Posts Tagged ‘platypus’


Planning a two night trip – Pia’s experience

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)


Mid-winter off the Great Ocean Road

Yesterday I travelled with friends to Otway Estate a gem hidden in the ranges between the Great Ocean Road and the hinterland near Colac. This vineyard, winery, brewery and restaurant is quite close to the Otway Fly where walking at treetop level gives you a bird’s-eye view of ancient rainforest. Comfortable cottage accommodation at the Otway Estate would be a good base for visiting the Fly and maybe even taking a trip into nearby Forrest for a platypus tour with Bruce of Otway Eco Tours.

Having a wheat allergy often means that I have to accept very average food at conferences like the one I attended yesterday. Not at Otway Estate. While I had informed them of my food issue it was wonderful to find that most of the food provided was light, tasty, creative and I could eat it. As dusk arrived we tasted the wines and beers made on-site along with more delicious mouthfuls while we digested the information of the many quality tourism speakers who had spoken during the day.

I can only suggest – take a trip off the main roads into the hills around Colac and Forrest -there is a feast for all senses and even one night spent here at Otway Estate could create unique memories for any visitor. With school holidays approaching this would make a great break for both parents and kids.


Otway Eco Tours a Hidden Jewel

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.”