iPhoneography Oz spent a few days at Saint Patrick's Luxury Boutique Hotel. As its name suggests, here we do not skimp on comfort! This superb accommodation, a cross between a bed & breakfast and a hotel, is located in Koroit. This small Irish rural town lies at the western end of the Great Ocean Road. The building is an impressive convent which has been renovated to provide all the necessary comfort. The interior design, combining antique and contemporary style, is amazing. There are five bedrooms in total which are all different from each other. The one we stayed in is handsomely appointed including a small lounge with armchairs covered in burgundy velvet. The bathroom has a retro claw-foot tub and a huge shower. On the ground floor, you can spend time in the Lilac Lounge or the library where you can borrow books and DVDs for your room. We did not experience the breakfast but know that it is included in the room price. Staying at Saint Patrick's Luxury Boutique Hotel is an affordable luxury that we highly recommend!

The writers were guests of Saint Patrick's Luxury Boutique Hotel.

The village of Port Campbell is an excellent base to explore the Twelve Apostles and other rock formations of the Great Ocean Road. It is located a little over two hours west of Melbourne. We spent one night there at Port O Call Motel. This little stop-over is located in the centre of the village, just five minutes drive away from the Twelve Apostles. The rooms are as large as the ceilings are high: you will not feel a lack of space. Each room has access to free Wi-Fi and cable television. If weather permits, outside your room, you can spend time on the veranda overlooking a lovely garden. Finally, although the visitor information centre is located across the street, be sure to talk to the venue owners. They have lived in the area for generations and are an absolute wealth of information!

The writers were guests of Port O Call Motel.

This is the most visited and most photographed area of the Great Ocean Road. The coastline that stretches for several kilometers near Port Campbell consists of impressive cliffs overlooking a raging ocean. Over time, the sea has carved the rocks turning them into a set of canyons, arches and caves. The erosion rate is estimated at two centimeters per year. The most famous rock formations are the Twelve Apostles which stand in the middle of the ocean. Today only six are still "alive". In the neighborhood, do not miss the Gibsons Steps that let you walk down onto the beach and close to one of the apostles. Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch (formerly London Bridge) are also to be seen.

The coastline of the Great Ocean Road does not have the exclusivity of amazing landscapes. Indeed the area hosts a large number of waterfalls easily accessible via trails. Erskine Falls in Lorne are the most impressive. The city is also a good base for bush walks.

Torquay is a coastal town in Victoria, located at the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road. The small seaside town is home to the largest surf companies. It is also in Torquay where you will find the legendary Bells Beach, world famous for hosting the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the oldest international surfing competition. This beach was written in to the final scene of Point Break. In Torquay we took part in a surfing lesson given by Go Ride A Wave. The company, which has over 25 years experience, has various locations along the coast of Australia including the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. With the approach of winter, a wetsuit is provided to students. Therefore it is very unlikely that you will be cold once in the water. The instructor is passionate and makes ​​sure that you get the most out of your experience. Within two hours, you are able to stand and to have fun on your board. What a great feeling!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Go Ride A Wave.

The Great Ocean Road is a road in Victoria that follows the coast for over 200 kilometres. It is the Grand Pacific Drive's big sister. The road is located west of Melbourne, between Torquay and Warrnambool. Throughout the drive, the landscapes are absolutely beautiful. The cliffs and rock formations sometimes recall the Corniche d'Or in the Esterel Massif (France). Some coastal towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay are quite charming. Over the next few days, we will post about places that caught our attention.

"The Rip" is a power of nature beyond human control. This is an extremely dangerous pass which links Port Phillip to Bass Strait. It is not wide at all. The tides are so powerful that "The Rip" has caused many human and material losses. Experts are unanimous about it: it is the world's most dangerous shipping path. From or into Melbourne, you can not avoid it as it is the only crossing possible for boats. We experienced it recently on our way to Tasmania. You certainly feel it!