The Great Ocean Road

Although some may argue that the heart of Australia lies in its east and northeastern regions, its southern side is not to be overlooked. Just west of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is an incredibly scenic drive that stretches 243 km along Victoria’s coastline. Filled with spectacular cliff formations and absolutely stunning countryside, it is definitely a natural wonderland.

Very similar to Hwy 1 in California’s central coast, the Great Ocean Road is made up of jagged ocean cliffs and small towns along the way. Amongst the numerous towns is Apollo Bay. It is a small beach community that surrounds a beautifully calm bay. Adorable cafes and surf shops line the main drag along the shore. For those traveling along the coast, it has an utterly serene view to stop at and enjoy a meal.

The main focus for travelers along the Great Ocean Road is its cliff formations. The area is most famous for The Twelve Apostles. Parallel to the vertical cliffs are giant limestone stacks that have formed from years of erosion. Because old stacks continually collapse while new ones are formed, there is not exactly twelve apostles. Although there is constant change in formation over time, the clear skies and heavy sea mist caused by the waves always produce a picturesque and heaven-like view.

Another popular spot along the coast is the Loch Ard Gorge. It is a surreal view in which two cliffs almost entirely enclose the beach from the ocean. The bright golden sand generates a rare turquoise color in the water and creates a mystical sight. Although the enclosure causes the tide to remain relatively calm, it is not recommended to swim in the gorge due to the risk of being crushed against the cliffs from strong currents.

An unfortunate recent event on the Great Ocean Road was the collapse of the Island Archway. The arch was a dazzling formation that stood in vibrant crystal clear water. This section of the coast is the historic site of where the ship Loch Ard ran aground in 1878. The collapse of the archway created two stacks which have been officially named Tom and Eva, after the only two survivors of the shipwreck.

This coastline possesses an abundance of sheer beauty, history and wonder. If visiting Australia, it is beyond any doubt that this is an area worth putting on the to-do list. Anyone who has driven along the Great Ocean Road and experienced its numerous marvels can agree on one thing. Erosion never looked so good.

The Wonderful World Down Under

(All photos taken by me)

There is no best way to begin my series of blogs that will describe the beauty of my experiences in Australia. Because of the overwhelming amount of amazing memories I have of my travels there, I will write my series of blogs in chronological order.

Sydney is one of those marvelous cities that no matter how many times you ride over the bridge into it every night, you cannot take your eyes off the illuminating buildings. Working in nightlife, I traveled across the Sydney Harbour Bridge by bus almost every night of the week. Some of my best moments to be alone and collect were when I would hop on that bus, turn on my iPod, and just stare into the alluring scene of lit buildings.

Night scenery aside, Sydney is also an incredible sight by day. It reminds me of a smaller version of New York, with a British twist. Hundreds of tall buildings crunch together to form the CBD (center business district). Many buildings are historic and numerous alleyways are still paved with their original cobblestone. Excluding those who live outside the city, unless you have a unit in one of the swank skyscrapers, you most likely dwell in a narrow English-styled townhouse.

And how could I describe the beauty of Sydney without including the world famous Sydney Opera House. I remember learning about this magnificent building and seeing it on TV during the 2000 Olympic Games. My first sight of it was just as incredible as I expected. My first visit inside the opera house was when some friends and I went to watch a Cuban jazz artist perform. The size of the concert hall, and the sound it produced, surpassed anything I have ever seen or heard before. I felt it was quite “touristy” to do, but nevertheless a stunning work of architecture that is worth seeing in one’s lifetime.