Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

The Southern Ocean as seen along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.
A lighthouse at the end of the peninsula.
The Southern Ocean.
The Southern Ocean along the Great Ocean Road.
The 12 Apostles are limestone stacks along the Great Ocean Road in Port Campbell National Park.
The 12 Apostles - there were never actually 12 of these limestone rock formations.
Tower Hill is an inactive volcano. The area has a lot of abundant wildlife, including emus.
A swamp.
The shoreline of the Great Ocean Road near the 12 Apostles.
The Southern Ocean as seen from the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.
A view along the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road has a fascinating history. It was built after World War 1 by returning soldiers in need of work in order to connect seaside villages along what is today called the Southern Ocean. The road is the world’s largest war memorial. It’s also a very beautiful, picturesque drive with lots of classic Australian wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, emus and southern right whales. The ocean is wild and intense, with a limestone rock formation called the Twelve Apostles (although ironically there never have been 12 rocks) that juts out of the water. I drove the entire 150 mile stretch over two days back in August 2004. It’s a very windy road, so plan extra time as there’s lots to see and do along the way.

Animal Sightings

Sighting #1

What: Koala

When: August 2004

Where: I spotted this koala while driving along the Great Ocean Road near the first stretch heading out of Melbourne.

How: I was looking for koalas, and it was this particular koala that got me into animal seeking to begin with. I was so excited when I spotted it and we pulled over on the side of the road and took pictures. Further down the road, we spotted some other koalas in trees, but this first one is the most memorable.