Cape Otway

Cape Otway and beyond

Woke up this morning to sideways rain and mist all at the same time. Just like a cold November day in Europe or summer in Wales only this is late spring in Australia. But then we are high up on a ridge and not far from Melbourne, which is known for its dodgy weather. 

The two alpacas in the next field were looking decidedly fed up too as they stood stock still, water dripping off their fringes and eyelashes. Actually, that’s an understatement and they looked very pissed off.

We were right on the edge of Great Otway National Park, so we spent an hour or so looking around that and koala spotting. And there were plenty of them about, some just sitting in trees, and some munching eucalyptus leaves. 

They only eat particular brands, and the gums in the area (manna) are dying off but nobody is sure why. It could be the lack of fire, it could be an increase in the numbers of healthy leaf eating animals in the area or it could be a change in the density of undergrowth, or more probably, a combination of all three.There is a regeneration programme in place but trees take time to grow.

Cape Otway lighthouse is also in the same park, although rather than working with them, its a private business, charging shed loads to have a look at it.So we gave that a miss, walked through the bush instead, and looked at it from a lookout point. There were no (other) tourists up there either.

From the lighthouse, we rode on to Apollo Bay and stopped for lunch. It got cold again while we were there, so it was back on with the waterproofs for the ride along the edge of the Ocean.  That was a fabulous ride with surf breaking on the beach to the right. But it was also exceptionally windy and the twisties were a challenge as we bent left and right in quick succession.

As we worked our way along the coast, an echidna wandered across the road, completely unconcerned about anybody or anything. Fortunately, we all avoided him and he made it safely to the bushes on the cliff top.

A Eastern View there is a memorial arch to the men who laid the Great Ocean Road. Its the third arch too; the first was replaced when the road was widened, the second burnt down in some bush fires (ironically on Ash Wednesday) but this one is still going strong - for now.