*Photos will be added when I’ve decent WiFi*
The Great Ocean Road was originally conceived as a project to create work for returned servicemen, and as a living memorial to the Victorians who served in the First World War.. Funding came from public donations. Work on the first stretch between Lorne and Aireys Inlet was started in 1919. A total of 3,000 ex-servicemen worked with pick and shovel, and stayed in well-organised camps complete with vegetable plots, cooks and pianos.
The single lane, unsealed road was officially opened in 1922. The second stretch was built ten years later and the road metalled by 1934 due to increased traffic. When control was handed to the Country Roads Board in 1936, the toll-gate was ceremoniously unlocked. It’s been free ever since, linking up the coastal towns and opening them up to tourism and development (whether or not this is a good thing I won’t debate here).
At 241 kilometres, it’s the world longest war memorial.
Great start to the day with a large male koala in the tree outside the cabin:
Then back on to the Great Ocean Road, and the first viewpoint of the day:
We’d planned to stop in Lorne for lunch… but a few other tourists had the same idea. So after a quick stop at the pier:
… we came across the first traffic jam since leaving Sydney:
Split Point Lighthouse near Aireys Inlet:
Signs for the GOR’s “Chocolaterie and icecreamery” appeared soon after, and it would have been rude not to drop in. It was, unsurprisingly, a bit of a circus but the free chocolate made it just about bearable 😉
Delicious-looking icecream (although not as many flavours as you’d expect from a place dedicated to the stuff):
And a triumph of marketing with the “dark chocolate sorbet” declaring itself “99% fat free”. Which it probably was. Except that it would have been loaded with sugar… and guess what your body turns unused sugar into….?!
Approaching Melbourne:
And a very authentic pho to finish a long day of travelling:
Random other stuff from today:
Sign of the day was seen as we entered the chocolaterie car park:
… except it’s actually quite freaking (because that silhouette doesn’t look anything like an oompa loompa).
Stoopid tourists – after standing on the wall, she went over the other side to take photos: