Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Trip to see the Apostles during Great Ocean Road holidays

This article first appeared in Trip to see the Apostles during Great Ocean Road holidays



apostles in Port Campbell, great ocean roadThis
is an experience never to be missed. You would agree, the magnificent
Apostles visible via Great Ocean Road just 12 kilometers east of Port
Campbell to be one of nature’s spectacular creations.  If travelling
from Melbourne, head west towards Geelong and then take the well sign
posted directions to Torque or Great Ocean Road. On a bright sunny day
the drive along Great Ocean Road on the frill of Victoria’s south coast
is a spectacular journey which takes you past the surf beaches in Torque
and pretty coastal suburbs such as Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay.




The journey is so picturesque that you just can’t help but stopping
at some of the lookout spots on the way to take photos of the
spectacular scenery to reminisce at a later date. From Melbourne the
journey will take over 4.5 hours, so leave mid morning to arrive in Port
Campbell Apostles lookout point around mid afternoon to witness the
Apostles during sunset.




We took the journey from Melbourne at a comfortable pace and decided
to stop at several look out points as well as in pretty Apollo Bay. The
holiday resort suburbs along Great Ocean Road are geared for tourists
with plenty of great ocean road holiday rentals and superb cafes and
restaurants for you to have a meal when you decide to break journey.




As I mentioned we arrived mid afternoon at the lookout point. There
is plenty of parking for visitors. We parked the vehicle and walked
towards the lookout point. What an amazing sight! The limestone cliff
edge and the giant Apostles scattered in the ocean are clearly visible
from the lookout point. We remained here for a couple of hours soaking
in the spectacular limestone formations and then headed a kilometre or
so further east towards the The Loch Ard Gorge. When you are here, take the steps which take you to the beach area of the gorge. Once again the scenery befoThe Loch Ard Gorgein great ocean road near apostlesre
your eyes is magical, and you will be able to have a closer look at
limestone formations in the caves which consist of both icicles and
isotopes.




You may decide to stay in a coastal resort in Great ocean road for
the night so that you will be able to look around the pretty townships
in this region the following day. If you decide to do so, great ocean road holiday rentals
including holiday rentals in Torquay, holiday rentals in Lorne, Holiday
homes in Apollo bay or motels in Anglesea can be booked here. Online bookings are also available via this link (select Victoria as the state and Great Ocean Road as the region for your search).




Those who want to head back to Melbourne taking a quicker route could
opt to come back via Princess Highway where the journey is just over
2.5 hours.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Delightful Fairy Penguin Parade While Holidaying in Phillip Island

The article first appeared in Delightful Fairy Penguin Parade While Holidaying in Phillip Island



species of penguins around the world, penguin information phillip islandA
comfortable 1.5 hour drive south of Melbourne will bring you to Phillip
Island a destination which is popular among tourists who flock here
each afternoon to watch the Fairy Penguin Parade. The non for profit
organization which promotes this attraction has converted the area to a
safe habitat for these penguins to live, build their nests, breed and
bring up their off spring.




If you are planning to witness the penguins arrive back into shore
and parade back to their nests, make sure you arrive here well before
dusk. Even if you arrive early, the information centre provides plenty
of great insight into the living habits of penguins and the species of
penguins scattered around the world. There is a cafeteria for you to get
a bite or a drink as well as a souvenir shop for you to collect
something for you to take back home. Every cent you spend here helps us
to protect and ensure the safe breeding of Fairy Penguins, the species
only found in Australia.




If you arrive in Phillip Island around 3pm, you could also visit the
nearby chocolate factory, take a tour of the chocolate making process
and even make your own delicious blend of chocolates.




We took our seats in the Penguin observation area around 5.45pm and
waited eagerly. You are at the southern tip of Victoria and the icy cold
winds can get you if not rugged up well. So even during summer months
you need to be ready for a cold spell of winds from the south.


