Australia |
||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
|
 |
ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | Tas | Vic
There are many kangaroos here. Hanging Rock is about an hour drive. Also check out the Spillway Hydro pump and dam
|
|
|
 |
 |
Check out Science Discovery with its hands-on exhibits. If you are a fan of rock climbing, go to the YMCA
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
Situated on Collins St in the city, get a lift to the 35th floor and walk around for 360 views. No charge
|
|
Unlike Sydney, the city is laid out in a perfect grid. It's small and is known as the CBD - Central Business District, but the suburbs are quite large. There is a good shopping mall on Bourke St. If you are a shopaholic, you may find shops in suburbs better. The street names are linked to royalty, with such names as King, Queen, Elizabeth and William. There is a strong tram network. Melbourne is a dry city, with temperatures varying around the 15 degree celsius mark. Some days are quite warm. When it rains, it is rarely as heavy as Sydney's rains. The beaches are not good near Melbourne - the good ones are further south. The city is a beautiful city with many monuments aournd, noticeably the spire on Victorian Arts Centre. Roads are wide in Melbourne for both cars and trams. Melbourne is very green with plenty of trees and large parks. Though it's warmer here than Tasmania, people wearing shorts are rarer, though you can find those wearing t-shirts.
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
It's near Chapel St. The area is labelled as a rich area, and 3-bedroom houses are worth $560,000. There are markets there, mainly dealing with fruit and vegetables. Prices drop down to just $1 for bags near closing time. Chapel St is a busy street, and has plenty of nightlife, from cafes, restaurants to pubs.
 |
On Sundays, there are markets, which are ideal for buying presents as there is a lot of crafts on sale. St Kilda Beach is quite tiny and was filthy when I went there. Luna Park is an adventure park just a few minutes walk from the beach, but was closed during winter for work. The road leading from Melbourne city to St Kilda beach is St Kilda Road. The road boasts being the world's most famous boulevard, according to the sign posted there. It is lined with many trees along the road. Victoria Arts Centre is situated on this road where markets are held on Sundays. in the evening, there is a fabulous scenery when the trees are lit up with colour: it was purple during my stay.
 |
 |
 |
This is situated in the city on the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street across from Flinders St Station. No charge
At the time, there were decorative Aboriginal poles
Look for the giant purse. Also look for the statue of the three men - see photos above under Melbourne
Learn the history of the jail, visit the cells and learn about the prisoners who stayed in those cells. A lot of information is in printed format on walls but some documentaries are by voice. Check out the section on Ned Kelly and look at the hanging thing where people were dropped and left to hang. Dress up as Ned Kelly!
 |
This is where AFL/Aussie Rules are played and is situated close to the city. Tram lines run to and from the stadium to the city. Charge is $15 for high level to watch match
This is situated on the bank along the river Yarra, of which the Casino is part. The Irish pub, PJ O'Briens and The Blue Train, a restaurant, are among the other pubs and restaruants in Southbank. There is a fantastic view of Flinders Street Station at night across from Southbank.
I went there twice and met a few people. It's situated about 10 minutes walk from Flinders St Station.
This is similar to Paddys Markets in Sydney, this market has many stalls. One part of it sell food including fish, so beware of the smell!
There are about 5 different galleries here, and the best one is about the
history and stuff of Melbourne itself. Charge $9.90 concession
Web melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au
 |
Look at the coloured painted huts here. Beware of some couples having too much fun if you can hear them! Beside tiny beach of Elmwood Beach
 |
|
 |
There is a small island here where a lot of birds fly around. Relax here and watch them if you like birdwatching
View the Spirit of Tasmania ferry at a distance from here
Go to Mt Dandenong Observatory where you can view the city of Melbourne from here. On a clear day, you would see the tall buildings and perhaps Phillip Island. View Kaloroma Park where there is a water reservoir. No charge
Also, check out the William Ricketts Sanctuary, the man who met many Aboriginals and made many models of them. They are set in a tropical setting with many trees and plants $4.20 concession or over $5 full price
|
|
|
It consists of Crown Casino and it is actually similar to a shopping centre.
The entrance to the complex consists of lovely fountains with coloured lights.
Beware of guys who may get you to join the casino. There is no catch but they
give $4 worth of credit free for gaming machines and $5 worth of free food.
Seeing as there was no catch (apart from putting in $1 to use the $4 credit),
we signed up. If you do not have ID, you will only get a $5 food voucher.
The offer of fish and chips was only $2
Web www.crownltd.com.au
Though I have not stopped here, this town has a lot of university students. Its population is 145,000
This place has a reputation for being one of the most significant places for surf wear as there are many retail outlets and factory shops selling surf and skate clothes. Rip Curl, one of the brand names in surf clothes, started here. You will find a lot of bargains here. Browse around Surfworld, Australia's Surfing Museum here
This was where Point Break was supposed to be filmed here but it never happened. It is one of the best surf beaches. International Surfing Championships are held here
This is one of the most scenic routes in Australia - it extends from Melbourne to Adelaide along the coast for 300 kilometres from Torquay and Warrnambool. This road was built in the 1920s with shovels and picks. Set aside a few days for this and look out for the following
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Gariwerd, as it is known by the Aborigines, is at the southern end of the Great Dividing Range running down the east coast of Australia. The Grampians consist of rugged mountain ranges and good scenery. There are many species of native plants. Waterfalls are numerous here with McKenzie Falls being one: you walk down to the base and stand across from the waterfall. Listen carefully - you may hear the water rush down and also feel the cold air here. There are many walks around the park if you wish to stay for a few days. Halls Gap is a village situated in this park. There is no bank here but there is EFTPOS in the newsagent. Watch out for the kangaroos on one front garden. If you are not walking around the park, you would still see some things when driving around. Go up on one of the winding roads and small waterfalls are spotted on the way. At Reed lookout (The Balconies), there is a lookout of Victoria Valley, and Lake Wartook.
|
|
 |
This park is near the village of Natimuk. Mt Arapiles is famous for its rock climbing which is an optional activity. If you do not want to climb, take a walk up to the summit which is scenic, though the tracks are difficult and dangerous. The scenery viewed from there are Mitre Lake and Mitre Rock. Kangaroos may be spotted here and there is a lot of cockatoos. At the end of the track is Centenary Park. For long walks or drive, take the Major Mitchell Trail around here
|
 |
The oldest inland town in Victoria with just 60 people. Have a drink in the local pub. Gaze at the odd photos and don't be scared by the fake legs hanging out of the ceiling! Talk to the locals if you feel up to it. Exiting the village, there are wooden cutouts of cricket players, kangaroos and people (possibly Vietnam War)
Taste wines for free and buy some wine here in the colourful bar and coffee shop
Take a walk in this forest
Famed for its Penguin Parade, watch the penguins come out of the water at night, one by one, and perhaps catch a glimpse of them falling! At a cost $25, this is very visual. There are no tours around though you may need to be with a group to get a bus there. There is a shop, cafe and an information centre there - learn about the penguins, their lives, habitats and more
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Take a walk taking in the green scenery
|
 |
|
 |
Costing $4, have a look at Aboriginal made items here, and look for a golden tree with its roots all around
|
 |
Go horseriding around Karoonda Park
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | Tas | Vic
