Steffen discovers the World: New Year

Happy New Year! New year means new chances, give your best to catch them and enjoy your life with family and friends!

I left Melbourne for a three days trip along the Great Ocean Road and to the Grampians. Was first a bit awkward, no backpackers in my bus, mainly Asians and most of them old... It seemed I booked a tour for old ones ;) Lucky also to young Germans booked the tour, Melina and Andreas. I spend the most time with them so it was a nice trip after all.

Because of bushfires nearby the Great Ocean Road we had to change the itinerary. We couldn't start at the normal point, we drove over Colac and a forest to the Great Ocean Road. On our way we did a small walk for half an hour to see plenty of Koalas and got an awesome view, we managed to see around 12.

Next stop was a lighthouse, first stop at the coast ;)

Yes it was really cold, only 19 degrees...

We continued our journey to an rainforest to do a small walk, was awesome all the nature :)

Then we went to the more famous stops at the Great Ocean Road Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge. We moved the 12 Apostel to the second day, because it was to crowded we couldn't get a parking spot...

Gibson Steps

Loch Ard Gorge

Me off the tracks by Loch Ard Gorge

We stayed in a hostel in Port Campbell, a nice and small city. We had dinner at the Beach and saw an incredible sunset.

Next morning we got early to the 12 Apostel, there were only a few people around :D

Left side

Right side

Fans of the best club of the world are everywhere ;D

Combined

Next stop was London Bridge a part of it broke down in 1999.

Last stop at the coast and the real Great Ocean Road was Bay of Islands.

We had lunch at Tower Hill an extinct volcano, which was really nice but we could find any nice spots for pictures and the kangaroos were to fast for a picture...

After this we drove to the second part of the tour the Grampians, a National Park.

Looks like shark fins

We first got to a cultural center, which was a bit boring so we walked around and saw two kangaroos and one hedgehog.

In the Grampians was a big bushfire two years ago. It is kind of strange, but the trees and plants need fire sometimes to rebuild their self's. They drop old and dryed out parts, so it is a good base for a fire. For the humans of course the fire is bad, they try everything to stop fires. Once a year the farmers and firefighters try to collect a the peaces for protection, but it doesn't work always.
Next stop was the first exciting walk. We hiked a bit in a canyon.

The result was an amazing view!

We drove to two more lookouts with a stunning view!

We got to a range in the middle of nowhere. I slept in a tent, but the most people slept in bungalows.

We went for a walk after 1,5 hours we realized that we got lost... But we found back to our accommodation after around 2,5h :P Was a good fun in the end ;)

Last action on the tour was a 4.5 km walk to the MacKenzie Waterfalls. The walk was a bit exhausting, but worth it!

A small waterfall due the walk

Sometimes not so easy ;)

MacKenzie Waterfalls

MacKenzie

Broken Waterfalls

The whole MacKenzie Waterfalls

Lunchtime means lake time ;)

Last stop before Melbourne was by a huge Koala ;P

Finally the tour was OK, but definitely not one of the best. Next time I would safe the money and do it on my own, with some backpackers. It is more fun and you can see the same maybe more.
At the evening I eventually watched the new Star Wars :D definitely worth it! ;P

Next day was in Melbourne sightseeing again with Matty and Ido, two Israelis from the outback tour.

War Memorial

View from the War Memorial

Botanic gardens

Botanic gardens, the flowers in the middle are a watch

Graffitis

Everywhere graffitis, but I didn't found the best spots :/

Was so amazing, they made a great show and involved the audience

At New Years Eve we went into the city to drink and finally watch the fireworks. We were 6 people at the beginning the number changed the whole time ;)