Index
Days 1/2: Flying
Day 3: Great Ocean Road
Day 4: Great Ocean Road
Day 5: Yarra Valley
Day 6: Melbourne
Day 7: Sydney
Day 8: Sydney
Day 9: Sydney
Day 10: Sydney
Day 11: Return
Australia
The typical late departure from the west coast means a morning arrival in Australia, which is great because you can hit the road immediately. After making sure Diana was properly caffeinated, we hopped into the rental car and started our trek down Great Ocean Road.
First stop was actually a bit before the Great Ocean Road, at a rather uninspiring bakery called Routley's. Given we had a bit of a drive ahead of us, we opened to press on to the Great Ocean Road proper instead of a second stop for breakfast. Memorial Arch is the first serious marker for the Great Ocean Road, then it was a reasonably short drive to Teddy's Lookout, just outside of the little town of Lorne.
With such good weather, we pressed on and eventually ended up in Apollo Bay. Not sure if it was actually large than Lorne, but it certainly felt bigger, with a lively main drag and some rather average fish (and scallop) meat pies at Apollo Bay Bakery. Saw quite a few lookouts worth stopping at as well, although we tried to refrain, as we didn't want to make a zillion stops for (almost) the same view.
We actually timed our arrival at The Twelve Apostles perfectly by not stopping too much on the way in, catching a spectacular sunset just minutes after making it to the viewing area.
Not too much further down the road, Daysy Hill Country Cottages in Port Campbell was a charmingly rustic stop for the night. Diana revealed she had filled her suitcases with snacks, so instead of heading back into town, we enjoyed instant noodles, Australia wine purchased on our drive in, and a view of the galactic center in the night sky from our room. Have to say it was a very successful first day in Australia.