The Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia

[juvefan]

I had the awesome experience recently of touring on Australia's Great Ocean Road in May, and boy was it one beautiful ride.

 

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Motorcycle rental is not cheap in Australia, no thanks to the high insurance premiums. Still, well worth forking out if you happen to be in Melbourne (the usual departure point for international tourists heading for a road trip).

 

Setting off from Melbourne at mid-morning, we covered Geelong and Torquay rapidly, reaching Bells Beach by noon.

 

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The bends along the Great Ocean Road hug the hillsides and coastline, making for some spectacular views.

 

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By the time we hit the seaside town of Lorne, it was time for lunch at the beach, where a meal of fish and chips were in order.

 

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After dawdling about town for a couple hours, it was time to head out on the road again, if we were to reach our destination of Port Campbell by sunset.

 

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Bugs all over the world are the same. They meet nasty ends when riders decide to hit the road. The carnage at the end of the first day:

 

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The next day after breakfast, we depart Port Campbell, a tiny town of just 200.

 

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After visiting Loch Ard and the Twelve Apostles for some postcard memories, it was time to head back towards Melbourne via Colac and the inland road. Motorcycle rental: $400. Lodgings: $100. Food: $100. The experience? Priceless.

 

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Edited May 31, 2009 by juvefan

[FB666Y]

Good pics - I rode the Great Ocean Road back in 2003, 2 days before the war started in Iraq.

 

The bike rental prices in Australia are mad - I used an Kawasaki ER that was somewhat reasonable from: http://www.garnersmotorcycles.com.au

 

Plenty more routes in Victoria beside the GOR. The country is beautiful and the roads are made for riding.

[YZ2000]

yo that's adventurous trip u had... are u going back again

[belgarathc]

Nice photos. Rental really expensive yar?

[Jackie-HD]

I also just came back from there. Bike rentals are too expensive. Instead, i rented a convertible car, which seemed to be even cheaper than big bikes.

[Guolong]

Just got back too.... will post some pictures.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Guolong