Mount Dandenong
It was a nice Saturday, 3 more days we were going back soon. Mei Earn (my cousin sister) was not working and she’d promised to bring us to the highest point of Melbourne – Mount Dandenong.
Along the way, we passed through Dandenong Ranges National Park where we saw quite a number of mountain climbers. Took us around 30 minutes drive and we reached the middle of mountain. There’d some shops along the street, I could see it was very old and I found out that was built around year 1891.
My cousin took us to this “Miss Marples” which served some English cuisines. It was packed with people and she told me sometimes we have to wait up to hours.
I’d ordered the special set. Can’t remember the name, something like “xxx Sticks” and Lagsania in British style. Taste good!
After our delicious meals, we walked around the areas and checked out some of the shops and most of them were souvenir shops; there were toys shop, sculptures and used book store. Even I and wife become the shopkeepers!! Haha… 
Later on, we continued our journey and it took less than 15 minutes we have reached the top of Mout Dandenong (SkyHigh Mt. Dandenong) . It was 2645 feet above the sea level if I’m not mistaken.
Not far away, you could even see the city in your naked-eye. Please look closely to those building’s blocks; it was the city’s building. I think other day except winter would be much clearer.
“The Giant Chair” - One of the attractions from Mount Dandenong. Look! Both of us look so tiny.
This place was an excellent weekend’s hand-out; it was quiet and peaceful when we stood on the viewing platform to see across the sites. It really suitable for family’s gathering or picnic.
St Kilda
Next day, after our church service in Crossway with my cousin, she again willing to fetch us to St Kilda instead of let us took trains and tram which might take longer. Nevertheless, we knew Sunday was best time due to the Sunday market on the Upper Esplanade.
What was so famous here? The fun fair Luna Park is an institution in Melbourne and its laughing face symbolic of St Kilda.
Not for us, I think we have Sunway Lagoon Park and Genting Themes Parks which much bigger.
Since it was Sunday, there were kids and people screaming in the park; it was the only outdoor
amusement park in Melbourne. I was amazed it was rebuilt many times (at least refurnished more than 5 times); this park established since 1906.
There were some antique trams passing through St Kilda areas. This was one of it, wonder any food served in the trams?
After we visited the park and walked towards Acland Street which was the food precincts. It is also a long-time favorite of Melbournians and tourists alike because of its famous cakes shops. It is now the number one stop for backpackers because of the busy cafes and close proximity to St Kilda’s beaches.
After our food break, we planned to go back to St Kilda beach, first time for us in winter and we were looking at a beautiful beach but without any people, what a waste! I believe summer time would be pack with people here.
It was actually very near to the city, I think less than 10 km. Whole day was windy and exhausted for us when we walked such a long hours outdoor. But we really enjoyed the ethnic building along the beach and the atmosphere of the beach and scenes.
To work on an eInvite for SAA eNewsletter. And launching date is quite close and we need to send out the mailing as soon as possible; nevertheless, was asked to have it with Asian Faces. In the other hand, who will be the best candidate from TMS’s staff (of coz with 0 cost).
With a glance, I need someone who is tall, fair and smart looking. Obviously, George and Huey Ling have them all.
Taking this opportunity to showcase my skills and ideas. Using my 30D and speedlite 430EX without any proper backdrop.
After process the RAW in my CS2 and some simple outline tracing jobs. Here’s go the results…
If anyone interest to be my model, kindly email me at twentyplus@gmail.com
Werribee Open Rage zoo was located outside of Melbourne City. And we were traveled on the way back and passing through princess Highway. The specialty about this zoo, it’s not about zoo only, it was a safari where we able to taste the African adventure.
It cost us AUS22 per person for admission. Tickets included Safari which tours us in a special design bus. We found out that we still had another 45 mins the bus to arrive. So we decided to walk around the zoo.
Some of the craft near the entrance. Design is simple but it was unique.
Even the toilet’s signage was different.
