After leaving Lorne we went to the Erskine Falls a mere ten kms up the road.
Up being the most important word! We hadn't realized (as no-one had told us) that the road into the falls was straight down, a 1/6 gradient. Of course "the barn" couldn't go down, so we parked 1 km from the falls and walked in. What a joke! It was hard yakka going down so you can imagine how hard it was coming back up! Meanwhile the falls themselves were beautiful - lots of water flowing and stunning rainforest. We were exhausted when we got back to the van and it was only 9 am!
We had planned to go on to Beauchamp falls and free camp at the falls carpark for the night. However, once again the road was very narrow and winding and totally unsuitable for large motorhomes. Instead, we decided to journey on to Colac. We had no idea what was there except for a large inland salt water lake and a volcano crater. What a great decision, we made. It was one of the best days we have had.
After stopping at the Information centre, we went out to Red Rock about 5kms out of Colac. The view was amazing. It happens to be a volcanic area and there are craters and lakes and sinkholes everywhere. We climbed up to the top of the crater edge and despite almost being blown off the edge managed to take some great photos.
Around the surrounding paddocks are fabulous dry stone walls which are quite historic. Apparently the granite from the volcanos was used to build the walls which have been kept intact in most areas. They are very skillfully made.
We took a scenic drive around the lakes, which are the largest permanent salt water lakes in Australia. We knew of a campsite called Meredith Park about 5kms out of town on the edge of the lake. When we arrived (via our GPS exact locator) there were about ten other campers there already. The grass needed mowing, but hey free is great what is a little high grass between friends! We parked up and enjoyed a vino beside the lake. Bliss!! Fresh water and clean amenities and good travellers to share stories with.
The lake was teeming with flocks of swans who were very inquisitive. When they flew off, thier silhouettes were in perfect symmetry.
The sunset was golden and perfect and the place heavenly. Peaceful and serene, a good ending to a perfect day.
The next morning we journeyed back to Lorne. Dale had bought a Lottery ticket a few days previously and when we checked it at the Newsagent he had won a good prize. The next days entertainment and fuel were paid for in advance.
On the way to Cape Otway we went on a small rainforest walk at Maits Rest. It was completely boardwalked and very pretty. The largest tree ferns we have ever seen.
After coming back to the coast from the hinterland, we went out to the Cape Otway Lighthouse. Again this precinct is well worth the time spent. The whole area is set up as it was originally with museums and cottages open for viewing. We climbed the light house where the views of the rough seas were great.
While we were up in the lighthouse the rain began to fall. We could see it coming towards us across the bay in great sheets.
We got caught in a downpour and were very wet. Whilst everyone else sat in their cars, cold and dripping before the long trek back to town, we got changed and had hot soup and coffee in the carpark within 15 minutes. We sat back warm and dry and just grinned! How good is motorhoming!!
On the road leading into the lighthouse were lots of koalas all quite active due to the wet cooler weather.
The road with the misty tree tops was quite ethereal and picturesque. This photo is one for our wall, when we get home.
We eventually reached Apollo Bay and decided to stay overnight in a caravan park. It was wet and cold and we needed to get warm. The heater in the van works very well! We went for a walk between showers onto the rocks which were very slippery and wet. Out to sea just off the beach was a group of seals swimming around a rocky outcrop. They didn't mind the wet conditions at all.
The next morning, we proceeded to Lavers Hill and then to The Otway Fly. This is an elevated walkway up in the treetops. The views are amazing and well worth the visit. It had railned heavily most of the night so we expected to have a misty grey day. However, it turned out to be quite the opposite. The rainforst was teeming with life and the waterfalls and creeks flowing.
It is quite different seeing the trees from above. Mostly, you look at trees from the trunk side up and when you see them from the top down it gives quite a different perspective altogether. The towers and elevated walkways are amazing feats of engineering.
After leaving the fly, the twelve big rocks were next. This is the first of the apostles and the others followed in succession and yes there are still 12 big rocks!! Unlike the leaning tower of Pisa which was much smaller then we had imagined, these were much larger than the pictures intimate. They are quite daunting when seen in rough seas as we did. The power of the waves on these formations is quite something to watch.
At Loch Ard Gorge is an old cemetary where the four bodies recovered from the wreck are buried, There is also a plaque listing the names of the people not recovered. Somehow the small cove does not do justice to this terrible shipwreck. It seems to be so beautiful and sheltered.
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