Archive for the ‘Great Ocean Road’ Category

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Audio Guided Tour of the Great Ocean Road

September 17th, 2008 by Tim

One way to make sure you don’t miss out on what you want to experience is to plan your trip. It’s important to know what you want out of your trip and there is no better way to be clear on that is to listen to experts describe what you will see where. The link below gives you an opportunity to purchase some audio material the equivalent of four CD’s.

Two “discs” cover the Coast from Torquay to the Apostles, another two overlap from Port Campbell to Porland. The material in both sets is a very detailed map, with the locations of over 30 points of interest that have an audio description including clear directions.

Visualise your trip before you go – listen to detailed descriptions and live your experience before you get there. Listen to a sample

Again – select the mage above to purchase.

Places listed on the Torquay to Apostles Set:-

Torquay, Bells Beach, Point Addis, Anglesea including the Golf course famous (or infamous) for its Kangaroos, Aireys Inlet, five more and then Lorne, must see Teddy’s Lookout, six more to Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, the apostles to the bay of Islands including Port Campbell.

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Posted in Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Beaches, Great Ocean Road, Itineraries, Lorne, Torquay, Travel tips | No Comments »


Spring, wattle and waves at Bells Beach

September 5th, 2008 by Yvonne

The wave of egg yolk yellow wattle along the coast brings sunshine every day as winter ends and spring begins. The surf at Bells is booming with every surfer in the know playing the waves. My walk through the heath where all of the spring wild flowers are starting to sprinkle the green with yellow. white, blue and pink is quiet, broken only by distant sounds of surf and nearby bird calls.

The Superb Blue Wren and his wives, the rare Rufus Bristlebird, the New World Honey Eaters and their offspring, Wattle Birds and Crimson Rosellas are some of the birds met this morning. The kangaroos were happily grazing on the sweet new grass in the paddock across the road too.

Having returned from a trip to Brisbane last week where the effects of severe drought are evident everywhere in a place I remember as tropical green, it is easy to appreciate our fresh green hills and light air.

This is a perfect time of year to come to the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Everything is fresh and clean and there are often accommodation offers that make a short trip away affordable.

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Planning a two night trip – Pia’s experience

August 29th, 2008 by Tim

The Question

From: tim@experiencetorquay.com.au
Subject: Help me give you a good answer , Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:25:23 +1000
Dear Pia,
There is quite a lot to choose from so it will help me if you can let me know:-
o When and for how long you intend to come
o Something about your interests, e.g. outdoor activities, music, etc

Regards

The Final response

Thank you heaps for that! Its such a big help!
Yes your welcome to publish the question.

Thanks again

The Request

From: Pia
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 8:41 PM, To:Tim Kottek
RE: Help me give you a good answer
Thankyou for the qucik reply. I am planning a two night stay somewhere along the great ocean road. What i would like to know is what kind of outdoor activities there are to do…and some good places to see and do? I you could assist me in anyway that would be great!

The Response

From: tim@experiencetorquay.com.au
Subject: Things to do along Great Ocean road Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:42:43 +1000

Dear Pia
I’ll apologise in advance for the many links – however they do give you the information to put together a unique experience.
One item I’d put on my list (it is on ours – haven’t had time) is to get up close and personal with a platypus. Details at the Blog – Bruce is a really nice guy and the link will get you contact details.
Next you will want to sightsee at the Apostles coming at them from either Apollo Bay or Port Fairy. I’d choose one of these two towns as one of the overnight stops. Our experience is written up at the Blog with links to helicopter flights you can preview before travelling.

The spectacular drive is between Torquay (the start of the Great Ocean Road) and Apollo Bay. So our suggestion is to have Torquay or Lorne as the other town to stay in. You can find details of a compact walk that you will find time to do part of at the Surfcoast Page Link . I’d also try to fit a surfing lesson from Torquay Surf Academy or look at Big Stick adventures Finally choose your accommodation at Find a Room on the Great Ocean Road page where you will find buttons to all the popular towns.