Beach in Phillip Island, by ozeholsThe
experience was well worth the wait. Around 6.45 the sun set welcomed
the arrival of the first little penguin. This solitary penguin appeared
out of water, took a few steps towards the shore and kept looking around
for it’s friends. There were none to be seen so it dived back into the
water. It was such a cute sight. The numbers arriving onshore increased
gradually, and groups of 5 – 20 paraded across the sand to their
burrows. Obviously these cute creatures believe in parading in groups
and take the same path which they used to cross the sand during the
early morning journey into the sea to find food for themselves and the
young ones back home. You will be able to spend hours watching these
penguins parading and you can also observe them at close proximity.
These fairy penguins repeat their habitual journey day after day without
a break which makes it a wonderful attraction for you to enjoy any time
of the year.




If you plan to stay in Phillip Island there are Phillip Island holiday houses or caravan parks in Phillip Island available for you. Online bookings are also possible via this link. Ensure you select Victoria as the state and Phillip Island as the region for your search.


Thursday, October 8, 2015

Explore Melbourne City | Visit St.Kilda Beach

Information first appeared in Explore Melbourne City | Visit St.Kilda Beach



flinders street station in melbourne cityIt
is not a secret that cosmopolitan Victoria is a great place to be on
holidays. So we decided to explore the known attractions in Victoria.
The road trip from Sydney began around 8.30am on a mid week school
holiday. During this drive we were keen to explore the beautiful east
coast of New South Wales too. Hence decided to take the Princess Hwy,
the ocean route. The drive took us past spectacular scenery and
beautiful townships such as Wollongong, Kiama, Milton, Mollymook,
Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Tilba Tilba and Bega.  We stopped in pretty
Tilba Tilba and Bega to enjoy some cheese tasting as well as to delight
our taste buds with the delicious chocolate fudge.




We travelled circa 500km before breaking journey in beautiful Eden
very close to the New South Wales and Victorian border. Eden is a
coastal township with pretty bays and pretty scenery. Since we arrived
late afternoon, the city centre was rather quiet. The tourists arriving
at Eden will definitely enjoy the Killer Whale museum and even be able
to watch whales at the lookout point during the migration season from
August to November. There are several Eden accommodation
and places to spend the night while in Eden, but maybe you may prefer
to stay in neighbouring coastal suburbs such as Merimbula or Pambula
just a few kilometres north of Eden.




After a relaxing night in Eden, we set on our way to Melbourne, once
again via Princess Highway. The journey from Eden to Melbourne via this
route is about 560km. We took a break in Lakes Entrance and Metung in
East Gippsland coastal area of Victoria to soak in the pretty scenery.
Both townships are holiday resorts and there are plenty of water
sporting activities and cruises offered in this area if you are planning
a vacation here. Both townships are great to break journey and to enjoy
a bite in one of the many waterfront cafeterias.




We reached Melbourne late afternoon and the 560km road trip from Eden
was a pleasant one. The following day was set aside to explore
Melbourne city. If travelling to the city, the most convenient option is
to hop into a train so that you don’t have the bother of finding
parking. Ensure you have a Myki card with adequate money for your
journey. The Myki is used for all public transport including the
Melbourne trams. We stepped out at Flinders Street station which is a
central spot close to many Melbourne city attractions as well as the
shopping precinct. Opposite the Flinders Street station is the tourist
information centre where you can gather brochures and talk to the staff
at the centre to guide you around the attractions and map out a
customised plan for what you want to explore.


We decided to carry out omelbourne cuty trams a cool way to commuteur
own exploration with the aid of a tour map of the city. We walked along
the main streets close to Flinders Street station and continued our
enjoyable a walk along the Yarra River. South Yarra area is popular for
shopping and the cafes and restaurants along the river are superb to
hang out and relax.




Deciding to take the tram to St.Kilda Beach was a good one since you
get to look around and get a feel of this cosmopolitan city. Melbourne’s
cafe culture and love for food is quite apparent when you are in
St.Kilda Beach precinct. The streets are packed with cafes and
restaurants serving a splendid variety of international cuisine of your
choice. St.Kilda Beach is a great spot to hang out. You can eat to your
hearts content and shop till you drop while in Melbourne city.




Well, you might want to spend the night in Melbourne city. Check out St.Kilda accommodation or short term accommodation in Melbourne by following the links. Online bookings are also possible here.