After spending two awesome days in the heart of the Grampian mountains, it was time to move on. Quite honestly, I didn’t want to leave our little temporary nest. I would have stayed there a long while, enjoying the surreal presence of kangaroos, emus and yes, even the loud cockies.
But our hosts had other plans, and after sharing a last breakfast with the rosellas, we quickly packed up and were ready to go!
Bye bye, Grampians!
We spent lunchtime in a natural park in a volcanic area of Victoria. We were welcomed by a couple of curious emus and… My very first wild koala! But the really memorable moment came when we met with a flock of magpies.
The crow-in-tux looking birds were hanging around our picnic table, wanting us to share our sandwiches. Of course, I couldn’t resist throwing them little bread crumbs. After each round, the magpies sang altogether in a very special way.
I let my guards down for a couple of seconds, and decided to film them. This is what happened:
This little guy hopped on our table and stole my lunch! Bye bye sandwich…
The next strip of our 5 days gettaway was a long drive along the famous Great Ocean Road. But since Miriam and Doug don’t like to do things the usual way, we were about to make the trip backwards. I was relieved when they confirmed that it didn’t mean we’d drive in reverse the whole way… I trusted Doug’s driving skills, but we were pulling quite a large trailer!
The Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial. It stretches over 243 kilometers along Victoria’s coast, and links in a mind blowing series of sceneries. Built between 1919 and 1932, it gave a much needed jobs to soldiers that had returned to Australia after World War I.
I wish I could walk you in, and describe every site we stopped at. But our hosts were so generous that I’d probably be able to write a whole book about it. From The Shipwreck Coast to The Twelve Apostles, spending time by The Grotto and London Bridge, I really think I couldn’t do honor to the beauty of the landscapes with my words anyway.
It was already hard enough to pick pictures to give you an idea of the day we spent together, Aaaah-ing and Oooooh-ing in choir. The weather wasn’t perfect but it gave a different feeling to our sightseeing. I think the threatening dark clouds and dimmed light accentuated the roughness of the coast, and the danger that awaited the sailors trying to tame it.
And although the bushfires and the corona virus were shadows we had to take into account when we planned our trip, it rewarded us with almost deserted sites, when they would normally have been crowded with tourists.
But enough talking, here are a few pictures instead.
Aren’t they just adorable?
My first Apostle
The Grotto
Beware of slippery bacon! (Australia is a dangerous place)
London Bridge
I forgot to mention that this was Valentine’s Day, and we ended our day at the restaurant, where we enjoyed an awesome meal, far from all feathery menaces!
The good time spent around this table is now priceless memories…
You can catch up with the beginning of our camping trip by visiting the following links:
Cyranny's Cove 
How cool is that?!? Beautiful place. And that pie looks amazing! 😃
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It was an awesome day, from A to Z! Amazing sightseeing, surprising encounters, incredible company, gorgeous food! I don’t have a sweet tooth, but it was Valentine’s Day, and I just couldn’t resist that white chocolate and mint cheese cake 😉
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Ha! Who could?!? 😃
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I see how big the bodies of water are, and I am tiny in comparison and it reminds of the beauty that nature created, not man. Beautifuly pics.
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That’s exactly what I love about this kind of landscape… To feel like an ant before Nature is very humbling. Thank you for your kind words 🙂
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Great pictures Catherine. I still get a laugh when I think about that cheeky magpie that stole your lunch, or should a say, that crow in a tux! 😁
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Thank you, Miriam 🙂 I had such a hard time choosing the pictures to post. I still can’t believe how lucky we were to enjoy these amazing places without having to share the view with tons of tourists!! And the magpies… They were priceless. I giggle everytime I watch them too!!
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We were very lucky. Such great memories. 😊
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Nice photos. Brings back happy memories of our trip to AUS with our two kids who were little then. 30 years ago but I still remember these scenes thanks to your photos.
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Thank you, Anne 🙂 I’m so glad to bring back these good memories… If you traveled along the Great Ocean Road, you had the chance to see London Bridge before the collapse, lucky you 🙂 Have your kids returned on their own since?
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My son was in Australia for nine months about two years ago. He worked for a UK company that sent him out there. But apart from Melbourne and Brisbane for short visits he was based in Sydney so did not see to much else. He had a good time though.
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Amazing pics and video! Sounds like you had a wonderful time at a beautiful place! Cracking up at the Magpie video, hope the bird liked your sandwich. 🙂
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Thank you Joy 🙂 It was an unforgettable day, spent in amazing company!
The magpies had to share my lunch… it was a delicious sandwich, and they seemed to enjoy every bit of it. I didn’t even get a ”thank you” song LOL
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I came to watch the Magpie. Miriam sent me. 🙂
I’m Robert.
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Hello Robert 🙂 Thanks for stopping by… Any friend of Miriam is my friend!!
The magpie thief really cracks me up still. I hope you enjoyed the video 🙂
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🙂 Friends is good.
I did enjoy the video very much, Cyranny – thanks for sharing it.
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Great shots, and some good stories to share .. that desert looks very special!
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Thank you Kate 🙂 Australia is beautiful inside out, and it shows on every picture I took. You live in an amazing country, I loved every minute spent in Oz 🙂 (and I agree, the chocolate and mint cheese cake was very special)
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I know we can never compete with your true love [Denmark] but glad you spread your wings to bring Mon Cherie here and team up with MnD … such a beautiful couple 🙂
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Absolutely breathtaking! I’m so jealous! Gorgeous photos!
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