The Great Ocean Road from Torquay
Come, Stay, Enjoy
Contribute to Surf Lifesaving! How? Participate in one of the swims.
Rip View Classic – Saturday 3rd January 2009
Pub to Pier- it’s so popular that entries are now closed, pity about that.
Danger 1000 – Saturday 17th of January 2009
Queenscliff Blue Water Challenge – 31 st of January 2009
So if you have missed out on the pub to pier – don’t despair, swim for your life a those three events above.
Here is background on the swims
My friends Michael and Jan hope you will join them in the water.
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Categories: Beaches, Events, Torquay
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This university has put together the best gateway to Australian Tourism Sites that we have seen.
The list below is by no means comprehensive,
Now if you are interested in tourism as a career, perhaps inspired by your own travels, then Charles Sturt has the Tourism courses you need to get your qualification of choice.
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Tags: tourism, Travel
Categories: Itineraries
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Just received a note from Tourism Victoria that I thought worth passing on to holidaymakers along the Great Ocean Road this summer about the new option of abseiling among the treetops at the Otway Fly. If this sounds like your kind of adventure then go to this spot for further information about location and cost.
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Tags: abseil, Otway Fly
Categories: Great Ocean Road
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Just a short note to say that this iconic event will be here till at least 2011.
See Tourism Victoria News item
Visit Victoria has up to date information
A recommendation – if coming to Torquay for this event – book your accommodation now
Reagards
Yvonne & Tim
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Categories: Beaches, Surfing, Torquay
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Birthday celebration
Yes, both are worth the trip if you like gourmet getaways. One is close to the Great Ocean Road and the other is in central Sydney. Sunnybrae is like stepping into your own living room with the welcome addition of a wonderful chef and staff to bring the food and clean up afterwards. While the buzz from other tables filled the room with conviviality we often felt the whole thing was just for us as we gathered this Saturday for a birthday and a farewell to family going overseas.
If you are travelling from Melbourne there are tips on George’s website of places to stay nearby. Our 45 minute drive from Jan Juc to gave us girls time to check out the select shops in Birregurra while the boys had a coffee fix before arriving for lunch. I mention Tetsuya’s because it once took me quite a lot of logistical arrangements with airlines and taxis to get four girls to Sydney for a special Saturday lunch. It is much easier to take a gourmet getaway closer to home at Sunnybrae where George Biron harvests produce from his extensive garden to create imaginative and tasty dishes for the restaurant table.
George with guest in kitchen
Let me tell you about today’s menu. When you visit it may be entirely different according to what is available in the garden and from local sources.
Dianne - hostess at work
First: A series of light courses which could be called entrees begin the degustation. They are more small tastes that we share and many have come from the garden we can see from the windows of the cottage dining room.
Potato bread with extra virgin Arbequinna olive oil with olives from the garden.
Sugar-cured ocean trout with Portarlington mussels in saffron sorrel broth.
Tetsuya's Garden
Tarama with fennel, pine nuts and new seasons garlic
Meredith Goats Cheese tart with Provencale paste
A selection of Spanish style small goods.
Blood orange and watermelon salad with morello cherry dressing
Asparagus with broad beans, peppers and capers.
The main course was self selected from about four wonderful offerings including lamb, rabbit, blue-eye fillet, and duck all with wonderful accompaniments.
Desserts. My choice from a list of of seven was the Pavlova roll with balsamic strawberries and mandarin glaze with star anise and lime ice-cream providing a light and aromatic ending to lunch.
My husband chose the most unusual offering of Turkey Livers slowly cooked in duck fat with a relish of rhubarb and ginger. He was thrilled with this as a completion to his meal.
Our party of six left happy after another treat at Sunnybrae. Make a detour or a foodie destination. We will return again and again and think you will want to too.
And if you follow my Blog you may be wondering why I have mentioned Sunnybrae again – it is because I think this place is one of the hidden treasures behind the spectacular Great Ocean Road and because it is only open at weekends.
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Tags: Birregurra, dining, Sunnybrae Restaurant
Categories: Eating
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At point Addis as we looked over the ocean early in the morning an uncommonly bold Rufous Bristlebird ran around the car park searching for his breakfast paying no attention to us. A delightful start to our day.
For those who love birds the Iron Bark Forest between Torquay and Anglesea via the Point Addis turn-off is well worth a stop. A small group led by Rob Ganly, a local bird expert, entered the forest with our binoculars hoping to see many birds. We stopped often to listen for bird sounds so Rob could identify the bird for us and then we could spot it. This proved a totally enthralling morning for all of us. A visiting Canadian bird observer commented on how much more she was able to identify with Rob’s help by following bird sounds than by just looking at birds that appeared. Some of the birds are quite small and blend in to the bush cover so the sound identification and Rob’s keen eyes helped us to really “see” the birds.
If you are a keen bird observer it is well worth your while having an expert guide. Rob himself went to the Galapagos recently with a local guide.
