First stop was Kiama to see the blow hole!!! Wasn't overly high that day but still fun to see.
Beautiful spot to stretch our legs.
Next stop was a play on the beach at Batemans Bay.
Our first day travel was 3 & half hours. We stayed in a motel for the night and then drove to Lakes Entrance where we had a picnic and played some mini golf otherwise known as 'Put Put'!
Then we arrived at our beach house for 2 nights in Inverloch. It was perfect, lots of space for the boys to run around and a 10 minute walk to the beach.
The beach area is called Rainbow Park!
The second night at the beach house we drove 50 minutes to Philip Island Nature Park where we were going to watch the mummy and daddy penguins return from a day at sea with food for their babies, who had stayed in the burrow all day.
We arrived an hour early to ensure good seats and watched the sun go down.
A hungry baby waiting patiently on its dinner.
These penguins are the smallest species so are named simply 'Little Penguins'.
They were so cute. They would come in and out of the water to check for danger before heading up the beach. They arrived in groups also for protection. They would send one penguin ahead to check if the coast was clear. They also found rocks to take cover behind and if you weren't quick enough you got left behind. Once on the sand dunes they had to make the journey to their burrow and find their babies. By this time all of the babies were calling out for their parents, it was like a chorus.
After two relaxing days at the beach house it was time to hit the big city! When we arrived we found our hotel, checked in and then headed off to ride the trams. The trams in the CBD are free of charge. We found our way to get some tea and then had a round of glow in the dark golf.
Up bright and early we headed off through the park to Captain Cooks house which turns out to not actually be his. It was his parents house. They had it dismantled and shipped over to Melbourne from England. The kids enjoyed a history lesson all about Captain Cook and his voyages of discovery.
Top info from Josh: He sailed around the world 3 times. He used the stars to guide him. He discovered many lands. He was killed on a beach by a sword and his hands were sent home as this was custom on the island. It took1 year for his hands to be returned to his wife who knew it was him as he had a gunpowder scar on his right hand.
After our history lesson we were off to see the preparation for the Australian Open. Unfortunately we were a week too early but we did get to watch some of the qualifying matches which was great. We wandered around the venue and got a real feel for the upcoming weeks tournament.
Then we were off to the At Gallery. One of the best we have been to. It was massive with four floors of displays. These are a just a few of our favourites!
Not happy with all this in day 2 we then headed to the Eurika Tower for a 360 degree view of the city from the 85th floor!!!!
The blue areas on the other side of the river is where the tennis is held!
Day 3 we were riding the trams again, exploring the city & then onto the Melbourne Star.
The driver of the tram very kindly allowed the kids to come into his cabin during his 10 minute break. They were shown the ropes, explained the rules for cars to abide by when traveling alongside the trams & even let them all ring the bell!!! He ended with a joke that Josh insists on telling you all!!!
What is invisible & smells like carrots??
A rabbits fart!!!!!
Down through the Docklands en route to the Melbourne Star! Newly renovated & new builds with a bright vibrant exterior make this one of the newest up & coming area in Melbourne.
So this is where you park your cow when heading into the city!!!!!
Up, Up & Away!!
Then it was time to refuel in time for our first 3hr stints homeward bound!!!
We headed to a little place called Albury for the night. Feeling the love of a wee cider after the 3hr drive & in preparation for the next day's driving.
Up bright and early the next day to get to Canberra in time for lunch and a few hours play at the science centre. The boys had a great time, the place was huge and full of interesting, fun activities to get their brains going!!!
I'm sure the boys could have stayed for another couple of hours but with a 3hr drive still to go before we hit Sydney it was time to get the last leg of the trip done!! We had a great weeks adventure with our Sydney pals but it was time to get home and get organised for leaving.
Three weeks time we will be heading off on the big adventure starting in Bangkok!!!
