Today felt like the quiet inhale before the next big chapter. After more than a month of mountains, glow worms, alpine lakes, forests, geysers, beaches, and every weather pattern known to humanity, we finally wrapped up our New Zealand adventure and boarded the early flight out of Auckland.
The girls were buzzing from the moment we stepped onto the plane. Dotty thought the seat-back screens were the greatest thing since finding a new stick on a walk. Georgia settled in like a seasoned traveller, headphones on, like a tiny queen on tour.
The flight itself was smooth… the kind where everyone just sinks into movies, snacks, and the rhythm of the engines. Before long, New Zealand faded below the clouds and Australia began to rise ahead of us.
We grabbed our hire car then we hit the Great Ocean Road.
What a way to arrive.
After picking up the wagon, we pushed straight out towards the coast and got smacked in the face with one of the most dramatic landscapes you’ll ever see. Giant cliffs. Rough surf. Sky doing a full watercolour painting across the horizon.
First stop was Cumberland River, where you can feel the whole coastline breathing around you. The air has that salty weight that sits on your skin and makes you feel both tiny and alive at the same time.
Then the big one.
The Twelve Apostles at sunset.
Standing there with Ali carrying Dotty on her back, Georgia marching ahead with her boots on, and the wind rolling over the cliffs… it honestly felt unreal. Like stepping straight into the front cover of a travel magazine and realising you’re the main characters.
The sea was hammering the stacks, the sky was glowing gold and purple, and the whole place had that energy that makes you forget the world exists outside the moment.
Tomorrow we push further along the Golden Coast Road, exploring more of this ridiculous landscape before heading into Melbourne proper.
New Zealand gave us adventure. Australia looks like it’s ready to give us fire.
And we’re ready for it.
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