The Twelve Apostles

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The Great Ocean Road, between Torquay and Allansford, Victoria, Australia is what I compare Route 1 along the California coast to. The list of things to see and do is only limited by the time one has to explore everything along this route. But time changes everything and this is sadly true with the 12 Apostles. I don’t know how many are now left, they were just limestone stacks shooting up from the water to create an amazing view. Only so much constant pounding of the ocean could they withstand I would guess is the reason for their demise. 

London Bridge has also collapsed since my visit. No not the one in London which is now in Arizona and not the one in the song, which is now has lyrics that more accurately reflect the one located along the Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell National Park.

 

Grampians National Park

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The Grampians (Aboriginal name Gariwerd) are a series of five spectacular sandstone ridges located only 3 hours north of Melbourne. Hiking to the Pinnacle Lookout is probably the most sought out attraction, as well as a number of mountain climbing routes that are available. While this isn’t a post related to a bar and the road to get to Halls Gap, the base from where to hike, is not a backroad, there is one attraction that warrants a drink or two… the Nerve Test.

I suggest not to indulge before taking the test, and my word of advice would be to probably not take this test at all. There have been some tragic results over time and the park states that when they get a call regarding a fall, the team goes out in ‘recovery’ mode. Anything below a passing grade in this ‘test’ can probably be considered fatal.

So of course Andrew took the challenge…

Now he looks quite comfortable and he kind of crawled more than walked out step by step — but he did it and he was the only one in our group to try it. He is not praying for the ability to turn around, he is just looking over the edge.

Here’s someone else’s photo of the rock formation. It is a steep drop below and somewhat surprising that it is still accessible. But maybe that’s partly because of the history and tradition as this seems to be a test people like to take dating at least back in 1947. I’m sure this has been going on long before that and probably many Aboriginal tribesmen (and tribeswomen too) calmly walked out to that last stone and enjoyed the view.