One of the highlights was seeing the droppings and parts of the kill of a Powerful Owl which we would have missed without Rob’s guidance. Our walk took us through the dry forest to the cliff edge amongst the coastal heath and back to our parking spot near the main road – around 5 kilometres. As it is Spring the tiny wild flowers are in full bloom so the usually dull forest is littered with bright yellows, reds and whites, with an occasional delicate blue too. While Rob said that there were many fewer birds than usual due to the drought and climate change we did see and identify many more birds than if we had walked without our guide.
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Tags: bird observing, Great Ocean Road
Categories: Anglesea, Great Ocean Road, Walking, Wildlife
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For fine dining close to Torquay and the Great Ocean Road the top pick would be Pettavel Winery and Restaurant. Sitting high on the hill just out of Geelong, a few minutes along the road to Colac sits the imposing presence of Pettavel Winery and Restaurant. Wine is made here using technology with a mind for the environment. All used water from the winery is filtered through the olive grove thus creating another harvest of lovely olive oil.
Pettavel has a particular place in our family’s life because our daughter Nicole’s wedding was held here in the first year of operation while still under the oversight of George Biron of Sunnybrae fame.
Yesterday (25th September, 2008) I took my husband out for his birthday for a cellar door lunch on the first day of spring warmth with a brisk breeze blowing away winter clouds. Things have changed here since our last visit. The cellar door plate is no longer a range of small bites but a set of 3 items on a long plate accompanied by 3 selected Pettavel wines. You also have a choice of adding an entrée and a dessert if you want to make a meal of it. We can recommend the full lunch menu of 3 entrees, choice of main course and choice of dessert for when you are able to enjoy a whole afternoon of relaxing dining.
Our starter plate consisted of a raw fish and prawn combination with wasabi foam, belly pork with a light pickled salad and venison rillettes. He tasted the Riesling, the Chardonnay and the Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc options and I chose the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot wine options. All were good. Our waiter quickly accommodated my dietary needs and altered the wine selection to our choice. We felt warmly welcomed and served well.
We did proceed beyond the tasting plate -him to the rabbit parcel with brussel sprouts entrée and myself to the chocolate marquise with orange and campari dessert; he to the Merlot Petit Verdot and me to the Late Harvest Riesling.
With our selection of wines and olive oil to take home we were very happy with our Pettavel experience.
It was a good day out.
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Tags: winey restaurant
Categories: Eating, Winery
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If your burn is to stretch your body in outdoor sports then it is all happening around us over the next 6 months - Adventure bike rides in October, The Australian Masters Games 2009 in March, a whole range of Ocean Swims along our coast during January. And don’t forget the famous Ripcurl Pro at Bells Beach next Easter. For the youngsters there is the GromSearch also sponsored by Ripcurl held over the months prior to the final at Easter.
We start with a perfect environment with bush tracks, invigorating ocean waters, sandy beaches with just the right dose of sun and the opportunity to expend energy outdoors – this is what is on offer this summer.
For the non sporting participant there are the usual beaches, walks, bird watching, cafes and shops that make for a perfect summer break.
If you bring your dog to the Surf Coast this year remember that all dogs must be on leash in towns but there are still some beaches where dogs can run free. See the Surf Coast Shire for information. We will be walking our dog in Jan Juc and Torquay. We may see you. We will be cheering all the sports people who come to spend time with us this year.
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Tags: Australian Masters Games, bike rides, Ocean Swims
Categories: Great Ocean Road
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Christmas is the time of year when the sun shines brightly and the sea is at its inviting best and all of the holiday houses, caravan parks and other accommodation fill up for the whole of January.
If you are thinking of enjoying a true summer beach holiday now is the time to book a place to stay. Surfers know that the whole of the Surf Coast along the Great Ocean Road provides some of the best beaches and surf breaks in the world. If you want quieter waters then the main beaches at Lorne and Torquay are good for paddling in gentle surf in between building sand castles. Anglesea has the benefit of both river and beach for different activities. Airey’s Inlet is a favourite spot for family holidays with the Split Point Light House as a beacon over this small village.
If you are considering abandoning the kitchen this Christmas you could consider a wonderful meal out including all drinks, visit by Santa with gifts for kids and traditional buffet at Hanner’s Restaurant at The Sands at $130 for adults, $64 under 15 and only $25 for under 7 year olds.
New Year – you might be considering the sensational Falls Festival near Lorne (now fully booked) for continuous bands in a bush setting or if you have missed out on tickets this year you can take part in the activity on the foreshore at Lorne beach.
The popular Torquay Pub will have DJ’s from Melbourne until after the midnight hour, and $40 will get you entry to this event. The Rose Restaurant on the hill with spectacular views over Torquay is hosting a private function but if you want to really splash out on the night you might try Hanner’s at The Sands – a Peppers Hotel- with a $130 per person event including all food and drinks, door prizes and the Melbourne band Blush.
Fireworks are traditionally held on the beach at midnight in Torquay.
Accommodation is filling quickly for this special time.
When we hear of other events we will add to this blog for your information.
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Tags: Lorne, New Year's Eve, Torquay
Categories: Events, Lorne, Torquay
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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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Tags: attractions, directions, history, Trip planning
Categories: Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Beaches, Great Ocean Road, Itineraries, Lorne, Torquay, Travel tips
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Fire can be planned for - Video from the Country Fire Authority
Read all about it 
