While in the area we visited Bells Beach - a well known surfing beach. There were heaps of people there, plenty of brave surfers out in the water. The views along the coastline and down onto the beach were magnificent.
We went back to the house for lunch and then later in the afternoon explored Fairhaven, including some geocaching. One took us to Distillery Creek picnic area where there were these lovely yellow eucalyptus flowers - they covered the ground like a yellow carpet. We then went to the beach at Fairhaven.
Ethan and Jeanette decided to walk home along the beach... but they had to negotiate 'Aireys Inlet' and get wet feet to get home!
The next morning we drove along the coast to Lorne. But as we travelled there the drizzly rain got heavier and it looked like it had settled in for awhile. So we did not stay in Lorne for long, but returned to the cottage and got the fire going, played some Uno and had home made soup for lunch. Ethan thought he'd help out by finishing off the last of the soup... straight from the cauldron!
Later in the afternoon the weather cleared so we went on a short walk up a hill behind Aireys Inlet for some more great coastal views.
There is a small pond / wetlands area not far from where we are staying, so we went and had a look there next.
Finally we went to Sunnymeade Beach which is on the eastern side of Aireys Inlet. We enjoyed the short foresty walk down to the beach and then along to the cliffs at the eastern point of the bay.
The clouds out at sea were very dramatic with their imposing shapes and the changing colours of the late afternoon. There was also a rainbow out on the horizon the whole time we were there.
Which leads us to today - the weather had improved with just scattered cloud around. Mid morning we drove through Anglesea and back nearly as far as Bells Beach. Zac has worked on a few puzzle geocaches in the area - many of these have required some research or problem solving. We went in search of one of these, at a paragliding jump point. It was a short walk to the spot. The views were again magnificent, across Bells Beach. In the distance we could make out Point Lonsdale lighthouse and Point Neapean, meaning we could see the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.
Some people walk to this point and exit via a very different method... by launching themselves off the edge with a large piece of material to catch the air. We walked away!
We got a history lesson while in the area as we ventured down another path (part of the Surf Coast Walk) to an old abandoned Jarosite mine. We were parked on Jarosite Rd, and now we know why it was called that. Jarosite is red ochre. The rich red ochre found in this location was used by indigenous people for centuries, then when white men came along they used in during the 1920's to provide the base pigment for red oxide paint. This paint was used by VicRail, so that might mean the ochre from here was in the colour for the famous 'red rattler' electric trains of the same vintage. The mine closed and was abandoned in 1927. The only remnants left are an old dam and a well.
After that fascinating piece of history we visited the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie which is a few km's out of Anglesea on the Geelong Rd. We enjoyed icecreams and hot chocolates outside away from the crowds. It is a similar set up to the Yarra Valley Chocoaterie - same sort of logo, so it must be owned by the same people or it is franchised.
A quick stop in Anglesea before heading back to the cottage for some lunch.
This afternoon we went walking around near 'home'. We went to another of Aireys Inlet's beaches, Sandy Gully. Enjoyed the walk along the cliff tops to the beach, then down on the beach. Finally we ended back at Step Beach and as the tide was low we could explore the caves and cliffs that were cut off by surging seas the other afternoon.
Early on in our stay we posted pictures of the inside of the cottage - this is what is looks like from the outside.
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