I think we took the wrong way, “How come there were no animals?” we wondered. Opps! We went to Watersmart Garden. From the information board we found out, Melbourne is a city that lack of natural water; their water shortage was the major issue here.
One of the metal works displayed near the Wirribi Yaluk Walk.
When we were walking and enjoying the scenes. The blue sky emerged with the peaceful view.
Another creative sculpture (Orange wiring), can you guess what animal was that? Was a Hippo or Rhinoceros?
We kept walking and seem like the first animal in our mind - African’s lion. It was kind of disappointed because the lions were too far, so I though it was ok, perhaps we could take a close look while we went for safari tours.
Meerkat is one of the common animals in Africa and Australia. I’d seen them mostly in TV especially in “Animals Planet”. Just love to watch them standing and alerting their cave.
After the short walk and it was time to take the safari tours. And we both hoped to see more and wild animals. The bus was special designed with different levels and partitions which you could move left to right easily without disturbing other visitors since the whole role was occupied by you or your family.
Rhinoceros running on the open field freely even with other animals. It was my first time I’ve seen so many of them chasing each other. I hope I could get them closer!.
This was even “closer”!! Haha!.overall we were kind of disappointed coz we didn’t have chances to get closer or touching the animals such as Kangaroo or Koala. I think another dislike point was types of animal were too little (less than 20). I told my wife we still have one more Zoo to visit, Melbourne Zoo.
Follow by our itinerary - visiting Melbourne Zoo. The next day, we took train to Royal Park Station where the Zoo was located right in front of the train station. It was convenience and we don’t worry much about the transportation.
Admission fees were AUS 24 per person. This round we expected something better than Werribee Open Range Zoo. More animals more experiences; once we entered the gate, we straight walked to the Lion’s cage.
Not bad, at least it was much closer! 5-6 feet from where we stood.
One of our expectations, we just hoped to get closer to the animals; especially my wife was looking forward to hold or pet the Koala. “Think of Aussie, think Koala.”
Another big-big disappointment! After we waited and met up the zoo keeper, we realized this protected animal were NOT allowed to be petted or hugged! Ouch! There were 3 reasons you were not supposed to touch them. First, it’s by Victoria’s Government rule, unless its’ another states of Australia. Secondly, it could be shocked by the human and harmful to their appetite. Thirdly, koala has very shape tack and might accidentally scratch our hands or face. So, it was prohibited to get close to them.
Nevertheless, continue our tour and we found something had stunned us. There was an elephant’s corner had decorated in Thai streamer, it amazed me when I came to this huge building with 10-12 height of glasses. What was inside there? Wow! I felt this giant “room” is huge and they really built comfortably for this animal.
One of the endangered animals - silverback WHITE gorilla. Easily weight 300kg.
Meerkat in action again. What an innocent look!
Finally, we experienced the touch to Kangaroo. There were 2 different species in Australia; this one with smaller body and softer character, and not defensive which allowed people to pet them.
This was another extraordinary animal - Tree Kangaroo. The look and shape is similar, but size was much smaller and it doesn’t jump, it climbed.
Even we found Orang-Utan in Melbourne Zoo; the incubator was exceptional, there were comfort viewing area for visitor and informative plasma TV plus large piece of window to see them closely.
If we compared to Singapore zoo (10/10), we rated Melbourne Zoo with 7 points out of 10. Personally, they should had reduced the admission fees and encourage local or foreigner visitor to visit the zoo.
Soon or later, me and my wife could be the world zoo’s critics. haha… 
My priority for the entire trip was to visit one of the most beautiful nature park - The Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria.
Early in the morning 6am, we had to wake up early and catch the train to the city and picked up our rental car from Budget Car Rental. Once all procedures have done and quickly went to the parking basement to look for our new 2.0 Hyundai Elantra.
Thanks to my cousin who borrowed her GPS, it was 98% accurate that compared to mine which used in Malaysia.
