Great Ocean Road VIC Australia, c.1936

[Hoogah]

Aussie Barners might be interested in this footage of the iconic Great Ocean Road from the 1930s. No Model A's to be seen here but there are other period cars featured in the film. (However, the road could perhaps see Model A traffic en route to the National Meet in Murray Bridge, 2018??)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7feSc4js9s

This road was a visionary memorial project to both honour Australia's returned servicemen from WWI and provide them with employment. It linked the previously isolated townships on the west coast of Victoria over a distance of 150 miles and was carved out of the rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean using just picks, shovels, explosives, wheel barrows and some small machinery.

Anecdotal evidence from ABC archives in 1982 suggested workers would rest detonators on their knees during travel, as it was the softest ride for them.

The returned soldiers used tents for accommodation throughout, and made use of a communal dining marquee and kitchen. Despite the difficulty involved in constructing the road, the workers had access to a piano, gramophone, games, newspapers and magazines at the camps. Additionally, in 1924, the steamboat Casino became stranded near Cape Patton after hitting a reef, forcing it to jettison 500 barrels of beer and 120 cases of spirits. The workers obtained the cargo, resulting in an unscheduled two-week-long drinking break!

The film shows the opening of the Eastern View Golf Links in 1936, built in conjunction with the road by the same Great Ocean Road Trust.

It was operated as a toll road until the construction costs were recouped. The charge was two shillings (20 cents in today's lingo, but not value!) for motor cars.

The final section from October 1936, shows the road being handed to the State Government; with the deed for the road presented to the Victorian Premier at a ceremony at the Cathedral Rock toll gate. It was at this time that the tolls were also removed.

I have no idea about the motor racing section, but there are some interesting shots there as well.

Here's the road today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUZ8tx2iVP0

[clo2jim]

While we were holidaying in Australia towards the end of April 2016 we drove the Great Ocean Road from West to East in our rented motorhome. I believe it took us 3 days to travel this road with a lot of stopping to see the sights including the many cliffs on the ocean. It was well worth the time to take the road.

After a short ferry ride at the eastern end of the road, we ended up on Phillipe Island where we saw the Penguin Parade, Koala Sanctuary, Historical Farm, etc. It was great.

Over the next 3 weeks as we travelled North to Winton, Queensland, we meet up with 3 Model A groups, visited a beekeepers farm (drove both of his Model A's), visited a 20,000 hectare sheep farm (quite the tour), toured Lightning Ridge and looked for black opals. We ended up touring with the Model A group as they travelled from Brisbane to Darwin for the Model A meet. We travelled with them for 5 days until we got to Winton, when we had to turn back to catch our flight out of Sydney to return to Canada. We had just over 2,000 kilometres and 5 days to get to Sydney.

Great vacation - touring New Zealand and Australia for 8 weeks. Then back to work - not so great.

[Synchro909]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Although I have driven that road a few times already, I think it will see the under side of one of my Model As as I head to Murray Bridge.