Saturday, August 17, 2013

Australia - Melbourne and Perth

Finally, is a dream came true for me...Flying to Australia had always been my dream..ever since 2010, and i finally managed to pin this continent.

Day 1 - Melbourne
On 7 Aug, i decided to take advantage of the long weekend and travel to Australia. Left Singapore at about 3.30pm via Perth. From Perth, transit for 3 hours before taking off to Melbourne. Finally reached Melbourne on 8 Aug 6am (Singapore 4am).It was freezing the moment i got off the plane. it was 3 degree. Gotten the car and drove up to High Point mall to get my belt, get lunch and then head back to the apartment at around 2pm, and sleep for 3 hours. Went to City for dinner and Crown casino to try our luck. In the end, Andrea lost AUD 100, Justin won AUD 90 while i won AUD 15...lol..what a night to end with.

High Point Shopping Mall

Night view of Melbourne city


Day 2 - Woke up feeling very grumpy due to lack of sleep since i didnt slept well on the previous night. A very bad start of the day feeling grumpy and tired.Went to this small alley for breakfast before heading to Eureka 88th floor to have a panorama view of the whole Melbourne city. Afterwhich, went to the war memorial park and Melbourne museum to see the dinosaurs. Initially, i was hestitated to visit the museum since i am not a culturally-rich person. BUT, i highly recommend to go to this museum because they have alot of exhibitions. From dinosaur, to science, to gems, to history of Melbourne, to human body..is very interesting and can really spent half a day there. The day end with a smile when we headed to chinese restuarant to have dumplings and noodles.

Alley for breakfast

Melbourne day view




View from 88th floor






War memorial park

Walking with dinosaurs





Day 3 -  Woke up at 8am and headed to Puffing Billy to catch the steam train. We managed to catch the 10.30am train and it takes an hour to go up to Lakeside (Emerald lake park). It was cold and miserable there. Raining the whole time i was there. Shivering when i was there and spent an hour there before heading back to the start. Went to Olinda for lunch and explore this town.

Steam train


Lakeside





Olinda


Day 4 - Begin our journey to Great Ocean road. Went to  Apollo Bay for breakfast. Went to alot of nature parks, waterfalls and light house. The highlight of the day was the 12 Apostles Victoria. Amazing(amazeball!!) and breathtaking view. The limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, a place worth visiting. While driving, saw alot of wild life animals like cows, koala bears, kangaroo and sheeps...just like going to the zoo. lol. Spent a night at Apollo Bay.




Spilt point light house




Great Ocean road

Waterfall









Apostle








Day 5 - Continue the tour around the reserves and national park. Went for tree top walk at Otway. Exploring the different types of tress and natural reserves. 2 hours drive back to Melbourne. Had Thai for dinner before heading to airport and catch our night flight to Perth. Spending the whole day there before heading to airport again to return to Singapore. It was really a great trip and experience in Australia. I already made up my mind that i want to explore other cities like Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane in the future with that special person.

Koala caught striving

Another park with great ocean view









Tree top



 Day 6 - Reach Perth at about 12.30am due to the flight delayed and strong wind. Went to Avis to pick up the car and drove straight to the hotel and sleep. Woke up at about 10am and begin our day at Perth. We only have 1 day in Perth. Went to Fremantle. Visied the prison, Mint museum (where they showcast how the gold was formed) and around the vicinity.
Rental car in Perth


Perth city view

Fremantle, Perth


Mint museum




Best fish and chips in town with sea gulls




Prison break