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Melbourne, Grampians, and the Great Ocean Road

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In and Around Sydney

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After heading up to Victoria from Tasmania, we took some time to explore Melbourne while staying with Jen's primary school friend Annie and her husband Chiang. Besides visiting the zoo, Central Business District, and other Melbourne attractions, we had a great dining experience in pitch black, caught up with more friends and relatives, and explored some of Melbourne's other neighbourhoods. We also rented a car and went on a small road trip to the Grampians where we did some hiking and checked out some great viewpoints, and then popped down to the well-trodden Great Ocean Road to take in the coastal sights and scenery.

Beautiful butterflies abound at the Melbourne Zoo.
Beautiful butterflies abound at the Melbourne Zoo.
One of the many species of birds who make their home at the zoo, right in the city.
One of the many species of birds who make their home at the zoo, right in the city.
Our first koala sighting, yes, at the zoo, but still fun to see nonetheless.
Our first koala sighting, yes, at the zoo, but still fun to see nonetheless.
The koala bear is a pretty cute looking marsupial, all things considered.
The koala bear is a pretty cute looking marsupial, all things considered.
We saw another platypus, and marvelled again at its unique features, like its duck's bill and webbed, clawed feet.
We saw another platypus, and marvelled again at its unique features, like its duck's bill and webbed, clawed feet.
Ring-tailed lemurs were also on display, here huddling together for warmth.
Ring-tailed lemurs were also on display, here huddling together for warmth.
In Chinatown, we bought some BBQ duck to bring home for dinner one day.
In Chinatown, we bought some BBQ duck to bring home for dinner one day.
We caught a show in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Black and Tran was the name of the hilarious performance we saw.
We caught a show in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Black and Tran was the name of the hilarious performance we saw.
Famous Flinders Street Station in the Central Business District of Melbourne.  One of the City Circle trams can also be seen on the right.
Famous Flinders Street Station in the Central Business District of Melbourne. One of the City Circle trams can also be seen on the right.
We couldn't help but do the typical tourist thing by snapping a giant picture of ourselves in Federation Square.
We couldn't help but do the typical tourist thing by snapping a giant picture of ourselves in Federation Square.
Federation Square is home to some controversial modern architecture.
Federation Square is home to some controversial modern architecture.
One of Melbourne's famous landmarks, the Victorian Arts Center spire.
One of Melbourne's famous landmarks, the Victorian Arts Center spire.
We had a pleasant walk along Melbourne's Southbank Arts and Leisure Precinct.
We had a pleasant walk along Melbourne's Southbank Arts and Leisure Precinct.
Crowded Victoria Market on Saturday morning, where everything can be found from fish to boomerangs to fruit.
Crowded Victoria Market on Saturday morning, where everything can be found from fish to boomerangs to fruit.
There was plenty of fresh seafood available, as well as fresh meat and produce.
There was plenty of fresh seafood available, as well as fresh meat and produce.
Another section of the Victoria Market had all kinds of specialty stores like this Dips and Antipasto shop...
Another section of the Victoria Market had all kinds of specialty stores like this Dips and Antipasto shop...
... and this specialty meats and sauces store.
... and this specialty meats and sauces store.
Some of the unique architecture of historic Nelson Place, Willamstown.
Some of the unique architecture of historic Nelson Place, Willamstown.
The city of Melbourne can be seen from Jem Pier.
The city of Melbourne can be seen from Jem Pier.
The city center is full of interesting walking malls and alleyways full of cafes.
The city center is full of interesting walking malls and alleyways full of cafes.
The view from Baraka Viewpoint overlooking Halls Gap in the central Grampians.
The view from Baraka Viewpoint overlooking Halls Gap in the central Grampians.
We had the famous Balconies all to ourselves, even though it was almost Easter Weekend.
We had the famous Balconies all to ourselves, even though it was almost Easter Weekend.
Winston kind of snuck past the barrier to get a closer look at the Balconies.  Oops.
Winston kind of snuck past the barrier to get a closer look at the Balconies. Oops.
There were all kinds of interesting rock formations around the Grampians, about three hours west of Melbourne.
There were all kinds of interesting rock formations around the Grampians, about three hours west of Melbourne.
Even though there was relatively little water, Mckenzie Falls was still quite attractive.
Even though there was relatively little water, Mckenzie Falls was still quite attractive.
Posing in front of Mckenzie Falls.
Posing in front of Mckenzie Falls.
Jen laughing at something while taking a break to admire the view.
Jen laughing at something while taking a break to admire the view.
There were many interesting rock formations near the top of the hike to the Pinnacle.
There were many interesting rock formations near the top of the hike to the Pinnacle.
Winston looks over the edge of the cliff at the Pinnacle, a spectacular lookout point on the end of a rock outcrop.
Winston looks over the edge of the cliff at the Pinnacle, a spectacular lookout point on the end of a rock outcrop.
The Pinnacle was a fantastic place to survey the surrounding scenery and the valley below.
The Pinnacle was a fantastic place to survey the surrounding scenery and the valley below.
Jen takes a break to view the valley below against a solid blue sky.
Jen takes a break to view the valley below against a solid blue sky.
Leaving the Grampians in the afternoon to head south, we quickly enter flat farmland.
Leaving the Grampians in the afternoon to head south, we quickly enter flat farmland.
The lighthouse at Port Fairy welcomes the morning sun at the beginning of our Great Ocean Road drive.
The lighthouse at Port Fairy welcomes the morning sun at the beginning of our Great Ocean Road drive.
The rock formation called the London Bridge was once connected to the mainland just a few years ago.
The rock formation called the London Bridge was once connected to the mainland just a few years ago.
The Arch is one of the attractions along the coast of Port Campbell National Park.
The Arch is one of the attractions along the coast of Port Campbell National Park.
This stretch of land was called the Shipwreck Coast for the simple reason that many ships were lost here in rough seas.
This stretch of land was called the Shipwreck Coast for the simple reason that many ships were lost here in rough seas.
These limestone formations are carved by years of tidal action and wind.
These limestone formations are carved by years of tidal action and wind.
The famous Twelve Apostles, of which there are only ten left.  Every tourist to Great Ocean Road probably has this shot.
The famous Twelve Apostles, of which there are only ten left. Every tourist to Great Ocean Road probably has this shot.
The rock formations reminded us of the similar formations off the Oregon Coast.
The rock formations reminded us of the similar formations off the Oregon Coast.
We spotted a few wild koalas munching on eucalyptus leaves along the way.
We spotted a few wild koalas munching on eucalyptus leaves along the way.
Great Ocean Road was fun to drive with its winding route and fantastic scenery.
Great Ocean Road was fun to drive with its winding route and fantastic scenery.
We stopped briefly at Bell's Beach to check out the surfing scene.
We stopped briefly at Bell's Beach to check out the surfing scene.
The surfing World Championship Tournament, Ripcurl Pro, was happening while we were there.
The surfing World Championship Tournament, Ripcurl Pro, was happening while we were there.
The crowds were gone and the sun was setting, but there were a few die-hard surfers in the water.
The crowds were gone and the sun was setting, but there were a few die-hard surfers in the water.
We watched these incredibly talented surfers get in a few practice runs before evening fell.
We watched these incredibly talented surfers get in a few practice runs before evening fell.


Click these thumbnails to see some of the friends we met up with in Sydney:


With Annie and Chiang, who we stayed with while visiting Melbourne.

Caroline is also Jen's friend since age ten, here at the Twelve Apostles.

We met up with Jen's 'aunt' Adeline, in Melbourne before leaving Australia.
   
     
     
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