great ocean road- part 3
once again, we woke to cloudy skies. only we had read the weather would be jumping up to some 37 degrees, so we decided to get a move on and make our way to the beach. we had planned to drive to torquay, where surfing reigns supreme, but we were rather enticed when we drove through the pleasant town of anglesea.
we were quite keen to change our plans when we saw canoes on the river, a nice beach on the ocean, small groups of people strolling the streets, etc. we had decided that we would *gasp* pay for camping this night because we had some things to do (including a hot shower!) and because you can no longer pull over and camp anywhere on the GOR. back in the day (even 2-3 years ago apparently), you were welcomed, nay encouraged, to pull over in a small hamlet/park and set up shop. now, the fine is somewhere in the 2000$ region, so we went to inquire at the campgrounds.
well! let me tell you. "camping" on the GOR is ridiculous. we were quote by not just one, but 2 campgrounds in anglesea... 75$ per night! i said "no, not a cabin. just a site". but lo! it was 75$ for a campsite. for. a. campsite. no power. jammed between hundreds of other families. and our "campervan club" membership which should give us a discount doesn't apply at this one because our van is too small. size-ism much? at one campsite, the lady told us she'd given us a deal by offering 75$ because it's normally 98$. a night! for a campsite! is the campsite covered in gold? are the stones around my lot actually rubies and emeralds? will someone at the campsite wash my car, and my clothes, and run me a bath, and provide me with champagne and chocolates? no. no they won't. they'll simply jam us between families with dozens of rambunctious kids and rob us of money. we wouldn't even be able to have a campfire. *pffffffft*
needless to say, we left. jaded. john told the lady that was a ridiculous price for a campsite and she shrugged her smug shoulders and said "it's our peak season". so off we went to torquay, puzzled about how our evening would progress. luckily, we ran into some other backpackers (are we backpackers? suppose so really) who told us that they had camped for free by the river in geelong, only some 20km from torquay and no longer officially part of the GOR. that settled it. we decided to spend the day in torquay and then head to geelong for the night.
torquay is apparently australia's surfing mecca. it houses a large variety of surf shops and i believe it is the australian (international?) headquarters for ripcurl and possibly quicksilver. don't be fooled though- even though the brochure describes them as outlets, they are not. i'd use the term "flagship store". expensive.
bell's beach, only 8km from the centre of town is home to australia's biggest surfing competition. in winter it apparently has amazing swells for seasoned surfers. as it was summer, and a rather calm day, we decided not to stop and headed for the main swimming beach instead. i also didn't get to the surf museum- i know, terrible. but we'd just spent 2 hours sitting in parking lot doing laundry, and i'd just explored shops, cursing their prices. we felt we needed to hit the beach rather then learn about surfing.
we spent a few hours lazing by the ocean, trying not to get crispy under the 37 degree heat, which we are no longer used to. then off we drove to geelong, setting up shop in a small park by the river.
i should know better then to tempt fate. when i mentioned that we'd like a bit of heat, i should have been more specific. we'd like heat during the day. it was so hot last night, it felt like we were sleeping in a sauna. no breeze blowing through. hopefully tonight will be different.
xo
- photos to come
2 Comments:
i love your stories michelle! feels like i'm right on the beach there with you - oh - maybe that's wishful thinking playing a role... still hopefully the temp will become just right... and yes - you need to not talk about the weather too much seeing most people reading your blog are not anywhere sunny right now ;). lx
11:39 a.m.
Great to check in and have 3 WHOLE POSTS :)
I can't believe those camping rates - I've definitely stayed at places that in hindsight were SO amazing that they were almost priceless. But I'm talking on a pristine lake in the rocky mountains with no one else in sight, loons calling, beavers frolicking etc...not quite what you are describing!
Miss you guys, but it's the next best thing to hear all about your travels!
Laura
12:05 p.m.
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