Tuesday: December 27th 2011

We will depart from Toronto’s Lester B Pearson International Airport at 7:00am and begin our journey to Melbourne Australia.  Unfortunately our flight will take 2 days to arrive in Melbourne and has 2 stops.

Melbourne, Australia is across the world from Toronto, Canada hence the 2 day (with stops) travel time.
Map from: Geology.com

Thursday: December 29th, 2011

Our flight will arrive in Melbourne at 11:15am.  I decided not to plan any activates for the rest of this day since I figured we would need time to check into our hotel, unpack and recover from our 2 day flight.  

We will be staying at the Melbourne Marriott Hotel located right in the heart of the city.  It is a luxury hotel (since this is a dream vacation) offering amenities such a sauna, fitness centre and an indoor salt-water swimming pool.

View Larger Map

Melbourne, Australia
Picture from: Melbourne Marriott Hotel
 

Melbourne Marriott Hotel
Picture from: Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Melbourne Marriott Hotel Room
Picture from: Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Melbourne Marriott Hotel Pool
Picture from: Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Friday: December 30th, 2011

On Friday we will go on a guided tour of Phillip Island.  The tour leaves Melbourne midday and takes tourists by bus down the South Gippsland coastal highway to Phillip Island.  Once at Phillip Island we will get to tour the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory where we will get to watch the chocolatiers work and of course get to sample their wide array of chocolate creations.

Phillip Island
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Phillip Island Chocolate Factory

This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

After the chocolate factory our tour will take us to the Phillip Island Winery overlooking the famous Berry’s Beach.  Here we will have the chance to sample the locally produced wines as well as Gippsland’s cheeses and other local produce.        

Next will be a visit to the Koala Conservation Center where we will hopefully have the chance to see wild Koalas.

Koala

This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Finally it will be time to see Phillip Island’s most famous attraction.  After dark we will get to watch Little Penguins (the worlds smallest penguins) come ashore to their sand burrows.  Afterwards our tour bus will take us back to Melbourne.

I especially selected this tour because I felt it combined a lot of the experiences I am looking for in a vacation.  I enjoy tasting different cuisines (how else will you discover new foods you’ll like?) as well as discovering new cultures though their local delicacies.  This tour also offers the opportunity to see the local wildlife (in their natural habitat) which I personally find very exciting.  I love animals and wildlife and it is defiantly a goal of mine to see as many unique species as possible.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade:

Video from: YouTube

Saturday: December 31st, 2011

Picture from: Partner viator

On Saturday we will go on the Melbourne Crime Tour, a 4 hour tour of Melbourne’s most famous crime locations.  We will have the opportunity to visit many of the city’s traditional landmarks, locations of famous crimes as well as the filming locations used in the highly rated television miniseries about Melbourne’s Gangland War.  Our tour guide will tell the stories of Melbourne’s most infamous crimes including: the Hoddle Street Massacre, the Queen Street Killing, the Walsh Street Police Murders, the Russell Street Bombing, the Great Bookie Robbery and the Samurai Sword Murders.  The tour will end at the Melbourne City Watch House where we will have the chance to put ourselves in the criminals place.

Picture from: Melbourne Crime Tours

I decided on this tour for two reasons.  First it will allow me the opportunity to see Melbourne’s historic landmarks which I am sure will provide plenty of great photo opportunities.  I enjoy photography and it is important to me to have some beautiful pictures to bring back to Canada.  Second, this tour also appeals to my interest in history specifically criminal history.  I personally find criminal history really interesting and I defiantly want to learn about Australia’s famous crime stories.  As well I think it offers an insight into Australia’s culture which I want to have a chance to experience during my trip.  

Picture from: Melbourne Crime Tours

Sunday: January 1, 2012

On Sunday we will go on another bus tour, this time along Great Ocean Road up to the Twelve Apostles.  Our day will begin at 8:00am where we will depart from Melbourne and begin our tour by crossing the Westgate Bridge, Australia’s longest.  We will make our way to Surf Coast and finally Bells Beach where the tour bus will stop so we can enjoy the beach as well as the local surfing culture.

Beginning of Great Ocean Road
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Bells Beach
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

After leaving Bells Beach we will set out back along the very scenic Great Ocean Road.  Our tour guide will describe the road’s history and the Australian folklore surrounding it.

We will then be making a brief stop at the township of Kennet River where we will take a short trip into a eucalyptus forest to hopefully view the local wild koalas.  We will also have the opportunity to feed the local wild Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots.

Hand feeding the local birds
Picture from: Get Your Guide

After breaking for lunch our tour will continue along the Great Ocean Road eventually arriving at the cool temperate rainforest at Maits Rest.  Here we will have a chance to tour the forest and learn about the world’s tallest flowering trees and the ancient rainforest species.

Rain Forest
Picture from: Get Your Guide

Next we will get to visit the famous Port Campbell National Park as well as the Twelve Apostles.  Our tour will then take us to the Shipwreck Coast where our tour guide will recount the legend of the Loch Ard (famous shipwreck).  

12 Apostles
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Loch Ard Gorge
This photo of Go West Tours is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Our tour will wrap up by taking us to the collapsed London Bridge before heading back to Melbourne.

