The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

 David, my husband, had work in Warrnambool, Victoria and inquired whether Jordy and I would like to tag along. Tagging along meant a full days driving, some 934 kilometers in one day and the return journey after two days in Warrnambool. Some would consider it idiocy to travel such distances for such a short period of time, but the inducement of visiting monolithic rock features of the Great Ocean Road was enough to inspire us to make the journey.

Our first day was spent touring just beyond Warrnambool. The Bay of  Islands is the first pit stop and the sight was enough to make the girls feel glad they came. Even with blustery winds, dark clouds and freezing temperatures, it still is a  sight to behold. You get the feeling of the full magnitude of the ocean's power as the waves pound against the limestone cliff faces and you feel as if you are witnessing the wave erosion of these monolithic structures, which really have taken hundreds of years to wear away.

Great beauty in front of the rocks? Jordy and friend Korina

And an old crag (still standing in the wind) getting her mug in the one and only shot of the holiday

I love the tonal value of colours and the subtle changes you can see in the rock layers, a true declaration of the years passing by.

Wave action on the base of the cliff face and colour drenching the limestone from the surface soils.

A panoramic shot so you might appreciate the view

From the Bay of Islands we moved onto a rock formation known as the Grotto
This time the erosion was formed two fold from the coast and inland waters. I've cheated and photographed the explanation for you

On to London Bridge. This rocky feature was connected to the mainland and I remember visiting it some thirty years ago and walking across the structure. When it collapsed in 1990 two tourists were stranded on the island and had to be rescued . Fortunately no one was injured with the collapse.

 A small trickle from  a creek onto the beach at the London bridge site is a perfect example of erosion from the land

This bird attracted my attention in the car park with its beautiful call and stayed still just long enough to snap it and then disappeared

The Arch  and waves in action. Imagine this at sunset on a hot summers eve with all the colours in the sky glowing red.

Of course I cant go anywhere without capturing the bird life. This bird found along the Hopkin River..I went to see the whales on Logan's Beach but saw birds instead. Dave was lucky enough to spy a whale the same day in the evening.

Within meters of where we stayed in the heart of Warrnambool is Middle Island, Merri River and Thunder point. Middle Island is now a safe haven for breeding penguins and during the summer months it is possible to walk across the sands at low tides. This also means that foxes have been able to do the same thing and breeding pairs were at an all time low, nearing extinction, until they introduced a shepherding dog to protect the penguins. The penguin colonies are now beginning to breed again and are protected from marauding foxes, human foot traffic is also no longer allowed.

Footbridge near the breakwater where the Merri river meets the sea. Local inhabitants of the Merri river.

Merri River viewed from Thunder Point and a very exciting inhabitant was stumbled upon. My first meeting with an Echidna. I must say my heart was pounding from excitement but I daren't move as they are extremely shy creatures. This little fella was less than a meter away from me and I think the wind blowing towards me saved me from detection. The slightest noise and he headed for cover.

 What I saw whale watching - wind waves and rainbows.

Victoria and south Australia share the same bird.(I think)  I have photographed this bird in the Mount Lofty Ranges

And these three seagulls show what determination can do. The wind was strong and fierce when I grabbed these three braving the elements. I could barely hold my camera still even though I rested it on the breakwater. Lean to the left boys, now to the right. get those feet positioned right!

Thanks for hanging around so long!