JOURNAL # 004 - THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

LAST RAYS MEET WAVES

It’s no secret that driving and hanging out on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria is one of my favorite places to be on the planet. When growing up in Victoria it was like a magnet to me providing the ultimate escape from the city at any chance I got. I had a good mate living on the coast at that time and with a quick phone call, conditions checked I would take off in the trusty Volksy wagon, gone, missing in action.

Some things don’t change and when my mate Mike rang me in Queensland recently and said the old crew of our mates were heading back down to Lorne I was in. There was a window of opportunity amongst the Covid lock downs where all of us could fly or drive as all restrictions were lifted at that time. Mike was living in a new place nestled into the hillside overlooking Lorne beach with stunning views to everywhere and this was the place we would recount some of the tallest stories known to mankind, flip snags and enjoys some cold beers for the next week.

Lorne has especially fond memories to me as I spent a lot of time there in the early days. It has a lovely shaped bay that turns its back on the southerly winds and great little right hand point break in the corner that takes a bit of swell to make it work but always a fun place to be. After what seemed like a quick flight I was off the plane and heading down the coast road. Watching the swell lines find their destination along the many coves and beaches there is something I never get tired of.

On arriving at Lorne I couldn't help but notice a lovely small peeling wave roll down the point with not many out, there was no doubt the beers were going to have to wait. Next day while exploring Lorne shops and cafes I realised Lorne although its busier these days still hasn’t lost any of its coastal charm to me. A small Japanese restaurant at one end of the street overlooking the beach soon became my favorite go to place for a quick lunch, you could enjoy the best Gyoza and dipping sauce Ive had in a long time, it was one of life’s simple little pleasures.

A few more laid back surfs and we decided it was time to head further south for the day along the ocean road to a place called Wye River. On the drive south the road rises up dramatically while perched over the ocean showcasing the stunning coastal vistas. Small valleys and Estuaries run down to meet the coast proving endless places to pull up and explore. Wye River is a small picturesque coastal township with an estuary that runs into the sea at the base of the hills behind, it also has a classic pub perched up overlooking the surf and coastline a place we have visited for a long time and have very fond memories of.

A quick beer at the pub for old times and its flipping sausages down at the park right on the beach, what a place for a group of mates to catch up. The great ocean road is such a great place to explore and make memories, mine still keep me going back to this day.

The whole trip was a sensational and great time to catch up with fantastic old friends and on my flight back home a saying of Mikes kept coming back into my head. “Show me the boy and I’ll show you the man.” He was right as everyone of my mates were like Lorne itself, changed a little to look at but still the same characters that I remember fondly from those earlier days.