Dave woke at 7 to watch the highlights of the Arsenal match which ended in a 1-1 draw. It was then showers and breakfast in the van as it was raining again.

By the time we set off at 9 the rain had stopped but it was a chilly 11 degrees. 1st stop was only a 4 min drive to Marriners Lookout. It was a 6 min steep walk to the viewpoint but the view over Apollo Bay was still fab despite the greyness.

The scenery was going to change for a while as we headed inland and deeper into Great Otway National Park which is over 250,000 acres. 

Next on the agenda a walk at Mait Rest Rainforest, as it’s name suggests it’s an ancient cool-temperate rainforest. There were giant Myrtle trees towering over huge ancient tree ferns, it was only a short walk but beautiful.

Then onto Cape Otway Lighthouse which is Australia’s oldest surviving and most significant lighthouse built in 1848. It was extremely windy and chilly and after a look around the old telegraph station house we braved it walking the short distance to see the lighthouse (currently closed) before diving into the cafe for some hot chocolates & cake to warm up. 

We then did a brisk walk to the viewpoint of the lighthouse before getting back in the van for some warmth.

Next was a very blustery stop at Castle Cove lookout where the sea was soo rough crashing in.

Next a bit of a detour to see Triplet Falls which had been recommended to us a few days ago. It was almost 1.30 when we parked up so we had egg and bacon for lunch before the 45 min walk to the lovely waterfall and back. 

Then it was onto Melba Gully, one of the wettest places in Victoria but ironically the drizzle actually stopped and by the time we left the sun was breaking through. We did a little circular walk to see Anne’s Cascades.

It was then a drive back to the coast for our final stop of the day at Gibsons Steps. There are 86 steep steps down the edge of a vertical cliff down to the beach. We had a great view of Gog and Magog, 2 huge sea stacks.

It was then only a few minutes into Port Campbell, our destination for the night. We checked in, set up very quickly and cooked chicken, bacon, pasta, onions and mushrooms for dinner which we ate outside and finished before the drizzle started.

With a quick wash up we headed into town as The Barrel beach bar was closing at 8 and just managed to get in for a schooner of pale ale each.

Dave’s response to everything closing at 8 was ‘ludicrous’ so we set off to search the town and actually found a hotel pub, so we settled in with a beer and a whiskey whilst trying to understand the rules of AFL. 

We’re hoping it’s not going to be too chilly in the van tonight as the weather has not been higher than 13 all day!