London Arch (formerly London Bridge) Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia

London Arch (formerly London Bridge)

Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia

For those of you who harbor some curiosity about life down-under, a few facts: Australia has six states. A land mass about the size of the United States. With around 24.5 million blokes and sheilas living there, it ranks 52nd in world population…just behind Mozambique. (Canada has about 35 million. Texas has almost 28 million.) The northern-most tip of the continent is about 750 miles from the equator. And because much of the continent shares the same longitude as, say, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa, you’ll find the majority of Aussies living in the more temperate southern half of the country…which is roughly 2,000 miles away from the coast of Antarctica. (About the same distance as between Atlanta and Los Angeles.)

The “shrimp on the barbie” line is crap. They don’t have “shrimp” in Australia: They’re called “prawns.” What we refer to as bathing suits are called “swimmers.” Beer is commonly served in something called a “schooner.” And while stronger than a year ago, the Aussie dollar is currently worth about 77 cents against the US Dollar.

On November 10, 2015, I had the opportunity to explore the southern coast of Victoria — the smallest and southernmost state — on the Great Ocean Road, starting in Melbourne. (The second-largest city in Australia.) Along the way, I got to visit Port Campbell National Park and see the famous 12 Apostles rock formations, images of which are included in my Facebook Photos (if you’re so inclined to see them).

My tour also included the London Arch (formerly the London Bridge) — today’s photo — which is located just west of the 12 Apostles. This breathtakingly beautiful natural arch formation was created over thousands of years. And until 1990, included a double-span natural bridge.

Talk about a vacation to remember…the bridge closest to the shoreline gave way unexpectedly on January 15, 1990, stranding two tourists who were eventually rescued by helicopter.

P.S. I know there’ll be one or two of my wonderful Aussie friends who I’ve met during my journeys who are eager to fact-check this Facebook entry. I look forward to your comments and your perspectives.