Oct 22: Oz /(19 - 24) Melbourne, Uluru

Wednesday 19 October

Apollo Bay to Melbourne

Last leg of our road trip but officially Day 1 of our time in Melbourne so time for a new post 😁

We had time for a little walk before we left- we'd only been as far as the pizza shop last night as we were so tired!

The sea was beautiful and sparkly in the morning light.

Our walk round took us back by the anchor of the SS Casino but we couldn't find the bakery we'd followed signs for.

Then we spotted it! We had to try a scallop pie - it was delicious and just packed with scallops!

So that was our unplanned early breakfast.

We also walked past a pub proclaiming to be the most southerly in Australia.

Then we drove to the Koala Kafé on the Kennett river. This has been mentioned as a great place to see koalas in the wild but they said to be early and be prepared to walk a bit away from the main touristy area.

Firstly we ordered coffee and cake and Mike wandered off to the loo while I waited for our order. I just happened to glance out of the window and there was he was with another man both standing there with cockatiels on their heads!

So I nipped out quick to take some pics!

As we started our walk within 20 paces there were several people looking at something in a eucalyptus tree - a koala! So we didn't walk any distance at all.

We were so excited with the koala that we forgot to look for the memorial arch when we set off again - for the WW1 soldiers who built the Great Ocean Highway.

Teddy's lookout

I had previously read that they did half hour tours at Anglesea golf club to show people the kangaroos that had made their home on the course. But further reading said that no bookings were being taken atm. 

We decided to go and ask just in case things had changed. As we drove round the edge of the course to find the entrance I spotted a group of kangaroos lounging in the shade under some trees.

So we quickly stopped and made our way over towards them, treading carefully so we didn't frighten them. They weren't overly bothered and we were able to see them pretty close up - even the little joeys in the pouches!

Mike is not as close as he looks here 😁

Sent a short video home and Luca said he liked the kangaroo with the baby in its pocket 😂

As we have been travelling up the coast the sun has been on my side for most of the time. Even though the car temperature has said only 16 or 17⁰ and we had the air con running it was surprisingly hot and I had to improvise a sun shade - which I also had to cover the seat with when we got out to stop it being blisteringly hot on our return. 

This towel came in very handy!

Mike drove into Melbourne - the traffic seemed surprisingly heavy for mid afternoon but we got to our hotel and threw the luggage into the room so that we could take the hire car back before the office closed - instead of keeping it until the morning.  Got there with a few minutes to spare.

We then managed to find our way back to the hotel - eventually. With no map 😂

Some lovely buildings.

Evening light on the Yarra river.

View of Flinders Station from our room.

650 miles travelled

Thursday 20 October

Melbourne 

Got off to a shaky start when we couldn't check in on-line for our next flight on Saturday. Eventually managed to get further with help from the Holiday Inn staff who confirmed it wasn't our fault. Took a phone call to Jet Star to sort it out.

Then spent ages on the phone trying to confirm our sunset tour at Uluru. Couldn't do it as no answer anywhere so gave up. 

A wasted morning!!

Then set off only to find Mike had forgotten his camera so I went off to look round the cathedral while he went back for it.

He got lost and took ages to return 🙄

So still no camera and no idea where Mike had been - we both went back to get it 🙄 and set off again!

We went for a walk along the quayside - early afternoon by then! Decided to book a boat tour.

Drink and a snack then onto the boat. The bits we could hear were interesting - noisy kids one way then two chatty, loud Indian ladies the other way 🙄😂 but still a nice thing to do.

Got off the boat and went for a burger - I just really fancied one!

Queen Bee sculpture on the side of the Eureka building. We can see the back part of this from our hotel room.

Had been hoping to meet up with Kirsty (friend from India trip many moons ago) but she had been ill in bed for a week (still there!) and her mum had been hospitalised with whatever bug they had caught! Hope they both recover soon 💕 Shame about the timing but can't be helped. Get well soon.. x

Friday 21 October 

Melbourne

Walk to the Shrine of Remembrance for WW1. Lots to see on the way.

Some sort of ceremony was taking place as we walked round the back of the Shrine. Looked at the time as they played the Last Post and it was 11:11 but found out later that that it wasn't significant but was a small memorial ceremony for Uncle Jack who was an Aboriginal actor.

Botanical Gardens were lovely.

Walk back along the river side.

There were big storm clouds and a few spots of rain but the sky soon cleared up again.

Beautiful colours in the reflective windows of the high rise buildings.

Also walked past this poster - not enough time to see everything..☹️

The Victoria market was interesting - loads of little separate areas selling different things.

Ate some pork dumplings from the Chinese area on the way back.

