Sunday: January 1, 2012

On Sunday we will go on another bus tour, this time along Great Ocean Road up to the Twelve Apostles.  Our day will begin at 8:00am where we will depart from Melbourne and begin our tour by crossing the Westgate Bridge, Australia’s longest.  We will make our way to Surf Coast and finally Bells Beach where the tour bus will stop so we can enjoy the beach as well as the local surfing culture.

Beginning of Great Ocean Road
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Bells Beach
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

After leaving Bells Beach we will set out back along the very scenic Great Ocean Road.  Our tour guide will describe the road’s history and the Australian folklore surrounding it.

We will then be making a brief stop at the township of Kennet River where we will take a short trip into a eucalyptus forest to hopefully view the local wild koalas.  We will also have the opportunity to feed the local wild Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots.

Hand feeding the local birds
Picture from: Get Your Guide

After breaking for lunch our tour will continue along the Great Ocean Road eventually arriving at the cool temperate rainforest at Maits Rest.  Here we will have a chance to tour the forest and learn about the world’s tallest flowering trees and the ancient rainforest species.

Rain Forest
Picture from: Get Your Guide

Next we will get to visit the famous Port Campbell National Park as well as the Twelve Apostles.  Our tour will then take us to the Shipwreck Coast where our tour guide will recount the legend of the Loch Ard (famous shipwreck).  

12 Apostles
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Loch Ard Gorge
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Our tour will wrap up by taking us to the collapsed London Bridge before heading back to Melbourne.

This tour will also give me a chance to see and interact with Australia’s unique wildlife.  I think it would be an unforgettable experience to see the beautiful Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots up close and even have them eat out of your hand.  I also look forward to seeing Australia’s rainforest plant species which are unique from anything you could find here in London.  This tour also lets me experience another of my interest’s; local folklore and legends, personally I find that type of information fascinating and I look forward to learning something new about Australia and its culture.