"The Balconies" (formerly known as "The Jaws of Death")
Gibson Steps The Twelve Apostles Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell National Park The Razorback The Arch London Bridge (what's left of it anyway) The Grotto Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve Grampians National Park "The Balconies" (formerly known as "The Jaws of Death") Reids Lookout Spotting wildlife: Australian fairy-wren, koala, and echidna Mackenzie Falls
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Crows and Tigers fans took to the street in anticipation of the parade. As others flocked to Melbourne for the Grand Final, we headed out for the Great Ocean Road, including this stretch along Lorne. Australia's coasts boast beautiful beaches like the ones at Apollo Bay. Maits Rest rainforest boardwalk incl. Mt. Ash, the tallest flowering tree. Cape Otway Lighthouse Creepy sculptures at Qdos sculpture and art gallery At Cape Otway, we finally spotted some koalas!!!
We had the full day to explore and enjoy Melbourne using the free downtown trams. We were really impressed by the Shrine of Remembrance. We also walked through the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the Fitzroy Gardens. We spent some time near the Melbourne Cricket Ground watching the excited footy fans preparing for the Grand Final. We saw St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Docklands area. We also visited Starbucks twice, enjoying still having gift cards.
We flew to Melbourne and were very pleased with the Atlantis Hotel. Saint Paul's Cathedral Scots' Church welcomes AFL fans / Chinatown The Block Arcade Hosier Lane
Richardsons Beach and the Hazards Honeymoon Bay, Australia Wineglass Bay Views to Coles Bay over Great Oyster Bay and to Wineglass Bay Mayfield Beach Orford: for the second time in three nights, we enjoyed the high performance of a wifi dongle in "Ken's Trailer". Shelley Beach Spring Beach
Today's main attraction was "The Gardens" at the Bay of Fires. We also visited Binalong Bay. Along the way we saw "Sloop Rock" and Taylors Beach.
Our drive to the ferry unexpectedly included 23 kilometres of unpaved roads where the speed limit was still 80 km/hr! Upon arriving at Maria Island, we immediately set out on the Fossil Cliff Circuit. Just minutes into our hike, we delightedly realized that the fields we were walking through were filled with Forester Kangaroos! The Fossil Quarry has preserved fossilized shells and provides views of the Bishop & Clerk peaks. We saw both Common and Flinders Island Wombats, but aren't sure of the difference between the cute, but apparently not so cuddly, critters. We saw the Tasmanian Pademelon (a variety of wallaby or small kangaroo), plenty of Cape Barren Geese, and Tasmanian Hens, but not the nocturnal Tasmanian Devils which have been introduced to the island in order to isolate them from disease. The tiny former convict settlement of Darlington is on Darlington Bay. We then walked along Hopground Beach to the famous Painted Cliffs.
We had an early morning start and some difficulty finding the rental car drop-off prior to our 6 am flight to Tasmania. Our first stop was the Port Arthur Historic Site, a former prison settlement that is now an open-air museum. We then drove to see the beaches of Taranna. Our residence for the night was "Skippers" studio at "Abs by the Bay".
We enjoyed the scenery along the route to Westmeadows (a Melbourne suburb), especially the Woodshed Falls. Our airbnb hosts allowed us to join them while walking their dog in order for us to see dozens of kangaroos at dusk. Afterwards, I joined them for a few beers while watching the Adelaide Crows advance to the AFL Grand Final in convincing fashion on their 80 inch monster television.
The War Memorial atop Albury's Monument Hill Albury Botanic Garden Dean Street looking back at Monument Hill Our airbnb accommodation and the Murray River Walk
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