Day 15 (15/9) – still around Cape Otway (mainly because we had paid for 3 nights!)

Rained overnight (no surprise there) and gale force winds arrived. Still raining this morning. So much for the idea of a more substantial walk today! Explored Cape Otway Lightstation (built 1848) complex and just managed to avoid being blown off the top of the lighthouse in the force 11 gusts of wind (one gust recorded at 60 knots). Could barely move against the force of the wind (SW front coming in) up top. Surprisingly the rain had ceased and desisted and the sun even came out for us! After a relative dearth of koalas along the Grey River Rd, discovered a surfeit of koala bums in the trees along the road out to the Lightstation. Obviously koala heaven. One daring (or suicidally stupid) koala decided he wanted some leaves on a neighbouring tree so climbed his way up the tree he was in to ever smaller branches, all waving wildy in the gale. Almost fell off the tiny branch he ended up on then inched his way back down upside down and backwards until diverted by the succulent looking leaves he’s been trying for earlier – duh!
Thought a rainforest stroll would be more the ticket for sheltered afternoon activity so wandered off to Mait’s Rest – 800m (40min supposedly). Even with 3 layers of clothing, gloves and goretex, froze to death and got around in 12 minutes flat. Would have been quicker if we’d skipped the few interpretive signs (feel you have an obligation to read them, as someone has gone to all the trouble of composing and placing them – and I’m sure I’d read one of them somewhere else in the last couple of days….). On to warm cafe, coffee and cake in Apollo Bay, plus phone and internet coverage. Until my connection mysteriously dropped out!