The trip down the Pacific Hwy was mostly unexceptional except for the signicant chance discovery of a National Motorcycle Museum.
Her Ladyship dropped me at its door in a tiny country town for 30 mins as she went off to browse some interesting little shops down the street. When I wandered in the front door I was almost overwhelmed by the seemingly endless collection of fabulous old bikes of all descriptions. They stretched off into the distance, crammed together in an enormous shed that had its walls draped in vintage motorcycle paraphenalia. Sheer heaven! Then I discovered another huge shed adjoining the first that was literally packed to the rafters with two wheeled gems of all ages. Then I discovered another shed! Oh my goodness gracious me! I managed to find examples of every bike I had ever owned (except my present Ducati), and even two old Hodaka Combat Wombats that my uncle Phil used to race back in the 1960s.
Needless to say, 30 mins was not enough and Her Ladyship gracefully granted me another hour, after which I stumbled out dazed and euphoric with sensory overload.
The torrential rain we drove through was also worth commenting on. Visibility was down to just a few car lengths at times.
Finally we reached the bottom of the East Coast as we rolled into Melbourne. We’d dodged the Snowy Mountains because it was raining so heavily there, but the city was sunny, although the traffic incredible. As we trickled slowly through the main drag Georgie spotted a Sketchers shoe shop. She leaped out as we dribbled along and I did a blockie, dodging one way streets, malls and busy pedestrian crossings. By the time I got back around the block she emerged clutching her prize.
We stayed with an old and dear friend of Georgie’s, Colleen Du Bois and her family, walking their dog on the beach at sunset and chatting into the night.
In the morning we did the Great Ocean Road and marvelled in its beauty and feasted on its roadside blackberries.
The Twelve Apostles was gorgeous and impressive in its size and grandure, however sharing it with the thousands (not exaggerating) of other visitors from all around the world was an unexpected surprise. It is very popular indeed.
Enjoy,eat southern rock lobster at appolo bay,all well in cairns!
Great photos. Joe would have loved the bikes too!
Enjoying the travels second hand.