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Before uni started back, I was feeling restless and in need of a holiday. A couple of friends and I packed up a car with some camping gear and headed East to spend two weeks travelling along the Great Ocean Road. 

Not everything went to plan. While walking on a long beach, we got caught in a sudden storm. By the time we ran back to our camp, we were drenched. Huddled up in our little tent we had to have a makeshift dinner and try to get warm again. Later on our road trip, our car died by the side of the road and we had to get a tow-truck to get it to the nearest mechanic. 

Despite these hiccups, the places we visited were quite breathtaking. There was Cape Banks Lighthouse, which is flanked by rugged beaches that stretch out like wings on both sides of the jagged rocks. We walked along the beach and saw a seal playing by one of the many old shipwrecks along the coast. We stayed at Johanna Beach, where huge waves crash on the soft, yellow sand. The forest comes right up and touches the sand on many of the beaches.

Driving on a winding dirt road through the Otways, we stumbled upon a spot called Aire Crossing. A tiny campground by a river. The forest was alive with the sounds of insects and birds. It was cool and peaceful. At night, glowworms sparkled in the moss. 

My favourite thing about road trips is having the time to meander. We weren't in a rush, so we could spend entire days reading on the beach, exploring, practicing our surfing, or just chatting over cups of tea in the rainforest.

By the time we got home, I was well rested and ready to get back into normal life, but I am already thinking about my next road trip.