This weekend, I went on a road trip down the Great Ocean Road with my housemate, Tom, and two Swedish girls, Tova and Hanna. I got to know them through my housemates, who they play futsal with, and we’ve become good friends in just a few weeks.

Picture this: After a two-hour drive on an empty stomach, all you can think about is that first coffee and grub you’re going to shove down your gob. Only you arrive at your first stop, and what’s on the menu? A selection of yummy-mummy variations of poached eggs and avocado, and it only costs a month’s rent!

So, there we were, the four of us, absolutely starving, mind you! Tova and I, trying to be frugal foodies, went for the cheapest option on the menu. After waiting with our delicious oat lattes (got to be a bit wanky sometimes), out came two sad-looking pieces of toast and a lone, unseasoned egg. Didn’t touch the sides.

Next stop: Lorne, another hour’s drive, and there we were, the final stop before our Airbnb. Lorne is a lovely seaside town with loads of expensive boutique shops and a range of to-go cuisine on the beachfront. We all got an ice cream and plonked ourselves on the beach for a quick rest before grabbing stuff for dinner from the local supermarket.

After we rolled up to our Airbnb farmhouse in Seacroft, we flopped down on the sofas, calling it a day. Wine and cheese? Check. A sumptuous salmon dinner? Check. Stunning ocean views? Check. A film choice that left me questioning my life decisions? Let’s just say I won’t be rushing to relive the cinematic experience that was “Maze Runner 2.”

The next morning, we all gathered together on the netted trampoline in front of our cottage for a group coffee. As for the view, there were cows and alpacas scattered about the farm, going about their business while fending off the horde of flies that seem to be in every crevice of the Australian countryside. Nevertheless, it was a delightful morning brew.

On the way back, we stopped off at Shelly Beach, where we explored the hidden coves and beaches, letting out primal screams born from the trials of life – such as living in a country where every sentence ends in an upward inflection.

After stuffing my face with a fish burger in Lorne, we walked up to the Erskine River Rapids where I etched my late friend Paddy’s name into a stone. With our bellies full but our energy dwindling, we finally made our way back to Melbs, arriving home three hours later. I’m completely knackered after this weekend, but it was ace.