One last drive down the Great Ocean Road was a must before going home to Canada. Glenis, Alexis, Reid and I left Torquay early in the morning and made our way along the Great Ocean Road, heading towards Cape Otway. Cape Otway is at the southern tip of Victoria’s western coast where the Southern Ocean meets the Bass Strait. The area is protected by the Great Otway National Park, where rainforest and streams meet the rugged rocky cliffs along the coast. Along our drive, we spotted koalas in the trees, as this area has an abundance of these cuddly marsupials.

We arrived at the Cape Otway Lighthouse and enjoyed some lunch at the Lightkeeper’s Kitchen. We then explored the area, climbing up the iconic lighthouse, offering breathtaking views of the coast and a chance to spot a magnificent Southern Right whale.

The Cape Otway Lighthouse is Australia’s oldest working lighthouse and the most important one. It once offered guidance for ships trying to pass through the Bass Strait, which was considered one of the most difficult parts for ships to pass along the coast on their way to Melbourne.

We continued exploring the area, originally inhabited by the Gadubanud people. We had the opportunity to understand and appreciate the local indigenous culture by visiting the Aboriginal meeting hut where we listened to storytelling and received bush tucker (food) lessons from the local guides.

But the highlight of the area was spotting a whale, not far off the coast, for the first time!

We continued our drive a little further down the coast to see the Twelve Apostles for one last time. It is one place that can literally take my breath away, it so spectacular. We arrived close to sunset and the lighting from the setting sun on the standstone stacks was amazing.

After a long day, driving along the beautiful Great Ocean Road, exploring the iconic Cape Otway Lighthouse and finally, the stunning Twelve Apostles, we can’t help but be in awe of the beauty of this place and feel so grateful for this time in our lives.