Victorian Great Ocean Road run to Apollo Bay - Pics p.3 #39 onwards
The Aim:
To UNITE Mini2ers from Victoria ( and afar - if interested!!) to sample what is recognised as one of the best touring roads in the world:
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD.
The road provides a sensational blend of tight and twistys to challenge you and your Mini as well as panoramic ocean views.
The plan: (Kinda like the Italian Job!! But not!!)
Sunday June 6th 2004
Meet at Shell Westgate (optimax) - 7:30am
Make way thru Geelong to Bunnings Warehouse / homemakers centre in Warn Ponds for regrouping and meet Geelong Minis- leaving 8:45 - 75km approx.
(stopping to regroup and pictures at GOR historic archway and Lorne)
Travel to Apollo Bay for Lunch at pub - 1:00 - 114km approx. (Mobil - Apollo Bay)
Depart for Melbourne - via Otway road - 3:00 - 215km to Melbourne
Total 420km (approx) return to CBD
Drivers can set their own pace between regroup points.
Todd
_those who have returned their permission slips so far_
Red&blackS, wings, Mini_bm, ShermanM, Eltel, Samu, Gripper, CoopeR, New Skool, XMINIX, DJP, MickyD, Zakdoggi - 13 Cars from Forums!! (I am also expecting another 4 Mini2's from outside of the MINI2.com crew and a few non-mini's ~ plus a small group from Doncaster Mini)
Looks like a good day is to be had...
ALL WELCOME!!!
Last edited by Red&blackS; Jun 8th, 2004 at 03:03 PM.
I think Apollo Bay is too long for a one day drive. If you want to do the great ocean road (and i think we should), i think the best destination should be Lorne. Stop for lunch etc... and then drive back. Sunday would be the ultimate day for this.
However, of you want to do the Apollo Bay run, then yes stop over for the night in Apollo Bay on Saturday night, and do the drive through the Otways or alternate route on the way back.
However, I think the single day sunday drive would attract more minis. What does everyone else think?
Bill
'03 PS/PS MCS JCW
Sunroof, 17" R90's, Full Leather, Climate,
Black Bonnet Stripes, Alta CAI
Biggest Smile!
09 JCW - More smiles...
The only this is that we probably cant stop at Peck and Stokes... plus the Sunday Drivers!!
The Great Ocean Road is notorious for them!!
To go to Apollo Bay is approximately 190km from Melbourne.
The main concept behind the trip to Apollo Bay is the nice corners between Lorne and Apollo Bay, which is 45km or a bit over an hour. Also the best part of the otways drive is between Apollo Bay - Forrest - Barwon Downs - Birregurra - Princes Hwy.
Its about 215km from Apollo Bay Melbourne to go home that way back. I would also say traffic would be less.
I had also noticed that the Mini2ers have been to Apollo Bay before...
Todd
Last edited by Red&blackS; Apr 19th, 2004 at 09:19 AM.
Yes Todd, we had a great GOR drive in Jan 2003. Lots of fun, as we met in Geelong (Gripper organised the meeting point) and we headed down the GOR to lunch at Apollo Bay pub.
After lunch we headed back but turned inland at Skeenes Creek along a great MINI road towards Birregurra and then back to Geelong. Easy drive for one day, but is tiring on your passenger(s).
One thing I learnt from that day is that you cannot hope to convoy your way along the GOR if there is any traffic at all. Coaches, mobile homes, wary tourists, all add up to make it difficult ot keep visual contact with MINIs in front or behind. There are few points to pull over, so you are better to set your own pace and meet at one or two designated spots after leaving Torquay.
I'd suggest you meet outside of Geelong on the way out, convoy to Torquay, then set off at your own pace and meet up in Lorne for a cuppa, then set off at your own pace to meet at Apollo Bay for lunch.
There are at least two interesting drives back rather than returning via the GOR. 1. Take the turn inland at Skenes Creek, or 2. Take the turn inland from Lorne (just Melb side of the caravan park) to Deans Marsh. Both runs will get you back to the Princes Hwy then to Geelong.
I'm definately in~~ we definately need something like this. As for the traffic thing, i don't think we'll be able to avoid it.... would be great to see the looks on ppl's faces when they see so many minis driving pass anyway...
"IS that a Porsche?" "No~~!!"
"So its a Ferrari?" "Nope~~"
"OMG~~! It can't possibly be the legendary McLaren F1?"
"Ofcoz Not, ITS MY MINI COOPER S!~!"
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