The Great Ocean Road is a scenic highway which runs along the southern coast of the Australian continent in Victoria, Australia. The road used to be a major highway (B100) until a newer inland A1 highway replaces it. Today, the road serves as a popular tourist attraction in the region. People flock to the area for its spectacular scenic views and ocean sights by the pacific.

Moreover, the road stretches from Torquay, Anglesea and ends at Allansford after the town of Warrnambool. It is about 230 km in length which can be easily covered within a day in good weather.

You can only enjoy it by driving (or be driven). It is littered with a variety of natural coastal features such as open cliff sides, grottos and coastal erosion features. You may recognize, even by name several prominent landmarks along the route, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stack formations and the London Arch/Bridge which I shall cover.

The route I took is a west bound route from Melbourne city, which you can make a day trip from. Join me on my adventures along the road of Australian National Heritage.

A road built by WW1 soldiers

Upon reaching Torquay, the Great Ocean Road starts with the “Great Ocean Road Archway”. It signifies the start of the historical road. Here you can find a memorial structure, as well as a few informative boards telling you about the history of the road. The marker marks the start of the route. It is also lined with a couple of sandy beaches.

On a little history, the Great Ocean Road opened in 1932. The idea of a long coastal road was first planned towards the end of the First World War to improve on existing road conditions. Before that, the rugged south-west coast of Victoria was accessible only by sea or rough bush track.

Also, then chairman of the Country Roads Board, Mr William Calder wanted to provide jobs for returning soldiers. The work scope involves construction work, which Mr Calder managed to obtain funds from the State War Council to work on the building of new roads.

From there, with funds, the road was subsequently built by the returning soldiers between 1919 and 1932. When opened it is dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I.

The world’s largest war memorial

Henceforth, the Great Ocean road has the reputation as the world’s largest war memorial. Moreover, given its fantastic oceanic sights, he saw great value of the road serving the people, it was even originally named a “Tourist Road”.

Today, the Great Ocean Road serves more of a tourist route as well as an access point for the high-end beach residences in the town. The road traverses rainforests, as well as access way for beaches. Most road traffic these days bypass the coastal road via major highways running more further inland.

Great driving roads

The Great Ocean Road passes through a number of hilly passes, hugging the coastline affectionately. This part which runs along the ocean is also known as the Surf Coast. You often see the waves crashing by the sandy beaches which line the side of this great ocean road.

You will spend a great deal of time traveling through these roads between attractions. On the ocean sights, often you always be greeted with views of a clean undisturbed horizon separating the sea from the sky. The view does of the ocean never gets old.

Furthermore, the roads regularly hug the terrain sometimes heading out into a flat clearing where nice sandy beaches. Often, you get a rocky hill face on one side and fantastic view of ocean on the other.

With a mix of inclines and declines along the route, the roads are most it is reminiscent of the nice winding coastal roads in Hawaii too. They snake and meander along the ocean lines, where the sea meets the continent. For the starting part of the journey you will pass through a hilly winding road.

At times only a guardrail separates you from the road to the sea. Traffic is often fairly light as most of the working and freight traffic redirected through the newer northern A1 highway.

Remember to stop along the route!

Moreover, this Surf Coast sits on the part the road between Torquay and Cape Otway. It provides clear unobstructed views of the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. Additionally, there are regular scenic stop points littered along the road.

They are just an open clearing by the side of the road which you can pull up to allow faster vehicles to overtake. Just simply pull they are usually large enough with space for 3 cars length.

View of the typical ocean view along the Great Ocean road

Also, the roads are mainly two lane dual carriageway and is covered by a speed limit between 50 – 100 kmph. The speed limits are interestingly capped at 100 kmph even on windy twisty roads. Drive within your capacity, and there will be no takers of the Darwin award here!

Driving on, on the middle part of your journey, towards Beechforest, the road suddenly brings you into an inland wooded forested area. You encounter a couple of tight curves and twisty bends through the forest before leading out into open farm plains.

Here, you can find large plains full of livestock here. Just be careful of the random sheep crossing the road. Surprisingly, the speed limit is cap here even at the bends are at a blistering 100kmph.

Coastal towns

With excellent ocean views, no wonder the ocean road is a popular spot for beach side holiday homes. These can cost and set you back in the excess of even 2 million for a property on a hill overlooking the ocean.

On a nice sunny day a couple of towns along the route. One such town is Apollo Bay. In this small beach-side town, you can find a couple of provision stores, as well as a restaurant selling fantastic fish and chips. A recommendation will be their large seafood platter to share.

You can dine by the beach side as you hear the waves from the pacific regularly crashing into the bay beaches. Also you can find Wild Cockatoos in these town, swoppping around and chilling in the open fields by the beach side villages.

