PETERBOROUGH - POPULATION: 178

FEELING CONFIDENT!

SUNDAY 3.5.2015: We have realised that we now have a serious aversion to four letter words - walk, step, easy and one five letter word - stroll! As soon as we read the information boards outlining the feature and the distance to be covered we immediately know to double the quoted time. The plan for today is to tackle the Twelve Apostles Region - yes, more rock formations! Our first "walk" was to the Great Ocean Road Gibsons Steps although we chose not to tackle the steps as the weather was somewhat overcast!!!!!!!!

The Twelve Apostles are world recognised icons set amongst the Port Campbell National Park. To the west there are seven stacks that are clearly visible, with the rest hidden by headlands and obscured by other stacks. Port Campbell's limestone is generally dated at 15-20 million years old, but these formations were formed in the last 6,000 years. The Twelve Apostles were originally called 'The Sow and Piglets' by C J La Trobe in 1846. The Sow was the Mutton Bird Island and the Piglets were the other formations down the coast to the east. The locals have used the 'Twelve Apostles' name and the world agreed by adopting it.

JUST A LITTLE TOURISTY!!!!!!

THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Next stop - Loch Ard Gorge - named after the infamous ship that came to grief - more on that tale later!

LOCH ARD GORGE

The Razorback - the sharp edges and bumps along its back are caused by wind blown spray which hardens small areas of rock. The softer rock around these erodes away leaving an uneven surface.

THE RAZORBACK

ISLAND ARCHWAY



Stopped at Port Campbell's town scenic lookout.

THE ARCH

LONDON BRIDGE



In 1990 the main arch connecting London Bridge to the mainland cracked and fell into the sea. Two people marooned on the new island were rescued hours later by helicopter.

 

 

"A short stroll....." to the Grotto - water from a swampy depression has percolated through the 10-20 million year old limestone of the escarpment.

THE GROTTO





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had planned to travel further today, but our walk, step, easy and stroll took longer than expected - surprise! Stayed at the Great Ocean Road Tourist Park, Peterborough. The town was believed to have been founded when the schooner SS Schomberg was wrecked in the middle of the 19th century, though the town was not sufficiently populated to justify a Post Office until 10 April 1890.