This tour will also give me a chance to see and interact with Australia’s unique wildlife.  I think it would be an unforgettable experience to see the beautiful Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots up close and even have them eat out of your hand.  I also look forward to seeing Australia’s rainforest plant species which are unique from anything you could find here in London.  This tour also lets me experience another of my interest’s; local folklore and legends, personally I find that type of information fascinating and I look forward to learning something new about Australia and its culture.

Monday: January 2, 2012

On Monday we will visit the National Gallery of Victoria and St. Patrick's Cathedral. 

We will begin our day by visiting The National Gallery of Victoria.  Founded in 1861 The National Gallery of Victoria is Australia’s oldest public art gallery.  It features art from artists such as Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Picasso, Money and Tuner as well as Aboriginal works and art from Australian painters such as Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Albert Tucker.  Before leaving we will stop for a bite to eat at the Gallery’s famous Tea Room Restaurant.

National Gallery of Victoria
This photo of National Gallery of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Picture of painting by Tiepolo
This photo of National Gallery of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Picture of painting by Cezanne
This photo of National Gallery of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Later on in the day we will visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  The Cathedral is a famous example of Gothic revival architecture and according to tourists is absolutely breathtaking to visit.  I look forward to experiencing the beauty of the architecture myself as well as snapping a few pictures. 

St.Patrick's Cathedral
This photo of St. Patrick's Cathedral is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Inside St.Patrick's Cathedral
This photo of St. Patrick's Cathedral is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I think the art gallery will allow me to experience more of Australia’s culture through its artwork.  I will also have a chance to fulfill some of my life objectives by seeing paintings by some of the world’s most famous artists like Van Dych and Picasso.  I also appreciate the chance to see some of the Australian Aboriginals unique works.

Inside the Victorian Art Gallery
This photo of National Gallery of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I want to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral not for the religious services but for the architecture of the building itself.  When I visited England I was able to see St. Paul’s Cathedral and I was simply blown away by the breathtaking beauty and intercity of the architecture and I am eager to repeat that experience in Australia.  From what I have read St. Patrick’s Cathedral is supposed to be a stunning building and I look forward to having the chance to experience it in real life as well as photograph it.

St.Patrick's Cathedral
This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Melbourne, Australia

Tuesday: January 3, 2012

On Tuesday we will do some shopping.  I especially want to check out the Bourke Street Mall and the Queen Victoria Market.

The Bourke Street Mall is Melbourne’s main shopping center featuring large department stores such as David Jones and Myer.  Bourke Street also features the Melbourne General Post Office, built in 1864 the historic building has since been converted into a high-end shopping experience.  The Bourke Street Mall is only open to pedestrians and trams. 

Bourke Street Mall
This photo of Bourke Street Mall and Melbourne's Central is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Bourke Street Mall
This photo of Bourke Street Mall and Melbourne's Central is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Next it’s on to the Queen Victoria Market, the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere.  In existence for more than 120 years the market offers a window into Australia's various cultures and offers a wide array of products including: fruit and vegetables, local and imported gourmet foods, meat, fish, poultry, hardware, clothing, authentic Australian artifacts and souvenirs.

Queen Victoria Market Entrance
This photo of Queen Victoria Market is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Queen Victoria Market
This photo of Queen Victoria Market is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Queen Victoria Market
This photo of Queen Victoria Market is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I planned to spend at least one day in Australia specifically on shopping.  I defiantly want the opportunity to buy a few unique souvenirs to bring back to Canada with me as well as presents for friends and family.  I also want to pick up some more practical things such as clothing.  I think Bourke Street and the market will offer a similar experience in that they are both major shopping centers not only for tourists but also for regular Austrians.  As well shopping will be the least mass organized part of our trip so we will have a better chance to experience Australian culture and mix with the local people.  At the same time Bourke Street and the market will also offer two very unique shopping experiences.  Bourke Street offers a very high end Australian shopping experience while the market offers a more casual shopping experience with a huge selection.  The market also offers a wide variety of different foods which will give me another excellent opportunity to experience a variety of different Australian cuisines as well as the unique fruits and vegetables of Australia.

Bourke Street Store
This photo of Bourke Street Mall and Melbourne's Central is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Queen Victoria Market
This photo of Queen Victoria Market is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Wednesday: January 4th, 2012

On Wednesday we will visit the Melbourne Museum.  The museum features a variety of exhibits including:

• The Science and Life Gallery which features dinosaur skeletons
• 600 million years of Victoria which includes prehistoric animals such as Tiktaalik
• The Melbourne Gallery which includes an exhibit on Australia’s famous race horse Phar Lap
• The Mind and Body Gallery
• The Evolution Gallery
• The Forest Gallery which features a living temperate Victorian forest environment complete with live birds and reptiles

Reptile at Forest Gallery
This photo of Melbourne Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Phar Lap at Melbourne Musem
This photo of Melbourne Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The Melbourne Museum offers several exhibits I want the opportunity to visit.  I find dinosaurs fascinating yet I haven’t had the opportunity to see a full skeleton up close in real life so I defiantly want to make that a first in Australia.  Further I am excited to further my knowledge about Australian history, legend as well as the evolution of Australia’s unique species.  Overall I think the museum will offer me the chance to further my knowledge about Australia as well as see some unique exhibits up close.  