Plenty of natural sights

The highlight of the Great Ocean road besides the coastal views are a number of natural coastal sights. One main natural feature is the Twelve Apostles.

Located at the Twelve Apostles Marine national park, this area is know for a number of rock formations which the place is named after. There is the castle rock out in the sea. Access to the viewing areas are free.

Wide Panorama of the Twelve Apostles with a rainbow in distance

Additionally, you can catch the views from the top of the cliff side or take a short 5 minute walk down via a staircase to the shoreline.

Beach access has limited opening hours and closes last sunset, also given the lack of lighting in the area.

Panorama of the beach shoreline at the Twelve Apostles

Moreover, during my visiting, there was a beautiful rainbow rising over the sea. Also, it offered beautiful photo opportunities during my visit. There are even helicopter services which you can charter for better overhead views.

Driving past Port Campbell national park brings you to a couple of erosion coastal features. Here, you have the Arch, the grotto and the London bridge.

Erosion structures and islets

I found the view of the London Bridge, one of the best breathtaking views of the entire journey. You get a majestic view of a brilliant rock formation with a hole right through it.

The natural limestone and sandstone rock formations are shaped by the relentless waves coming in from the Pacific. The force of the ocean trashing below you as the winds constantly blow and whistles past your ears.

Panorama of London bridge archway from the top vantage point

Moreover, it is worth noting that both the archway and London Bridge structures are of course, erosion structures. Hence, it is only a matter of time before they are completely destroyed by the force of the ocean.

Furthermore, the last main sight along the west bound road will be the Bay of Islands. This vast lagoon area is a bay filled with an assortment of surviving islet of islands. Also, it has a sense of tranquility especially near sunset with a view and draped by the orange of the setting sun.

Moreover, besides picturesque views from top lookout areas overlooking the ocean shoreline, the pale colour of the limestone on the cliffs & rock stacks in the bay reflects different variations of light. It provides picturesque shots in darker conditions with good contrast.

If you don’t use map to find the attractions, a tell tale sign of such a scenic spot is usually the sudden occurrence of a large parking area and signs by the national parks board. Here, you can following the trails leads you the shoreline where the signs behold.

Moreover, if you are flying drones. Do note that that despite most part of the ocean road being fly-zones. Areas of attractions are labeled as no-fly by the parks services. This also applies if you are in private property within the National Parks boundaries.

Good for a driving day trip

Furthermore, it is advisable to drive along the Great Ocean road to experience the great driving roads and the sights at your own pace. Renting a car is an option. If you wish to do the road and enjoy the Greta driving roads. Alternatively, there are day tours offered by tour agencies which can take you on it too by private bus.

Also, a drive along the Great Ocean road and stopping at attractions will take you and entire day (about 6 hours). You can make a day trip there from Major Australian cities, such as Melbourne. When you reach one end of the road B100, you can easily make your way up the highway by nightfall for your quick 2 hour return trip (about 200km) to where you started.

All in all, the great ocean road is one of the great natural sights southern Australia has to offer. If you are in the Victoria area or just passing by the City of Melbourne, it is a trip worth considering. The natural beauty throughout the route, the sea breezes, chill towns, good food and clean views of an undisturbed horizon separating the sea from the sky everywhere. It is a joy.

Perth is an Australian city, and the largest capital city off the coast of Western Australia. Today, let’s check out the scenic Rottnest Island. Established in 1830s, it is one of the primary nature sites with nice bays and ocean side views to visit when you are in Perth. Rottnest is a small island located about 19 km west off the town of Fremantle in Perth.

An Aerial view of Rottnest Island over the Basin and Long Reach bay

Moreover, it is also known in it native name as “Wadjemup” to the local Noongar people. Wadjemup is also the name of one of the two lighthouses you can find on the island.

Furthermore, Rottnest island is an class A rated reserve. Hence, it the offered the highest level of protection afforded to public land. Interestingly, administered by the Rottnest Island Authority under a separate act of parliament.

Getting around Rottnest

Rottnest is a relatively popular holiday destination in Perth. Being one of the few tourist attractions in the city, Rottnest sees about half a million in annual visitors. It has a permanent population of around 300 people living on the island.

The only economical way there is ferry, with planes being the other option as there is a small airstrip. There are daily ferry services. Notably, unauthorized cars are not allowed on the island. Hence, bicycles or walking are usually the preferred transportation method of choice.

The island is only 11km long and 4.5km wide making it easy to explore with a number of great trails to follow.

