SKENES CREEK

WED 29.4.2015: Nav had plotted sight seeing activities for the day and fortunately the weather obliged! The Great Ocean Road passes through four areas - Surf Coast, Otway Ranges, Shipwreck Coast and Discovery Coast. First stop, the wreck of the W. B. Godfrey which sailed from San Francisco to Melbourne in 1891. Although no lives were lost in the wreck, five men were drowned later in attempts to salvage the ship's cargo.

W. B. GODFREY WRECKAGE

ONE OF OUR MANY STOPS ON THE QUICK
& EASY WALK!

Onward to the Sheoak Falls and Swallow Caves - "a quick and easy walk, taking only 10 minutes from the car park to get a glimpse of the falls" - HAAAAAAAA! We set off in heavy jackets up and down stairs (deep stairs), and well after ten minutes still no falls, but we did come across a tourist's meeting which had been convened at one of the many sets of stairs. A successful walker advised that we still had many more steps to go and then a long meandering path before reaching the falls. One couple turned back, but we decided to press on and on and on! Finally passed the swallow caves and found the Sheoak Falls - yes it was worth it. We calculated with stops included that our 10 minute walk had eked out to a "quick and easy" hour! 

SHEOAK FALLS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erskine Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the Otway region. "If you are fit you can take the 200 steps to the bottom of the waterfall." Due to our Sheoak Falls expedition our fitness level only extended the 50 steps to the first platform of the waterfall!

ERSKINE FALLS



Teddy's Lookout provides a spectacular view of The Great Ocean Road - even better had the actual lookout platform been accessible!

Just had to have a decadent stop at the Grand Pacific Hotel which was built in 1875 with superb ocean views in one of the most unique settings on the coast, opposite surf beaches and the Lorne Pier. After being fully restored the historic Grand Pacific Hotel provides, comfortable and affordable accommodation, with modern services in a classic restored building.

"You've got two chances, Buckley's and none!" William Buckley Discovery Trail - William Buckley escaped from the Sorrento convict settlement in 1803 and eventually made his way to this site. Facing loneliness and the onset of winter, Buckley decided to give himself up. We did one final stop at the designated outlook and thought we should let the puddles experience The Great Ocean Road - cannot express how excited they were!



CAROLE'S NEW FOUND
LORNE FRENDS!

Before leaving Lorne we purchased a few items from the hardware store and enquired about an IGA. "Oh, yes there is one here, but it is known to be the highest priced IGA store in Victoria." Armed with this we made the informed decision to stop at the Kennett River store for our egg and bacon staples. We purchased our dozen golden eggs for $7.50 and our 250 grams of bacon (obviously a famous relative of Babe), for $7.50 - so made the right choice, NOT! Then to top off our thrifty purchases we bought some supplies from the caravan park - example Aldi Eton biscuits $1.29 (Jatz type biscuits), a little bit of a mark up at $4.00!