Day 17 Exploring Cape Otway

Terrible night, neither of us slept much because it was so so blustery with the wind hammering against the sides of the pop top.
So we decided to go for a walk around the campsite to see if there was somewhere more sheltered where we could move to.

Park is quite big with lots of different interesting accommodation options



All in pretty bushland settings

Took photos of a couple of ‘could be’ options this one was of a group area which turned out not to be suitable as a school group was coming into it

This one looked like it could be okay but would have been very close to the school group

Checked out the camp kitchen on the way back around to the office and got chatting to this leader of an organisation that takes school kids on camps such as this

This was the camp kitchen that we used later in the day although it was extremely busy with feeding all the school kids groups

Of course had to have a photo taken at Bob the Koala

There are apparently quite a few koalas around here although we have not seen any but have heard some in the bushes just below our campsite

In the end we decided not to move but to put down the top of the van to preserve it from the blustery winds whilst we went out

Katrina had very helpfully drawn a route on a map for us, highlighting points of interest for us to visit for the day

Bill had sensibly asked where we could get fuel and so she altered the route for us to include going back through Apollo Bay as that was the only place that we could get fuel

The route Katrina drew for us in more detail…

So off we set towards Apollo Bay 

Past farming land with cows

Along beautiful tree lined roads

First stop Maits Rest

Having turned back onto the Great Ocean Road





Road along to Maits Rest was interesting with a lot of debris beside the road not sure what from



This whole place was amazing

First of all we checked out the information boards at the start of the walk





Then we headed off



This huge stump was at the start of the walk

And this massive tree with moss growing up the side of it was at the beginning of the walk





There was also a massive fallen tree on the ground that Bill walked along the length of



These photos hopefully demonstrate the size of it



So then we headed off on the walk

Took lots of photos absolutely amazed by the size of the tree ferns

And having fun with taking photos amongst the interesting tree trunks





And fascinating shaped branches

More interesting shaped tree trunks worth photographing

And information board helping us understand the magic of this place

Took lots of photos and of course some video footage that I can’t place here but it did include all the beautiful bird sounds















My photo does not do justice to this amazing heritage tree

More interesting shaped tree trunks along the Trail

















Devastation in this area caused by a tree falling





This is the tree that fell









This is the inside of the base of the tree

More massive trees







And more huge ferns to walk through







Spent ages on this walk enjoying the environment but finally reached the end

And back to the huge tree stump that I took a photo of at the beginning



On the road again

Towards Beech forest



Not a very nice day for views across the valleys but picturesque all the same

Even with views down to the ocean



Had to stop to take a photo of this sign

Continuing on heading for Apollo Bay











Where we refuelled

I walked down to the beach

To take some photos

Took a selfie and nearly got blown away

Caught a glimpse of Cape Otway Lighthouse in the distance with the waves crashing high behind

Back on the road after refuelling

Following the coastline for a little way

To Skenes Creek



Where we took the turn off to Colac





Roadworks along the way

Where work was being done to stabilise the cliff face



Continuing on



With not such clear views across to the coastline and the ocean



And more roadworks to repair washouts



Continuing on through pretty countryside

With lots of twists and turns along the way







Lucky we did this drive without towing the van because it opened up opportunities for us

We took this turn towards Beech forest

















Fortunately we were able to go on this scenic drive 

It was at this point where we realised that there was a lot of tree felling and log trucks travelling along this route although we did not see any trucks

But we did see a lot of completely cleared areas









And some mature new growth trees thank goodness



Stopped by here to buy potatoes but there weren’t any

Turned off here to check out these falls





Drove along to Beauchamp Falls first







We had bought some sandwiches and wraps at the servo in Apollo Bay so decided to sit and eat them here

There was a campsite at the start of the walk to the falls where there were a couple of people camped was fascinated by this tent

Bill spotted this little bird on a rock near where we were having our lunch

Lynda identified this for me later as a Flame Robin

We decided that the walk to the falls would take too long as we also wanted to go to Hopetoun Falls so we just walked a little way along the Trail

Loved this new growth on the tree ferns





This was the view from the campsite

Travelling back way from the Beauchamp falls towards the Hopetoun Falls









Sparse views down to the falls from the track

Interesting signage along the way

Lots of steps that we counted on the way back up







And again very picturesque ferns and trees




And a reminder to stay on track although when we got to the falls we discovered that some people had not obeyed those rules



Picturesque Falls

The Aire River









Lots more photo opportunities on the walk back up from the falls









And the 200 steps back up

Back out onto the road



To witness the giant redwoods



Spent some time here enjoying the environment as we had the place all to ourselves





































We actually went a bit crazy with photos

Bill discovered this new growth of one

After checking out the giant redwood forest we headed towards the township of Beech Forest



Spotted this gorgeous colourful painting on the side of a watertank that wasn’t even listed as a point of interest

However what was listed was these amazing timber sculptures on the side of the road





Took lots of photos to capture the detail

Discovered this sign for the old Beechy rail Trail




Information board about the area

Came across this sign for Cliff Young Drive and realised because we’d pass through potato growing area that this was where Cliff Young came from

There was a memorial of a Gumboot to him



Realised that Bill had parked across the Beechy rail Trail

We passed the turn off to triplet Falls where we had intended to go to but realised we did not have enough time to go there



Continued on to Lavers Hill


















Where we continued on the great Ocean Road

Until we came to the turn off for blue Johannah Road

Where we took the turn off

Twisty turns gravel road









Through pretty countryside

Turning onto the main route for awhile



Past private plantations

Next we drove up to Castle Cove look out











With great views down to the ocean









Continuing on we headed to the river campground from off the main road









Travelling across the Aire river

We continued along this road hoping that he would link to the road to the Bimbi Park camp







But unfortunately it didn’t so we had to go back to the Hordern Vale Road and go round

Back onto the main highway

Heading for Cape Otway

And our campground at Bimbi Park

This Hema map tracking shows our travels for the day

When we got back to our van at Bimbi Park we packed up everything we needed to cook dinner and went down to the camp kitchen and prepared our dinner to eat there we also took our computers down there and logged on to catch up on emails and banking

When we got back to our van later we left it with the pop top part down and went to bed with it down as it was still very blustery