Posts Tagged ‘Torquay’

CALLING all lovers, it’s time to warm up your wheels and start your engines – the DriveNow team has asked me to suggest some of the most romantic drives in Australia for starcrossed lovers.

Forget the caravan of love, our focus is the campervan of love and you needn’t worry about forking out for a costly mobile love machine with wheels as you can hire a camper for a steal on the DriveNow website. Click up a pick-up and drop-off deal from Melbourne and you are all set for the first of our Romantic Drives series in 2010 – Great Ocean Road. Without further adieu, pop a rose in your front grill and hit the Princes Freeway and Bellarine Highway to make your way to the charming township of Queenscliff.

There’s nothing like a bit of coastal road cruising to kick-start your journey along the Great Ocean Road, which is possibly Australia’s most romantic scenic route. But make be sure to stop off at Queenscliff as a starting point for a day and night spent absorbing the spoils and sights of this historic township. Meander around town and check out grand Victorian-era buildings, great pubs, an ice creamery and if you happen to be there in the last week of November you just may catch the legendary Queenscliff Music Festival.

From there, you’ll be all loved up and ready to let your camper hug the coastline and enter little hamlets townships in surfer territory, particularly Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Torquay (where Great Ocean Rd officially starts and what is home to some iconic surf shops and famous surfing hot spot Bells Beach) and it’s well worth setting up camp in Anglesea for a stop over to enjoy the spoils of a superb beach and an amazing 35km surf coast walk. The drive from Queenscliff to Anglesea is a leisurely 1hr and 15 minute drive (with no stops).

The last stretch of this romantic itinerary recommendation is to set off early after check-out from Anglesea and take in Airey’s Inlet for an hour or two (beautiful lighthouse to explore and great fish’n'chips for lunch) before heading to Lorne for a stay for multiple days. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Lorne from Anglesea without any stops.

Lorne is a tourism hotspot very popular in the warmer months but don’t just stick to the perimeter of the township – explore yonder and discover amazing waterfalls and rainforest in the Otways, or dart off in your car to nearby Wye River (check out the amazing pub on the hill overlooking the ocean!) and Apollo Bay.

Fresh sea breezes, quaint little hamlets, top beaches, seaside restaurants, lovely holiday parks to set up camp, interesting shops to wander through … why wouldn’t you choose a romantic weekend or week away along Great Ocean Rd?

AUSTIN BONHAM

This is a must-do trip with your camper, enjoying the spoils on offer along the Great Ocean Road and keeping the navigation simple – stay in on your left-hand side!

A shopping trip at Torquay should be first on your list and the best bargains are found in the warehouses located behind the main surf shop strip. Good quality wetsuits, fins, mask and snorkel are mandatory and easily packed in the camper.  For the more adventurous, a surfboard is worth the effort too.

Stay on the Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Warrnambool.  There are many great places to stop along the way but Apollo Bay and Port Fairy are highly recommended – plan to stay at least one day at each town.

A terrific little (and not well known) camping ground is at Yambuk about 30km west of Port Fairy which is sensational, with a beautiful ocean beach and inland river. It caters for all water sports and all ages. Seafood lovers will be in heaven at Port MacDonnell, a popular and busy fishing port. The local seafood is well priced and very fresh. Camping at the council campground is recommended, with well priced camping, nice grassy sites and a short walk to the beach. Diving/snorkeling enthusiasts should visit the local Mt Gambier caves.  Permits are required (bookings required prior to arrival via SA National Parks). Piccinini and Ewans Ponds are both world renowned for their spectacular formations, clear water and ease of accessibility. Try to book in and do it around midday when the sun is directly overhead, giving maximum light to these underwater delights.

For architecture enthusiasts, or those who simply enjoy panoramic ocean views, Robe will not disappoint. Camping at the local campground on the hilltop will provide awesome ocean views and five star facilities. We recommend you make a straight run for Kangaroo Island from Robe and catch the afternoon ferry to the Island. Check you have a full fuel tank, as fuel supplies are limited on the Island. If arriving late there are a number of nice campsites at Antechamber Bay with good wind protection and plenty of wildlife. Wheatons Beach has magnificent views of the ocean and plenty of designated camping sites along the coastal road.  For those seeking a bit of fast action, the quad bikes at Vivonne Bay are worth a go.

No trip to Kangaroo Island is complete without a visit to Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch (approxiamately 10km apart).  Take the camera and get creative – the rocks provide a great contrast to the wild ocean. The office desk photo is easy to arrange here. The Island is abuzz with wildlife and don’t be surprised to meet a wallaby, koala or even echidna along the way. New Zealand seals and penguins also call the Island home. Be sure to have the camera on the ready for some great wildlife shots. Regular ferries run from the Island but it is recommended to book in advance (www.sealink.com.au).

Pack for all weather conditions, but expect awesome scenery, great food and meeting friendly people and wildlife along the way.

BMAN & SAMMO