Day 1 of my Great Oz Trip - Great Ocean Drive (Melbourne-Lorne-Cape Otway-Port Campbell)

We took Emirates (very comfy airlines) from Singapore Changi Airport at about 22:30 hours, and reached Melbourne Tullamarine airport at about 8:40 hours in the morning.

We cleared the customs and went out of the airport to walk to the Europcar Counter which was across the road from the airport. You can opt whether or not to pay for excess (car insurance), and to pay extra $ to register for an additional driver.

Got into the car - car check, and set up the GPS.

Our drive:

Ford Falcon

First stop: Lorne (about 2 hours drive)

From Melbourne :

:- take M1 Princes Highway, then take Geelong Ring Road to bypass Geelong (75 km)

:- Exit to Princes Highway (can pump petrol at Lorne if required)

:- Continue drive to Lorne (69 km)

Lorne - lovely town

:- We stopped for lunch, and took walks around trendy cafes, boutiques, shops.

:- Meal options: Qdos (take Otway St from Mountjoy Pde, then Allenvale Rd)

http://www.qdosarts.com/cafefunctions.aspx?page=cafe

:- Grandma Shields Bakery in Cumerland Resort cplx on Mountjoy Pde (award winning pies, A$4). Unfortunately we didn't manage to find the bakery :( not sure if we got the coordinates wrongly or the Bakery shifted. We ended up near a park which was fortunately along our way to our next destination.

If you have time, here are the optional sights I noted in my itinerary...

:- (optional) Erskine Falls (30m waterfall): take William St, eventually be Erskine Falls Rd (10km each)

:- (optional) a shorter walk would be to Teddy's Lookout that gives sweeping views of forested mountains abutting wide open ocean (30 min walk, go up Bay St from Great Ocean Rd, and make a left on George St.)

Second stop: Cape Otway (about 1.5 hours drive)

:- From Lorne, continue drive to Apollo Bay (45 km)

:- On the way, Koala sightings at Grey River Road (about 200 m in) look up @ gum trees

:- (optional) Continue drive to Cape Otway to look at the 1848 lighthouse with Koalas on the way (22 km + 14 km each way). A$16.50 per entry per person.

Hi Koala!

Third stop: 12 Apostles near Port Campbell

:- From Cape Otway, drive to 12 Apostles (83 km). Good to catch sunset view of the 12 Apostles.

:- Gibson steps to the shore.

:- The Arch, London Bridge and the Grotto 

:- Loch Ard Gorge is at the same area (good spot to see penguins during moonlit evenings).

Along the way...

Almost sunset...

Check in Port Campbell Hostel (stay for the night) - 10 minutes away from 12 Apostles. 

The hostel is clean, and not very packed the time we stayed. There is a common kitchen where you can cook and prepare breakfast. Oh, and the toilets and showers are common too. It's quite comfortable and cheap for us (about S$94 for one night stay), just staying for the night.

Details of Accommodation:

Port Campbell Hostel

Reception: 8-10am, 5-10pm.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g261662-d1063659-Reviews-Port_Campbell_Hostel-Port_Campbell_Victoria.html

Port Campbell Hostel

Meal Options: Lord Street, where most restaurants and shops are

:- Nico's Pizza and Pasta for dinner (6pm till late). 25 Lord St. Large pizza. YHA discounts avail.

:- Cafe on Lords (cheapest eats of pies and sandwiches)

:- Cray Pot Bistro (40 Lord St) - crayfish

Next Up: Day 2 of My Great Oz Trip