Travel Photos of the Week: Ballooning from Balgownie Estate
These photos portray the sense of calm and quiet as you float by without disturbing anyone, not even the clouds below. The flight took off from Balgownie Estate winery in the Dandenongs east of Melbourne in the southern State of Victoria. We had to arrive for a 5am meetup, then travelled for an hour away from the winery. It’s very hands on and everybody mucks in. We took off at 6.30am and landed in the middle of a pony gymkhana just 10 minutes from the hotel. Where, once we had packed everything up, we returned for a Champagne breakfast. Our pilot had 2,500 flying hours, and says they are very short of pilots, so if you know anyone, feel free to leave a comment below!
Travel Photo of the Week: The Arch found on the Great Ocean Road
This photo was taken during our January 2010 family holiday along the Great Ocean Road. We were fortunate to have glorious, summer days during our time exploring the coast. This photo depicts clear blue skies and calm seas, which most definitely is not the case most of the time along this wild Southern Ocean coastline.
So What Are The Top 7 Attractions Just Out of Melbourne?
This post is a continuation of the earlier Post ‘7 Things To Do In Marvellous Melbourne‘ and if you happen to be in Melbourne for the current Moomba Festival you may be contemplating a visit to some of the outlying travel destinations of Melbourne. Here are my top 7 travel tips for sites to visit just out of my home city, Melbourne. They are in no particular order and of course there are numerous other sites and maybe you can add a comment below with a mention of your favourite spot!
Fairy Penguins on Phillip Island
1. Phillip Island
Only a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne is the small island at the entrance of Western Port Bay, known as Phillip Island. A very popular destination for both local, national and international visitors. Its main attractions include the variety of coastal beaches from sheltered bays facing the Bay, to Cape Woolamai that lures the surfers for the waves off Bass Strait. Other attractions include the Penguin Parade, the Nobbies, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, A Maze’n Things, Phillip Island Nature Park – Koala Conservation Centre and a must stop is the divine Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. The chocolate here is sensational and the business is booming!
2. The Dandenongs
The Dandenong Ranges are located east of Melbourne and are literally on the backdoor step of my home. It takes me no more than 15mins to arrive by car to the top at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong Observatory. Here you are presented with a fabulous view of Melbourne and on a clear evening the drive up for sunset is a must. There are many terrific attractions within the hills. Some of my favourites include Puffing Billy, Cloudehill Nursery, William Rickett’s Sanctuary, Alfred Nicholas Gardens, Olinda Township and breakfast at ‘Ranges Cafe’ is a nice treat. Further reading can be seen here for a recent guest post I did for ‘Velvet Escape‘.
3. Sorrento to Queenscliff Ferry Trip
From Melbourne you can travel either east or west around Port Phillip Bay and arrive to either Sorrento or Queenscliff. Both towns offer a terrific range of classy cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. Enjoy a lunch, take in the sites of the towns and finally, jump aboard the ferry to cross to the other town. Depending on whether you decide to travel as a foot passenger or take the car, you can explore that town, enjoy a coffee before continuing your drive back to Melbourne or take a return ferry back to the originating town. There is also a good chance you can enjoy watching dolphins swimming and racing the ferry.
Werribee Zoo
4. Werribee Open Range Zoo
Just a 30mins drive from Melbourne you can experience a taste of Africa at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Take a walking tour and the 45mins tour in a safari bus out across the zoo’s plains and see rhinos, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, lions, monkeys, cheetahs and many other species of African animals.
5. Torquay Surf Beach
Torquay is the surfing hub of Australia. It also hosts the famous and world’s longest-running surfing competition during the Easter period, the Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival. An easy drive from Melbourne with the Princes Freeway now bypassing Geelong and the region has plenty of other attractions on offer.
6. The Yarra Valley
Sunset over the covered vinyard at 'Wild Cattle Creek'
A little further from Melbourne but only a 20mins drive from my home is the famous Yarra Valley wine region. Unfortunately, a number of wineries were affected by the horrendous bushfires of 7 February 2009. As I am a keen wine drinker and love doing the winery-thing, I couldn’t go past celebrating our marriage during March 2008 at the lovely ‘Wild Cattle Creek Winery‘. In fact it’s our second wedding anniversary today! Together with numerous first class wineries, the area also has much to offer in the small townships of Yarra Glen, Healesville and Warburton.
7. Sovereign Hill
A little further afield and located in Ballarat, the heart of the historic gold mining region, is ‘Soverign Hill’. A terrific reproduction of a 1950′s gold-field town of the area and presented as an open air museum on a large 25 hectare site. Sovereign Hill has more than 60 historic buildings, people are in costume of the era and plenty of activities to entertain everyone. Pan for gold, have your portrait taken in costume, take a horse and carriage ride, a guided tour of the mines and more. The evening sound and light show ‘Blood on the Southern Cross’ is extremely popular and depicts the Eureka Stockade.
This list is derived from what I perceive to be the top 7 sites to see in my home city, Melbourne. They are in no particular order and of course there are numerous other sites and attractions I could have mentioned but I have decided to focus on the general city vicinity and stick with the magic 7!
1. Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station
Probably the most well-known, recognised and photographed landmark in Melbourne and found on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets. This site has seen a railway station since 1854 but the current station was constructed during 1910, making it the oldest railway station in Australia and now the busiest in the southern hemisphere. The station also serves as a great meeting spot with people suggesting “meet me under the clocks”, referring to the clocks above the station entrance.
2. Federation Square
Federation Square (or known locally as Fed Square) is located on the adjacent corner to Flinders Street Station and was only completed during 2002 after much controversy regarding its modern design. It is the cultural hub of Melbourne and another socialising destination.
3. Southbank and the Eureka Tower
Eureka Tower
Across the Yarra River from both Flinders Street Station and Fed Square via Princes Bridge, you’ll come across The Southbank Promenade. Always a hive of activity with numerous shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants and the Crown Casino drawing both locals and international visitors. The Eureka Tower also in this vicinity, is a 300 meter tall skyscraper and tallest in Melbourne. Construction commenced August 2002 and the exterior completed on 1 June 2006. A great view of Melbourne is enjoyed from the the Observation Deck.
4. Botanical Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance
The site of the Botanical Gardens was selected during 1845. It is recognised as one of the world’s finest botanic gardens. There are over 10,000 species and 50,000 individual plants in the 38 hectare gardens, including trees and plants of great cultural value. It is one of my favourite city locations, where you can wander the paths, sit by the lake or lie in the sun and enjoy the serenity…yes, in a city! Nearby and by St Kilda Road is the Shrine of Remembrance, a memorial to those that fought in WW1 and other wars.
5. Parliament House
Built with gold rush wealth during the mid 1800s, this imposing building on Spring Street is the centre of the Victorian State Government. However, from 1901 to 1928 it was occupied by the Australian Government whilst Canberra was under construction.
6. The Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum
The Royal Exhibition Building is located in the Carlton Gardens and is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is still used for exhibitions. It is located next door to the very modern Melbourne Museum and IMAX cinema.
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
7. The Melbourne Cricket Ground – MCG
The MCG is Australia’s largest sporting stadium and used for both international cricket, AFL football (with it culminating in Grand Final fever in September where the capacity reaches 100,000), concerts and other large events. The ‘Australian Gallery of Sport & Olympic Museum’ is also housed here.
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