Furthermore, your pedal power can be hired on the island or through your ferry operator. Alternatively, you can bring your own by ferry from the mainland for a small fee. If you do not want to break a sweat, there is an air-conditioned coach called the Island Explorer with 18 stops all along the island for a fee.

Welcome to Quokka land

Notable “Wildlife” on the island comprises of mostly largely tame quokkas and peacocks. You can find free roaming peacocks. They tend to frequent the human inhabited regions of the island such as the jetty area, on reasons of easily accessible food.

Quokkas are a different bunch. Rottnest is perhaps best known for its population of quokkas. Having sais that, Rottnest is one of the few areas in the world where the native Australian Quokka can be found. You can find them all over the island, especially in the green wooded areas where these cat-sized rodent-like marsupials roam freely. Also, they are a native species protected by the national parks authorities, which means you should not “interfere” with them in their natural habitat.

Moreover, their survival there is largely due to the exclusion of natural or introduced predators. Such as dogs and cats, which none can be found on the island.

However, considering how prevalent they are around the island and in the settlement villages, it is difficult not to come in close proximity to them. Let be give them a friendly pet. There are herbivores and consume mainly small green pine-like shrubs you can find all over the island.

Places of Interest, Rottnest Bakery and hotel

A small town settlement resides by the ferry jetty area. It used to be stable yard area. A popular store is the Rottnest bakery. You can find a variety of cold and hot pastry items. Recommend items includes cold cheesecakes, rainbow cakes, as well as hot meat pies.

Furthermore, notably, the settlement is also quite self-sufficient. There is also a grocery supermarket in the vicinity, which serves the residents and guests on the island. If a more fine dining option is what you desire, you can find a decent 3 star hotels with seaside pool bars and waitered restaurants facing the beach side by Thompson Bay. Also, Thompson Bay is also home to a marina where recreational craft can berth on your visit there.

Rottnest Museum, an island background

Moreover, tucked behind the settlement area is the Rottnest museum. You can recognize it by a flag pole in front of a rather old single floored administration building or sort. Entry is free and donations is recommended. The friendly museum staff will be there to answer any queries you have.

The museum covers the human, social illogical and natural aspects of the island. You be introduced to a couple of taxidermy exhibits of animals on the island, permanent and migratory. Also, here, you learn that the island used to serve as a remote prison settlement.

Moreover, the island served as an Aboriginal prison between 1838 and 1931. Additionally, it was also used as a reformatory for boys from 16 May 1881.Of course, the only remnants of this prison are the building shells, which are repurposed for purposes of hospitality and tourism.

Also told is the story of the great escape of six Aboriginal prisoners, who were sent in to Rottnest Island in August 1838 for murder, assault and theft, under the superintendence of Constable Laurence Welch and a small military force. They escaped shortly after their arrival by stealing a boat.

Also during World War II, the island was used as a fortification.Here, two 9.2-inch guns were installed near the middle of the island at Oliver Hill.

Rottnest Geology

Moreover, you also learn of the island’s Geology. Rottnest is mainly a sandy, low-lying island. It comprises mostly of natural occurring limestone which is abundance here on the island.

It is formed on a base of aeolianite limestone which most of the buildings and fortifications here were made from in the early days. Moreover, the much of these limestones were also exported into mainland.

Geographically, the island covers 19 square km. The island was separated from the mainland around 7000 years ago when sea levels rose as the planet warmed. Henceforth, Human artifacts have been found on the island dating back at least 30000 years.

Beautiful natural bays facing the Oceans

Moreover, much of Rottnest roads circle around naturally occurring salt lakes (and golf courses). These water features (like the Herschel lake) as well as the green fauna are a refuge for the abundant bird life.

Also, toilets and water fountains can be found along these main routes and scenic viewpoints. They serve as convenient stop over points in your exploration around the island.

There is a wind turbine at the center of the Island. You can see it when going along the cycling route which meander through the island.

Also, other notable landmarks when moving around the island includes two lighthouses. Namely, Wadjemup lighthouse and the Bathurst Lighthouse.

The most notable one being the Bathurst Lighthouse (and the other the Basin lighthouse) just on the eastern edge of the island.

It is by a Long Reach Bay by Pinky beach situated at the northern top part of the island. It provides great overlooking panoramic views of the ocean waves from Bathurst point. You can see the vast Pacific on your left and Perth city towards your right.

Marine Wildlife

Moreover, besides Quokkas on a good day you can watch marine life around the island shores. Here Cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphins, and migrating humpbacks occasionally passes through the waters surrounding the island.

Panorama of the Thompson bay from the beach front

Also, Thomson Bay is a spot near the stable settlement where the bakery is and is a short walk through a residential area.

