Short drive to Melbourne today to complete the Great Ocean Road trip. Lots of tour buses going the other way thankfully.

Lovely little bays on the last stretch much less rocky than previous day along the coast. This stretch would be much easier to maintain. There were lots of roadworks yesterday (high maintenance road with sheer cliff faces plunging to sea/road).

Stopped just short of Aireys Inlet where the Memorial Arch spans the Great Ocean Road, as a reminder that this roadway is the world’s largest war memorial.

The road was constructed by returned serviceman in memory of their mates lost in WW1. Between 1919 and 1932, 3000 returned serviceman carved the 234km route from cliff faces using  explosives, small machinery picks, shovels and wheelbarrows. The physical work provided employment and purpose after the war and also opened up access to isolated communities along the coast.

The Split Point Lighthouse and a dramatic looking house (?) stand out on the next section of road at Aireys Inlet itself.

Anglesea and Torquay have lovely surf beaches with the latter including the beautiful Bells Beach known as the “golden mile.” Torquay is famous as the home of surfing and the iconic brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver.

And on to Melbourne through Geelong, a fairly unremarkable drive.

Stunning views though from our hotel  room on the 4oth floor over the Yarra and out to Port Phillip Bay, MCG, Rod Laver Arena, gardens and cityscapes.

Photos Lorne to Melbourne

Author: Gill

Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3. My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.