On the recent trip to Apollo Bay we explored a few spots along Cape Otway including the Cape and Lighthouse area. The road leading into the lighthouse park passed through a Manna Gum forest full of Koalas. Of course we had to stop and take a few shots. Never pass up a chance to photograph an animal that barely moves…
Koala, Cape Otway, Great Otway National Park
A large male Koala reaching for a snack
Koala and joey
II
It has been a hard day…
III
One of the sites I visited a few times was the Old Hordern Vale Road, a dirt road winding up into the local hills behind the Apollo Bay township. It is a good spot to find the white morph Grey Goshawk (which I did get to see – lifer!). At the end of the road amongst a few empty weekenders and a forest of very tall Mountain Ash Gums I found the old Cobb and Co coach road. The old track winds around the Mountain Ash ridges and rainforest gullies and finally comes out several kilometres away, re-connecting to a weekender road and back onto the main highway. Along the way I found a good variety of bird species, more Koalas, and some pretty spectacular trees. Definitely a spot I will return to on future trips to the region.
Koala, Old Hordern Vale Rd, Apollo Bay
The old Cobb and Co coach road – now a nice wide trail leading into and around the local hills.
A large gum tree, Old Hordern Vale Rd, Apollo Bay
The Gap Year and Beyond 