Melbourne is calling

We had enough time to join another tour on Thursday morning, after check-out in the Ayres Rock Resort: a gallery tour in GOCA, very revealing! The guide explained about the origins and history, the organisation who brought together the artists, the different artists' groups, important artists, the painting styles and, especially, about the symbolic contents of the paintings. It's a bit like Mantras, a pointillistic style, sometimes with wavy lines, and all of it full of symbolic meaning. Photos of specific artworks were not allowed in the gallery.

Good last tour we had! Got ready for bus pick-up at the hotel at 12:30 pm (only about 10 min drive). Uluru Airport is small, very relaxed, only one plane going out at a time, but, nevertheless, the lines at check-in were pretty long. We flew Virgin Australia this time (Jetstar before), and it seemed to be better planes and service. A roomier B737-800 (2x3), electric outlets, comfier seats and even water and coffee for free other than before.

The flight was smooth and landed in Melbourne about 20 min. early. After luggage pick-up we went to Europcar to get our rental car. Granted, it was easier and friendlier as with East Coast Car Rentals in Sydney before, but, in general, it still is a p.i.t.a. to rent a car abroad. All the questions about extras and insurances (you probably don't need), even though you've booked the whole package, fully-covered,,,

Anyway, we got an upgrade from our booked midsize car to a (rather big) midsize SUV, a Chery Tiggo 4 - a Chinese brand we have never heard about before! Glad, we had a rather small car at the beginning so I could concentrate on traffic! On Thursday evening we just drove the 35 km out from the airport to Melton, in the Melbourne metro area, and checked in to our hotel, adjacent to the trotting race course (Traberrennen) with an entertainment park/casino. Just made it in time before the kitchen in the bistro closed at 8:15 pm (!!!).

This morning, we first had to figure out the car. Fortunately, had a manual in the car this time! Boy, who in the world needs all this beeping and blinking and warning? Cameras from above (!) and behind? We would have needed an introduction to the car, not the traffic anymore, but eventually we were able to switch off the most annoying "assistant features". Theoretically, I could have put a brick on the gas pedal and just let all the assistants drive! Even watching too long to one side of the car causes an alert,,, 

Well, eventually we drove south, through agricultural landscape with strawberry fields and apple orchards, through Geelong, a rather industrial city. 

First stop: Torquay. We visited the Australian National Surfing Museum, celebrating the history of surfing in Australia. I think surfing is one of the most difficult and dangerous sports in the world - you've got to know about currents, weather. winds and geology, plus, you have to be athletic with good balance and without fear to tackle big waves.

 

 

At closeby Bells Beach, location of a famous annual surfing competition, we watched the surfers for a while, but, just low waves today, nothing spectacular,,,

Also in Torquay the famous Great Ocean Road starts, 243 km of coastal highway in Victoria/Australia, running from Torquay to Allansford. Built by WWI veterans between 1919 and 1932, it features dramatic cliffs, surf beaches, and landmarks. An exhibition in Lorne, on the way west, explains more about the construction and history of the famous road (right photo). 

We weren't encountering too much traffic yet. Victoria is celebrating Labour Day on Monday, so, during this upcoming long weekend it'll be packed along the coast. And, in Melbourne, too, because of that and, the big Moomba Festival in the city and a Grand Prix Formula 1 Race.

The Great Ocean Road is a tourist magnet and perfectly equipped. Many Visitors Centres, viewpoints, turn-offs, and, even signs telling you to drive on the left! Seems like many foreign visitors are traveling here, we especially noticed tour busses on day trips from/to Melbourne and several German tourists, too. Curvy road, but not too narrow and bumpy, very close to the waterline, gorgeous views and a turquoise-colored ocean!

We stopped at a couple of lookouts among them Split Point Lighthouse, built in 1891 and under operation until 1991. It's located in Aireys Inlet. Didn't climb up, but views were gorgeous from below as well!

 

Our overnight, after 190 km driven, was in Apollo Bay and guess what? The closer we got, the cloudier it became (left pic)! In the late afternoon we checked in at our motel (which was fine!) at 21 deg. C and grey skies. 

Out again soon, to check out the offerings along main street. Only found not-too-appealing shops and restaurants (some of them closed today because of the upcoming long, busy weekend) and went for a stroll along the beach to the fishing/yacht harbour. 

Finally, we ended up at Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, ideally neighboring our hotel, for dinner - on the photo: "bangers & mash", sausages and mashed potatoes, and a beer. And, we enjoyed good conversation and another language lessen with a group of Australians.