Melbourne, Australia Day 5: 1 Day Mornington Peninsula Ultimate Tour

Date of Visit: 4th October 2012

Overall from my 8 days trip to Melbourne, I booked three different full one day tours from the local tour operator - Great Ocean Road Classic Tour, Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour and Mornington Peninsular Ultimate Tour. Honestly speaking, if I have the choice, I wouldn't choose to do so but that could consider the last resort I had. For this Mornington Peninsula tour, it was my last minute decision to book it just for the sank of these brightly colourful bathing boxes.

Mornington Peninsula is just oven an hour's drive from Melbourne city center. Eventually, there are so much to see and do, hence it is ideal for a short day trip from Melbourne or for an extended stay. 

#1: My friend gave me a box of macaroon and I had it as breakfast. Oh dear, they were so huge and most importantly, so delicious! 

#2: Our first pit-stop, the famous colourful bathing boxes in the seaside resort township of Portsea. Do you know some of these bathing boxes could eventually cost up to AUD$250,000? It's unbelievable.

#3: Besides phototaking, we stopby for morning tea. It's so windy!

#4: Next, we reach the stunning Point Nepean National Park. This park is located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula. Besides enjoying the truly one of Victoria's spectacular natural landscapes, we also explore the military forts and tunnels.

#6: Without realising, it's time for lunch. Well, of course we're not having our lunch outside cause it's kinda hot, eventhough it was spring but with this kind of awe inspiring view, it's indeed breathtaking.

#7: So what we had for lunch? Let's see - we had red meat like bacon and beef accompanied with bread, cheese and pairing with wine. Oppps, did I tell you that we eventually got complimentary wine tasting as well but unfortunately, I rejected cause I can't drink. Too bad!

#8: The driver stopped in the middle no where cause he spotted kangaroos! What a lucky day!

#9: Drove to the top of  Arthurs Seat's famous Murray Lookout for dramatic bay and coastal views of Mornington Peninsula

#10:Then, we explored the oldest and most popular Hedge Maze in Australia, Ashcombe Maze. Oh gosh, I was indeed lost while getting through this maze but it was freaking fun!

#11: Besides the maze, this 25 acres of woodland gardens are beautifully manicured by vast of colourful flowers.

#12: Wrapped out this tour by visiting Mornington Peninsula Chocolate. Unfortunately, I'm not a chocolate lover and most of these chocolate were beautiful to see but wait till you see the price, it's even more beautiful (if you get what I mean)

Note: The cost for this tour was AUD$145 which included all park entrance fees, morning tea & biscuits and lunch. It even included pick-up and drop-off from where I stayed. 

This tour package I booked from Bunyip Tours.
You can book online at their website www.bunyitours.com or go to their office:
Bunyip Tours
570 Flinders Street,
Melbourne Victoria,
Australia 3000

Melbourne, Australia Day 4: 1 Day Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour

Date of Visit: 3rd October 2012

Just like Great Ocean Road Tour on the day before, the driver picked me up directly from where I stayed and once again, I was the first passenger inside the tour bus. The guests that join this tour were  not as many as Great Ocean Road one, approximately less than 20 but it wasn't a bad sign after all. Before the tour start, I bumped into a girl who was also travelling alone just like me and she was from China who is currently study in Sydney. To be honest, no offense but I kinda dislike China tourists based on my past experiences where most of them were so rude, impolite, dirty and etc but except for this one I met, she was the odd one. Unlike the typical China people, she was friendly and helpful indeed. Too bad after the trip I lost her contact.

This Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour most likely highlighted the best of Victoria's wildlife where we got the chance to get up close and personal with most of Australian animals. No wonder, the famous Malaysian travel blogger, Wilson Ng from Places and Foods claimed that Australia is a zoo without fences.

#1: Our first pit-stop after more than 2 hours bus ride from the city center, Moonlit Sanctuary  - Victoria's award-winning Wildlife Park.

#2: What can be seen in this Eco-certified santuary were angaroos, wallabies, koala bears, ostriches, lizards, dingoes, southern bettong, eastern quoalls and more.

#3: I even had the opportunity for close Koala encounter that cost me AUD$10 but seriously speaking, it really worth and no regret for the rest of my life.

