Friday 9th of May, 2014. Exploration of the Otway Coast 

 

Itinerary: LORNE-APOLLO BAY-CAPE OTWAY-12 APOSTLES-LORNE 

 

Duration: 8am-7pm return to Lorne 

 

The field trip will explore the Otway Coast via the Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic coastal drives. Our journey will take us via sandy beaches, ancient rainforests, rocky platforms and heathlands fringed by a rugged coast. walking will be involved ~45 mins (with disabled access). Seats will be limited so book early to avoid disappointment. 

 

Lorne to Apollo Bay 

We will venture to the seaside town of Apollo bay, at the foothills of the Otway Ranges, and explore the geology, ecology and history of the region. This will include a visit to the Marengo Marine Sanctuary where we will highlight the regions unique marine flora and fauna. We will visit an example of the regions rocky shore platforms and discuss micro erosion work and implications for rocky coast evolution. 

 

Apollo Bay to Cape Otway 

Our journey will then take us to Cape Otway where the Southern Ocean meets with Bass Strait. These often hostile seas supports prized Southern Rock lobster and Abalone fisheries and have claimed more shipwrecks than any other stretch of Australian Coast. We will visit the Cape Otway Lightstation, which is the oldest, surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia. On the way, we will venture through manna gum forests where we will cross paths with some of Australia’s iconic native fauna including koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. 

 

Cape Otway to 12 Apostles 

The Twelve Apostles is a iconic collection of limestone stacks towering up to 45m high above the Southern Ocean within a Marine National Park. We will discuss with Parks Victoria the role of habitat mapping and importance for understanding and communicating natural values within Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. Palaeo connectivity across a now shallow sea (Bass Strait) will be discussed including mapping initiatives showing connectivity onto the shelf and drowned shorelines and river channels now submerged. 

 

12 Apostles to Lorne 

We will take the inland route back to Lorne through dense rainforests onto plains with evidence of a rich volcanic history with scattered remnant cones and craters that have shaped the region. 

 

Organisers 

David Kennedy (davidmk@unimelb.edu.au) & Daniel Ierodiaconou (iero@deakin.edu.au) 

 

Cost: $70pp (morning tea & lunch included)