Melbourne

Not back from there yet, but I shall be heading down under coming April. Quite excited, although I have my reservations because I am travelling with my mum, so need a huge dose of patience and nonchalance to get through and enjoy the trip.

Tour was booked through the NATAS Fair 2007 (great lucky draw, free gifts with min. expenditure on a credit cards, free gifts for flying SQ) and also online for hotel extensions. The more I read up on Melbourne, the more I am fascinated by the city and think how little time I have to really explore the place.

The Great Ocean Road drive (with the 12 Apostle) is touted to be the most scenic drive in the entire world

Philip Island and the famous sunset penguin parade

The Dandenong Ranges, touring on the Puffing Billy (the oldest locomotive train in the world) and sipping wine in various Yarra Valley Wineries

Gramphians National Park

Was deliberating over Mornington Peninsula and Gramphians, but finally had to choose Gramphians because day tours to Mornington was not on in April due to the lack of strawberries. Gramphians looks beautiful! Though it would have been great to have gone both places..

Above pictures were all taken from Visit Victoria website (Here)

Besides sightseeing, there will also be a lot of shopping – Shop til you drop?

There are many streets and lanes in Melbourne that have all sorts of shops ranging from Factory Outlets to small boutiques.

A whole stretch of road with all sorts of shopping, food and etc.

Direct Factory Outlet with their latest opening on Spencer Street, brings shopping closer to me, because I will be staying on Spencer Street.

Of course, there is the famous Queen Victoria Market

Although, I do not intend to be driving around, the Metlink should be convenient enough.

2 more very good websites that I got loads of information from were the Official Melbourne Website (Here) and the that’s me!bourne website (Here)

Finally, for booking of accommodation, the website www.not1night.com.au gives very good discount if you should be staying for more than 1 night. In fact, it has a very good system and shows you what kind of rooms are available for the period that you are going. (I believe Singapore’s tourism will benefit greatly from a website like this. Any business minded person interested to develop the site? Get me in as partner,k?)