Day thirty two

We returned to Melbourne but rather than going back the way we came we drove North through the rain forest to visit a Geopark near Alvie called Red Rock. This is the site of multiple volcano cones and has a viewpoint looking out over the landscape. 

On the way there we spotted a large flock of birds and watched them settle in a clump of trees. The birds are Straw Necked Ibises. 

We found a nice spot for a picnic lunch beside one of the many lakes that formed in the area. They were all drying out but we found one with a little water left. 

Day thirty one

A busy day. We headed back to Kennett River to try to see more koalas. We drove through the crowds of tourists by the Koala Cafe and headed up the Grey River Road which is famous for koala sightings. We soon spotted one...

Shortly after we saw two wallabies ...

We found a picnic spot with a walk into the rain forest.

then headed back down to the cafe for coffee and some parrots and another koala (although this is probably the same one we photographed the other day).

Then we went for a walk along the beach

before walking alongside the Kennett River looking for waterbirds. 

We were slightly surprised to see two more koalas. 

Then back on the Great Ocean Road again with one short stop at Onion Bay for a last walk. 

Day thirty

An “at home” day, of doing nothing. 

This is our Airbnb, on a farm half a mile inland from the Ocean. 

We were very excited yesterday when we saw the Satin Bowerbird - somewhat less impressed today when several of them were appearing in the garden!

Also wrens and a raptor.

and when ennui finally settled in we went down to the town and strolled along the beach and the harbour. 

Day twenty nine

Today we headed for the Twelve Apostles - we had been told that it got really busy so we were up at the crack of dawn to set out and were on the road by nine; well, we are on holiday. 

The place was busy but not crowded and was well worth the drive. 

As we drove away we passed more and more coaches on their way there. 

We stopped at a marshland area as we had spotted lots of water birds. 

From we headed to Castle Cove and made our way down to the deserted beach and enjoyed our lunch with just the ocean waves for company. 

We then tried to go to Cape Ottway Lightstation but were not prepared to pay nearly twenty dollars each so settled for an ice cream and some bird photographs. 

Our last call was a short walk in the rainforest along a well market path through groves of tree ferns. 

Our last treat of the day was this splendid female satin bowerbird shouting at us from the bushes in the car park.

Day twenty eight

On the Great Ocean Road. 

We drove out of Melbourne at ten o’clock and took our first break at Angelsea.

and a short walk along the ocean shore. 

Then on to Erskine Falls which was more a dribble than a fall.

Lots of kangaroos along the way.

and at Kennett River we saw our first koala in the wild. 

Then a short drive along this beautiful coast road to Apollo Bay and our Airbnb.