Flashback... Penguin Parade

All photos copyright Robert May

Written 22nd March 2011

Today was our Penguin Parade trip over on Phillip Island, funnily enough with the same bus and guide as for the Great Ocean Road day trip, so we sort of knew what we were letting ourselves in for this time.

The first stop on this one, because it was a later pickup, was for lunch. I was very excited to see that Koo Wee Rah had a craft shop, and disappointed to find that it was only for quilting.  Still, we munched down some food and got on our merry way to the next stop which was a vineyard, for a little wine tasting. At Bass River winery, we tried 6 wines, Rob liked the Chardonnay and I preferred the Cherry wine.  We also got some nibbles of cheese, the Cheddar was very tasty indeed.

Mmmm...chocolate!

The next stop was at Panny’s chocolate factory.  Lots of silly things here, including a chocolate waterfall, and lots of freebies, and you could try to write your name in chocolate.

Chocolate Waterfall

Then came a beach stop and a Koala stop for some more photos and a ridiculous song that the tour guide played, a quick stop by the Moto GP circuit on Phillip Island, and Pyramid Rock for some more scenic photos.  

sun rays over the water

Following this, a stop at Nobbies centre on the island for further scenery, and finally we got to the Penguin Parade about an hour before dusk to meet our ranger who gave us headphones, binoculars and a little talk before we had front row seats on the sand to see the penguins. Rather than waddling into the sea, they were waddling up out of the sea and into their burrows.  Very cute they were, but sadly we weren’t allowed to take any photos.  Here's the website so you can go and have a look though :)

Scenic views from Nobbies Centre

All in all, another wonderful day with loads packed in.  I think this and the Great Ocean Road trip were two of my favourite days through the whole holiday because it felt like we had seen so much.

Flashback... Great Ocean Road

All photos copyright Robert May

Written 21st March 2011

Today was an early pickup just after 7am for a long trip down the Great Ocean Road, just out of Melbourne.  We took this trip and the Penguin Parade trip (tomorrow) with Go West Tours, and they were fantastic and extremely knowledgable and a lot of fun, I'd highly recommend them.

Start of the Great Ocean Road

On the way we passed through Geelong which looked cute and then our first stop was at Bells Beach, a really lovely looking and picturesque place.  Got some photos here and then hopped back onto the bus. A few more scenery shots and then we had a tea break at the fantastic Lorne. I think I could happily retire there with my cross stitch.

I *think* this one is Bells Beach

We carried on further down the twisty turny road (think snake pass for about 6 hours at F1 like speed), with me feeling borderline not too amazing, and then made a couple more snapshot stops and also a longer stop to spot some Koalas in the trees; we also saw a variety of birdies and an evil looking snake.

Koala

Lunch was a stop in Apollo bay for a quick sarnie, and ice cream, and then we continued via the Otways Rainforest, with a guided wander around.  Further on into Port Campbell National Park, and we arrived at the 12 Apostles, where we both took a short helicopter trip to view the amazing scenery from the skies.  

View of the Apostles from the air

Then, we made more stops to see Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch (Bridge).  The tour guide kept us very well entertained with stories and a variety of music appropriate to each of them.

Loch Arg Gorge

London Arch
(Previously London Bridge
before it collapsed in the middle)

The tour was really fun, if a little tiring because there was so much packed into the day, but we had a fantastic time, and as you can see there were plenty of photo opportunities for Rob.