I have dreamt of going to The Great Ocean Road for many years so when the duke (nephew) arrived, and a trip down under was inevitable, we slotted the GOR into the itinerary. I envisioned a three-day trip, free and easy, based in a self-contained cottage along the Road.
We found The Boomerangs online, booked three nights with them and we were good to go. I found that accommodation in Australia (and eating out there) generally costs an arm and a leg. And for a family of four on a budget, we did have to choose our stays carefully. When it came to the GOR, we decided that The Boomerangs will be our "luxury" for the trip, costing A$330 per night for a Savers Package in June.
It was a very pleasant stay. We arrived before sundown, found a small turning into the estate and was greeted with quiet and serene surroundings. Mark and Roz, the hosts, gave me a warm welcome at check-in (and some garlic since we couldn't find any at the nearest supermarket), and directed us to our cottage. I went up the platform, found the keys hanging on the door handle, and stepped into the boomerang-shaped house. It was spacious, cozy and extremely clean. We Chinese like to remove our shoes upon entering a house, and all the better, as the hosts have requested for guests to do so, as small stones (aplenty in the area) scratch the floors badly. The floors were squeaky clean and a pleasure to walk on. The two bedrooms were very small, but were nicely furnished and had everything we needed. A hot fire was crackling in the fireplace, prepared hours ahead of our arrival, so I wasn't joking about the warm welcome.
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| View of the dining and living wing of the Boomerang |
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| The kids' bedroom, with heaters on each side of the bed for each sleeper |
We had almost exhausted our cash supply from eating out the first four days so it was a good thing the cottage came with cooking facilities, and basic cooking needs like salt, pepper, dried herbs, soya sauce, aluminium foil, cling wrap, etc. Also a selection of tea and coffee. Electrical appliances like the oven, toaster and microwave. I was just _slightly_ disappointed that there wasn't a dishwasher. It would have completed the picture. The washing machine was a welcomed sight and we put in our first load almost immediately upon arrival.
Now, a word about doing your own cooking on the GOR: it requires precise planning. The nearest supermarket from where we were at Johanna, was about 45 minutes away at Apollo Bay. The next nearest supermarket at Port Campbell was at least one third smaller and also about 45 minutes away. Unlike in our Singaporean neighbourhood, where I can just pop into a store across the street for a piece of ginger, I had to plan for all nine meals and make sure there is neither anything lacking, nor any leftovers since we were due for a flight on day 4.
I wish I could have shopped at a farmer's market but the supermarket at Apollo Bay was the best there was. But there was a seafood restaurant next to that supermarket that sold fresh seafood, and A$20 for a bag of barramundi, salmon, scallops and prawns ain't too bad a deal! And a bottle of white wine at A$6? An impossibility in Singapore.
I cooked all our breakfasts and dinners, the kids and hubs assembled our lunches of sandwiches in aluminium foil.
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| Bacon, eggs, mushrooms, toast and your choice of drink every morning without the pinch on the wallet *hee* |
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| Little helper packing a simple lunch |
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| Preparation for dinner starts after dark. |
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| Cheers! Our dinner of butter rice, steamed asparagus and pan grilled seafood. Kids had apple juice, adults white wine. |
Day 1, we had chicken drumsticks and spinich stewed in chicken stock and white wine, served with rice. Day 2, the seafood dinner above. Day 3, we went Chinese with rice, omelette, and a dish of broccoli, chicken and scallops. All our food-shopping cost under A$150.
One of our favourite things to do, is to (attempt to) get a fire going, and then sit and watch how the mesmerising flames devour large chunks of wood, while warming the entire cottage through the night. It also helps that our clothes dry a lot faster when placed in front of the fire.
The kids had fun. The son declared that this was his favourite accommodation in Melbourne, though he will say the same of each place that we stay at. The daughter was beyond happiness when told we were allowed to help ourselves to the flowers in the garden. They squealed and laughed while trying out the bath, were happily enjoying the tv, the spacious living area and the food that came out of the kitchen. But I suppose the best part of The Boomerangs for these two kiddos, is Hanna.
Hanna is the designated customer relations officer at The Boomerangs. She has four legs, a nice coat of fur, is gentle, loves playing with kids, and is extremely, superbly accurate and GOOD at playing catch. She can go on all morning, running enthusiastically up and down. She brings the ball back to the kids to throw. One can hardly ask for a better play mate. Little wonder that the kids ask to play with Hanna the moment they wake, and would rather stay at the estate with her than follow us out to tour the GOR.
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| Starting the morning on a lovely note |
So I think the kids had the hardest time leaving. But we had a lovely time, so goodbye, and we hope to come back again in the future.
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| The kids and mummy outside our cottage |
