Graeme - A family trip to see the 12 Apostles

Extended family trips can be some of the best shared experiences. In the summer of 1998, my family decided to travel the Great Ocean Road and see the Twelve Apostles, (a chain of rock monoliths along the coast of Victoria, Australia.) My mother and father with my younger brother were in one car, my elder brother and his wife in another, my sister and her family in yet another car, and myself in my second vehicle - a Landcruiser, (much better for long distance travel and exploration than the old Commodore.) 

Travelling separately, we met up at Wilson's Promontory, (the southern-most place on the Australian mainland,) where we camped for a few days before travelling west, through the southern suburbs of Melbourne, across Port Phillip Bay on the M.V. "Queenscliff", (a giant vehicle ferry able to carry 700 passengers and 80 cars,) and then on to the Great Ocean Road.

Along the Great Ocean Road

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It was a reasonably uneventful trip, though very scenic. Spending a night in Lorne, we continued our adventure, stopping here and there to view rock formations, hidden coves or sandy bays, and despite the fine warm weather there was a constant, stiff onshore wind that kept the air cool and comfortable. By the end of our second day on the Great Ocean Road, we had reached Port Campbell, where we found a comfortable hotel for the night. From there we travelled north to Halls Gap and the Grampians, (a series of sandstone ranges that rise sharply in contrast to the surrounding plains.) Here we stayed a few days, exploring the hills and hidden waterfalls, and enjoying a rest and each-other's company before the long drive back to Sydney.

The Grampians from afar

For tourist info: http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Great-Ocean-Road/Activities-and-attractions/Nature-and-wildlife/Beaches-and-coastlines/12-Apostles.aspx