We could see the Holiday Inn sign in the distance whilst by the river.

Late afternoon skyline from the hotel window.

Lightning storm in the evening but just lightning - then the thunder started later.

Saturday 22 October

Uluru

Up early to get to the airport ready for our flight. The rain had started during the night and it was still continuing to be damp and misty so it was a good day to leave Melbourne. The forecast was for more rain so I hope it didn't cause more floods further up the state.

We had to run out to the plane in pouring rain through huge puddles.

But what a change when we got to Yulara - 37⁰c! 

We'd not been able to choose our seats on the flight (sit on the left we'd been told) due to our check-in problems with Jetstar so our first sight of Uluru was as we got off the plane.

Our hotel (The Lost Camel - great name!) checked us in immediately even though it was only noon (we'd lost an hour and a half on the flight) so we were able to relax (once Mike had done the running around to confirm our trips!) and unpack before our first tour at 2.30pm. 

Off we went to the NP for our cultural and sunset tour.

We got into the bus - and it started to rain!  We weren't happy but the tour guides were ecstatic 😁

It was only a short shower and it happened a couple more times during the trip. The clouds looked pretty ominous though and we had a bit of thunder.

The rock was impressively pitted and pock marked when seen close up.

And there is a story behind every mark, streak or hole!

We walked round the cultural centre but no photos allowed. Some fab Aboriginal art.

This was a little bit of the rock which we were allowed to touch and sit on. 

Certain parts of the rock are so sacred that you are not allowed to take photos whilst going past. They tell you when it is allowed again.

Interesting to hear how they systematically burn and raze the land in huge patches to encourage new growth and to keep the wildlife moving to new areas. 

Aboriginal philosophy is a holistic template for living in the Australian environment, for the conservation of the species and the natural world, for minimising conflict in human relations and for ensuring the continuation of the conditions for survival.

Impressive cave drawings.

 

Water hole - bet this looks great with the water cascading down.

Then we went to the sunset viewing site. Noone seemed very impressed as it was dark with clouds and we had an hour to wait before the sun set.

But.. there was an abundance of beer, wine and nibbles so everyone got stuck in 😁 the time passed quickly - and we didn't even mind when it rained for a while 😂 

.. and then!...

a beautiful rainbow 🌈 over Uluru.  Even the tour guides were taking photos.

Took a short video of the rainbow but then couldn't use it as I swore as a coach went by right in my shot 🤣 bloody bus 🙄

Back on the bus as it got dark - tired and tipsy but very happy!

Travel: 600m + 

Sunday 23 October

Uluru

A lazy day. 

First of all - the washing. Soon sorted as the hotel had free washers and dryers.

Funny but polite little scavenger as we were having breakfast.

Then a short walk whilst it was relatively cool - well high 20s which was relatively cool after yesterday 😁

Lady working on her art in the gardens.

Climbed up to the Imalung lookout. Only just over the road.

None of these pics have filters - can't get over the colours lol.

Mike found some seeds. He was happy 😁 Always the teacher. And the biologist 😁

Next stop the Tjintu solar field lookout.

Kata Tjuta in the distance. Solar panels in the foreground.

We watched a small gecko bury itself in the sand - and then pop out again.

Some beautiful indigenous work in the GoCA (Gallery of Central Australia).

Relax by the pool.

Looking towards Kata Tjuta in the evening light.

Monday 24 October

Uluru

Field of Light sunrise tour

Up at 3am ready for the tour bus at 4.

The Olgas in the distance.

As we were back early we had most of the day free so we were able to hire a car for the day and set off to look at the Kata Tjuta range close up as it was only about 45km away.

Roads were nearly deserted and there was only one way to go so it was an easy drive (for Mike!) as we chugged along in our little Jimny 🚗 with the air con blasting in the heat.

Did an impromptu trek at Walpa Gorge - in the searing heat wearing minimum sun tan cream! But we were covered up, we had hats and lots of drinks and it was well worth it for the wonderful scenery.

On our drive back Uluru was decidedly pink! A huge contrast to the very orange soil we were travelling past.

Sounds of silence evening meal tour. 

Canapés and prosecco whilst we watched the sun set then we were all led to an area with tables all beautifully set out. 

All food was local and delicious - apparently this experience has won foodie awards.

It was my friend Pam's funeral back in the UK and also her birthday. A sad day - thinking of her and all the family 💕 and my girls 💕

We drank red wine in her honour 💕 

Just at the time the funeral was about to begin in the UK the lights were all extinguished and we were given a talk about the beautiful night sky and all the constellations we could see. 

A perfect time to think about Pam and her family ❤️ 

Then another walk through the Field of Lights. 

A lovely evening to end our time in Uluru.