The Great Ocean Road Trip: Our Seventh Month in Australia
September marked our seventh month in The Land Down Under. The harsh winter is slowly transitioning into Spring. Our wedding anniversary is drawing very close too! So we've decided to plan a little anniversary getaway. Read on to find out what happened this month.
This September marks five full years of marriage for Saha and me! It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown. We’ve been having such a great time and staying so busy with life that the years just slipped by. Over these five years, we’ve shared countless adventures, from moving across countries and continents to exploring new places and finally finding a place to call home. Our journey has been filled with the highest highs and the lowest lows, and it has shaped us into strong, resilient and compassionate human beings. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
To celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary, we decided to explore the famous Great Ocean Road over three days. We both love traveling and have had many incredible adventures in Sri Lanka and the Philippines. This seemed like the perfect way to kick off our adventures here in Australia.
Day One Highlights
We started our road trip early on a Thursday morning. The highlights of the day included the stunning Point Roadknight Lookout in Anglesea, the picturesque Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet - where they filmed the famous 90's TV show "Round The Twist", and the breathtaking views from Teddy's Lookout in Lorne. Each stop filled us with awe and excitement. Seeing the lighthouse brought back so many nostalgic memories. As 90s kids, we grew up watching Round The Twist, and it was truly unforgettable to see the filming location in real life.
By the time we arrived in Apollo Bay for lunch, we were exhausted. We checked into our cozy accommodation and had a much-needed rest before heading out for dinner at a charming little Italian place. The food was delicious, and we talked about how far we've come since we first met. It was the perfect end to a wonderful day.
We had a long day ahead of us, but we were excited for the new places we were going to see.
Exploring The Great Otway National Park
The next day, we ventured into The Great Otway National Park with plans to experience the Otway Fly Treetop Walk and visit the Redwoods.
It was a beautiful early spring morning with a slight drizzle and a cool breeze rustling through the trees. As we walked towards the park entrance, we spotted a little wallaby grazing in the open plains. The wallaby and I shared a moment of eye contact, each of us assessing the other. Slowly, I inched closer to snap a photo, capturing the serene encounter, and the wallaby went back to grazing after a while.
The treetop walk was truly incredible. The walkway gradually elevated, and soon we were walking among the treetops. The only sounds were the soft breeze, birdsongs, and our footsteps. It felt like we had stepped into an entirely different world - calm, serene, and peaceful.
The Redwoods is a small patch of towering Redwood trees nestled in the heart of the forest. We felt like Lilliputians walking among the giant Redwoods. Just like the treetop walk, the area was calm and peaceful, reminding me of my love for walking for hours in deep forests, far from the crowds and the bustling city. It's the perfect stress-buster.
The Natural Wonders of Great Ocean Road
Over the afternoon and the next day, we explored the beautiful places between Apollo Bay and Allansford. We visited the infamous Twelve Apostles, the only place where we encountered large crowds on the entire road trip. Ironically, it wasn’t our favorite spot.
We loved The Bay Of Islands. The deep teal blue water, and beautiful limestone rock formations scattered throughout, Bay of Islands truly took our breath away. We also loved exploring The Grotto, Lock Ard Gorge, and the London Arch. Each of these places had its own unique charm, and surprisingly, no crowds!
Perhaps it was because we traveled in early Spring—the gloomy skies, light rain, and heavy wind gusts made the ocean look magnificent. It was insanely beautiful, yet sometimes terrifying. It’s probably much brighter and sunnier in Summer, and the ocean would be much calmer too.
Cafe Runs along The Great Ocean Road
One of the best parts of our travels is exploring beautiful local cafes. We rely on Google Maps to find the cafes with the best ratings and beautiful interiors. Apollo Bay, Lavers Hill, and Peterborough had some of the most beautiful cafes we've ever visited, and the food was amazing.
Our favourite cafes, in order of the pictures, are:
The Perch, Lavers Hill - A cozy spot bordering the Otway rainforest, with stunning nature views and delicious food.
Ted's, Peterborough - A charming café with a warm atmosphere and scrumptious pastries
REAL Pizza Pasta Salads, Port Campbell - A delightful place with a rustic vibe and mouth-watering pizza.
Each café had its unique charm, and we loved experiencing the local flavors and ambiance. These moments made our trip even more memorable.
Our seventh month in Australia - celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary with the Great Ocean Road adventure - was truly unforgettable. From the treetop walks and Redwoods in The Great Otways National Park to the stunning Bay of Islands, every moment was filled with wonder. The beautiful cafés we discovered added a cozy touch to our journey.
Reflecting on these experiences, we realise how much we've grown together. Here's to many more adventures and shared memories in the years to come. We hope our story inspires you to explore and savour every moment along this journey of life.
Love,
Yasho.
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