History of Gibson Steps The Sandstone & Limestone of this entire coastline formed over 300 million years ago below a really deep ocean. Fish and plants that died sunk to the bottom of the ocean, along with sand from the rivers and other debris. The massive amount of pressure from the water above compacted what was at the bottom, turning it to sedimentary rock called Sandstone. Limestone is Sandstone that’s made up of 50% fossils or and makes up the majority of the huge cliffs that the Gibson Steps are carved into. These stairs have been used for hundreds of years, first by the local indige ..read more

Mount Elephant is a perfect breached scoria cone that erupted maybe 180,000 years ago. It is part of a suite of volcanoes on the basalt plains of south west Victoria from 30,000 to several million years old. (When will the next one erupt?!) Located 1 kilometre west of the township of Derrinallum, on the Hamilton Highway. It is an easy one-hour drive from major regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Hamilton, and a comfortable two-hour drive from Melbourne. This is often the mountain used as a backdrop for astrolandscape on Instagram. The drive was a bit too long 2.5 h ..read more

Hopkins Falls are set in lush dairy country. They make an ideal picnic, fishing and walking spot, with gas BBQs and toilets provided. For a few days in early summer each year, the falls are the scene for one of nature’s most extraordinary migrations, as short-finned eels negotiate the falls on their migration to and from their spawning grounds in the Coral Sea (3000 km away).  The Hopkins River mouth (and Blue Hole) with its beautiful cliffs, rock formations and rock pools is a popular fishing spot. In late spring, short-finned eels can sometimes gather in huge numbers waiting ..read more

  Mount Napier is the youngest volcano in the state of Victoria and last erupted 10,000 years ago, creating the magnificent state park around its base, and an intricate connection of tubes (referred to today as caves) below the surface. The largest of the Byaduk Caves measures 18 metres wide, 20 metres deep and 10 metres high.   There are many walking trails that interconnect the caves and visitors will be able to view stalactites, stalagmites, columns and ropy lava in the one cave open to the public, Harmans 1. Batwing bats call this cave home, and so visitors are advised to re ..read more

  The Tarragal Caves are a network of large limestone caves and rock shelters which overlook the Bridgewater Lakes near the towns of Tarragal and Cape Bridgewater in the Charles La Trobe and are near Discovery Bay Park. The caves were identified as important Aboriginal camping places early in the historic period and were excavated in the late 1970s by Harry Lorrandos revealing stratified deposits in the floor of 11,300 years old, along with shell midden deposits and earth ovens over 11,000 years old. Located just off the Bridgewater Lakes Road, and ..read more

Tower Hill is home to some of Australia's best loved wildlife. Emus, kangaroos, koalas, swans, ducks and blue wrens all live inside this magnificent dormant volcano near the Great Ocean Road. Walk across wetlands, craters and bushland and learn how the park was exploited by early settlers before being restored by volunteers. Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve sits in a large volcanic crater. It is one of Victoria's most fascinating and significant geological formations. Volcanic cone-shaped hills rise from the lakes. It's a short detour from the Great Ocean Road and offers ample walking opportunities ..read more

There are many conflicting theories on how the Petrified Forest was formed. The most widely accepted theory was written by Dr. N.A. Boutakoff, (then Director of Geological Survey, Dept. of Minerals and Energy) in his book-“The Geology and Geomorphology of the Portland area”, published in 1963. The theory is that there was once a forest of trees, probably Moonah (Melaleuca Lanceolata) which was eventually smothered by a large sand dune. Water seeping down through the sand formed a crust of sandstone on the outside of the tree trunks, gradually increasing in diameter. At the same time, the decay ..read more

This post is participating City Daily Photo Theme Event - Reflections in Windows City Daily Photo Theme Gallery This is linking Through my lens My Corner of the World Intelliblog Sunday Best FACE OFF   You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter Below is an article excerpt from The Age Newspaper:  Chris Saunders, a young Gunditjmara man, stood with his feet washed by Portland Bay and asked for a short silence. It was in acknowledgment of those who had gone, he said, their spirits transported far out across the bay to an island known t ..read more

Sure, there are the blockbuster sights of the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard gorge, but this cove is just as worthy to be on the tourist hot spot. Only a 10-minute drive from Allansford near Warrnambool, this cove is easy to get to and has adequate parking. Really amazing views and as it is not as well known, the crowds are far less. We had the whole place to ourselves, and it was just perfect.  This place is not a well-known spot in the region of Port Campbell. Quite unspoilt and isolated.  This is Linking Intelliblog Through my lens Corner of my world Sunday ..read more

The wild Southern Ocean has carved a stunning collection of rock stacks and sheltered bays with clifftop walks, scenic lookouts and small beach coves near Peterborough along the Great Ocean Road. Peterborough is a secret summer destination for many Victorian visitors escaping the busier sections of the Great Ocean Road to the east. Bay of Islands beach on Boat Bay Road is one the best spots along the coastline to easily launch a sea kayak and explore the park. Dogs are welcome on lead at Sandy Cove near Murnanes Bay, but need to kept well away from the area between the high tide marks and edge ..read more