Originally we had planned to go see the Moomba parade in the morning before leaving Melbourne. But then plans to meet friends we made at our Kimberly adventure in Western Australia the year before had us leave the city early in the morning so we could meet up with them in Apollo Bay for lunch.
The day before the parade was supposed to take place we learned that it had been canceled due to the severe heat in the city. Well, sometimes things just fall in place.
So we drove from Melbourne to Apollo Bay.
This part of the trip started us on one of the most famous drives in Australia: the Great Ocean Road. The drive starts about 1,5 hours South of Melbourne at the coast, right South of Torquay. However, we joined the Great Ocean Drive about seven kilometers inland.
Often mistaken for the beginning of the Great Ocean Road is the Memorial Arch. The Arch and the Road itself is a memorial to the returned Australian soldiers of WW I.
We still had some time before we’d meet for lunch so we decided to do a hike along the way. We stopped at Sheoak Falls which from the parking lot is a short 700m hike to the waterfall. However, the path lies almost completely in the sun. So we were roasted by the time we came back. The waterfall is quite lovely though- just don‘t do it a almost 40 degrees.
We made it to Apollo Bay for lunchtime and met with the lovely couple from our Kimberly adventure for sea food and drinks.
They live in Melbourne and know the area quite well. So when they suggested doing a hike in the mountains behind the coast we gladly accepted.
Together we drove to Beech Forest where in 1936 the Forest Commission of Victoria began experimental planting of Califonian Redwoods, as the name implies a non- native species to the area.
The atmosphere of the forest is amazing. Surrounded by temperate rain forest with large fern trees these redwoods stand tall radiating a calming energy and emit a very pleasant smell.
A short drive further we hiked down into the rainforest to get to Triplet Falls, nestled amongst the ancient forests of Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech. The first part of the hike is easy to do. Until you get to this part:
We used the tree‘s roots as a ladder to make our way downwards (and up again of course!) We made it in one piece and enjoyed the gushing streams.
Another wonderful adventure in this incredible country and with nice company. Really enjoyed the day!