The number one recommended sightseeing excursion in the state of Victoria, in southeast Australia, is the Great Ocean Road. One of my professors even spoke about the landmarks in an environmental chemistry lecture. I was lucky enough to travel along the 243 kilometer highway over the first half of the Easter holiday in early April. I can confidently say that its beauty greatly exceeded my expectations.
Cape Otway
From beginning to end, the Great Ocean Road is lined with breathtaking beach landscapes and magnificent mountains. However, about halfway along the journey, the beach road diverts from the coast and runs through Great Otway National Park. The towering trees and cloudy skies made me feel like I had entered a whole new world, even though I had been traveling along the same road on the beach just minutes before.
We decided to make a stop at Cape Otway, home to the oldest surviving lighthouse in the Australian mainland. The view was like something from a movie; it rained lightly while we watched the waves crash against the shore from above. We explored the grounds and old telegraph house, still standing from the mid-19th century.
Port Campbell
Just a little further west is Port Campbell, a small town with charming restaurants and world-famous rock formations. The next morning, we hiked to the Twelve Apostles lookout. There aren’t actually twelve, as weathering and erosion have broken down the formations over the years.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had never seen anything quite like this. I stood and stared in awe for a long while, feeling a rush of peace and gratefulness that I have the opportunity to explore such beautiful parts of the world. I finally realized why so many people had told me to make it out before I leave Australia.
We visited two more popular spots nearby: the Loch Ard Gorge and the Grotto. The Loch Ard Gorge is the site of the most famous shipwreck along the Shipwreck Coast. The beach is usually open to the public, but it had recently been blocked off due to construction. Still, the lookout point offered some stunning views.
Port Fairy
The last stop we made along Great Ocean Road was Port Fairy, a small town with a nearby island composed of volcanic rock beaches and another lighthouse. We walked the entire island to get to the lighthouse and along the way, we saw wallabies. These animals look a bit like kangaroos, but they are smaller and have a few distinctive features.
Arguably the most fun part of the trip was dinner that evening when we stumbled upon a restaurant having trivia night. We played along with the rest of the crowd for fun and even won a category. The sense of community was so comforting, especially for someone who had just moved across the world alone. The people we met along the way made the experience even more memorable.
No matter where you are, make an effort to explore your surroundings. The academic experience that comes with studying abroad is invaluable, but truly immersing yourself in all your new home has to offer will complement your studies with memories and relationships that last a lifetime.
This post was contributed by Delaney Dyer, a Global Ambassador for Spring 2024. Delaney is a junior chemistry studies major studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia.
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