At last the countdown ended on 19th May 2016. Kimi and Hafiey were sooooo look forward for the trip. And honestly they were great travelling companion. Me and my other half, 5-1/2 years old Kimi, not yet 3 years old Hafiey, 2 large baggage, 2 strollers, 1 handbag and 1 knapsack, Alhamdulillah we managed to handle it very well.
We took midnight flight via Air Asia to save the accommodation cost and of course to make sure the kids doze off easily.
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| Holding his plane and the safety pamphlet throughout 8 hours flying |
Arrived at Tullamarine Airport at 7am, we rented a car together with 2 car seats for the boys (booked online) and headed to the first destination.
20th May 2016
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| The details journey looks like |
It was so frustrating that few checkpoints have to be eliminated as the sun set as early as 6pm. The road along Great Ocean Road is not that bad but wait until you start the journey from Apollo Bay until 12 Apostles. It was a challenging and narrow road. But it was all worth it for the breathtaking scenery as a reward.
The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243 kilometres (151 mi) stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world's largest war memorial, it's winding through varying terrain along the coast.
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| From Teddy's look out |
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| Apollo Bay |
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| Gibson Step and 12 Apostles' panoramic view |
We were so unlucky that we reached 12 Apostles during sunset and not able to capture the scenic ocean view. We continued the journey on the Great Ocean Road on the next day.
The cabin though small, it is so convenient for a short stay. Fully equipped with kitchen utensils, microwave oven, stove, toaster and even rice cooker. There is 1 queen bed for us and the bunker bed for the boys. For RM100 nett, it's worth it. Not so surprise, we had a baked curry salmon with rice for dinner made with love..The fresh salmon was from Apollo Bay Fisheries Co Op..
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| Great Ocean Road Tourist Park |
21st May 2016
It is so damn crucial for you to wake up very early each morning during travelling and be punctual as per your itinerary or else the journey will not be according to plan. We included London Bridge as part of our itinerary to cover the previous day's itinerary and afterwards proceed as per planned journey.
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| Eliminated lunch part, we had big breakfast at the cabin of course made with love.. |
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| London Brigde |
It was freezing cold and windy that morning at the London Bridge, and yet that guy only wear a green shirt with shades..I always wonder how much fat he has in the body to keep him that warm...muahahha
Our next destination, the ARHS Newport Railway Museum which only open on Saturday every week. The museum contains the largest existing collection of Victorian Railways steam locomotives, a wide range of other Victorian Railways rolling stock, and numerous Victorian Railways artifacts.
The place looks well maintained though it is run by the volunteers.
I was so glad that I was able to bring the boys to the museum especially Kimi as he is really into trains' stuff. For a 6 years old boy, he has a deep knowledge in technical parts of the train as well as the rail road crossing. This place is like heaven to Kimi. We spent 3 hours to accommodate the kids interests.
After checked in at Best Western Melbourne's Princess Park Motor Inn, we strolled along the road to buy some fresh food to cook in Melbourne CBD. Coles, Kmart and Woolworth are just walking distance from the lodging, it was very easy for us to do quick shop. And we had salmon again for dinner.
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| Salmon Curry with white rice |
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| Cozy apartment fully equip with kitchen |
22nd May 2016
It's a tram day! The boys really look forward to ride on the tram. They keep on watching the tram passed by from the apartment's balcony.
We rode on tram Route 19 (North Coburg) from Brunswick Road to Stop 7, Queen Victoria Market. It was easy to use the tram and there is free tram zone as well. You just need myki card which easily available at 711 and few other stores. This link can be used for everybody's reference: http://www.yarratrams.com.au/
It was just a walk around at the Queen Victoria Market..little bit of shopping for souvenirs and can't resist to buy the fruits and mushrooms!!!
It was just a walk around at the Queen Victoria Market..little bit of shopping for souvenirs and can't resist to buy the fruits and mushrooms!!!
The market is super dry though it sells fisheries. A superb example to be adopted in Malaysia.
Stopped by for lunch at one of the kiosk in QVM as Kimi cannot resist the smell of their home made pizza. Luckily it's halal or else I need to explain to him why we cannot eat meat here and tonnes of questions will come out from his mouth. Super delicious latte for the parents.
Back to the hotel for prayers and after that we let the boys run freely at the park in front of the hotel.
Stopped by for lunch at one of the kiosk in QVM as Kimi cannot resist the smell of their home made pizza. Luckily it's halal or else I need to explain to him why we cannot eat meat here and tonnes of questions will come out from his mouth. Super delicious latte for the parents.