Melbourne Musem
This photo of Melbourne Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Stuffed animals at Evolution Gallery
This photo of Melbourne Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Dinosaur Bones at Melbourne Musem
This photo of Melbourne Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Thursday: January 5th, 2012

On Thursday we will visit the Melbourne Aquarium then the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne.

The Melbourne Aquarium offers 4 aquatic worlds; Antarctica, Weird & Wonderful, River to Reef and Southern Ocean where visitors can view animals including: King and Gentoo penguins, sea horses, sea jellies, Lionfish, turtles, frogs, snakes, crabs, stingrays, fish and sharks.  As part of our visit I will take the opportunity to try the Aquarium's “Shark Walk” activity where you get to walk underwater in the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium.  The Shark Walk requires no previous diving experience since instead of using an oxygen tank visitors use the Aquarium’s custom-made Shark Walker Helmet that allows you to breathe regular air.  The Shark Walk will allow me to get up close to the Aquarium’s various fish and even sharks.    

Jelly fish - Melbourne Aquarium
This photo of Melbourne Aquarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Fish - Melbourne Aquarium
This photo of Melbourne Aquarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Shark - Melbourne Aquarium
This photo of Melbourne Aquarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Later on we will visit the Royal Botanic Gardens which spans over 38 hecars and features more than 10 000 species of plants and trees many of which are rare and endangered. 

Royal Botanic Gardens
This photo of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Royal Botanic Gardens
This photo of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Royal Botanic Gardens
This photo of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The Melbourne Aquarium and Royal Botanic Gardens will offer more opportunities for me to experience unique plants and animals up close.  At the Melborne Aquarium I think I will have an experience of a lifetime by trying the Shark Walk.  Although the experience entails more risk than I usually like to take I can’t pass up the opportunity to see the Aquarium’s mystical fish and sharks that up close.  I have never tried anything like it and I am sure it is something that I will remember for a lifetime. 

Penguins - Melbourne Aquarium
This photo of Melbourne Aquarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Seahorse - Melbourne Aquarium
This photo of Melbourne Aquarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

From what I have read the Royal Botanic Gardens are exceptionally beautiful and very calming which I am sure I will appreciate after my Shark Walk.  I look forward to seeing (and photographing) all the unique and beautiful plants and flowers as well as just enjoying the calmness and serenity of the park.

Royal Botanic Gardens
This photo of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This will wrap up the last part of our trip.  We will depart Friday morning to return to Canada.

         

Shark Walk:
Video from: YouTube

Cost

$1 Canadian = $0.972351 Australian (as of November 19^th 2011)

Cost/person = $16 145/4 = $4036.25

Activity	Cost Australian Dollars p = person	Conversion	Cost in Canadian Dollars (Rounded up to nearest dollar)
Flight + Hotel	N/A	N/A	$11 999
Phillip Island Day Tour	$130/p x 4 = $520	$520 x 1.0285	$535
Melbourne Crime Tour	$55/p x 4 = $220	$220 x 1.0285	$227
Great Ocean Road	$125/p x 4 = $500	$500 x 1.0285	$515
National Gallery of Victoria	$0  (free for permanent exhibits)	N/A	$0
Melbourne Museum	$10/p x 4 = $40	$40 x 1.0285	$42
Melbourne Aquarium	$33.50/p x 4   + $183 (Shark Walk) = $317	$317 x 1.0285	$327
Miscellaneous (extra food, shopping, souvenirs)	N/A	N/A	$2500
Total Cost for Trip			$16 145

Who

I would take my immediate family (mom, dad and younger brother) along with me on my dream vacation.  I think it would be much more fun to share my experiences in Australia with someone and I would also feel much safer traveling with my family than going by myself.  I am sure there is an activity each of them would really enjoy during the trip.  As well, I think it would be a nice family experience for us especially since I am graduating this year and may be moving away to attend graduate school so I will no longer get to see my family as often as I do now.  

This photo of Melbourne
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of Melbourne is
courtesy of TripAdvisor

Why Australia?

I chose Australia as my dream vacation destination for several reasons.  Firstly, during high school I did a research project on Australia which left me interested in the country and its culture.  Ever since, Australia has been on the top of my list of places to visit.  As well, everyone I know who has gone had a great experience.  Further I want to take my dream vacation this December after my exams, December of course is Australia’s summer with temperatures in the mid to high 20’s so it would be a nice escape from Canadian winter.

This photo of Melbourne
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I specifically chose Melbourne because it offered a good mix between cultural, natural and entertainment tourist experiences without going too far out of my comfort zone.  I wanted to stay between individual and organized mass tourism but at the same time I also wanted some unique experiences and Melbourne offered this.  For instance with the tour to Phillip Island, you get to travel on an air conditioned bus to the island with a tour guide but you also get the unique experience (at least to me) of seeing Kolas and Little Penguins up close.      

This photo of Melbourne
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of Melbourne
is courtesy of TripAdvisor