Regards

YvonneHunter & TimKottek
PS – May I publish your question and my answer on our Blog, I’ll make sure you are not directly identified (not show your email or family name)

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Oooh! Wow! the surf is pumping at Bells, so is the walking, running and biking.

June 29th, 2008 by Yvonne

Bells Beach surfYou will need a thick wetsuit but if you love to surf this is the place to be today! As I walked to Bells Beach this morning the big waves and the black suited surfers sweeping down them drew my eyes to this fabulous winter display of long lines of Antarctic swells that break from Jan Juc to Bells. Walkers, bikers, runners and dogs with owners were all out enjoying the morning sunshine and the surf display with me.Runners with dog

If you are viewing this from the Northern Hemisphere you may not be aware that our winters are very mild – not unlike summer in many northern countries – so it is also perfect for walking, bike riding, and running with fabulous views always in front of you. You do not have to be a surfer to truly appreciate this wonderful natural environment so close to Melbourne (only 1and 1/2 hours) at the start of the Great Ocean Road.

Pink HeathWild life is abundant too. If you are a “twitcher” the heath is home to many native birds – Rosella’s, honey-eaters, blue wrens, and even the rare Bristlebird may cross your path. This morning a group of kangaroos were attracting attention on the hillside opposite Bells Beach. And for flower lovers the Pink Heath – Victoria’s floral emblem has just started to blossom.

Photos from mobile phone – sorry only device I had with me because I was taken by surprise by the spectacle.

Bike on heath

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Locanda del Mare Restaurant Great Ocean Road Anglesea

May 4th, 2008 by Yvonne

This little place, hidden behind the Shell Service Station just off the main road at 5 Diggers Parade, is a valuable find for anyone looking for something to tempt the taste buds in Anglesea.

Locanda del Mare dessertEvening meals start at 6pm at this new restaurant only 15 minutes from Jan Juc along the Great Ocean Road in Anglesea. Locanda del Mare offers light Italian flavoured meals as well as really excellent pizzas, pasta and risottos. A special of the day like Pesce di Suppa seems most suitable for a cool autumn evening by the sea with a good balance between the rich tomato base and fresh seafood. Pancetta wrapped quail would have been my next choice. A crisp pizza with fresh toppings rapidly disappeared on the other side of the table. Creamy mushroom risotto and fresh green salad were worth the trip for my friend from Melbourne.

The warm vibe and the quality of our meal encouraged us to order some luscious desserts. An Adelaide Hills Rose accompanied all of our meals wonderfully.The hard surfaces do add to the noise level but the quick friendly service more than makes up for this and was excellent on the very busy holiday weekend night that we visited.

Take away service is also available. Phone: 03 5263 2904 And winter hours are related to custom so do ring if you are thinking of stopping for lunch.

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Birds and other animals – Autumn on the coast

April 3rd, 2008 by Yvonne

This time of year is marvellous anywhere in our region. March has been a most unusual month with the hottest temperatures on record for some days (over 40C) as well as very high rainfall for the month at other times. As April begins the cooler nights and clear days are wonderful for walking – beach or bush – and as we have a new puppyOur new puppy Bella we are indulging in our daily walks along the cliff top of Jan Juc with the expansive views to Point Lonsdale lighthouse and even to Point Nepean an Arthur’s Seat on the Mornington Peninsula on a fine day. We watch the surfers catching the best breaks of the year and celebrate that the Ripcurl Pro was a fabulous success this year with warm weather and big waves. Fewer visitors means the roads are easier to drive and accommodation is easier to find.Kings Made Aneesha The native birds visit the bird bath in our courtyard each morning and evening for a drink and a good wash. Magpies love to indulge in the full bath; wattle birds take a quick splash and a shake on the nearest tree. Heidi and KingsLast week the king parrots put on a rare display of group hand feeding for visiting grandchildren. Our guests love the birds too.

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Otway Eco Tours a Hidden Jewel

March 24th, 2008 by Yvonne

Bruce JacksonCongratulations to Bruce Jackson of Otway Eco Tours for being recognised as the Victorian winner in the national OM4Tourism Hidden Jewel Awards.