Past the boat berth marina area is a beach walk which you can use when the tides are low. It leads to a jetty which is a popular fishing spot.

All in all, Rottnest is a chill place which extends from the already chill and lazy city of Perth. You are good in Rottnest for an entire afternoon day trip with the Rottnest ferry doing trips in and out of the island throughout the day in hourly intervals.

Most of the what you can see in the island can be found near the Jetty area and the Bathurst lighthouse and Long Reach bay within reasonable walking distance. After a while, most of the sights are pretty much the same, so there is not really a need to venture out far from the settlement. Having said that, also, do check out the fantastic bakery in the settlement. The items on sale are very much a delight.

All to go with your delightful and relaxing day on the island.

I will like to write about a recent short trip I did to the lazy city of Perth. The City of Perth is an Australian capital city located on west side of the Australian continent. Moreover, the city is a local government area and body. It is pretty much self-run under the legislation laid by the Australian Parliament. Notably, the local government is commonly known as the Perth City Council.

Technicalities aside, though the city is not small by geographical size, the central Perth metropolitan city area has a small total ground area of 20.01 km². Also, it is home to about 22 thousand inhabitants. The City covers the Perth city center and surrounding suburbs. Also, it is surrounded by Greater Perth with a total population of about 2 million. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia.

Panorama of Perth city central at night

A chill (but otherwise boring) city

Additionally, the main city center of Perth is where most of the action is. The numbers of tall skyscrapers home to a couple of big MNC names are also an indication of the central activity hub of the city.

Furthermore, a main shopping district resides here too. You can find a number of big global name stores such as H&M and Zara, as well as a small number of independent boutiques here too. However, most of the shops here are from large brand retailers found everywhere, it appears stale and screams nothing too special.

In the mornings, you can find independently-run family cafes serving hot breakfasts. Here, you can get your food fix early in the day at the start of work or your holiday trip. This is before most of the mainstream shops starts to open from 10am onwards.

Sights with very slow pace of life

In comparison to Singapore, Perth is chill and slow. It is a small lazy town. Perth is also largely known by Singaporeans as a retirement village. Hence it is a place where most retirees spend in preference of the slower way of life there.

Moreover, to illustrate my point, shops in the city center closes early at near nightfall. Notably, there is little to no signs of nightlife in the city at all. It can be quite a bore if you are looking for places to eat or to hang out.

Moreover, this is largely reflected by the seemingly lack of people here on the streets. Especially at night, the roads are devoid of people. You will be quick to be bored here in the city. This is stark in comparison to other major Australian cities such as Melbourne and Sydney with big buzzing nightlife.

Things to do

There are a couple sightseeing to do within the city, such Kings Swan River which runs along the city and the City Park, Perth Zoo & Botanic Gardens.

Moreover, a main attraction in Perth will be the Rottnest Island. It is what I would otherwise call the “quokka” island. You can do a day trip excursions and is about a 30 minute ferry ride out from Fremantle to Rottnest.

Furthermore, the island is a popular holiday and resort destination. It has large open bays, beaches with nice views of the Pacific Ocean and surfing waves. Also, it is an enclosed sanctuary for quokkas. They are large rodent-like marsupials about the size of a domestic cat, which would otherwise be extinct if it were for natural predators like those found on Perth mainland.

A mix of cultures

Moreover, Perth is one of the many cosmopolitan cities in Australia with a strong Asian community. Hence there is very close assimilation of western and eastern culture here. Given the familiarity of the people here with Chinese communities, you see a close bond between people of different races. Xenophobia here is not as bad as those seen in other major Australian cities, such as Sydney.

Furthermore, the Oriental Chinatown located near the city center offers a large number of open oriental dining options as well as Chinese and Japanese food cuisines.

However, food options start to get quite limited when late. There are a couple of cafes and restaurants which open tad before late, but that is about it. You will have better chances finding traditional late night food establishments such as those offered by Lord of the fired and JSPA Kebabs.

A well connected city

In the city centers sits the central trains and bus station which sits square. Public transport is pretty good in Perth. The city is pretty well connected via a network of buses and trains. They are modern and clean.

Moreover, Perth is served by an international airport and is within a 30 to 40 minute car ride into the city center. In addition to taxis, Uber is also available in Perth (and pretty much most of Australia too) so you can get your ride share fix if you still miss them following their exit from Singapore.

All in all, you are good in the City of Perth for about 2 days tops. There isn’t much to actually do here unless you are here for a reason other than tourism, like visiting your friends. Otherwise, Rottnest island a nice place to relax on an island with nice views of the Pacific. But if you are looking to thrills, and more scenic sites to visits, then Perth is not quite the city I would recommend.