

Magic of Kaikoura

For More Information

Wikipedia

Kaikoura – Official Site

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