 |
 |
 |
| Victoria Australia - captured by the 'Photographer' Sue |
| Click photos for full view and LINK for more information.. |
| Waterfalls � The spectacular Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls are all located in the areas surrounding Beech Forest, with walks in of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. Carisbrook Falls near Wongarra also offers picnic and toilet facilities just off the Great Ocean Road. For more information obtain the Walks and Waterfalls flyer from the Great Ocean Road Visitor Centre |
| Apollo Bay - Otway Ranges |
| Rainbow after the rain |
 |
| Childer Cove, Warrnambool - Great Ocean Road |
 |
 |
 |
| Petrified Forest - Info link (below) Portland, Victoria |
| The Great Ocean Road winds westwards from the major regional city of Geelong to the South Australian border. Along with striking ocean views, the region contains laidback coastal towns and maritime villages, and there are plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, swimming, surfing, fishing and whale-watching. The Great Ocean Road itself hugs the contours of Victoria�s rugged southwest coast, taking visitors on one of Australia�s greatest and most inspiring coastal drives. From Torquay, near Geelong, to Nelson almost 300 kilometres to the west, the road snakes past cliffs, scenic lookouts, waterfalls, rainforests and sunken ships. |
| The natural beauty of the Grampians is highlighted by the mountain ranges of the Grampians National Park, which features over 160 kilometres of walking trails, waterfalls, scenic lookouts, wildlife and seasonal wildflowers. Great for bushwalking, the Grampians National Park has an extensive network of tracks and trails catering for all-comers � the Mt Rosea trail through forest and sandstone outcrops to satisfy the veteran hiker, and the one-hour return MacKenzie Falls trail for casual walkers. The park is also Victoria's main centre for rock climbing and abseiling, with Mt Arapiles offering both challenging and straightforward climbs. Other popular activities include fishing and boating in the region's unique inland system of lakes and rivers. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| You could say Portland wrote the foreword to the European history of Victoria because it is here that the State�s first permanent European settlement was established. Thanks to the Henty brothers � commercially savvy men who could see that money was to be made in the region � Victoria�s first agricultural development was started, leading to the first permanent European settlement in 1834. The Hentys also ventured deep into the surrounding countryside, establishing various other farms. By 1839, the Hentys are said to have had 30,000 sheep and 500 cattle. Sealers and whalers were seasonal visitors to Portland in the early 1800�s and William Dutton established a shore-based whaling industry here in 1829. Later, the Hentys also took an interest in whaling and established sub-stations around the coast. |
 |
 |
 |