Great Ocean Walk 2018 - Day One


Great Ocean Walk 2018


Day 1. Shelly Beach to Apollo Bay 9.7km



U3A Ballarat Hike Number 49


By Fiona Deutscher


On the first day of the Great Ocean Walk we rendezvoused for a mid-morning cuppa at the Apollo Bay foreshore. An enthusiastic group of 25 hikers eagerly anticipated the great day ahead walking together along the coastal track. Newcomers to our group were welcomed. They included Mary, Peta, Annie, Trudy & Marcel
We commenced our walk from the Shelly Beach Carpark. We spotted several koalas in the trees at the beginning of the track. The weather was fine with a cool coastal sea breeze. Initially we walked through mountain ash forest and green ferny gullies admiring the lush vegetation & various native flowers & shrubs. We briefly diverged from the main track to descend down to Shelley Beach. After re-joining the main track, we continued through the coastal scrub -hearing the surf crashing in the distance & gradually catching more glimpses of the rugged coastline. Eventually we saw the coastline & rocky platforms below us-with coastal views extending back in a SW direction toward Blanket Bay & Point Franklin.
We walked along part of Three Creeks Beach before stopping on some flat rocks to eat our lunch. We admired the stunning scenery of water-sculptured rock art & rolling waves breaking the shoreline. After lunch we started the steep grassy climb up Bald Hill. We were rewarded at the top by sweeping coastal views in both directions.
We then commenced the steep descent down many stone steps toward the small coves & sandy beaches near Marengo.
Some of the hikers chose to return to Apollo Bay by car from Marengo carpark. Others continued walking along the bike track another few kilometres to Apollo Bay.
We felt blessed today by the sunny weather & magnificent coastal scenery.
We met together & enjoyed an evening meal at the Apollo Bay Hotel.

Photo's by Mark Bevelander

                                        














































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