Redwood Forest

Standing silently near the banks of a river, they reach towards the sky. 

The ground underfoot is a soft carpet of pine needles. The smell of damp earth permeates my nostrils.

The forest is quiet, apart from a few bird calls. I am tiny in a land of giants.

Emerging from the darkness, into the sunlight. A picnic lunch at the edge of a forest. 

Living in unnatural circumstances, connecting with nature is good for mind and body. 

Stevensons Falls

With all the waterfalls in the Otway Ranges, we're definitely spoilt for choice. Some of them require an intermediate level of hiking to access, but with 2 kids in tow on our road trips, we only go for the beginner level of 1 hour easy walks.

To get to Stevensons Falls, we had to drive a few kms up a dirt road and over a creek fjord to reach the carpark. Luckily for us, it was dry weather and 2WD vehicle  accessible.

It  was an easy walk to the falls, with plenty to see along the way.

Rainforests and waterways like this creek have such a calming effect, they're the perfect place to be when the world around you is a bit crazy.

The walk back to the car took us past a picnic area in a clearing and through a forest.

We spotted this guy up in the tree and might not have noticed him if it wasn't for the bright blue drink bottle lid in his beak.

I find Bower Birds fascinating, and immediately followed him as he flew down to the ground next to the carpark.

He flew back to the carpark again and found something else blue, which he took back home.

I looked over the fence and spotted his elaborate bower, with many blue things scattered around the perimeter. He was gathering them to impress the female bowers birds nearby.

We left him to his housekeeping, wishing him luck with his courtship rituals.

Triplet Falls

On a warm Summer's day, this  1 hour walk through the cool rainforest is a welcome reprieve from the heat of the sun.

The walk is comprised of dirt tracks that take you through the midst of lush fern growth,  steep steps that climb into the upper rainforest  and raised boardwalks that protect the delicate forest floor.

The falls can be heard enroute and it is always exciting to catch the first glimpse of them through the trees, before seeing them up closer from a designated viewing site.

Giant Mountain Ash reach for the clouds, no longer in danger from logging. Relics from the former sawmill site are slowly being reclaimed by Mother Nature.

At the end of the walk, we came across a stunning Bower Bird. His glossy blue/black plumage gleaming in the sunshine as he went about his constant search for blue items to decorate his bower.

Carisbrook Falls

Practically on the Great Ocean Road, Carisbrook Falls is just a short 15 minute walk from the carpark. A steep, narrow, sandy track hugs the side of the hill as you travel upwards towards the falls.

Not as close as some of the other waterfalls in the Otways, Carisbrook is still worth having a look.

The 50m drop has water cascading down to a creek that flows through the valley below. 

A viewing platform allows views of the falls, but from quite a distance. A nice little hike and worth a look, especially after some decent rain.

Kennett River

We set off up Grey River Road in search of koalas. The sealed road soon turned into gravel as we climbed higher through the eucalyptus forest.

One set of eyes on the road, another 3 sets of eyes peeled for furry critters in the tall gum trees either side of the road.

"There's one!"

"No, its a nest."

"I see one!"

"No, it's a branch."

"Is that one?"

"No, it's a bird."

At Grey River Reserve, we stopped for a short walk through the forest. The smell of eucalyptus filled our noses and the sound of birdsongs filled the air. 

A few King Parrots and a Kookaburra, but no Koalas.

We sat down at the Grey River Reserve picnic area, for a drink and a snack. A beautiful, peaceful setting in a clearing, surrounded by dense forest.Feeling a little disappointed that we hadn't spotted a koala, we headed back to the car.

One last look up before getting in the car and there he was. 

Leaving him to his very busy day, we headed back to town. The views on the way back were spectacular, stretching for miles along the coast from the mouth of the Kennett River. 

Next - off chasing waterfalls.

Wye River

Our accommodation at Big 4 Wye River was perfectly located across the road from the beach. A comfy 2 br cabin at the rear of the park, surrounded by trees and a huge jumping pillow across the road.

The kids were rapt to have a bounce and  to let out some energy after the car ride.

A lovely little creek ran through the middle of the park, and a couple of duck parents and their 10 bubbas were taking a stroll as the same time as us. 

A cockatoo and a kookaburra also dropped by for a mid afternoon drink. 

An echidna waddled around the property.

 

With so much going on at the park, we had no reason to go anywhere else, but figured we should go for a walk.

 

The beach stretched away from the mouth of the Wye River, relics of old train lines and jetties, rocks for clambering, ocean treasures washed ashore.

Surfers chased waves; dogs chased balls; we chased our hats that blew off in the breeze.

 

On the hunter for dinner that evening, a local gardener recommended the pub.

 

A great meal to end the day. Wye River was making us feel very welcomed. We planned our adventures for the following day and looked forward to exploring this lovely corner of the Surf Coast.