Great Ocean Road, (Lavers Hill) 30 March 2007

Reached the Great Ocean Road at last! Able to view some spectacular scenery accompanied by gale force winds and intermittent rain. Fantastic waves pounded the coast as a result of this change in weather and we agreed that this only added to the spectacle. The waves and winds have eroded the limestone cliffs into amazing shapes. They cut the limestone away at the base of the cliff, leaving caverns and arches, which eventually collapse and then form rock outcrops marooned in the ocean. Had a lunch break at Port Campbell right on the edge of the water in town, but eventually moved around the corner as Jimmy was being severely buffeted by the wind. Drove onto the climax of Loch Ard and the 12 Apostles. Though the rain was gone, the wind and waves had not subsided! These last two lookouts were thronging with tourists, as opposed to the other quieter lookouts we had visited before. We moved along the road through steep windy mountains that only lead upwards. We enjoyed the forests and the views and wondered when we would ever be able to pull off the road. There were no lay-bys in these steep places. Luckily Lavers Hill, a small village in the middle of the mountains, had a perfect spot to stop at the cross-roads. Boy was it cold! Reminded us why we went north for winter! Had a rare meal out at a café, opposite our parking spot that overlooked a grand valley.