#4: Bought a packet of foods and hand-feed all these adorable and charming wallabies

#5: Actually, the food was bought by this girl from China and she was so kind to share with me.

#6: Our next destination was Koala Conservation Centre

#7: This is where we wandered the tree-top boardwalks and strolled through Australia bushland for up-close encounters with these wild fury kind in their natural habitat. 

#8: From there, we moved on to historic Churchill Island for sheep shearing and working dogs in action in this picturesque garden and lawn. [I can't locate where I save my working dogs in action video. Dang!]

#9: Again, another of my first time experience seeing sheep sheering. Mehhh...

#10: Spotted highland cattles outside Churchill Island. Just when I thought these so called Scottish cow can only be found and seen in Scotland, I was totally wrong. 

#11: Spotted another pressed pennies again! #travelcollection

#12: We even stopby at Phillip Island Chocolate Factory shop for some tasting and chocolate purchases. All the penguins as photo above were actually made from chocolate.

#13: Another visit of surf beach, Cape Woolamai. Most Australia beaches I visited were so clean.

#14: DT in Melbourne, like finally!

#15: Before going to the last pit-stop of the day, we stopby at Nobbies & Seal Rocks - home to Australia's largest Australian Fur Seal colony. However, we spotted more on silver gulls than the seals.

#16: Finally, the main highlight of this trip - Penguin Parade.

Located in Summerland Beach, this is where you can see a hundred or even up to thousands colony of little penguins return to shore before the dark swallows the sky. In the beginning, our eyes were trying hard to spot whether there's something appear out from sea but slowly, we saw a huge raft of these cute little penguins appeared on the right, then another raft on the left and by the end of the day, the exact amount of this pair of wobbly feet was more than 7,000. Some might felt it was pretty boring as it required a little bit of patience but I can say it was one of the beautiful and amazing things I had seen in my life. I really wish I could took a video of them but unfortunately, photos and video are strictly prohibited cause penguins' eyes are too sensitive to flashlight. And another amazing thing I encountered was before we leave this place, we can actually touch them if they happened to walk under the boardwalk.

Source 

Options

• Penguin Plus - Exclusive viewing area and private boardwalk (AUD14)
• Penguin Skybox - Elevated indoor viewing box with drinks and canapes and access to Penguin Plus (AUD$35)
• Private Penguin Parade Experience - Enjoy front row viewing on the sand and access to Penguins Plus with a small group and private ranger guide (AUD$44)

Although this tour was a bit pricey (after the conversation) but I have no regret after end of this tour. Not really a hardcore animal lover but lately I just love to visit any zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums (Just read my blogpost on Watching Moving Creatures It's Fun Sometimes) . And in Australia itself, this is where one can experience and discover the diversity and abundance of native wildlife in the wilderness area.

Note: The cost for this tour was AUD$125 which included all park entrance fees, morning tea & biscuits and also pre-packed dinner at Penguin Parade. It even included pick-up and drop-off from where I stayed. 

This tour package I booked from Bunyip Tours.
You can book online at their website www.bunyitours.com or go to their office:
Bunyip Tours
570 Flinders Street,
Melbourne Victoria,
Australia 3000 

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These new hearty Breakfast Combos are available on all AirAsia (AK flight code) flights from 5.30am – 11.00am every day, and each of them comes with Complimentary T&Co Coffee or T&Co Teh Tarik too from as low as only RM10 per set! 

Combo A - Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak + Free T&Co Cofee or Teh Tarik (RM12) 

Malaysian's No. 1 favourite fragrant coconut rice served with Pak Nasser's special chilli sambal and tender chicken rendang, accompanied with half of a hard-boiled egg and crunchy bites of fried anchovies and nuts. A truly complete set of nasi lemak and this is always my favourite choice when comes to AirAsia in-flight meals especially when back from travel overseas!

Combo B - Roti Canai with Chicken Curry + Free T&Co Cofee or Teh Tarik (RM10)

Another Malaysia’s favourite breakfast choice - soft and fluffy texture of paratha bread served with juicy chicken and potato curry on the side.

