From Kangaroo Island and South Australia we headed east along the coast. After an overnight in Portland, we hugged the coastline along the Great Ocean Road [map location]. This 243km road hugs the rugged limestone coastline of South Australia and Victoria, connecting the seashore villages along the Southern Ocean coast west of Melbourne. Read on!
It is a spectacular drive, sometimes hugging the steep hillsides that drop into the ocean below. A large part of it passes over limestone, which is quickly eroded by the sea and leads to fantastic shapes, underground caves, arches, and seastacks.
See the photos of Great Ocean Road.
Melbourne
We spent two days in Melbourne, where we visited my old Dartmouth friend Catherine.
We celebrated Andy’s birthday in Melbourne, with his pick of activities. First was a trip to the hands-on science museum, then an IMAX film, then dinner at a Korean restaurant where they cook the food at your table. He was thrilled!
Melbourne is a nice city, although we barely scratched the surface. The business district was wonderfully walkable with many nice shopping areas. It was one of the most multicultural places I’ve ever been, curiously, more so even than Sydney.
See the photos of Melbourne.
New South Wales
On the way back we drove the inland route to Sydney, across Victoria and New South Wales. See the photos from Victoria and New South Wales.
Here’s a map of our driving route, 2500km.
Tomorrow we’re off to New Zealand!
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