Sorry if this a bit lengthy but there might be something in here that readers may glean. Communication with the host, Maureen, very easy, especially as my region went into a 7 day lockdown and the dates were able to be adjusted. Once we were finally on our way the address was easily located on google maps, even though a locality rather than near any towns. Key safe easily found so very easy to sort ourselves out. When I first opened the door, the cabin smelt divine I assume because it had been cleaned with tea tree/eucalyptus oils. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and the front garden was beckoning me to sit and have a cuppa while absorbing the bush surroundings and colourful parrots, finches, wrens and honeyeaters. We eventually realised there was a nest right by the deck with I think a wattlebird sitting. The cabin was completely self-contained so I brought in food supplies from home for the most part.
The cabin is just a 20 min walk/2 min drive to the majestic Southern Ocean. Quite a steep, goat track style path down to the beach which was fine for us. We then went for a 10 min drive to Childers Cove and had this little slice of cliff beach nature to ourselves while the sun was setting. The colours on the cliffs were stunning. I was great to see my teenage kids just lose themselves in this incredible natural setting after 18 months of lockdowns and remote learning. I'm sure the imprint was deeper because of this.
The next day we went in the direction of Princetown to check out all the famous rock formations along that part of the coast, the Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and what ever other nooks and lookouts there were along the way. We lunched in Port Campbell, grabbing sensational take away lunches from Grass Roots Cafe and sat on the grassy lawns looking at the ocean. Weather turned out warmer than forecast so the kids swam at the bay beach there, while I mooched around the sandy river mouth. Upon arriving back at the cabin a mother hare and two young hares were grazing and loping around - so gorgeous! Made me think of the 'Guess how much I love you' story books about the nut brown hare. Even though hares look very rabbity, they are an entirely different species and aren't as ecologically disastrous. The evening also brought on an absolute cacophony of frog calls which was so mesmerising.
The following day we went Warrnambool direction, along the way just agog at the massive dairy cow industry in these parts (I grew up on a small dairy farm in the 70s/80s). We went to the Tower Hill picnic area and saw koalas, wallabies, emus and kangaroos here. In the township the girls wanted to shop and op shop and I took myself to the Flagstaff Maritime Museum. There was a little pioneer village set up to replicate early the European settlement era and history about the 'shipwreck coast' that the area was known as - I dig that stuff! We later met up and took a bit of a drive around the foreshore and Lake Petobe before heading back to Blue Studio, our new home away from home!
Our last full day we were still waiting for inclement weather and although cooler, the rain wasn't heavy enough to put us off walking around the property, chatting to the owners (who really do stay out of your hair unless you instigate contact). Mick keeps bees so we were privileged to be gifted some home produced honey - delicious! Mick also was happy to talk about the history of the property since they bought it and revegetated it to form part of a native animal corridor. Also about building Blue Studio from a shipping container and the funky eclectic furniture from various eras that he said he just picked up from all round. It all goes together so well! In the late afternoon we heading back to Warrnambool as I'd booked us in for tea at the Hotel Warrnambool. We had an 'early sitting' due to covid restriction arrangements being in place. The interior of this place was a feast for the eyes with echoes of art deco, massive exposed beams and limestone blocks and a very welcoming vibe. I had the most amazing scallops.
Thankyou Great Ocean Road, thankyou to the traditional owners Gunditjmara and Eastern Marr peoples and thanks to Blue Studio for our home base to explore and appreciate the region.
Tracey