Combo C - Scallop Congee + Free T&Co Cofee or Teh Tarik (RM10)

Indulge for healthy and simple breakfast? This warm and savoury rice congee is an ideal breakfast meal for everyone. It served with flavourful scallop and mushroom bits accompanied with condiments such as soft groundnuts, spring onions and minced chicken.

Combo D - Pancake with Butter and Maple Syrup + Free T&Co Cofee or Teh Tarik (RM10)

AirAsia's Breakfast Combo not just limited to local dishes, but it also serve breakfast in Western style. A stack of 3 irresistible piping hot pancakes topped with creamy butter and sweet maple syrup is another great choice to satisfy your hungry tummy.

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Start off my day before going to Laos with Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak

This post is brought to you by AirAsia.

Melbourne, Australia Day 3: 1 Day Great Ocean Road Classic Tour

Date of Visit: 2nd October 2012

To enjoy most of Melbourne's fascinating places and attractions, most of them were located on the outskirt of the city center; such as Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula and more. So in the case where you are travelling with a group of friends and family, you can opt to rent a vehicle and plan for unforgettable road trip. But if you are travelling alone just like me, the downside was getting to those places by general public transport would be difficult. Hence, I got no choice but to book from the local tour operator and my friend recommended Bunyip Tour. From there, I bought two full one day tour packages - 1 Day Great Ocean Road Classic Tour as well as 1 Day Phillip Island Penguin Parade Ultimate Eco Tour. In return, besides the 5% off for each tour, but I was given a free admission ticket to Melbourne Aquarium, Eureka Skydeck and option between Old Melbourne Gaol or Polly Woodside. It was indeed a really great deal for me.

 

#1: Bunyip Tours bus 

The spectacular Great Ocean Roas is one of the world's most beautiful and naturally maintained secrets. This prestigious road is built by the returned soldiers dedicated to soldiers killed during the World War I, making this road is the world's largest war memorial. Every twist and turn exposes to stretches of broad, pristine beaches, dramatic coastlines and the lush rainforests of the Otway Ranges - all of which provides an amazing postcard backdrop for all the photo memories.

#2: The first pit stop, Bells Beach, one of Australia's famous surfing beaches and world renowned for the Rip Curl Surfing Pro. We even had morning tea and watched few surfers catch waves for surfing.

 #3: Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch at Eastern View

 #4: Wye River, a popular place for Melbournians to holiday

#5: Cape Patton Lookout offers spectacular views east towards Apollo Bay and Skenes Creek

#6: For the very first time in my life, I saw wild koala bear. Not just one or two, but we spotted more than 5 koala bears. Lucky us!

 #7: The iconic Cape Otway Lighthouse, mainland Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse.

#8: We even had Aussie BBQ as lunch at the park nearby the lighthouse

 #9: The Twelve Apostles is a collection of gigantic limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park

 #10: Walking down the boardwalk for this beautiful views of the coastline along The Great Ocean Road 

#11: Magnificent rock stacks that rise up from the Southern Ocean on Victoria's dramatic coastline

#12: Originally, there was 12 but then decreased over the time due to erosion and up to date, leaving eight remaining.

Option

If you don't mind to pay extra for breathtaking scenic view over the 12 Apostles from the top, take a helicopter flight which cost AUD$95.

#13: Loch Ard Gorge, a small network of clifftop walks and there is a staircase leading down to a beach gave us the opportunity to view the fantastic rock formations all around

#14: Our final pit stop of the day, Gibson Steps

#15: Perfect place for wedding photoshoots, perhaps?

Before spending another two and half hours ride back to Melbourne city centre, we stopped by a small Chinese restaurant for dinner. As I had Asian meals for the two previous nights, I opted for fast food instead and there were two world famous fast foods nearby that particular neighbourhood - McDonald and KFC.

#16: At the end, I choose KFC cause I found out it was more extraordinary compare to McDonald - Bacon & cheese burger, something which couldn't be found in elsewhere.

Note: The cost for this tour was AUD$120 which included all park entrance fees, morning tea & biscuits and also Aussie BBQ lunch. It even included pick-up and drop-off from where you stay.

This tour package I booked from Bunyip Tours.
You can book online at their website www.bunyitours.com or go to their office:
Bunyip Tours
570 Flinders Street,
Melbourne Victoria,
Australia 3000