Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road

Hello everyone! Sorry its taken me so long to post, end of the semester assignments due. I'm finally done with classes on the sunny coast and just have finals left! Last weekend I traveled to Melbourne, which is in the state of Victoria, at the South East corner of Australia, with 5 other friends, Jourdan, Nikki, Jess, Ally and Carly.

We left on Friday afternoon and flew out of the Sunshine Coast airport into the Tullamarine airport around 5pm. We got settled into our hostel, which was the nicest one we've stayed at yet! Then after starving ourselves, we walked around St. Kilda (the suburb right outside the city where our hostel was) and found a mexican place to eat. There was no "American" mexican food, it was all authentic and elaborate. Mom, you would be so proud of what I ate!! It was very good and everyone had stuffed bellies. We ended the night early.

Yes, I ate this!! A cheese tostada with spinich, black beans, corn, a  creamy salsa sauce, with a cashew and pineapple guac on top. pretty out there for me!!

Me and Nikki at our hostel

Saturday, we got up early for our Great Ocean Road Tour, basically 200km along the western coast of Victoria that is broken up into 3 parts; the surf coast, the green coast, and the shipwreck coast.  First we passed through Torquay, the surfing capital of Australia. I found out that the surfing companies Rip Curl and Billabong originated here, buy true Aussies. I had no idea they were Australian companies! Torquay is home to Bells Beach, the most popular surf beach in Australia. It was gorgeous and there were so many surfers out there, even though it was cold out.

On the bus, So early!

Bells Beach

We then traveled through Anglesea, a holiday town that suffered a massive bush fire in '89 that spread all the way to Adelaide (which is a 10 hr drive away).  Our next stop was Aireys for morning tea. We got to see the split point light house built in 1898, and stretch our legs a bit. After, we were off to the Memorial Arch and to take a walk to the beach near it. Lorne was the next city, which is also a holiday town, and got to see the great beach there!

Split Point Lighthouse

Where we had our morning tea

Memorial Arch

Lorne

Kennett River Koala Cove was our next stop, and we got to see Koalas in their natural habitat, along with beautiful coloured birds. One even flew on my head! Apollo Bay is where we stopped for lunch. Jess and I found an anchor, finally, and got to pose for our DG sistas! The beach there was gorgeous as well and the day was turning into a beautiful and sunny one. I got to know a girl on our tour named Vicky. She just finished her bachelors degree in Italy, but she is from Germany,and is traveling OZ until september. She was really nice and fun to talk to!

Koala Cove

DG<3

Apollo Bay

Our next stop was Mait's Rest in the Rainforest (clearly on the Green Coast). It was pretty, but looked like the other rainforests we've seen. Finally, we were off to the 12 Apostles (on the shipwreck coast)! There is only 8 left standing, but it was gorgeous. Unfortunately the sun ruined some of the pictures, but it was a perfect setting. Its amazing how water can erode rocks and make something so beautiful.

Pit stop

Rainforest

12 Apostles!

Darn Sun!

Jourdan, Carly, Me, Nikki
Ally and Jess

Our last stop was the Loch Ard Gorge and shipwreck. We couldn't see the ship, because it sank to the bottom, but the gorge was so cool! This was also home to the London Bridge (only made of rocks). Unfortunately in 1990 half of the bridge collapsed, so it doesn't look like a bridge anymore. The sun was setting on a phenomenal day, and we headed back to Melbourne.

Loch Ard Gorge

Yup, I'm on a rock.

Me and Vicky!

Gorgeous view

The bridge used to connect to the rock on the left too

Sunset over the Shipwreck Coast

Sunday was our day to tour the city!! Ally and I got up early and walked through the St. Kilda Botanical Gardens and down near the beach to the arts and crafts markets. Then we had a delicious breakfast and met up with the other girls to head into the city.

My Favourite, from the botanical gardens

A cool victorian house in St Kilda

The theater near the markets

Our first stop was the Melbourne Museum! Unfortunately, the king tut exhibit was sold out, but we got to see the rest of the museum. It was very fun and modern as far as museums go. Fun experience. Then we walked around the city, got to take in the tall buildings. Some are modern, some are victorian, it was a very cool mixture. The city was so much fun and very lively for a Sunday. Then we walked through Chinatown and had dinner at a Chinese restaurant. So good! We had a long and exhausting day. I wish we had one more day to explore, but we did the city justice. It was a very cool city.

The Exhibition Center near the Museum

So fun!

Me, in an ant colony.

Downtown Melbourne!

The Royal Arcade

Loved downtown!

Monday we got up very early for our flight, then it was delayed 2 hours due to fog, but by the time we got back to the Sunny coast we were happy! It was a warm and beautiful day! Overall, we had a very enjoyable and exciting time together in Melbourne!! I'm off to Sydney tomorrow with Nikki and Jess, Finally! Can't wait to tour the city and tell you all about it!

Cheers!