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Australian Natural Adventures A
specialist travel agency for Australia travel, Australia tours, and
all things Australian.
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Australian Natural Adventures A
specialist travel agency for Australia travel, Australia tours, and
all things Australian.
|
Tourism Australia accredited Premier Aussie Specialist.
bourne
trams run in San Francisco - which also give it an old-time air. The
National Gallery of Victoria has probably the world’s best collection
of Australian art, and a notable collection of European masterpiece
works (a part of which toured selected US galleries in 2003). The
new downtown gallery building, with its partial collection, has aroused
considerable controversy for its unique design and decoration. For
the history buff the Fitzroy Gardens, at the top of Collins St, has
Captain C
ook’s
Cottage, his actual home that was packed up and shipped to Melbourne
for re-erection. It’s interesting to see just how small an English
middle-class home was back then. The Yarra River runs through the
center of the city and is a popular place to wander the banks,
and watch the rowers. Stay for the next three nights at Bank Place
Apartments, in downtown Melbourne. This small hotel is wonderfully
located within walking distance of all Melbourne has to offer, but
at the same time is on a quiet side street, with a couple of nearby
cafes. You have a self-contained apartment, including a kitchen and
laundry facilities to clean up after your couple of weeks on the road.
Just about a block away, and to your right, is a small store next
to a corner bank that sells groceries, so you can prepare your own
breakfasts and any other meals, and avoid higher restaurant/café
costs.
dlife
and discover a rich Aboriginal heritage. You’ll learn about
native animals and plants both in the open-range grasslands of Serendip
Sanctuary on the Western Plains and in the bush lands of Brisbane
Ranges National Park. Within easy reach from the centre o
f
the city of Melbourne, these environments provide the perfect introduction
to Australia's unique wildlife and indigenous culture. You’ll
see and walk amongst Grey Kangaroos in large free ranging groups,
and find emus, wallabies, koalas and other unique Australian wildlife.
A delicious bush lunch is provided. The Brisbane Ranges are home
to a large and healthy population of wild koalas and we rarely miss
out on multiple sightings of these delightful creatures. In additional
to the wildlife of the region during your journey your guide will
share with you the great significance of the Western Plains to Aboriginal
people. (L)
ste
of typical Melbourne life. At the 120 year-old Queen Victoria Market
there's not much from clothing to the weekly meat supply that can't
be bought, and everything in between, and a lot of characters to
serve and entertain you. The market is open from 6am until about
noon. The wine bars, restaurants and small shops of Carlton, adjacent
to Melbourne University and known as Little Italy, or the bookstores,
including some specializing in wildlife and Australiana, of Prahran
may also be of interest, and are to discover the real Melbourne,
away from the usual tourist areas. Melbourne Zoo in nearby Royal
Park has a fine collection of both exotic and native animals, in
mostly naturalistic settings. Everywhere is just a few minutes away
by the ubiquitous Melbourne trams.
National
Park
Day
19 – Sunday, November 19: Wilson’s Promontory National
Park
ading
via smaller roads to wards Marysville, in the Dandenong Ranges east
of Melbourne. The road from Marysville to Healesville, known as
the Black Spur Drive, is one of the most beautiful drives in Victoria,
through towering 200ft + Mountain Ash trees lining the road. Once
in Healesville visit the Healesville Sanctuary, with its extensive
collection of Australian fauna in natural bush settings. We can
arrange for a guide to take you through. Overnight near Healesville
(this is not prebooked, as once again it will depend on your own
inclinations, and just where you end up today. There are many places
to stay in the general Dandenongs area, from right at Healesville
and Marysville to other small town/villages/suburbs from here to
the slightly more south Yarra Valley.
of Australia’s best and newest wines are produced in the hills
east of M
elbourne,
primarily whites but also some interesting reds. There are also
many craft and art galleries, and you will get a good sense for
the more cultured side of Australia, all in beautiful bush settings.
As your return to Melbourne stop at a store on the Maroondah Highway,
ck
up your rental car and begin your exploration of the Island State.
Before you leave you should visit the