Day 9: From Hall's Gap to Lorne (Cumberland Park)

Our camp site at Cumberland River.

Today was a five hour drive from the mountains to the sea. With the wind in our hair and the countryside passing by, with the breeze cooling as we reached the coast, it was altogether a pleasant experience. Duncan and I both had flashbacks, as the scenery is very reminiscent of Cape Town. In particular, Simonstown and the Chapmans Peak area. There are also parts that remind me of the drive between Camps Bay and Hout Bay. It was quite de ja vu-ish.

The caravan park at the Cumberland River is in a majestic setting and we find ourselves perched next to the river (which is more trickle than river at present). The ocean is across the road and in easy strolling distance. There is no power here and no mobile coverage, hence we can't post our blogs on a daily basis. We are typing them up nonetheless, as our blogs are also a way for us to remember this incredible trip later on. Water is also short and there are water restrictions – stage 4 – at the moment. The facilities are good, though no jumping pillows or pools for the kids, and the sites are roomy.

Once again we are inundated with ducks. (They were a feature at Hall's Gap also, but I forgot to mention them there.) Andrew keeps demanding our bread rations to feed the ducks, with Callum looking on, horrified, as the ducks gulp the bits of bread.

Stocking up on supplies was interesting, as the only supermarket here is a Foodworks (no Coles, boohoo). The fruit leaves a lot to be desired and the vegetables – as Duncan observed – are pre-composted to save you the hassle of doing it yourself. Blech!

Lorne is quite spiffy and obviously an upmarket seaside holiday town. It is also bigger than I expected. There is much to do in this area, and tomorrow we will set about exploring the Great Ocean Road.

Interesting texture on the rocks at the beach across the road.