Great Ocean Road_Until then So Long!

I am lucky enough to continue Exploring Australia. I am in the state of Victoria, today I am booked for the world’s most scenic Concert, produced by the almighty and the cast…oh I am gonna wait to share the details minute by minute as it happens.

I had the best tickets booked for the concert and decked up in my most extravagant outfit. With my fellow Italian and American tourists each with a cup of coffee and Croissant, we board the vehicle with JOHN our driver, guide, and Photographer.

We Cross Melbourne in a frenzy leaving behind the traffic and move out towards the countryside to see Golden fields neatly curated and stacked with golden Grass bales. We were to travel 243km from Melbourne and back visiting the “THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD”

Surfer’s paradise

We hit the first town of Torquay some 105 km away from Melbourne and our first glimpse of the backdrop set for the concert. At the start of the ocean road, we keep driving from the east coast to the west to get the most scenic views on the winding curves on the edge of the coastal road of the mighty south Ocean.

A stop to visit the Bell’s Beach with golden sand, turquoise waters, and great surf, this being the surfers’ paradise. The place holding the annual Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition at Easter. The town also hosts the beautiful and the only one of its kind Surfer’s museum.

Sports at the beach…Catching them Young

On a visit to the beach at Lorne with lush green meadows offering a respite and coffee break, I see kindergarten children along with the teachers do the sprint races with the parents cheering with full might. I watch in wonder and it’s possible to back home.

Amidst the rainforests with the natives

Visiting the Great Otway Park we meet the natives: the kangaroos and the koalas along with others amidst the rich rainforest with magnificent flora and Fauna. These shy natives in their natural environments are a sight to behold.

We cruise along the road taking pit stops now and then, we are blessed with the weather today, but in this part of the world, it’s normally fickle. The drive throughout is jaw-dropping with stunning coastline, lush green rainforests, iconic beaches and magical waterfalls, national parks like the Otway and Campbell, Bass strait  Lighthouse with many vantage points.

Quaint towns like Lorne, Angle sea, Apollo bay equipped with cafes, pubs, restaurants, and great B & B are on offer throughout the Ocean road. Having my lunch at the beach of freshly baked bread, fries and spreads I now see the backdrop changing color and readying itself for the concert and the spectators too are lining up.

The Great Ocean Road Arc

As a mark of respect, this arch was built on a rock brought from Port flair the war took place as you see closely the men are shown offering a drink showing a great camaraderie and teamwork to create this beautiful landmark.

This War memorial was made in remembrance of the soldiers killed in World War One. Having seen a lot of memorials, this one is different. A very thoughtful, creative, and true mark of respect created amidst nature.

Built by hands using only a pick and shovel by around 3000 soldiers returning from war during the Recession of that era, these were out of work, but used to a lot of hard work and teamwork and needed work. Hence when the project was conceived these worked hard staying in an open settlement on Otway road thus connecting the countryside and the small villages making it easy for commerce.

The 12 Apostles

Jaw dropped as I reach the venue at port Campbell Park and saw these 70 meters high limestone structures jutting out of the sea taking center stage in the huge expanse of water. The aboriginals belonging here find their roots intertwined with the five elements of nature and are often presented through all their art and culture and feel their strong presence around.

The real backdrop is the sky with the vista of blues and the ocean with velvet and turquoise with the 12 apostles, the music is Hard Rock, the sea is hostile, rugged, and treacherous and hits the apostles with so much power that the limestone stacks have crumbled down making caves in the cliffs; forming arches. But during the low tide, the surf making peaceful Jazz music kisses the golden shore and today descending the 86 Gibson steps to reach the beach and see the apostles closely, is enchanting.

The history and discovery of these are still unknown but as I understand it is the phenomenon of nature as is the making so is the crumbling down. Nature the creator and the destroyer, but the sheer size and beauty of these majestic 70 meters high eight stacks glorious at all times as you sit there and witness the ever-changing drama of land, water, wind, and surf. You are a mere dot as the elements are hard at play and you just bow in respect and gratitude.

The LOC Ard Gorge

Named after Tom and Eva two 19-year-old survivors of the Loc Ard shipwreck the Clipper ship Loc Ard which ran aground on nearby Mutton-bird Island after a 3-month journey. The arch of the nearby Island Archway collapsed in June 2009. The Loc ard now appears as two unconnected rock pillars.

A Sublime feeling

There is something about water bodies and the human connection. We too are 70% water and hence I feel there is a strong pull and time spent at these gives you this sublime powerful feeling of getting connected to something more powerful and enormous.

Words fail to express a feeling of that moment

The concert is set in my senses making a permanent mark visiting it many times in my day time as it not only gives me a break but takes me to the most wonderful drive bringing me freshness, positivity, serenity, and supreme respect for the almighty for creating such wonderful vistas to live this life.

It’s the wilderness of the forests for long stretches and the cool ocean breeze, the jazz music of the waves and that makes the visit to the Great Ocean road a must on the list. You get to do it all, sit and laze at the seaside villages, play around on the pristine beaches, surf the waves and walk through the rainforest, spend time with the wildlife, trail to the waterfalls, experience the aboriginal art, and culture.

Some artists, you need to hear and watch again and again, this one makes it to the top of the list. Until then,   So Long!!

Stay tuned to the Varsha Mahore blog. Enriching Lives through Travel.