Back to the hotel for prayers and after that we let the boys run freely at the park in front of the hotel.
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| In front of Best Western Melbourne's Princess Park Motor Inn |
Next agenda , the famous colorful box at Brighton Beach. Superb scenery but cranky Hafiey refused to wear sweater and insisted to wear shirt with tram's picture on it (just bought at QVM). To cool him down, I give him the chips! Bad parenting huh..!
23rd May 2016
What a super duper cold day. Saying goodbye to Melbourne, we headed to the most awaited moment for the kids...the Puffing Billy!! I bought the ticket online and our train was the first train in the morning left at 1030am. We arrived at Belgrave around 10am to secure the parking. It's free!
The railway was originally one of five narrow gauge lines of the Victorian Railways opened around the beginning of the 20th century. It runs through the southern foothills of the Dandenong Ranges to Gembrook.
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| Made Egg Sandwich in Puffing Billy but the picture looks like ate sandwich in Puffing Billy |
We only took ride from Belgrave until Lakeside and return to Belgrave. The train stopped for 5-10 minutes at Menzies Creek and Emerald.
The train journey is a 60 minute train ride one way from Belgrave to Lakeside and is a great option for families and couples who wish to take a return trip. It is recommended to allow a minimum of 3 hours for a return trip to this station, subject to the time table.
BBQ facilities and picnic tables make this an ideal place to relax alongside the lake. Passengers can pack a picnic or purchase lunch from the café. Playground facilities, a wading pool (summer only) and paddle boats (for hire) are available to keep the kids entertained. There is also a miniature train track with a separate fares.
It was freezing cold so we decided not to have any picnic at the park. Therefore, somewhere with a heater such as the miniature train house would be very nice for us to spend our time while waiting for the return train.
After spending 3 hours at Puffing Billy, we proceeded to the next destination which is Phillip Island. The 2 hours journey to Phillip Island was so enjoyable as both kids were sleeping, so no questions need to be entertained especially related to the train.
After checked in at Quay Motel San Remo, we headed to Phillip Island Chocolate Factory just across the bridge from the motel. Literally nobody was there, so we had the factory for us. We had loads of fun playing with the chocolate machine. The chocolate was surprisingly delicious and again surprisingly it's a Malaysian owned place. Just for notes, they also serves halal food but I cannot give any review on the deliciousness of the food as the cafe already close by the time we arrived. But the chocolate is super tasty. The ticket is inclusive of 1 piece of chocolate for everybody and you can collect more chocolate for free if you play the provided games in the chocolate factory. We were in the factory until it closed around 5pm and later headed to the lodging for dinner. It's maggi time!!
We were at Phillip Island but we did not go to the Penguin Parade..why?
- We have super active Hafiey that might run from the seats and crowds.
- Kimi being Kimi will ask so many questions loudly that annoy other people (remember, somebody shoosh us and ask us to leave the tour group at Old Traford
- Penguin Parade starts at 5pm and can end as late as 8pm. It's freezing cold at Phillip Island on that day of 23rd May, and I can imagine it's even colder if you stand up in front of the Antartic Ocean.
- You are dealing with living thing.. penguin, Kimi and Hafiey..all are uncontrollable. We will not know when is the penguin make the appearance, we will not know when will Hafiey start shouting if he bored and when Kimi will stop asking questions..
So based on the justifications above, we choosed to stay at our motel and enjoy our night by looking at the cloudless sky with tonnes of stars. It's stargazing time! Free of charge..
24th May 2016
The last day at Down Under, we spent our morning at The Nobbies. Facing the Antartic Ocean, we strolled along The Nobbies boardwalk and enjoy spectacular views along Phillip Island’s rugged south coast. Initially we plan to go to the Antartic Journey, but Mama need to go to DFO for shopping.
Last one before we headed to DFO Essendon, we went to Churchill Island Heritage Farm. Churchill Island sits just of the Phillip Island coast and is accessed by an all vehicle bridge. It offers a range of daily farming activities and walks around the island.
Daily farming activities:
1.00pm wagon rides (weekends, school and public holidays only)
2.10pm cow milking
2.30pm sheep shearing
2.45pm whip cracking
3.05pm working dogs
3.20pm sheep shearing
The best part was, we skipped all the daily farming activities to accommodate Mama's shopping time..
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| Additional blue bag leaving Australia |
No picture at DFO. But definitely, brought back Oroton bags for sale!
We had dinner at the airport. A Malaysian kiosk selling noodles, nasi lemak and teh tarik with a reasonable price.
