Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that memorialises those who served in wars. The holiday falls on the last weekend of April. My friend Clarissa invited me on a camping trip with her friends; the perfect opportunity to disconnect and escape the city.
We left on Thursday, piling into Janice's car. The
Cumberland River campground is located on the Great Ocean Road, just past Lorne (about two hours from Melbourne). Here the river flows into the ocean at a small beach on the opposite side of the highway.
Our campsite was privately situated on the river at the very end of the line. It sits under two massive trees, which is ideal for Summer.
Janice and I set up our tent beside Hannah and Clarissa's tent. The Fall air was crisp, and night fell quickly, so we were keen to build a fire. Kanagroos, kookaburras, and cockatoos were abundant, especially at dusk and dawn.
Jess and Chloe stayed in a cabin, but helped us cook a delicious pasta dinner for the six of us. For dessert, we made vegan s'mores around the fire.
Sleep escaped me that night, as I struggled to get comfortable or warm. A morning cold plunge in the ocean was a quick remedy. The water was chilly and the waves were rough, but we felt invigorated.
Back at camp, we showered and made breakfast before setting off on a hike. Directly next to our campsite was a trailhead for the
Cumberland Track. It's an easy walk to Jebbs Pool; beyond that there are several river crossings and rock scrambling.
Great Otway National Park covers the rugged coastland, beaches, and mountains of the Otway Ranges. This river valley is remote with dramatic cliffs, gentle streams, and peaceful pools.
At the end of the track, we followed a steep path uphill that connected to the
Sheoak Track. This allowed us to loop back to the coast by dropping down past Castle Rock and Sheoak Falls.
We ended at the Sheoak Falls carpark, which required us to walk along the highway for a piece; in hindsight, we might have parked a car there at the start to later shuttle back to the campground.
With tired legs, we drove into
Lorne for lunch. This popular seaside town offers surf, shops, and cafes. Back at camp, we started a fire and cooked tofu tacos for dinner.
Saturday was the annual
Great Ocean and Otway Classic Ride--one of Australia’s premier cycling events. The 145 km ride follows the picturesque farmlands of the Otways to Lorne, and then back along the Great Ocean Road to Torquay. I pinned this event for next year!
After another morning cold plunge, we spent the sunny day at
Aireys Inlet, grabbing a bite at the lighthouse cafe and walking the trails along the coastline.
That evening, we prepared plant-based burgers for dinner. Clear skies made for a starry night.
On Sunday morning, we packed up and set off towards Melbourne. The weather was spectacular, so we took our time. Our first stop was for breakfast in Anglesea at vibrant cafe,
Grow.
Just down the road are Point Addis and Bells Beach.
Bells Beach is a renowned surf beach near Torquay. High cliffs and large swells from the Southern Ocean are for experienced surfers. The annual
Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition is held here in Fall.
We went for a dip in the water, but mostly soaked in the sun and watched surfing. I am inspired to get back out there! Eventually, we returned to the car and, subsequently, our lives in the city.
This trip pushed me outside my comfort zone. While I love to be outside, camping is not my favourite activity. On top of that, I was anxious about spending three nights with a group of people that I didn't know. Fortunately, it was a great group of girls and I had the best time with them!