With my earlier planned, I decided to drop by the nearest town - Geelong which take about 1 hour drive from Melbourne CBD. We bought some snacks, drinking water and lunch before continue our journey.
After Geelong, we were heading to Princess Highway, both side of the highway - we were amazed by the landscape, on the left side it was flat and wide, so flat that you couldn’t see at the end; on the other side it was hills with trees; finally we stopped and took some pictures, some truck driver even gave us a signal to welcome us!
Each time we stopped and taking photos, we had to make it fast. Since the places we stopped were flat and wide open, we won’t escape from the strong and cold wind blowing towards us. 
While traveled on the highway, we saw a lot of farms, sheep, horses and even animal that I’d never seen before.
After 2 hours drive, finally we had turned out from Princess Hwy and heading to a small town call Birregurra. This was the main street with less than 10 shops. We didn’t stop long coz there was still some distance to go.
On Forest road, whether it’s a highway or none-highway, their road’s condition is still maintained well. Right now we were heading south to Apollo Bay, it was cloudy and windy, but we just couldn’t irritable and make a few stops to take a good view of the scenery.
Prickly, we stopped more than 4-5 times. Though of not be using back the same way to city and decided not to miss those chances to take those wonderful shots.
Please click here to view more photos. Even took photos in the middle of road. You could see road covered by trees - Forest Road. It also a famous places to be visited, top 10 list in visitvictoria.com.
Finally, we reached Great Ocean road, it was trees and mountains just now; right now we see beach and sea. Right turn to Apollo Bay and it took only 5 minutes.
About 11.30am we reached Pisces Holiday Park and this was the Ensuite Cabin that I booked. I took the $70/night cabin comes with one master bed, 2 small beds, small little kitchen and toilet with hot water. From outside you might though it was too small but you surprised it were equipped and clean, definitely worth the money for a night stay.
Nice view from outside of our cabin. Look closely, there were parrots finding food on the grassland. It has a pinky head with grey body.
After we had lunch and quick break, we were heading to Twelve Apostles from Apollo Bay, although it was about 70km drive but it took us 2 hours to drive there. The road is exactly like driving up to Cameron Highlands. Up and down the hill and I have to drive carefully especially the road was wet.
About 2.45pm, I knew it getting dark by 5pm. And we were so excited once we saw the road sign - “12 Apostles”. There were helicopters on the sky and we knew we were about there, and many buses and vans are all around. Opposite the road was place to park our car.
The front entrance while we walked from car park.
Twelve Apostles - the greatest natural attraction.
However, weather was quite bad, wind was strong and rain was about to come, but that didn’t stop us walked around the viewing platform and taking photos. We were so tired and exhausted; there were different boardwalks and viewing areas.
Cliffs, caves were so impressive. And we felt we were so tiny standing on top of the cliffs.
One of the Apostles on my hand…. hehe…
This was taken from another site of sea view; we discovered it had great scenery too.
We spent around 1 hour plus before heading back to Apollo bay. Another 2 hours drive and we knew we got to stop somewhere to have our dinner. We decided stop by Lavers Hill where the junction we passed through earlier. Yes, it was right on top of the mountains and the place look like Fraser hill. (Didn’t take photos coz it was raining and dark.)
When we reached our cabin is about 7pm and we had a good rest and I had slept more than 11 hours. I was so tired coz I had never driven so many hours in one day. The next day, we were using the way along the beach. Each time we’d used a new route, we discovered more spectacular scenes.
Sunrise brought us perfect and stunning view when we were driving in the morning.
Great Ocean Road - the road captured your heart.
Australia weather was unpredictable. It was bright and shines in an hour ago.
However, we took a slow drive towards city, decided to drop by Werribee Open Zoo & Nature Park.
Stay tune for more.
What a wonderful weather after the morning’s rain, it was not too cold while we walking around the city. So, we decided take a short tour from Flinders station then Federation Square to Yarra River.
