Day 12 (26 Dec 2017) : Great Ocean Road
Breakfast @ Simon’s Waterfront, Warrnambool
This morning, we had made reservations for breakfast at Simon’s Waterfront, just 5 mins drive from Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs. As its name suggest, Simon’s Waterfront is a waterfront restaurant located by the beach and serves breakfast and lunch everyday and dinner on some days of the week only.
We were the first guests that morning and the restaurant has a casual and contemporary chic deco. Its large expanse of floor to ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the ocean.
The breakfast menu was varied and was a wonderful treat after all the simple homemade breakfasts we had so far. DD decided to have a breakfast pizza (A$17), while DH, DS2 and I had the Egg Benedict (A$17). I like poach eggs and it is difficult to make at home. So whenever I have breakfast at a restaurant, I go for poach eggs. DS1 had a Southern Ocean (A$21.50) which is poach eggs with smoked Salmon as opposed to ham that comes with our Egg Benedict. For drinks, we had 2 orange juice (A$4.50), mocha (A$5), earl grey (A$5.50) and Flat White (A$5).
It was a very enjoyable breakfast. Food was good and the environment was great. Definitely beats eating buffet breakfast in the hotel (although the hotel buffet would have been cheaper)
Bay of Islands, Great Ocean Road
After breakfast, we drove southwards. Today, the plan is to go down the Great Ocean Road and stop sightsee along the way to The Twelve Apostles at Port Campbell National Park, before heading to Ballarat where we will be spending the night.
As it was early and those traveling from Melbourne city doing day tours still have a while before arriving, we arrived at a relatively quiet Bay of Islands. Walking along the board walk to the viewing platform was hassle free and there so no crowd to jostle with us. We were thus able to quietly take in the almost haunting landscape created by the rock stacks that tower from the ocean.
A few minutes after we drove off from the car park of Bay of Islands, we saw a sign pointing to a stop for Bay of Martyrs. We did not plan to visit it originally and had wanted to go directly to the Grotto. But since we saw the sign, we decided to stop and check it out. But really there was not much to see. Nothing special at this site. So we did not linger and headed off as planned for the Grotto.
The Grotto, Great Ocean Road
The Grotto is down the path a few minutes from its car park. There is a short flight of stairs down to the viewing platform below. It is not a difficult climb down. There are railings and it is not steep. It is definitely not to be missed. The view that greeted us when we reached the viewing platform was amazing. Wow! Was my reaction when I got there. It was really beautiful view of the sea beyond the cave.
We did not see any large tour buses here. It was just as well as the viewing platform was small and it would have been horrendous if there were big tour groups. DH and I had been on a day tour of Great Ocean Road from Melbourne some 23 years ago, but the tour never got us so far north.
London Bridge, Great Ocean Road
Moving further South, we come to London Bridge. This is a natural arch that originally formed a natural double span bridge but the section closer to the shore collapsed in 1990. So now, this is also called London Arch.
The Arch, Great Ocean Road
Next we came to the Arch. It is a perfectly formed Arch by the coast with strong waves crashing against it.
Port Campbell National Park (Loch Ard Gorge)
We then drove pass the town of Port Campbell, entered Port Campbell National Park and headed towards Loch Ard Gorge. The carpark at Loch Ard Gorge was very full and we had to wait for a few minutes for someone to leave to take their parking lot. There were also tour buses around. It was definitely more crowded than the sights that we visited earlier that morning.
Standing on top of the cliff looking out at the first viewing platform of Loch Ard Gorge after we walk up from the car park, brought us to Tom and Eva Lookout. Here we were greeted by sheer cliffs towering over a narrow opening out to sea. There were constant rough waves were crashing against the rocks.
Moving further on to a second lookout brought us to the Razorback. This narrow and long limestone stack that stands in the cove is also constantly being subjected to the force of the waves of the Southern Ocean. You can see clearly the layers and patterns of the rocks on the stack. Amazing!
It was time for lunch and after consulting our “G” secretary, we decided to back track to Port Campbell town for lunch as it seems to have more choices.
Lunch @ Grassroots Deli Cafe, Port Campbell
We decided to check out Grassroots Deli Cafe after consulting TripAdvisor. When we arrived at Grassroots Deli Cafe, it was close to 1pm. We managed to get a table for 5 of us. DSis and gang in the other car was still on their way as DBIL was taking his time with the photos. We were told that the wait for food was about 45mins and that as it was Boxing Day, there is a 10% Holiday Surcharge on the total bill. We figured it’s going to be the same everywhere around town, so we decided to accept the wait and surcharge and eat there. It was a really hot day so staying out of the midday sun was much welcomed.
We were served our drinks while we waited for our food. The 3 guys had ice peach tea (A$5), DD had an ice chocolate (A$6) and I went for a beetroot and carrot juice (A$7). Teh cold drinks were much welcomed after a morning in the sun. I actually ordered a second drink, an ice-coffee (A$6) again after my meal!
After the 45mins wait (yes, it did take that long), our food finally arrived. The weather was so hot that I did not have much appetite, so I had just ordered the daily soup with sourdough bread (A$10). It was actually a curry flavoured cream soup which i thought was pretty good. DD was also still full from her heavy breakfast pizza and so decide to just have the calamari (A$18). She liked it a lot. DS1 and 2 decided on the boring burgers (A$18). DH had the chicken salad (A$18). He said the chicken was marinated in spice, Indian style. He did not really like it.
