It was around 7:15 AM when we started off from Melbourne. Our driver-cum-guide told us briefly about the journey, how much time it’ll take and where all we’d be stopping on the way. Our first stop was the coastal town of Anglesea, for morning tea with a view.
Refreshed after a small snack & tea, we embarked towards the Memorial Arch – built in honor of the 3,000 returned soldiers who worked on the road and its creation. We all hopped off the bus, to click some photographs, standing next to the sculptor of two returned soldiers working on the Great Ocean Road. Our guide told us about the history and what all happened, during the construction of the road. The heritage-listed archway marks the start of the Great Ocean Road, the world’s longest (and most beautiful) war memorial. [Keep reading till the end, to know more about the history of the Great Ocean Road.]
As we continued with the journey, the highway swooped past beaches, hugged the cliffs and green gullies that lead to Lorne – a beautiful coastal town with a laidback vibe, which undoubtedly is a paradise for surfers. While we were hoping to take a walk down the sandy stretch, the sky was suddenly covered with clouds and it started to drizzle. Holding on to the wish, we got back to the bus and moved ahead to Apollo Bay.
This gorgeous town was our stop for lunch and our guide encouraged us to eat like a local in one of the quaint cafes along the main street. I grabbed a picnic box of fish and chips to eat on the sand, following the true Aussie traditions!