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Melbourne: Adventure, Art, Food & Little Penguins
Adventure travel planner
Melbourne, Australia:
Adventure, Art, Food, and Little Penguins
This week, we will explore Melbourne, Australia. While we could fill a library with all of the things to experience in Melbourne, we will focus on the best stuff to experience during a four-day trip. Have more time? Drop us a line and we’ll help you personalize your itinerary for free.
We get it. You want to relax on the beach but your spouse has planned two mountains for you to hike prior to lunch. These things should be debated before you get on the plane. Don’t ask us for a copy of the insane itinerary prepared by my (then) husband for our honeymoon. Yeah….that relationship didn’t work out.
Today, we will deep dive into the Adventure itinerary. Tomorrow, we will focus on a Culture itinerary and Wednesday will bring the ultimate Relaxation itinerary. These tables are handy to keep - a blister or torn muscle may convert your Adventure plans into Relaxation plans. Let’s get this Adventure started.
- Cris
Travel style: | Adventure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
AM: Melbourne City Bike Tour PM: Sunset Kayak Tour on the Yarra River | Full day: Great Ocean Road Trip | AM: Dandenong Ranges for an early morning Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Yarra Valley PM: Watersports at Cape Woolamai | Full day: Phillip Island for the Koala Conservation Centre and a Wildlife Coast Cruise |
Day 1: Bike By Day, Kayak By Night
Keep those legs moving to ward off jet lag with the Melbourne City Bike Tour. With 95% off road on bike paths (and using an electric bike in case you need a boost), this is the perfect way to orient within Melbourne.
Refuel and then head down to the wharf on the Victoria Harbor side of the Community Boating Hub for a Yarra River for a sunset kayak tour. While it might not be obvious, you will need sunglasses, sunscreen and a change of clothes.
Day 2: Great Ocean Road Trip
Living close to the Pacific Ocean, near the famous Highway 101 in California, makes it a really high bar for me to call someplace else “one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world.” The Great Ocean Road, however, earns that prize with my love. Among the many ways to bond with nature include:
 | Surfing at Bells Beach: Stop at this famous surfing location and either watch the pros or take a surfing lesson yourself. Be warned - classes are offered for beginners but this is where Pros surf so pay attention to your instructor! |
Great Otway National Park: Hike through lush rainforests to waterfalls like Hopetoun Falls. For more adventure, try zip-lining at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. We typically associate the Outback wtih Australia but the rainforests belong on your agenda. |  |
 | Twelve Apostles: Take a helicopter ride over these iconic limestone stacks for a unique perspective on the power of erosion. These change over time - proven by the collapse of one of them in 2005. |
Gibson Steps: Descend the steps to the beach and explore the rugged coastline up close on this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Princetown, Victoria. |  |
You can rent a car to explore the Great Ocean Road but know that they drive on the left. Coming from England? You’ll feel at home on the road. Coming from the US? It might be worth hiring a driver or joining a group of locals.
Jet lag + driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road = screaming spouse.
Day 3: Up High and Back Down to Sea Level
I love to fly but am terrified of hot air balloons. It was blissful relief that I felt when the pilot said ‘now we’re going to turn off the hot air so you can experience weightlessness.’ This wasn’t my favorite activity but everyone else was super excited- earning a spot on an Adventure agenda. It gets rather chilly up there so be sure to pack a light jacket (summer) or heavy jacket (winter).
Back down on earth, where I am much more comfortable, it’s time to play in the water at Cape Woolamai. Boating, sailing, swimming, surfing, cycling - it’s all here. Definitely check the weather before you go and bring lots of water. You will sleep very deeply on this night.
Day 4: Koala Conservation and a Cruise
Open 7 days a week (magical words for travelers), you can take a guided (or self-guided) tour of the Koala Hospital, including the koala yards, and see koalas being cared for and treated in the clinic. You can learn how to care for and conserve wildlife while taking lots of pictures and repeating ‘awwww.’ Seeing these precious animals in real life will put into perspective why people get so upset when the Eucalyptus trees burn. Excuse me while I grab a tissue.
It feels odd to categorize a Wildlife Coast Cruise in the Adventure category but a quick news search of whales sinking ships changed my perspective. Melbourne is famous for its diverse animals on land and sea. In order to protect those animals, it’s becoming more difficult to get close to them. A Wildlife Coast Cruise is a lovely way to end a vacation with 100’s of photos of adorable sea life and nature.
Tomorrow, we will explore the Cultural diversity and attractions of Melbourne. This is not your typical museum itinerary (although some is included). The vibrant art scene - often experienced for free - is worth visiting on every trip because it’s a different experience each time.
See you tomorrow.
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