Onwards to Adelaide

After a 2hr flight delay leaving Hobart we finally got back to our little home from home around 1am. We drove out of the city and ended up with all the saddos sleeping at a plane viewing spot and trying to sleep when they go over is crazy. So 06.30 we are up and heading for a McDonald's for a wee and tidy up, oh and off course a latte.
On our way to the Great Ocean Road in rush hour traffic but we made it and in a site in Torquay which is the starting point of the road. Two loads of washing done and a walk into town for something to eat, the beaches are beautiful here and a surfers paradise.  Brought some Aussie sausages and potatoes for dinner, the sausages were really nice and all meat not like the UK ones.
So the Great Ocean Road here we come, the biggest challenge is finding the history bronze plaques that are scattered along the route. So this 255km road which was built by the returning solders of WW1 starts at Torquay and finishes at Warrnambool, our first day we got as far as Kennett River. The road doesn't really track the ocean until you get to Anglesea where the road runs along side the ocean. Each town on route has something to offer but all have stunning beaches. At Lorne we stopped and headed inland to hike to the Erskine Falls in the Great Otway National Park. Spectacular falls which can be viewed from the top and from below, where we dipped our hot feet in and it was freezing but refreshing.
After the falls we stopped at the beach in Lorne for some late lunch, I debated if I should go in for a swim as lots of people were swimming so I guessed it was safe to do so but it was late afternoon and couldn't be bothered. Back on the road we headed for a site at Kennett River as they state that wild koalas live in the area and easily spotted. Great site just set back from the ocean and besides a river and yes after a short walk we spotted 2 koalas asleep in a tree. Hundreds of cockatoos were in the trees also but they are everywhere in Australia.
Continuing on the Ocean Road we want to reach the 12 Apostles by the end of the day so we can view them at sunset and then during the day. On route we continued to photograph the bronze plaques, which has turned into a treasure hurt to find some of them. On route we did a couple more walks into ancient woods where it's difficult to see the top of some of these hundred year old trees. The last few days I've been struggling and not feeling at all well, no strength left. I'm not sleeping too good and I'm either sweating or freezing cold. Finally we get to a camp site around 5ish, the site is very basic but the field next to us has hundreds of wild kangaroos, our first ones.
After a brief walk we drove to the Apostles to watch the sunset, they are truly a magical site. Although there isn't 12 anymore due to sea erosion and they just collapse into the sea. After some dinner I headed for bed hoping to feel better by morning, again not much sleep and it was the coldest night we have had here.
Woke to beautiful warm sunshine and I'm feeling much better today so after breakfast we head off to Apostles again. They are stunning with the morning sun beating down on them and the waves crushing into them them. That whole coast line is a marvel, it's rugged but beautiful at the same time. We stopped at all the little coves and view points until we reached Port Campbell where we had some lunch on the beach. So tonight we are in a city and the Great Ocean Road is finished but what a great 3 days of driving.  
Once the road trip is finished the first big town you come too is Warrnambool where we found a site straight away and it had a pool. As the temperature was well above 30 we got changed and jumped in a freezing pool but after awhile it was lovely and refreshing.
It's raining for all of 5 minutes when we wake but we're hardened campers now so nothing worries us. Long drive today down a dead straight road as we have booked our ferry to Kangaroo Island for Thursday 7am so 2 days to do 450km which don't seem along way but over here that takes 2 days. Speeds are varied from 40 to 110km per hour and you don't drive at night due to the suicidal
wild life of Australia. Today we saw our first dead Koala on the road side, very sad. After a couple of hours we reach Mt Gambier which has a sink hole in the town center and one just outside of town. Parked in town for a coffee break we soon found the sink hole, which they have made into a garden area. They also have the Blue Lake which at certain times of the year the color of the water is electric blue but not now but you can see around the edges the color it would of been. The towns water supply comes from this lake so you are not allowed down to the surface but there is a walk that goes around the top which we did. The views were amazing of the lake as you walk the 5km around. Back in the car for another couple of miles as we want to reach Kingston before it gets dark,16.00 we roll into town and find a site. It turns out this is the worst site we have stayed in, nothing worked in the camp kitchen but showers were nice.
Now that we are in the state of South Australia we entered a new time zone -30 minutes, which is weird.
Up bright and early and driving by 9am again a long straight road where you begin to think you are the only ones around for miles. At Wellington we have to get the free ferry across the river, it's a bit like a pull across flat bed barge. Decide it's time for a coffee break and to shock up on food ready for KI. We stop at a little place called Strathalbyn and had a hot chocolate and meat pie, there is also a Woolworths so we do our shopping, steak and sausages are on the menu for the next 3 days. As we were doing well for time we decided to change our ferry to later that day 4pm, once we had filled the car up again we head to the port about an hour away. We have been told that everything is expensive on KI so that's why we have stocked up with everything.
Petrol is so varied in price over here, the cheapest we have paid is $1.18 but in KI is $1.48 but compared to the UK it's very cheap as getting $2.10 to the £
We are back on the main land and heading north for Alice Springs, not sure how far we will get today. I've developed a bad back which is making movement very hard but I do manage my share of the driving. Our original plan was to stop in Adelaide for awhile to see some friends but sadly they have had to return to the UK so hopefully we will visit on our return from Alice Springs.
We are hoping to get to Port Augusta which is 270 miles and it's very hot and my back is getting worse. Well we made it to Port Augusta which is known as the crossroads of Australia, it's where north, south, west and east all meet. We decided on a Big5 site as we are staying a couple of days as we are both tired of driving and I need to rest my back.
It's a great place to meet other travelers all heading in different directions across Australia, lots of cyclist that left Perth and heading for Sydney, amazing achievement.
Well I had a good sleep but my back still painful so taking it easy but we still need to get the car ready for our long road trip. Tyre pressure checked, oil and water levels checked. Been shopping and brought 40lts of water and stocked the fridge up which should keep us going for a few days.