Here is what is in an earlier post ”

We have arranged to chat with Bruce Jackson at Otway Eco Tours on our way home. I have seen platypus at Healesville Sanctuary in the Dandenongs on the other side of Melbourne, but never in the wild.

So, here we are sitting on Bruce’s porch in Forrest, chatting about the wonderful wildlife that he regularly shows people in the area around his home.

Bruce and his family moved from Melbourne via Torquay – as a keen surfer he still visits Torquay often. He has a degree in biological science and chooses to utilise his knowledge by showing people the secret lives of our native animals.

While we’re with Bruce, we get to see both a male and female bowerbird – a thrill for me as I am mad about birds and didn’t even know that bowerbirds are common in the Otways. Bruce says we were particularly lucky to see the male as he is quite shy and there are fewer males around.

We make plans to return to Forrest with our family to paddle along Lake Elizabeth and see the platypus.”

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Arun’s Experience

March 13th, 2008 by Tim

Practical Example of planning a Great Ocean Road Trip

This started on December 20th with a request from Arun in Hong Kong for accommodation at Wattle Court Retreat for two nights on 28th of December.

Christmas, New Year and all of January is High Season. You can read the whole e-mail exchange, needless to say Wattle Court was not available. We pointed Arun at Find a room on the Great Ocean Road.


A telephone conversation followed and we responded to Arun with a three night four day itinerary.

  • “Day one is a short drive from Melbourne airport to Queenscliff – a quaint holiday village on the Bellarine Peninsula.
  • Day two is about 300 km to Warrnambool, but as you will be coming back you could do the Great Ocean Road in each direction, on the way down think of Lunch in Apollo Bay, then the Apostles and on to Warrnambool.
  • Day three – take a trip to Port Fairy, Tower Hill if there is time and the Warrnambool waterfront is interesting in it’s own right.
  • Day four, your return to Melbourne for New Year’s eve, focus on the Great Ocean Road between Apollo Bay and Torquay, if you can fit it in lunch at Chris’ Beacon Point Restaurant. It will be a long but great start to New Year’s Eve.”

By December 22nd Arun had confirmed bookings in Queenscliff and near Port Campbell.Debriefing after the trip Arun confirmed that:-

  • “…we enjoyed the great nature experience of this beautiful area, the only distraction was a big traffic jam before we got into Torquay, as there was no escape route ;
  • Booking – after your guidance – was convenient
  • The properties had been fine, except the difficulty to get them during the high season”

We invite your questions and will do what we can to ensure that your experience lives up to your expectation.

And remember – weekends, even off season are often fully booked two weeks or longer in advance.

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Golf courses on the Great Ocean Road

January 23rd, 2008 by Yvonne

Glenda and ScullyAs the Great Ocean Road is such a spectacular part of the world for a golfing holiday, I asked my friend Glenda who is a keen golfer (shown here with her new puppy Scully)to give me a tour of her favourite courses and some tips for golf travellers.

Not only can you play golf on some of the most picturesque courses in the world, but you can also drive along the Great Ocean Road with all the beaches, food, art and nature then return home truly satisfied.

1. LORNE is Glenda’s favourite course because “it is like paradise”, especially the views from the Club House on the top of the hill overlooking the pier. The course itself is challenging due to the hills and Glenda advises, “Do not expect your balls to land where you think you aim for. The hills are tricky.” She asks, “Do you hit straight? Because accuracy rather than length is the value of this course. It is all about placing your shots.” It is a nine hole course so when you play the full eighteen you will get a second chance to look at the views. The other lovely thing is that in some places you will be amongst the bush, which is also gorgeous. While Glenda has not ventured beyond Lorne for golf she has had the Port Fairy course recommended as highly enjoyable to play.

2. THIRTEENTH BEACH – The Beach Course. “There’s not a bad hole on this course. The fairways are undulating so you will not be able to see where you are hitting until you get close to the green. The greens are wonderfully consistent for putting. “There is an advantage in being a female golfer at this course because the men’s course is longer and tougher,” advises Glenda. She also mentions that any golfer must take into account the WIND at 13th Beach where it can be a “4 club breeze”. The Creek Course is not as pretty according to Glenda and has some water so shots need to be given more thought. Glenda prefers the Beach Course to the Creek course but would never pass up the opportunity to play either.

