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| Memorial to the 3000 Returned Service Men who built the Great Ocean Road |
The Great Ocean Road is fascinating in many ways, not just
for the exceptional scenery. The road
itself was built by returned servicemen in an economic stimulus scheme to
provide work for thousands of men. It
was constructed as a memorial to those who did not return after the First World
War and is the longest memorial in the world.
The start of the road is marked by a memorial arch and sculpture to the
workers so it is a memorial at a second level. One of the aims of the
construction was to link the coastal towns of the Victorian coast. It was a
huge job winding its way along an inhospitable coast with dense forests, high
cliffs and rocky mountains that had to be hewn through – a major engineering
feat.
Then there is the scenery – one of the most picturesque
stretches of coastline. The force of the waves is constantly changing the
shoreline. When I brought the kids to this area when they were at school, the
London Bridge formation was complete. Not long after that the middle collapsed
and, although it still bears the name, it doesn’t bear any resemblance to the
original. I stopped at the Twelve
Apostles and several other lookouts along the way, including the Loch Ard
Gorge. All of these places have historical
significance and are worth Googling for more details.
The councils and Victorian Government have really promoted
this as a world class journey, which it is. Viewing areas and safe parking
spots have been set up. Information boards are well done with photos and
stories presented in easy to read snatches. It is interesting to just listen to the
variety of languages – and to look at the range of expensive cameras clicking
away.
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| Along the Coast |
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| The Twelve Apostles Great Ocean Road |
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| Loch Ard Gorge |
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| Loch Ard Gorge Can you see my car at the end of the walking track? Neither can I. It was a long walk. |
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