From its rainforests to its animals to its magnificent coastline, the southern coast of Australia has riches that continue to amaze and thrill us. We had the pleasure of introducing just a few of its treasures to our current guests and dear friends this week, Amy and daughter Elena. Their enthusiasm and appreciation was a joy to witness, and this opportunity to share our love of Australia with friends and family is surely one of the many blessings of living here.
Within one hour of deciding to leave a day early for the Great Ocean Road on Monday morning, seven of us piled into a nearly bursting station wagon. Mercifully the bickering amongst the Wilkin children that punctuated our trip to Healesville Sanctuary on Saturday was absent, making the trip a pleasant one filled with lots of reminiscing and sharing of stories between the grownups. We made it to Lorne by lunchtime, watched the children swim in the afternoon, then drove to Apollo Bay on Tuesday, and finally, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge on Wednesday. As ever, we left wishing we could stay just a bit longer. Following are a few highlights.
Laney on the Lorne Foreshore with her new favorite stuffed animal, a dingo:
My new favorite teenager:
Apollo Bay.
Love this boy and how he loves the water . . .
And this one too . . . He did a fabulous job helping me look after James on our short trip. He also served as our wildlife spotter and resident naturalist.
The Maits Rest Rainforest Walk was the perfect way to spend our morning on Tuesday. Although the temperature was a sticky ninety-five degrees everywhere else, we were cool and comfortable under the beautiful Mountain Ash, Myrtle Beech, and Soft Tree Ferns.
On the road to the Cape Otway Lighthouse, we came across a koala by the side of the road. We could have reached out and pried him out of his perch, but instead spent several minutes returning his intense gaze. I think this is my favorite koala photo thus far.
Unfortunately the walk to the Cape Otway Lighthouse was hot as blazes. Several children felt that they might expire under the rays of the sun and the scorching northwest wind. We persevered and climbed it anyway, and were most grateful when Amy treated us to cold drinks afterward. Coke has never tasted better.
By 4pm we felt we could safely venture onto the beach without as much danger of sunburn. When Amy and I waded in, we felt as if we were standing in ice water.
Wednesday morning brought with it a most welcome drop in temperature. It was so cool and misty we dug out the raincoats for our excursion to the Otway Treetop Fly.
The Superb Wrens entertained us on our way back to the car.
From the forest, back to the coast and the Twelve Apostles:
Final stop of this trip, Loch Ard Gorge, Amy's favorite place to date in Australia. "Out of the movies" is how she described it. She accompanied the older children into one of the caves where they found an abundance of stalactites and stalagmites.
James woke up in what I call his "Alexander" mood (as in the "horrible, terrible no good, very bad day"). In addition to general crankiness, he insisted on wearing his jacket when the rest of us were rather warm. Later that night Ross noticed he was quite feverish, so we forgave him. Here he is in a rare moment of happiness.
Gorgeous photos—that's my sister-in-law and niece I see. I'm so jealous; what gorgeous sights they've gotten to see and experience. I can't wait to hear more about their trip when they come home!
Thanks for sharing about their visit!
Posted by: Tif_smith | 01/21/2012 at 06:57 AM
Great pictures! We just did the Great Ocean Road for the first time on Thursday. I'm jealous of your lens though... there were so many opportunities to take wonderful photos of koalas but I only had my wide angle. Ben and I are hoping to bring his mom on the trek when she visits so maybe I'll manage to take some shots as great as yours!
-Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Db3 | 01/22/2012 at 11:49 PM