The first couple of days I was in a shock as the weather was a lot colder and it was so strange to be back in a Westernised country. While staying at my friend Sylvia and her family including dog Pebbles I could get warm and enjoy a homely environment. It took me a while to get used to the cold and all the external impulses; lovely coffees, home-made meals, rye bread with cheese, wine, Indian food and visits to the pub. I spend my days exploring Melbourne -which was busy with the film festival so I watched an Indonesian movie called; ATAMBUA 39celcius -, had some long walks with Pebbles, cooked meals and went with Sylvia out for some dinner parties.
After a couple of days I started a 3 day trip to the Great Ocean Road and Grampians National Park. The trip was with a mini-van with some other travellers from Austria, Germany, UK, Brazil, Spain, Korea, Ireland and UK and our driver/guide Campbell.
On day 1 we left sunny Melbourne to make our way as soon as possible to The Great Ocean Road but we had a coffee and biscuits break at Addis beach. The stunning views were a taster for more at Angelsea, Fairway and the beautiful Lorne. By lunchtime we stopped at Kennett River to spot wild Koalas who were luckily awake and eating their lunch too. Unfortunately, the rain came in so the views were overcast by clouds and I had to dress in full waterproof gear to stay dry for our rainforest walk in Otways Rainforest. Our lunch stop at Apollo Beach was already interrupted by the rain which meant we had to eat our sandwiches in the car park instead of on the lovely beach.
In the afternoon we went to the famous 12 Apostles the area was very crowded by that time which took a bit the limelight from the whole experience. I thought the Lord Arch Gorge and London Bridge are more impressive even with the rain and storm. At sunset we arrived in Warrnambool where we would stay the night, dinner was a fish and chips take away and a glass of red wine to stay warm.
Day two was unfortunately a wet start and it would stay like that for the rest of the day. We went to Logan’s Beach to spot some Southern Right whales; we did see them floating in the water but they refused to jump up for a play so we had to be satisfied with the dark spots in the water.
We left them for some views at Tower Hill National Park, Mount Rouse and Halls Gap. Before sunset and the Aussie BBQ we had a walk to The Pinnacle in the Grampions National Park. We helped to prepare the BBQ with kangaroo meat which we had to eat indoors due to the weather at Ned’s Beds.
Day 3 which was our last day started with rain so we visited the Aboriginal Culture Centre followed by a very wet visit to Mc Kenzie Falls which are magnificent even in the pouring rain.
We dropped most of the group off by lunchtime as they were catching another bus to Adelaide which left only four of us to return to Melbourne. But before we hit the highway we went to a winery for some wine tasting.
This trip was a nice taster for what the Great Ocean Road has to offer and I like to visit again only with my own transportation and in Spring or Summer to see the area in a warmer climate and with sun!
My remaining days in Melbourne I spend with The Greene family (David, Diane and Lucy) they kindly put me up and offered their comfortable sofa with a massive tv (and movies). I was lucky to have sunny days which I spend in the sun, visiting Victoria market, walk along a lake, meet some of their friends and go for local meals. It was lovely to have a couple of days with them and enjoying David’s homemade food, play with the guinua pigs and watch movies from my sofa bed.
I was totally relaxed and all my clothes were washed when I arrived in Sydney where I would stay in trendy Surry Hills with my Dutch friends Leonne and Ed. Their flat is very centrally located and the weather was very warm for the time of the year so I was very lucky to do outdoor my activities. I had lunch with Pamela at the terrace of the MCA; enjoyed a tour behind the scenes of the Royal Opera house; went with Rob by boat to Mainly for a walk and fish and chips; had an El Chalten reunion with Veronica, David, Leonne and Ed in Surry Hills; spend a night out and day to the South Head peninsula with Eddy, Francis and dog Ella. On top of that I visited some touristy attractions too like; Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park, Museum of Sydney and buy a souvenir.
After almost 3 weeks chilling and meeting up with many friends in Australia I was ready for my next country and adventure: New Zealand.
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| Sylvia and gang |
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| Great Ocean Road |
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| London Bridge |
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| Wine tasting with Gabriella |
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| Leonne and Ed |
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| Veronica and Dave |
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| Francis and Eddy |
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