About Whitecrest
Originally the dream of Bernie and Betty Carr (Buff’s Restaurant
and one of the original creators of the Apollo Bay Music Festival),
“Whitecrest” began life as ‘Sea Ranch’ Guesthouse and it soon
became a very popular seaside destination on the famed Great Ocean
Road.
The Carr's deciding to capitalise on Sea Ranchs’ success,
constructed six more apartments and refurbished the existing
apartments. Soon after completion in 1989 the resort was renamed
“Whitecrest”. The new resort rapidly developed an enviable
reputation in Australia and internationally.
In 2002 “Whitecrest” was acquired by two Great Ocean Road
enthusiasts who undertook a complete and extensive external and
internal refurbishment. Additional resort facilities include a
swimming pool, tennis court and a recreation room (with billiards
and table tennis facilities).
Upon completion in 2004 Whitecrest became the only genuine
resort in the Apollo Bay area.
WONGARRA
Whitecrest is located at Wongarra which is 175 kilometres south
west of Melbourne and 12 kilometres east of Apollo Bay, on the
Great Ocean Road, overlooking Bass Strait.
Wongarra was first established as a farming and timber community
around 1890. Small dairy farms later served the growing community
at Apollo Bay. Later, farmhouses were turned over to accommodation
for travellers. The oldest farmhouse in the area was built by
Edward Stephens and became the Grandview guesthouse in 1920. It was
a hub of the small community and contained a room used as a church,
the telephone exchange, when it arrived, and a post office
supported by a flying fox up the hill. The self sufficient farm
grew everything required at the guesthouse. A small school was
opened closer to the beach.
The name “Wongarra” is thought to mean “a wild pigeon or
parrot”. The Great Ocean Road was extended from Cape Patton and
Wongarra to Apollo Bay in 1927.
|
