Purposeful Meandering Around Victoria - Week 2

Week 2 on the road has gone at a frenetic pace and at every turn it’s been action packed. Monday saw us broadening our wings out from Geelong, to the southern coastline where we visited the famous Bells Beach and an enjoyable meander through Torquay. This part of the coast wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the Chocolaterie & Ice Creamy shop, needless to say we walked away with a few samples. By late afternoon we’d headed back into Geelong township for nice sunset photos.

On Tuesday we left our charming Geelong Airbnb with a plan of doing something a bit different, we headed out to Queenscliff where we utilized the car ferry service across to Sorrento saving us almost 3hrs and a few hundred kms driving. Arriving in Sorrento we enjoyed some time exploring the Mornington Peninsula which included the old Quarantine Station, The Pillars and the views from Arthur’s Seat before heading to Point Leo for a relaxing night of beach camping.

Wednesday was probably the highlight of our trip, we packed up with the temps already nudging 30deg and made our way out to Phillip Island. Being Australia Day it appeared everyone else had the same idea as getting a patch of sand at the beach was impossible. Instead we decided to go to our 2nd chocolate factory in 3 days where Sam and Leonie were like kids in a candy store. No surprise, we had more samples to take with us. The next stop was more to my liking, Phillip Island raceway where I witnessed a bike club day enjoying the spoils of having the track to themselves. By late afternoon we’d rested up at our accommodation before heading back out to watch the famous penguin parade at the southern end of the island. These little guys who numbered over 900 penguins on the night we were there, put on a great display of cuteness as they waddled up the beach and found their burrow’s for the night.

Thursday dawned with Melbourne and surrounding suburbs being lashed by severe thunderstorms and flash-flooding. It was our first rain of the trip but didn’t slow us down or dampen our enthusiasm. We headed across to the Dandenong Ranges where we watched the Puffing Billy steam train traverse the trestle bridge. By mid-afternoon we’d made our way into the Melbourne CBD for a few days of city life. Between negotiating trams, right turns from left lanes and crazy narrow laneways, I was glad to park the car and use other modes of transport for the next few days. We’d jagged a trendy little apartment over-looking Chinatown that was perfectly situated to everything.

A lazy start to Friday suited all of us, by mid-morning we’d ventured out for our first taste of Melbourne shopping. The girls had picked out a few DFO outlets which ultimately would have them satisfied for the next few days. By early afternoon I’d splintered away from the girls to do some local geocaching. Right on que and at my furthest point from the apartment I found myself stranded in the Botanical Gardens as another wild thunderstorm lashed the area. I found myself sharing a gazebo with 20 other strangers as we all tried to keep dry. Needless to say by the time I returned to the apartment I resembled a drowned rat and any thoughts of heading to the BBL final were squashed as the weather hadn’t improved.

Saturday saw us back in the car as we headed to the suburbs for the day. Our first stop was a trendy café in Richmond for breakfast and a chance to spot tennis notoriety, needless to say we failed on spotting any one famous, but we did enjoy a nice breakfast. We continued exploring Port Phillip Bay to the Brighton Bath Boxes where the milder weather ensured crowds were low and the boxes were all locked up displaying their full colours. We were in awe as we googled some of the crazy selling prices these basic 3x3m wooden boxes fetch. Back in the car and we headed back towards the city, we stopped at Melbourne’s Luna Park where a familiar big laughing face and rides greeted us. By late afternoon we were back in the CBD where we enjoyed a mostly relaxing afternoon exploring some cafes and alleyways around town. Like the rest of the nation we spent the night watching “Ash Barty” make us all proud. 

Sunday is meant to be a day rest, I wish the local patrons and shop owners adhered to that. On numerous occasions we were woken to the clanking of hundreds of bottles and cans as neighboring streets were cleaned up and rubbish discarded. After a lazy breakfast and a bit of grocery shopping for the days ahead, I’d surprised Leonie with the news that we’d be heading to the matinee show of the “Moulin Rouge Musical”. By 3pm we were seated in the majestic Regent Theatre as the stage come alive with some amazing dancing, singer and provocative costumes told a love story for the packed crowd…… We capped off our stay in Melbourne with dinner out on the town and another night of some great tennis.

Week 2 is done and dusted.