There is a lot of history down on the Surf Coast, as well as lots of caches and a big event later in the year.  I learnt a few things about the Great Ocean Road today.  Even though I have lived in Victoria all my life, I didn’t know these things, so I thought I would share them with you.

Did you know – History

• The Great Ocean Road was surveyed in 1918
• It was built from 1919 – 1932 (13 years!)
• It was built be returned soldiers from World War 1
• The Great Ocean Road is dedicated to soldiers killed during World War 1 and,
• the road is the world’s largest war memorial
• The original name as going to be South Coast Road
• Prior to the road being built, most of the towns could only be accessed by sea

Did you know – Numbers

• Running from Torquay just out side Warnambool, the road is 244km long
• 3000 men worked to construct the road
• progress was around 3km per month
• Built by a private company, the road cost £81,000
• Workers were paid 10 shillings and sixpence per day
• It was a toll road until 2 October 1936
• Tolls were two shillings for cars, and 10 shillings for wagons with more than two horses