After two years of 'isolation' in Tasmania, we finally set out for five weeks on the mainland. We left the house, and the girls, in the capable hands of three young ladies from Victoria who are doing their Masters in Occupational Therapy.
Following a smooth and uneventful sail on the Spirit of Tasmania, we arrived in Melbourne for four nights. That night we caught a tram up to famous Lygon Street and dined at the wonderful Il Gambera Italian restaurant.
Since we hadn't visited Geelong in many years we took a train from Southern Cross Station. We walked through the city - which is larger in population than Hobart - and wandered along the impressive foreshore, lunching on calamari at Wharf Shed restaurant.
Johnstone Park
Some of the many fun sculptures that grace the foreshore
Wharf Shed Restaurant
No matter how many times we visit Melbourne, we always find something new, something old or even something forgotten, to see. This trip was no exception.
The next morning we caught a tram up Collins Street to Spring Street and then walked through the glorious Fitzroy Gardens. It was a beautiful day and the rainbow lorikeets were out in numbers. We first navigated our way under hanging devils ivy in the humid Conservatory with its colourful tropical plants, past iconic Captain Cook's Cottage to the Model Tudor Village and the amazing Faerie Tree. I commented on the amount of work required to keep the gardens looking so pristine.
Conservatory
Model Tudor Village
Faerie Tree
We then wandered back through the Treasury Gardens with its duck ponds and memorial to those emergency services workers who have lost their lives in service to the people of Victoria. A fitting way to spend Good Friday.
Memorial walk listing the names of fallen emergency service workers over the decades.
That night we attended the first of two footy matches at AAMI Park. The first was rugby union, and Jim's beloved Queensland Reds triumphed over the local Melbourne Rebels, but only just. We enjoyed the game, and so did the seagulls...
It was 10.30pm by the time we reached the hotel following a 4km round walk. Swanston Street was alive with colour, people and music.
On our last day in Melbourne we did a spot of retail therapy around the CBD, and then again the 4km round walking trip to AAMI Park. This time we saw Penny's triumphant Melbourne Storm beat the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. Wonderful game.
We left early the next morning for our 300+ km drive to Holbrook in NSW via Glenrowan, the town famous for Ned Kelly's last stand. At Holbrook we checked into our motel and then went off to the local RSL club for a drink and delicious dinner.
Bathurst was our next stop, again just for a night, and who'd have thought there would be dinosaurs in Bathurst? Well, the following morning we discovered the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. This impressive museum is home to the internationally renowned Somerville Collection and is housed in the old 1874 public school building.
Warren Somerville AM holds five degrees, was a part-time university lecturer from more than 20 years and a full-time TAFE teacher for more than 25 years. He discovered his first fossil before the age of 10 and has been collecting specimens from around the world for 60 years.
Part of the fantastic display of minerals featuring some of the finest and rarest examples from around the world. Highlights include minerals from over 100 Australian mine sites, 2000 million year old garnets as well as diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds.
10.5 metre long, 4 metre high Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton
Part of Australia's largest collection of fossils in amber
Prehistoric trilobite
Penny patting one of the 'pet' carnivores...
From Bathurst we made our way north, looking forward to a three-night stay at Harrigan's in the Hunter Valley.
