Thursday, 16 April, 2015 - Day 5

Today was the day we saw the main attraction along the Great Ocean Road – the Twelve Apostles.  Before we got to the twelve apostles,though, we walked down the Gibson Steps – 86 steps which take you down to a beach and a view of the rock stacks known as Gog and Magog.  When we looked at them from the cliff before we walked down the steps, we thought they looked amazing.  But, when we got down the steps and walked up close to them (as close as we could since they are in the water), they looked magnificent.  I can’t describe the feeling we got looking up at them – just incredible!

 View from the top of the Gibson Steps

 The Gibson Steps

 Me 'leaning against' the rock stack

 Dad in front of Gog and Magog

Beach at the bottom of the Gibson Steps

 Me sitting at the base of the limestone cliffs

The twelve apostles are wave-sculpted landforms (they called them ‘rock stacks’) – the limestone stacks tower 45 metres above the ocean.  These stacks were originally called 'The Sow and Piglets', but in 1922, they were renamed The Apostles for tourism purposes, later becoming known as the Twelve Apostles (despite only ever having nine stacks).  They are the most photographed attraction in the area.   These can only be seen from the cliffs, but they are still spectacular!

The Twelve Apostles

 Gog and Magog from the viewing platform where the Twelve Apostles can be viewed

 Me in front of the Twelve Apostles

 Dad in front of the Twelve Apostles

Dad and me in front of the Twelve Apostles

Explanation of how the Twelve Apostles were formed (click to enlarge if you want to read it)

A little further down the road is Loch Ard Gorge.  It’s named after the clipper ship the Loch Ard which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island on June 1, 1878 near the end of its journey from England to Melbourne.  We took a walk around the gorge and the views were fabulous!

 Thunder Cave - part of one of the Loch Ard Gorge walks we did

View from one of the Loch Ard Gorge walks

Our next stop was the ‘Bay of Islands’ – part of a 32 kilometre long coastal reserve - more coastal views, cliff formations and rock stacks.  This whole part of the Great Ocean Road has been beautiful! 

Our final stop was in Warrnambool where we splurged a little bit and stayed at a nice hotel with an indoor pool which we took advantage of when we arrived.