Overall the meal was ok. I’m the food was somewhat Asian (Indian) fusion style. So it may not really be for everyone. Btw DSis and gang arrived some 20mins after us and their wait was still 45mins too. The wait did not get shorter after the lunch crowd dwindled. I guess it was holiday season so they may not have been fully staffed.
Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell National Park
After lunch, we headed off to the famous Twelve Apostles. We were greeted by a long line of vehicles as we approach this famous sight and cars were already parked along the road starting almost five hundred meters from the visitors center car park. It was busy busy busy. We took our chances and went forward instead and got a space some two hundred meters from the visitors center carpark. This is really a world of difference from what I remember of our visit some 23 year back. There was no visitor center then and just a few coach parked along the road near the viewing platform. Now there are tons of visitors and there is a proper visitor centre and a well build board way going out far to the edge of the cliff and with viewing platforms from several vintage point. It was really very very crowded. Many tour buses bringing crowds of tourists and all jostling for a photo of this famous landscape.
I can’t find the 12 stacks. I recall previously we could count around 10 or 11. Now maybe around 8 only. The sea is constantly changing the landscape and makes one wonder if 50 years down the road, the Twelve Apostles at Great Ocean Road will only be something one reads about in a geography textbook and will not be able to see anymore.
DS2 hates it here. There were just too many people and it was really very unpleasant and we cannot really take time to appreciate the landscape in front of us.
Gibson Steps, Port Campbell National Park
From the viewing platform furthest out at the Twelve Apostles, one can see the Gibson Steps on the opposite side. But to go down to the lush beach, one needs to leave the Twelve Apostles visitor center and drive a few minutes down to another carpark.
Over time, the string force of the waves from the ocean have sculpted and honed the steps into a spectacular natural wonder, completed by the two jutting rock stacks that languish in the ocean nearby. These are known as Gog and Magog, and can be seen from the viewing platform at the top of the steps.
Beach access at Gibson Steps is via an 86 step staircase down the cliff face. It was very windy when we arrived and so only DH went down to the beach.
This was our last stop before we headed off to Ballarat. If you arrive Port Campbell National Park from the south and move northwards like most day tours from Melbourne, this should be your first stop.
Sovereign Hill Hotel, Ballarat
We were staying a night at the Sovereign Hill Hotel and Ballarat as DSis had suggested that we watch the Sovereign Hill Sound and Light Show, Blood of the Southern Cross. We had booked a package which included a one night stay at Sovereign Hill Hotel, tickets to the Sound and Light Show, entry to Sovereign Hill with inclusion of the Gold Mine Tour, dinner and breakfast and a complimentary period photo at Sovereign Hill. The package for 4 adults and 1 child was A$897. We took 2 packages. Normally each package should be for 2 adults and 2 kids. I had called Sovereign Hill directly and arranged the package for 4 adults and 1 child. It was a good deal considering all the inclusion. So don’t just book what is available on its website. A phone call and explaining your situation and requirement could make a difference.
When I made the booking, I was told that they will give me a room which comes with a separate attached room which will have bed that can accommodate all 5 of us. When we went into our room, we discovered that each of our room could accommodate up to 10 people! There is a queen bed and bunk bed in the main room, and in the attached room, there were another 3 bunk beds! Wow! We were assigned the wheel chair accessible room so the bathroom was pretty bare to accommodate wheel chair. I don’t like such rooms as it is impossible to keep the bathroom dry. But for one night, we made do. DSis had the room with the normal bathroom.
The compound of the Sovereign Hill Hotel is next to the park and has a side gate which can open to the park. Assess to the side gate is with the room key. That evening, we used the side guide to assess the park after closing to get to the Sound and Light Show. We have an included dinner with the show within the park.
Dinner @ New York Bakery, Sovereign Hill
It was great to walk into a quite and empty park after the daytime crowd has left. We were able to take many photos with no one else in the background. We were told by the hotel reception that dinner will be at the Charlie Napier Hotel. But when we went there, we were told that venue had been changed to the New York Bakery.
There is no choice of meal. For the 8 adults meal, we were served 4 beef rib with marshed sweet potatoes and 4 chicken with marshed potatoes. For the kid’s meal, they served chicken schnitzel and chips. I sealed my mrs with DD and had the chicken nuggets. The meal was generally ok. Drinks were not included and we got ourselves some soft drinks at the bar.
The kids dessert was brownie and for adults, it was a toffee pudding. I did not fancy either and DD ate both her brownie and my pudding! That girl can really eat!
Blood of the Southern Cross, the Sovereign Hill Sound & Light Show
After dinner we proceeded to the theatre for the show. We did not know what to expect. Only thing we knew was that the show was about the riot that took place in Sovereign Hill involving the miners.
The show was really not what we expected. It was basically a show with no actors. But using lights and sounds to depict the story. You first watch it at the theatre than you are brought outdoors into the park via a tram where it continues. You need to concentrate hard to follow the story. I was so tired from a day out in the sun, I fell asleep. DS2 said that he thought is was pretty good. He liked the sound effects and lighting. But frankly it requires too much concentration. Definitely not for me. DH says that it is really a cheap production since actors would cost too much! Haha.
Would I recommend this, definitely no!
Next up: Day 13 – Sovereign Hill