Lavers Hill on the Great Ocean Road

Lavers Hill is the highest point on the Great Ocean Road. It is a charming, small town with a number of cafes, take aways and a local tavern. These prove to be very popular stops with tourists as there is quite a drive to get there. If you are coming from Apollo Bay it will take about 45 minutes and if you are coming from the 12 Apostles it will take approximately the same amount of time.

Lavers Hill is a destination in its own right as it is very central to all the area's major attractions. The closest is Melba Gully, named after our great operatic singer, Dame Nellie Melba. This is a beautiful area which was once private property but was handed over to Parks so as to allow access to the public. A wonderful, generous gesture that now allows everyone to experience this magical oasis. Melba Gully is just a few minutes drive west of Lavers Hill. It's a very easy walk enabling tourists to see the glories of a temperate rainforest. This is the best place in the vicinity to see Gloworms in the evening.

From Lavers Hill it only takes about 20 minutes to get to the Otway Fly. This is the longest and tallest rainforest canopy walk in the world. Give yourself a good hour here even if you only opt to do the skywalk. In addition to the skywalk you can now attempt abseiling from great heights or even fly from tree station to tree station on the recently created flying fox. This is a real thrill!

While you are in this vicinity you should also visit Triplet Falls. These falls are on the same road as the Otway Fly and in my opinion are the most beautiful in all the Otways. This too is a reasonably easy walk - a little steep towards the end but not for long - and is a must if you have the time. There are other waterfalls in this area that are also worth a visit. They are just past the historic township of Beech Forest which incidentally is home to legendary runner Cliff Young. I should also add that the 12 Apostles are just down the road.

Accommodation in this area is unique. You can choose to stay in or near Lavers Hill at Yuulong which is right on the Great Ocean Road. There is very good and new budget accommodation at the Lavers Hill Tavern. Just down the road you'll find Southern Heights B&B and Nellie Nook - a small farm house. Yuulong offers you the chance of farm accommodation at Wombalano or cottage accommodation at Seatree. Happy rural days!

Most tourists simply drive through Lavers Hill. They view the town as a pit stop for toilets and refreshments. Why not be a little bit different and stay the night? You won't regret it! Meals at the Lavers Hill Tavern are very good and the publican - Paul - is a blast! You will also find the Lavers Hill accommodation is both reasonable in price and high in quality.

Article Source: Mark_C_O'Loughlin

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Torquay, Home To The Surfing Capital Of Australia And Bells Beach

Torquay is situated at the very start of the Great Ocean Road. It is not the official beginning but the actual coastal road begins here. If you are intending on a trip down Victoria's Great Ocean Road then in all probability you will begin your journey in Torquay.

Torquay is not the place it used to be. When I was a teenager and living and surfing in Torquay there was a resident population of around 3000 people. Today it is around the 12,000 mark and growing. It is a thriving community, almost a satellite of Geelong some ten minutes away yet still retains that seaside feel, perhaps due to the fact that much of its population surfs. It's about 80 kilometres from Melbourne which makes it a popular destination for people living in Melbourne. How better to destress from work than by having a few days relaxing by the sea. And if you are a surfer then that will be a bonus.

Torquay is at the very heart of surfing in Australia. It is the unofficial capital of surfing in this country and has earned this reputation for a very good reason: Bells Beach.

Bells Beach is simply awesome. It can be very playful when small and scare the pants off you when it gets big. And it can get very, very big. Every Easter the world surfing titles are held at Bells Beach. They are held at this time of the year because this is when we have a full moon and king tides at the same time. This results, more often than not, in a very big ocean swell. This swell is generated far out to sea and travels enormous distance before it explodes over the reef at Bells with thundering applause.

The winner of the Bells surfing competition at Easter receives a big bell trophy and must ring it as loudly as possible. This year's winner was so enthusiastic that he broke the bell in doing so. Adriana De Souza was the first South American to ever win this event in its 52 year history. He is from Brazil.

Bells Beach is very much on the tourist trail these days. Tourists just love to watch surfers out in big surf. It is often the first time many of them have ever seen surfing and you can imagine how amazing it must look. If you are reading this article because you are planning a trip along the Great Ocean Road then please make sure you spend a few days in Torquay and if you are lucky you just might get to see some of the biggest surfable waves in the world. Happy Surfing!

Here is where I let you know where to stay in Torquay. There are numerous options available from bed and breakfasts to caravan parks to new resorts. Have a look at this site which deals specifically with Torquay accommodation.

Article Source: Mark_C_O'Loughlin

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