Friday morning we set off, first stop was Agnes Falls, the highest single span falls in Victoria. It was cold and raining. We met an interesting german couple who took a picture for us.

– Agnes Falls near Toora

Agnes Falls near Toora
We drove through the Strzelecki Ranges, beautiful green rolling hills with lots of farmland till we got to Mirboo North. This sculpture was made to honour the fire fighter who gave the koala a drink of water in the Black Saturday fires in 2009. This area and north of here was destroyed by those terrible fires.

Mirboo North
All around Victoria there are rail trails for people to walk and ride their bikes, this is one of the trails Peter and I went for a little ride on, very beautiful and quiet and peaceful. This rail trail was behind a brewery. The owners allowed us to free camp there so we took advantage and sampled their beers (Peter more so than me) and had a lovely meal.

Mirboo North
Sunday morning we left Mirboo North and headed towards the water again. We found Inverloch and Cape Paterson, lovely seaside towns but incredibly busy with the million or so Melbournites away for the long weekend here in Victoria.

Inverloch

Cape Paterson
We went to Philip Island and it was packed. Decided not to go see the fairy penguins, there had been 2,500 people the night before and there was no way Peter was going there. We’ll have to catch them next time. Eventually we found a free camp site at Grantville overlooking Western Port, not much there but met a dutch couple who free camp everywhere they go. He shared his zoute drop (salted liquorice) with me, yummy.

Grantville
Monday morning saw us heading down the Mornington Peninsula, the last 2 days had been very hot and all I wanted to do was swim, unfortunately the tide goes out for a half a kilometre in these bays so had to make do with a paddle. In true Victoria style 2 hours later the weather changed and became cool and raining. Below is a picture of how they camp Victoria style. These huts are dotted all along the peninsula overlooking Port Philip Bay.

Camping Victoria style

Sunset over Port Philip Bay
Tuesday morning we were up very early and caught the 7 o’clock ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff.

Looking back to Sorrento
We had a good look around Queenscliff and Pt Lonsdale. Lots of very old buildings and a lighthouse and jetty.

Pt Lonsdale
We stayed in Torquay Tuesday night.

Wednesday we headed off to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Found this replica of a bark hut that the first settlers lived in 1852. They must have been short people because even I had to duck my head to go inside and very small living quarters. I thought the motorhome was cramped.

Bark Hut at Aireys Inlet

Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet
We made it to Memorial Arch the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road built by 3,000 returned soldiers from the first world war.

Memorial Arch Eastern View
Next stop was Lorne. A trendy boutique style seaside town. It was very busy here, we can’t believe the amount of travellers with caravans and motorhomes are here in one place. We couldn’t get into a park here so went on to Wye River.

Lorne Jetty

View from Teddys Lookout Lorne

Great Ocean Road

Wye River