Keep rockin' that thing you do.
Is it crazy how I found one of the most inspirational and motivating quotes at a corner of Great Ocean Road? Scrawled onto a metallic plate that was nailed into the rocky wall at Gibsons Steps, it reads: "Your life unfolds in proportion to your courage". Whoever who wrote that, it's bookmarked. ;) We set off in the morning on the return trip from Warrnambool back to Melbourne, thereby checking out all the rock formation attractions that we didn't have time to look at yesterday.
10. Nibbling Away/ Bay of Islands
One of the best feelings in life must be waking up groggily and being greeted by such a magnificent sight. Of all cliches, I choose you: Mother nature is amazing... she must have gotten A+ for aesthetics class. At Nibbling Away or Bay of Islands - I think they refer to the same few lump of rocks - were named as such because they have been subjected to the most wear and tear and are now left with the remaining standing ones. Based on my weak geography knowledge, I am assuming that this occurs because Bay of Islands is the most Westernly-situated rock formations of the cluster of attractions, and has the least protection from the offshore island of Tasmania, so it is subjected to stronger waves and winds. This is just a conjecture by the way, my physical Geography classes ended quite early in my life. Anyway, by extrapolation, I guess Bay of Islands may vanish very quickly, just as the Twelve Apostles are being worn down to nine.
11. The Grotto
More types of differently-shaped rocks. I think it's a better idea to do the rock formations from Warrnambool rather than towards because in that way, it gets more interesting rather than less... well Bay of Islands is technically just a lump of rocks in the ocean, but the Grotto was way more mesmerizing to look at! It was low tide in the morning so the grotto opening was quite calm and big, but I would imagine it to be sloshing with waves when it's high tide. This is my favourite rock formation because you get a special view through the opening and into the great ocean, like a personal window with protection. It's quite scary to stand at the beach facing the sea because it's cold (even in 'summer') and the waves are really strong. But at the Grotto, you enjoy the view with a little ring of protection.
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| The Arch |
12. London Arch/ The Arch
The London Arch and The Arch are essentially within the same field of vision when you are there. The London Arch is named as such because it used to be linked to the main land before the centre portion broke through and fell into the sea, leaving the 'London Arch' behind. Fun fact: when the centre portion collapsed, there were people exploring the London Arch and they were stuck on it for a few hours before the helicopters came to pick them! That must be crazily traumatizing. The waves are extremely strong, so regardless how proficient you are at swimming, you will most certainly be swept away. There are signs that read 'unstable cliffs' everywhere, but nobody ever listens anyway.
13. Breakfast!
A quick break somewhere in between to feed those growling stomachs before we conquer more rocks...
14. The Blowhole/ Loch Ard Gorge/ Tom & Eva/ Razorback
Make no mistake, it is Loch-ARD-Gorge. I thought it was a misspelling - Loch and Gorge, right? But no... Loch Ard Gorge is the site of a shipwreck of the clipper ship Loch Ard after which it is named. The ship carried 54 passengers; only two survived – 15-year-old Tom Pearce, and 17-year-old Eva Carmichael whom he rescued that fateful night. The two teenagers took shelter in Thunder Cave on the night of the shipwreck. It was quite a scary story to read when we were there. I could imagine how - there were so many protruding rocks in that area, it must have been really dangerous for ships to come close. You can access the gorge beach area by walking 10 minutes, and you'll be greeted with a lagoon sort of area. The waves are really strong despite looking calm. Looks are deceiving, beware!
15. Gibsons Steps
Perhaps the most identifiable rock formation/ attraction is the Gibsons Steps which involved descending down some steps to the beach. The question many people asked: is it difficult to reach the beach?! It isn't for the average individual, it can be challenging if you have weak knees. But don't worry, hold onto the siderails and do it slowly and you should be fine. It is the most iconic stretch of beach you can find on Great Ocean Road and you can surely rest your feet at the beach! Of course, take some pictures, enjoy the breeze... it's really memorable :)
One of the website resources that I found really useful at marking out locations of the rock formations: here.
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