Hanging at the Hut on Australia's Surf Coast

We took our first Australian holiday over J's April school holidays.  We wanted to go somewhere where Murphy could join us because (1) I wasn't prepared to be parted from her again so soon  and (2) I haven't yet figured out doggie care. Though it is Fall, we rented a sweet little villa appropriately dubbed the "Beach Hut" in Apollo Bay on Australia's surf coast about a 3 hour drive southwest of Melbourne.

The drive itself was an amazing part of the journey along Victoria's storied Great Ocean Road.  En route, we travelled through Torquay, considered by many as the birthplace of surfing and headquarters for such iconic surf brands as Quiksilver and Rip Curl.

Apollo Bay is a sleepy, coffee-lingering beach town.  Most people in search of a beach holiday this time of year  have headed north to the heat of the Gold or Sunshine coasts.  We were in search of salt-air, peaceful beach walks, rainforest treks, good restaurants and great coffee.  We found it all!

Beauchamp Falls in the rainforests of the Otway National Park

Rosella parrots

J discovered the joys of boogie-boarding.  We had to buy him a wetsuit as the water was too cold to swim for long.  Murphy discovered the joys of burying then finding her leash in the sand.  A great bonus to being in Apollo Bay this time of year was dogs were permitted on the beaches; and my girl, Murphy, loves herself a beach!

The most amazing part of our journey was a morning we spent at the near-deserted, wildly spectacular, incredibly peaceful Johanna Beach further down the Great Ocean Road.  We walked miles of golden sand to the roar of the pounding surf, watching in awe a clutch of hardcore surfers.    We were each lost in our thoughts seduced by the siren call of the sea.  Mental cobwebs were swept away making room for clean spirit.

We ended that day at the 12 Apostles, a tourist-popular destination close to the end of the Great Ocean Road.  Amazing limestone rock formations created by the restless and relentless pounding of the Southern Ocean.  Impressive for sure, but more touristy than we were in search of so we admired and then beat a hasty retreat back to the calm of our beachy hut, a game of charades, a glass of wine, and a satisfying meal.