Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. It is one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the world, with a combination of world-class dining, art galleries, home grown fashion, and packed sports. Creative Director Bryan Arevalo wrote about his trip to Melbourne with a jam-packed itinerary. Here’s his account of the last few days.
TOP OF THE WORLD
We took a four-hour drive from the Melbourne CBD to reach Mt. Buller. It is the highest ski town in Victoria and a popular winter destination for skiers. Mountain biking and alpine hiking are other year-round activities in the town, while two toboggan parks and a snow-making machine are available for children.
I’m not much of a winter person, but Mt. Buller had the best powdery snow I’ve ever seen so far.
ON THE OPEN ROAD
From the snowy peaks of Mt. Buller, we found ourselves taking a whole day road trip from the CBD again. This time, we drove through the iconic Great Ocean Road. It is one of Australia’s most iconic drives spanning the Victorian coastline.
The Twelve Apostles limestone formations jutting out of the coast is very picturesque. You can avail of a 15-minute chopper ride for an overview of the formations. Or take a leisurely walk down the main beach.
Transportation is not an issue. Travelers can take a ferry transfer/RORO, where vehicles can board the ship from Queenscliff to Sorento. Another option is to go back to Melbourne.
FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
Families can also enjoy numerous destinations in Melbourne. The Maru Koala and Animal Park is a family-run business committed to helping people appreciate Australia’s native wildlife and environment.
Another family-friendly destination is Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, the home of Panny’s Chocolate. Visitors can learn the process of making chocolate and also create personalized chocolate. Kids can even play chocolate-related games and see famous artworks recreated from chocolate inside the factory.
At A Maze’N Things, aside from the main trick art sections, guides perform magic tricks. Visitors can also be magicians, performing the levitation trick with complete costume and props. It’s like a full production set. The best part: a video file of the performance will be given to you for keepsakes.
It’s been an exciting few days and I can’t wait to see more of Melbourne before coming back home.
Special thanks to Travel Maestro Inbound, Australia; Go Destinations; Cebu Pacific; Golden Eagle Travel & Tours Inc.
