Split Point Lighthouse

Tuesday Nov 18 – Split Point Lighthouse

The only place in Australia that we have seen these signs.

We are heading to Geelong where we are headed to the Great Ocean Drive. Alan glances into the massive wheat field beside us and there is a large emu feasting on the crop!

Coffee at Bunnings, similar to Home Depot, at Torquay. We are almost at the beginning of the Great Ocean road. 



Surfers

Life savers!

We stop at a beach and watch the surfers, in Torquay, as they make their way out to the waves.  There are also many new surfers learning the sport, a school group!

Next we stop at Bells beach that has beautiful sand, but also the beginning of the rocky shoreline we have seen in pictures.  There are surfers here too and they are all waiting for the next big wave.  We picnic further down the road at Point Roadknight.  The trees are wind-blown and gnarly, and they show their strength against the strong sea winds from the south Tasman Sea. 

We stop at Aireys Inlet and the Split Point Lighthouse to walk to the shore and take pictures of the light house.

The shore is soft and warm with the afternoon sun.  As we round the point we can see the top of the lighthouse and the rugged looking shore below.  The rock looks black and molten and we later learn that this area was an active volcano 29 million years ago called the Aireys Volcano.  We spend quite a bit of time wandering the shore then a bit later move up the hill to look at the lighthouse and the overview from the lookouts.  It is a great spot to see the sea.



Rock at the shore.

We continue our drive and stop along the shore to take pictures of the amazing houses dotting the mountain side.  We stop shortly after that to take pictures of the overhead sign “The Great Ocean Road”.  This road was built after the First World War, beginning in 1917, by 3000 returning service men to provide employment.  We marvel at the Arch, the monument and the words on the displays.  There is also the remnant of Remembrance Day on the monument.



Unusual home.



Bathing Beauties!

 



Looking at us from over the roof.



Visitor at Coffee.



Pier at Lorne.

We find a boutique hotel for the night. Chatby Lane is lovely. The local restaurant at the pier is recommended to us and we head out four Blue eyed cod and prawns, finished with the most amazing Pavlova.