Goldenbackpacker.com

GREAT OCEAN ROAD - STAY FOR LESS "A$"

GREAT OCEAN ROAD (VIC)(GOR) is a major Australian Scenic Coastal Route which faces onto the Bass Straight & Southern Ocean which bears up from the cold reaches of the Antarctica Continent. GOR starts at Geelong S/West of Melbourne & ends at Portland. The route then continues into South Australia State via Mount Gambier & The Coorongs to Adelaide the Capital. The whole journey provides many spectacular features to gasp at & leaves you with vivid memories to treasure.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – WARRNAMBOOL BEACH BACKPACKERS at 17 Stanley Street, Aus 3280 (out of the main town towards the beach front) tele (03) 5562 4874 Email johnpearson@hotmail.com - $23 pn incl break in large dorm with sep. shower & wc room. Small s/c kitchen & dining area, large lounge/ TV/games/ sitting room with bar & meals provision. It’s a case of the location choosing the hostel as WAR is at the end of a long GOR day from Melbourne, the next stage turns inland & onto Adelaide which is another day

Reserve – Port Fairy YHA at 8 Cox Street (in centre of town) tele (03) 5568 2468 Email.portfairy@yhavic.org.au - $17 pn in dorm. sep showers/ wc’s. s/c kitchen, lounge/ TV. A beautiful little hostel in historic old building in this charming seaside town. Use this hostel on the alternate GOR tour route from Adelaide to Melbourne.

FOOD for this journey needs to be bought in advance in Melbourne, as no convenient food shopping diversions are made on the tour other than briefly at cafes, longer stops being given to views as a priority. The overnight hostel also has a reasonable evening meal so all that is really needed are lunch snacks for the journey & regular top up’s of your water bottle on the way.

TRAVELLING AROUND – Undoubtabley the best way to get the maximum advantage of the GOR is to drive by car so you can stop at all the treats. The second best is to take one of the many organised tours, preferably in a smaller 20-seater coach, where you can get to know your fellow travellers better. In GB’s case a Greyhound 2day tour from Mel. To Adel. was selected with overnight stay at Warrnambool, there are also journeys in the opposite direction. A group of 16 passengers was on board, which worked out well as we soon got to know each other, plus driver Ron who was a great guide.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Geelong – A large industrial town, indeed, it is the main manufacturing base of Ford Australia
2. Torquay – First sight of the sea & coastal views but the place is best known for its surfing
3. Anglesea – One unique feature of this place is on the golf course, its over run with kangaroos
4. Lorne – Beautiful seaside cove & beach, a popular place for the Mel rich to have a sea property
5. 12 Apostles – “Icon” Seascape on the GOR - with winds howling & waves lashing - its awesome
6. Lochard Gorge – Another naturally sculptured part of this exposed coast, see the Cauldron
7. Warrnambool – Stopping point after a long but exhilarating day of sights & sounds
Overnight stay
8. Tower Hill Reserve – Volcanic crater now a wildlife reserve with koala, kangaroo, emu & others
9. Port Fairy – Whaling station in the late 1820’s now a quiet seaside retreat on the Moyne River
10. Heywood – In hilly timber/ paper country inland near Mt. Clay it gives countryside appeal
11. Mount Gambier – Crater lakes & the famous Blue Lake, sinkholes now creative gardens - unique
12. Robe – Southern rock lobster port & ideal location for windsurfing, sailing or walking the beach
13. Kingston – Another quiet fishing port this time with a long pier & large salt water lake behind
14. Coorong – Wetland wilderness & inland sea of shallow lagoons home to over 130 species of birds

*Ron - Ralph & Sue – Scott – Debra – Manuel - Big Lobster - Greg (Anglsea Golf Course Kangaroo)