Dementia Demons Go Exploring: The Great, Great Ocean Road Adventure

Surprisingly Gorgeous Geelong

We arrived at Geelong Showground late Monday 24/2/14 after spending the day in Melbourne.We were only going to spend a night or 2 but we were very surprised to find both the park and Geelong had plenty to offer so opted to stay for 3 nights. The showground only had a few travellers but everyone was very friendly and helpful. One set of neighbours had been on the road for eleven years and Steve picked up plenty of caravanning tips. Another couple had been travelling for over 2 years and had only seen Tassie and Victoria!

Tuesday was too hot for site seeing so on Wednesday we took off on our pushies and rode through Geelong botanical gardens and along the Esplanade. We were like twelve year olds with a new bike. It was so much fun. The gardens were gorgeous.

Mrs Dusty and Dusty on our bikes with no motor in sight and we never once hit the deck!

Geelong has these wonderful bollards depicting all walks of life everywhere sculptured by a local artist.

And the sea pool is amazing as is the large Ferris wheel with beautiful old houses overlooking the ocean. That night we dined at a beaut Balinese restaurant. Perfect end to a great day.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD HERE WE COME!

Next stop Kennett River. A little caravan park we'd heard about right on the Great Ocean Rd with plenty of Koalas and just opposite the beautiful coastline.
One morning whilst having breakfast, a Koala walked straight past us and up a tree. I couldn't believe my eyes usually when you see them they're fast asleep. Stupid me, I thought I was videoing him but no! I didn't push the record button.

Next morning we drove up through amazing bushland to Forrest which is in the heart of The Otways. We went Geo-caching at Elizabeth Lake which was only formed 50 years ago after a record rainfall caused a landslide which dammed the river causing this spectacular lake. It's now full of platypus but unfortunately we didn't see any nor did we find our cache.

Not to worry the bush walk and lake were well worth the trip, Amazing old forest gum trees 50 to 70 meters tall and lush rain forest ferns.

That evening we drove 6 ks along the road to see the glow worms we'd heard about but it was too early to see them. The dusk lasts so long here.We went on another bush walk through the rain forest. It is so different at dusk. Beautiful but sort of spooky! The following night up again to see the glow worms and this time we saw all the little blighters. Looking into the bush was like looking at stars in the night sky, quite magical.

Next day we were off to Joanna Beach, a free site everyone was talking about, but it just wasn't to our liking so we traveled further on to Princetown for a one nighter. I thought this place still looked a bit grim but it ended up being a little gem. It was very close to The Twelve Apoostles, it had a great beach and inlet, a board walk through wetlands and to top it off it was a lovely balmy night and we were finally allowed to have a camp fire and SS BBQ'd two big T-Bones. Once again we had the music pumping and over indulged in red wine under a beautiful starry night.

Now back to the afternoon, prior to all that red wine stuff. We went on our much anticipated 12 Apostle Helicopter tour and by a great spot of good luck after paying for 2 x 15 minute flights we were offered if we split up one of us could have the front seat and one of us a 25 minute upgrade Naturally my gorgeous husband offered me to go on the extended flight, thanks darling! and he got to sit next to the pilot. Happy days all round. The pictures can tell a better story than I ever could.