(With apologies to Sir Billy Connolly)

It was time to explore the Shipwreck Coast, namely the limestone formations between The Twelve Apostles and the Bay of Islands.  Last time we were here, it was on bikes, and there were just a couple of small lookouts to stop at. These days there is an impressive visitor centre, and an under-the-road walkway to the Twelve Apostles lookouts.  You can see them from numerous vantage points. The view is classic and has been photographed millions of times, and I’m afraid I’m adding a couple more. You can see for miles in either direction along the coast. Another trail, which is a section of the Great Ocean Walk, takes you to the Gibson Steps, hugging the cliff face down onto the beautiful beach. From there you can make your way right up close to two of the stacks, and get a feel for just how sheer these cliffs are. You really feel like huge chunks could break off at any second.

Next stop was Loch Ard Gorge, probably the most interesting feature.  Site of the Loch Ard shipwreck, you see the massive Razorback rock, the narrow gorge with pounding waves, and the tiny beach and cave where the only two survivors washed up. We have no idea how Tom climbed out of the gorge to raise the alarm; he didn’t have the benefit of a flight of wooden steps.  Again, the lookouts and walkways have been really well designed and built, giving you the best vantage points while remaining unobtrusive. 

By now we’d spent several hours oohing and aahing, being mesmerised by the action of the waves, and the slow but inexorable power of wind and water.  We pressed on to The Arch, London Bridge (no longer a bridge after the middle section collapsed a few decades ago), and the gorgeous Grotto. 

It was late afternoon by the time we made our final two stops, at the Bay or Martyrs, and the Bay of Islands.  We felt the last one was more spectacular than the Twelve Apostles.  The clouds had closed in again and we could imagine what it would look like in a storm.

Fish and chips were a fitting end to a day spent by the ocean.