We discovered an all too alluring side trip on our way to Melbourne: the Great Ocean Road Gormet Food Trail. That means lots of free tasting folks (or what I like to call 'lunch') -- whiskey, cheeses, chocolates, icecream and berries. Yum!

We started with a liquid lunch . David just couldn't resist the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery -- he's now carrying around a little bottle of their single malt whiskey. I however, although fully appreciating the quality of the whisky, preferred the Timboon Fine Icecream that they let me taste.

Next we hit the Apostle Whey Cheese Factory. The owner -- enthused by concocting new and out-there cheese varieties (her favourite: the notion of a cheese and whisky combo) -- talked us through, and let us nibble on, her various cheeses. She sent us on our way with two packets of cheese, to replenish our lunch stock, and strict instructions to head to Gorge Chocolates. Apparently, we simply had to try their coffee bean chocolates -- her favourites, of which she orders two packets a month! High praise indeed, so off we went.

Yes, the coffee chocolates were very nice. In fact, all the tasters were good being tempered from Belgium chocolate. Personally, I think this is cheating.

We finish our tour of the Great Ocean Road at the Forrest Brewing Company. With a tastering board of their flavoursome micro-brewed ales and stouts we settled in for a good night. ...We'll overlook the fact that they are all still just Aussie beers: slightly fizzy, poorer versions of the English ale.