Melbourne Visitors Guide : Part 2

-Cont'd-

Driving around Melbourne (except for the CBD) is easy. They are right-hand drivers. Malaysia's driving license is generally accepted although some car rental companies insist on a translation of the driving license. Do adhere to the speed limits as one of Victoria's main income is from traffic offences fines!

Hire a car

From my research and experience, East Coast Car Rental (www.eastcoastcarrentals.com.au) offers the best rate in town.  You can either pick up your car at Melbourne Airport or Melbourne CBD. If you do not have your own GPS, you can also add on to your car hire package here. 

Not to be missed Phillip Island - 1 day

Phillips Island is located about 1.5 hours (drive) away from Melbourne. Be sure to reach the San Remo bridge for pelican feeding daily @ 12.00 noon.  Other attractions:

• Amaze-n- Things - Kids will love this place (www.amazenthings.com.au)
• Phillips Island Grand Prix Circuit Visitors Centre - Try Go Karting here.  (www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au)
• Panny's Chocolate Factory - See how chocolates are made. Free tasting. (www.phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au)
• Koala Conservation Centre - Koalas are sleepyheads.  They are always asleep up on the gumtrees. Not easy to spot 'em.
• Churchill Island - Farm animals, sheep shearing...don't expect too much though.
• The Nobbies - Watch seagulls & seals (if you are lucky).  Do this last as its close to the Penguin Parade.  

The highlight of Phillips Island ( I would say, the highlight to my Melbourne trip) is none other than their Penguin Parade.  Fairy  Penguins are unique to Australia.  They arrive at sunset, 365 nights a year.  Be sure to check their estimated arrival time at  www.penguins.org.au.  and arrive about 1 hour earlier, so that you can get the best viewing spot.  Tickets costs AUD22.60 (A) / AUD11.60 (C) / AUD56.50 (F =2A+2C) for the general ticket.  Or alternatively you can buy 3 park tickets covering the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island and the Penguin Parade (AUD38.40 (A) / AUD19.20 (C) / AUD96 (F)).  I've tried both the general and premium seats and I find that the general seat is good enough (maybe even better).  You can actually see the cute penguins emerged from the sea! Oh! Don't forget your jacket / windbreaker as the sea breeze can be quite cold.

The fairy penguins

Franskton  & Mornington Peninsular - 1 day

These are seaside towns, located about 1.5 hours from Melbourne (yup, same route as Phillips Island). From 26 December to April each year, you can watch amazing sand sculptures @ Franskton Waterfront.  They are carved by professional sand sculpture artists from around the world.  

Next, head to Mornington Peninsula:

• Get lost @ Enchanted Maze (www.enchantedmaze.com.au). Interesting 3D indoor maze, hedge maze, tube slides and giant puzzles. 
• Strawberry picking (Nov - April) @ Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm (www.sunnyridge.com.au).  Don't miss their strawberry sorbet...yummyyyyy!!!  Not adviseable to go if its rainy as the quality of the strawberries deteriorates after rain (plus, its muddy!)

Their Strawberry Parfait is superb!!

• Cherry picking @ Red Hill Cherry Farm (www.redhill-cherryfarm.com.au) / Ripe-N-Ready Cherry Farm (www.ripenreadycherries.com.au). These cherries are plump, sweet and juicy.  Unfortunately, cherry season is short - late November to early January.  Call first to check availability.

Wilsons Promontory National Park - 2 days

If you have the luxury of time, may I suggest camping at Wilsons Prom.  Wilsons Prom is located in the Gipplsand region, 157 km Southeast of Melbourne.   That's about 3 hours drive. It is in fact the southernmost tip of Victoria.  I personally have never been to Wilsons Prom but looking from its website, the place looks spectacular.  A friend of mine who loves camping at Wilsons Prom recommends going to the iconic Squeaky Beach..yes, the sand squeaks when you walk on it!  For info on camping grounds, try check out their website www.visitpromcountry.com.au. About 30 minutes from Wilsons Prom is Venus Bay, famous for its pipis picking (a type of clam). You can just dig the pipis on the beach but first you have to purchase a license online from the Department of Primary Industries (www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries/recreational-fishing/fishing-licence).  A 2-day license costs only AUD6 per adult. Sounds fun?

Pipis

-to be continued-