NZ/AUS EPIC HOLIDAY - Days 85-88

Melbourne to Adelaide

Day 85 - 23nd Apr - Melbourne to Princetown

Today started part two of my Adventure Tours journey from Sydney to Adelaide. We were picked up by a friendly driver by the name of Todd and, after gathering everyone from their respective hostels, we were off down the coast again towards Adelaide. This time we had even more ground to cover, about the length of Britain and then a quarter of that distance again!

After stopping for breakfast at the small town of Torquay we set off on the scenic drive known as the Great Ocean Road. It was a wonderfully picturesque trip and for most of the day everyone was shuffling around the seats on the bus and sticking their cameras out of the window in order to get a good shot on their cameras. The scenery got more and more spectacular and we stopped at several delightful little coastal towns either to take a break, eat some food or just look around. At one place we explored an area that was known for good wildlife spotting. It didn't take long before we saw what we were looking for, koalas up in the trees. I'd seen koalas many times before but not wild ones and it's always a treat to see animals in their natural habitat, especially super cute animals like the adorable koalas.

Shortly after spotting the koalas we found some parrots who were attracted by the bird feed that our guide had given us. More and more turned up and before long we were being swarmed by some of the most amazing coloured birds I'd seen in a long time. They were tame too, not afraid to stand on our hands, shoulders or even on my head at one point whilst feeding. As we returned to the bus we spotted some kookaburras being fed some meat by a local. If you're not familiar with these entertaining birds then look them up, they have the most wacky and wonderful call, sort of like a monkey laughing hysterically.

We made a stop at the Otway Fly, a treetop walk that takes visitors up amongst the trees, giving them a birds-eye view of the forest. The highest point in the walkway towered over the other trees at quite a dizzying height, not for those with vertigo of any kind! After our walk we returned to our bus once again.

We continued on until we reached the highlight of the ocean road, the cliffs known as the twelve apostles. These fantastic limestone rock formations used to be attached to the mainland but erosion caused them to detach and form a spectacular series of arches and pillars, though I feel I should point out that there are more than twelve. We waited for sunset but the clouds prevented us from getting a good one. It was still a beautiful sight however so we weren't complaining.

After sundown we reported to our hostel located in the coastal settlement of Princetown. Now I don't know why they call it Prince 'town', the population consisted of about 10 people and the hostel we were in wasn't even staffed! It really was entertainingly minuscule, that fact that it had a pub was just hilarious, I mean how much business can you get in a town of ten?! I jokingly asked our guide, Todd whether there was a taxi service between us and the pub. We dined well in the hostel and then downed a few beers outside in the calm sea air. It was quite a delightfully peaceful little place really.

I wondered if this place would even still exist if it were not for Adventure Tours Australia bringing in regular buses of backpackers throughout the year.

Probably not.

the limestone 'twelve apostles'

Day 86 - 24th Apr - Princetown to Halls Gap

In the morning we took a very pleasant dawn walk along the base of the cliffs that were located next to the twelve apostles. There was still cloud cover preventing us from getting a fiery sunset but it was still a pleasant and dry day. After our tranquil morning walk we boarded the bus once again and drove for a few minutes to the nearby airfield where scenic helicopter flights were offered. These tours were very reasonably priced and with the backpacker discount it was so cheap I signed up for a quick flight over the twelve apostles, along with some of the others. This is about the seventh time I've been in a helicopter as my ship crewmember discount allowed me to take many cheap flights in the past. You've probably noticed that I take to the air an awful lot, whether it's skydiving, hang gliding, scenic flights etc... So why break the habit of a lifetime?

The flight was wonderful and we all departed the chopper with big beaming smiles on our faces. Once again we were back on the bus and off again, this time heading north and away from the coast in the direction of the beautiful Grampians National Park. It started to pour down with rain shortly after we left, we had done the heli-ride just in time! After a long drive we were at Grampians NP and we went on another walk near the town of Halls Gap. The rain had mostly let up but not entirely so we were sadly unable to climb up to the summit that we originally planned on due to it being slippery in wet weather. So instead we took a valley floor walk which was still agreeable as the bright autumn colours really provided a feast for the eyes. Towards the end of the walk, which finished in Halls Gap, we encountered some wild kangaroos that were hopping around the park. These ones were evidently used to human presence enough to allow us to get very close to them.

We then reported to our accommodation in Halls Gap, a delightful little private lodge owned by Adventure Tours. It was a wonderfully cosy place and after dinner we lit the gas fire and had our own little party, complete with the beers we bought from the bottle shop in town. Marvellous!

'those autumn leaves...'

Day 87 - 25th Apr - Halls Gap to Adelaide

We were hoping that the weather would improve as we were off for another walk in the Grampians. The rain started to clear, though cloud cover prevented us from seeing the best views on our walk. As the day went on it cleared almost completely so after lunch we went on one last walk, this time to the summit of one of the Grampians. It was a short hike, the Grampian Mountains are not the loftiest range on earth, but the views were nevertheless pleasing and we could still see far.

After our final walk it was time to head off towards Adelaide. Other that a couple of snack and toilet breaks we spent most of the afternoon driving and by early evening we were at our destination. After everybody checked into their hostels and took some time for a shower and laundry we met up in the bar for some farewell drinks. Although most were going their separate ways there was one in the group, Suzan from Holland, who was coincidentally going on the same tour I would be on in a couple of days. We also met another fellow in the bar who would be joining us, Hanas from Germany. But right now it was, quite simply, time to drink!

walking in Grampians NP

Day 88 - 26th Apr - Adelaide

Adelaide seemed an agreeable place and I would have liked to do some walking up in the nearby hills but rain showers kept me in the city centre where I could be close to cover. I didn't really accomplish much other than that. I also turned in early in order to get some rest, I would be up early tomorrow, ready to start my real adventure, the main reason I had gone to Australia and to Adelaide.

amusing rubbish bins!