3. ANGLESEA – Glenda’s home club, is a very challenging course, and Glenda would rate it the hardest on the coast because the hills make the fairways seem longer. Glenda also suggests that you will need longer clubs than you might usually use. For example the Par 3 16th hole is approximately 110 metres from the ladies tee but the front of the green slopes away so you will need a club that will take you plus 10 metres. Female players who are unfamiliar with this hole will frequently under-club Glenda has observed.

KANGAROOS – are fellow residents of the Anglesea Golf Course and must be given due respect. October is the best time to see the new joeys (baby kangaroos) trying out their feet. They have been known to approach quite close to golfers. HOWEVER it is a strict rule that no golfer approaches a kangaroo as they are wild animals and can be dangerous. Glenda advises that if you just play as usual they will go about their business accepting you as part of their habitat. TOURISTS are not allowed on the golf course but can view from the car park or the Pro shop.

4. TORQUAY is a very accessible and easy course. There are views of the ocean on some holes particularly the par 3 17th hole which overlooks Jan Juc beach as you will see on the website. This course does have some tricky spots but it is also a great course for juniors to develop their skills. If you are planning to play a round during the summer holiday season it is important to phone ahead as this course is very popular with visitors.

5. THE SANDS is the most heavily bunkered course in the district so it is very challenging. Glenda advises that this is a course where course management is essential. The fairway bunkers are deep and Glenda likes to avoid them so she will often take an extra lay-up shot to ensure that she gets to the green via the fairway rather than through the sand.You may need to take 2 shots to get to the green to avoid the bunkers and if you find yourself in a bunker it will be very difficult to recover, as they are deep and sandy. Glenda likes this challenge and if you are a thinking golfer you will too. While this is a private golf course anyone with membership at another club can organise to play.

I hope that this will pique your interest in packing the clubs, bringing some friends to travel the Road stopping off to sample the courses and little towns along the way. Maybe you will see Glenda on the course – say “Hi” to her and thank her for the tips.

Some clubs you might like to try along the Great Ocean Road and on the Bellarine Peninsula:

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Posted by Yvonne Tags: , , ,
Posted in Golf, Great Ocean Road, Lorne, Torquay, Travel tips, Wildlife | 1 Comment »


Christmas holidays at Torquay on the Great Ocean Road

December 31st, 2007 by Yvonne

Wow! As soon as school is over for the year, Aussie holiday-makers come to Torquay and other spots along the Great Ocean Road. The caravan parks fill and every bit of accommodation is taken up with families and groups ready to relax. Beach cricket or footy, building sandcastles or just relaxing in the shade is the very essence of an Aussie summer.

English visitors are fascinated by the Aussie Christmas and imagine us eating turkey, ham and plum pudding in our bathers. Of course many of us still do! Most around here seem to opt for a barbecue with salads and seafood these days though. And I enjoy demonstrating my gourmet credentials with some new exotica – this year it was duck confit and our tradition of summer pudding.

Our pre-Christmas family gatherings culminated in a trip on the ferry between Queenscliff and Sorrento to meet with cousins on the Mornington Peninsula – always pleasant and relaxing. Quite often dolphins swim beside the ferry, although the only dolphin we saw was at the Sorrento pier enjoying leftover fish from a fishing boat.

As I sit here blogging, the plink-plonk of tennis balls against rackets just behind our house reminds me that at the end of January the Australian Open will be held in Melbourne, and all eyes will be watching the television until the winner is declared. This is the signal for the end of the school holidays.

Meanwhile all along the coast, every age of surfer and swimmer will be out enjoying the cool waters as temperatures climb above 30C. Inland, where I grew up, temperatures have reached 40C lately. Fortunately for us, here on the coast the heat is tempered by the daily sea breeze.

We love the excitement and buzz that this time of year brings to our small town as we see so many people enjoying what is ours all year round.

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