Australia Trip

[AustraliaTrip]

Were going to Melbourne and Tasmania soon to see extended family.

We aren't going for ages so haven't got as much time as we'd like to explore but wondering if anyone has hints and tips.

We're likely to visit Healseville in Melbourne

And bonorong in Tasmania (has anyone done the feeding experience? And know which time to go for? Reviews say night is good but morning seems a smaller group?)

We're so excited 😊

If it's not too late, break your flight going back by a stopover for a few days in Singapore.

When is soon and how many/ages are you? This affects recommended activities.

Oh I would love to but it's such a tight trip. We will have some time at changi airport on the way over but probably just enough time to visit the jewel.

They're early teens. Youngest v interested in animals and the older one just wants to be there and experience things!

And v soon! Easter... For a couple of weeks.

When you say not ages, how long in Tassie? And what month? It’s a beautiful place- would suggest Bruny Island and the speedboat trip if it’s not mid winter, port Arthur, hiking on the Tasman Peninsula, cradle mountain and the lakes, Maria Island for a day, Hobart for 2-3 days. You can do Hobart and Port Arthur if you only have a few days, if you have longer hire a car add the other stuff on

Tassie is great for wildlife- do some hiking and go to the Unzoo and you will see kangaroos wherever

Brunt island off Tasmania

If you’re going to Healesville, the four pillars gin distillery is a great experience. There are also some great places to eat at the other end of the town.
The sanctuary is fantastic - the birds of prey experience is good, as is the koala talk. You can take a picnic (which you could buy at the bakery in town) or buy food there, but there will be a queue at peak times. It’s a lovely country town (and the window shopping is good as well).
You could also visit badger creek while you’re there, a mother good place for a picnic!

In Hobart I also second port Arthur as a day trip - to learn about the convict experiences. Salamanca market is good for a browse on a Saturday as well.

In Melbourne the Triennial's on at the NGV until the 7th April. While not fabulous, it's free and worth it for the robot dogs. They're adorable.

https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/program/heterobota-by-agnieszka-pilat/

Bruny Island

One thing to warn you about - you will see an insane amount of dead wildlife on the roads, particularly in Tasmania. It seems like every mile there was multiple dead wallabies. It can be confronting.

However try to get up north. Devonport to Wynyard is absolutely stunning and much greener than the often dry Hobart area.

Beautiful time of year to come to Melbourne.

Thanks we're so excited. I want to do things like go on a Melbourne tram and enjoy wondering around the centre, find some lunch spots and a take out in China town.

The triennial looks fab! And Salamanca is on the list already 😁. Partner has planned a trip to the Gordon river/strahan too.

The comedy festival is on in Melbourne. The city is very alive at night with lots of shows and impromptu events.

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2024/curated-lists/A-List-Entertainment-presents?&&&&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnv-vBhBdEiwABCYQA3cyVKge4Ay3-SX9hCDIvrWf94kUUj7p1kd9hzzc7m5OS2SeGxgy5BoCq0wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ooh interesting!

So today's questions....

*cabin luggage Singapore. We're closer to the limit can we put some bits in a handbag?

*cabin luggage - can we put some bits in the kids backpacks. Get weighed and then reorganise when we're through the gate?

*Bonorong. Has anyone been? We can't decide whether to do a morning or evening feeding Frenzy. It's expensive but not as much as long leat would be! We really are excited about this.

*weather. It looks a bit warmer than here at the moment. We might need warmer bits for tassie and up Mt wellington/mornings etc but assume jeans and t shirts fine in the most part? And for Melbourne?

Melbourne today was cool (12 degrees) at 7 am and is going to get to 25. Apparently Easter Saturday and Sunday will be warmer, up to 30! But cool in morning and evening. Melbourne is known for being very changeable, so can be 30 one day and 18 the next.

From Melbourne I did a day bus trip along the Great Ocean rd once which I loved. I saw the 12 apostles, tall trees forest, koalas in the trees and some lovely coastal towns. The weather was quite blustery on the coast, so take warm, waterproof clothing.

@StartupRepair . It was a "warm" 10 degrees in the daytime here and I only had a cardi on... 12 degrees wouldn't be "cool" to us right now but I get it will be in contrast to the daytime weather!

I actually imagined it would be early 20s for some reason!

30will be positively baking for us (I know we've missed the actual heatwave). We arrive Easter Sunday so will think about what we wear and I'll have another look at the weather.

I know Tasmania will be a bit cooler. We will bring layers.

Presumably won't need gloves and things though...

Also from Google I think Melbourne has the same 2 week school holidays as us (2 weeks after Easter) but Tasmania isn't off then?? Is that right?

There will be a cool change sometime on Sunday with 20 degrees and a little rain on Monday.

I would go prepared for all types of weather. We were in hats and gloves in the mornings in Tasmania and that was in December. We also had really variable weather in Victoria.

So next question....

Husband wants to fly across back to melbourne in good time so we don't miss the flight...

So we have 12 hours at Melbourne. Aiprot 😬😬. From memory there's not much there. Any ideas?!

Which Melbourne airport? There are 2- Avalon and Tullamarine airports. They are 63km or 45min drive from each other, so do check where you fly into and out from!
If you have 12hrs to spare, you could easily spend time in the city though to pass time.

If you are at the main Melbourne airport (Tullamarine) you can catch a skybus into the city, which should take about 40 minutes depending on traffic.