After we crossed the river, we reached Southbank Promenade where you can see people walking along the river bank. And my “gang” too – cyclist! Yes, you found cyclists in the morning and evening; it’s so common to see them everywhere in the city. I wish I can do that… but too cold to ride in winter.
Street trick were trying to sell their ideas. Kids love it and parent were busy too!
After a long walk, it’s about 12pm, there’s a food court called – “SouthGate Food Court” near Southgate Promenade. You won’t miss it coz it’s just right in front the Yarra River. We went in and it was crowded due to Saturday.
So we decided to try some local food (no more Chinese food or Asian food). Heard pizza was good in Ozzy, let’s try – “BIG”. We both love it, it cost us about AUS7 for half piece of pzza but it was big – as the shop’s name!
Spend about one and half hour sitting in the food court, you wouldn’t feel bored coz it was nice view looking out from the building and you wouldn’t want to go out, it was warmed inside of coz. Even the birds prefer to take a break here with us.
After the warm pizza, we were heading further to fleet market near art center. And we saw more of this street trick. I think people like to spend time, especially kids love it.
There were some fleet market stalls located under the “Princess Bridge”.
Took a photo near “The Arts Center”.
The building of “National Gallery of Victoria”.
While we were inside the building, we didn’t tour around the art gallery since we don’t have much time to spend in the city. We walked to this books and souvenirs section. And secretly took some photos.
One thing I realized that books were not expensive IF you are earning Ozzy dollar. I found some nice hard cover book was around AUS30. In Malaysia, easily RM150 and above!
Time around 2pm, we decided to walk along Swanston Street where souvenir shops for tourists.
Across the street and there’s a lot of old but Nice building along this street.
Entrance of China Town.
Trams and taxi are both busy moving at the same time. (While I was crossing the road)
Around 3pm in the afternoon, the sky started “dimming”! So, we’d to quickly walk toward Melbourne Square which not far away.
This is one of the land marks of Melbourne Square. By 4.45pm, we could see the sky was getting darker.
After we have done our shopping, we took a tram back to the station, tried not to miss the evening’s scenes. Again, stood above the Princess Bridge and looking at the sunset, Yarra River and the city of Melbourne.
Please click here to see more photos from Creadaq.com
I have dreamed to visit this biggest “island” since I was 18 years old. It is a beautiful country especially during winter. At last, I had this opportunity due to my wife’s works related trip to Sydney.
Since most of my cousins and relative, friends who stayed in this city - Melbourne. So we have planned most of the trip and places to visit around Melbourne.
Arriving at Melbourne Airport around 6.30am, immigration is very tight due to illegal migrant. However, everything went smoothly and managed to go through every step. While stepping out the airport, I had felt the cold weather – yeah! Temperature shown 12°C … nice and I smelt the winter. You could easily get a bus just right outside the arrival hall - Skybus express from airport to City, it took 20 minutes to reach Southern Cross Station where all the main station for Buses and train to various area. Love the public transport, it was so comfort.
Now, waiting for train to Glen Waverley - my cousin place. This is where I’d taken while waiting for the train in the morning, I think she is buying her breakfast.
It was raining and windy, that’s the cooler when the wind is blowing to your face.
After reached my cousin house and time to head back to city, my uncle brought us to this Chinese restaurant, due to my uncle’s prefer choice… I had to follow him and hope the meal is good. Surprised when I saw the price tag on the restaurant’s display-board. AUS8.50 for one Roti Canai. And even Chaoy-Kuey-Teow also about AUS9.00. It’s about RM27 for one plate of noodle. Although it’s expensive but portion was huge, enough for 2 persons.
After lunch, we were heading to City. This was taken right in front of Federation Square or beside Flinders Station.
The symbols of winter.
Found this huge transparent plate displaying the statistics about different country’s migrant to Australia near Southbank or Yarra River. And you could see how many Malaysian migrated to Australia or in state of Victoria.
