Back on the road, surfers were visible riding the foaming waves. Paddling into the path of a breaker, the boost of momentum propelled those who managed to get to their feet closer to our passing car. Others, evidently newer to the sport, remained on their bellies or disappeared under the surf, the only sign of their presence a tugging on the still-buoyant surfboard, secured by leash to a submerged leg.
The Great Ocean Road, when encountering a particularly exposed headland, pushes inland to avoid flirtation with the accelerated course of erosion. These brief diversions from the coast cut through dense rainforest, where the tightly packed trees form walls of timber; difficult to see through while negotiating the road’s snaking bends. Cars coming the other way will get only passing glimpses of oncoming traffic, a visibility problem solved by Australian road users through the flashing of headlamps and the blaring of horns, a method much preferred to the more reasonable alternative of slowing down.
After a further few hours driving and half of Presley’s back-catalogue (Mike was an aficionado to say the least), we arrived at the road’s most famous attraction: The Twelve Apostles. It’s little surprise that the full complement are no longer standing (only eight remain); bright yellow limestone stacks jutting skywards out of the raging ocean below, the features stand at over 45 metres in height. A tourist viewing platform at the eastern end was packed with day-trippers, despite our having encountered few signatory horns on the approach.
As the immense waves, unhindered over two thousand miles of open ocean from the Antarctic, crashed into the cliffs below, spray rocketed upwards to douse those posing for photos. Their poor timing leaving a more memorable moment for the mantelpiece.
The sun began to set behind the enormous rocks, casting a soft red light over the surrounding yellow cliffs, the limestone stacks and the unrelenting sea below; it was time to head back. Jumping into the car, turning ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ up a few notches and pointing in the direction of home, we made our way back down a route it would be difficult to forget, watching extra-carefully for wombats along the way.
