This is our first destination in Australia for the trip. We landed at Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport, is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne. We flew with Air Asia on 29th March and arrived on 30th March, 9:30am. AirAsia Flight cost was RM656 for 2 person one-way – included 2x15kg luggage, Insurance & 2xMeals. Rented a small car for 4 days with Hertz cost AUD$183.82.

Trip in March 2012  |  AUD$1 = RM3.1

Day 1 Melbourne, VIC | 30 March 2012

Since we arrived early, we cannot checking into the hotel yet so we went to St. Kilda Beach. This was our first attraction place we visited. Located in St Kilda, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south from the Melbourne city centre. It is Melbourne’s most famous beach.

After that, we drive to our hotel, City Centre Budget Hotel. Cost us AUD$252 for 3 night stay for Double room with shared bathroom. Its located at 22 Little Collins Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia. Great location, excellent reception! Room was small and not a lot of wardrobe space, but to be expected for the value price! Safe and clean. Plenty of showers and bathroom facilities which is also clean. Wifi signal was also good.

Melbourne’s Chinatown, is an ethnic enclave in the Central Business District of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Centered at the eastern end of Little Bourke Street, it extends between the corners of Swanston and Spring Streets, and consists of laneways, alleys and arcades. We had nice lunch at Vietnam restaurant around there.

We walked around Flinders Station before heading back to hotel to rest. Since we had traveled for 8 hours by airplane from KL, we need some rest before long activity tomorrow. Dinner time we just walked to nearest place to eat.

Day 2 Melbourne, VIC | 31 March 2012

Today’s itineraries are driving to Yarra Valley, Healesville, Dandenong Range & Phillip Island.

We start very early before the car free parking is over. You may click here for On-street parking info in Melbourne. Then we ate breakfast outside from Melbourne centre. Then We stop by at Woolworths to buy some snacks.

The Yarra Valley is the name given to the region surrounding the Yarra River in Victoria, Australia. The river originates approximately 90 kilometres east of the Melbourne central business district and flows towards it and out into Port Phillip Bay.

There are many winery estate around Yarra Valley, you just pick the good one and make a stop for winery tour and wine tasting. We Choose Yering Station, located in the heart of the Yarra Valley an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Yering Station offers an unforgettable wine and food experience. Award-winning wines are complemented by breathtaking views, superb architecture and established gardens to make this a Yarra Valley destination not to be missed.

We also made few stop around Yarra Valley for other vineyard scenery and photographed them.

Next stop was Healesville. Initial plan was visit the Healesville Sanctuary, since we don’t have enough time and rushing to the next destination, we skipped this visit. Anyway, we will be visiting the animals on our next destination in Gold Coast soon. Then, we had our lunch here in Healesville before continue the journey.

On the way to Phillip Island, we decided to stop at Apple Orchard to pick some apples. I can’t remember the name of the orchard. We had a great time because this was my first time picking an apple from the tree. I will not forget this experience.

We also encountered Australian’s cow. First time seeing them, why not we take a selfie.

Finally we arrived Phillip Island in the evening. We make few stop before going to Phillip Island Nature Parks to watch penguin parade at night.

Phillip Island, a popular day trip from Melbourne, lies just off Australia’s southern coast. At Summerland Beach, spectators gather daily at sunset to watch the Penguin Parade, when Little penguins come ashore in groups. The Nobbies outcrop is the viewing site for Seal Rocks, home to a large colony of Australian fur seals.

I aimed for Penguin Parade in Phillip Island Nature Parks. Penguins arrive at sunset every night of the year. You need to checkout their websites to check the penguin arrival time calendar so you can plan your visit.

Unfortunately, no photography is permitted at the Penguin Parade to protect the penguins. We did took few shots without their knowledge after the parade using my small camera. So, the quality of the picture not so good at night. Here, i shared some photos inside the gallery.

After the show, we drive back to our hotel and rest early.

Day 3 Melbourne, VIC | 1 April 2012

Last day in Melbourne, we spent whole day driving to Great Ocean Road. This was the highlight of our Melbourne Trip. Our journey start from Torquay towards Twelve Apostle.

We arrived at Twelve Apostle at sunset. Spent time about an hour there then we quickly drive back to Melbourne city. Overnight then we fly to Hobart, Tasmania on the next morning.

Read on Tasmania journey by clicking the link below.

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HOMEPAGE | TASMANIA | SYDNEY | BRISBANE | AIRLIE BEACH | GOLD COAST