Col, Sarah and I caught the bus from Merimbula to Melbourne at 11.45pm. Another night journey. I was not looking forward to it. The bus arrived on time and there were plenty of seats. We tried to bed down for the night but alas, it was uncomfortable and no sleep. When we arrived into Melbourne station we said our goodbyes to Sarah and that we would catch up that night for a drink. We then had to figure how to get to our accommodation in South Yarra, for the next few nights. Our hostel was lovely, it was more like a hotel, but the rates of a hostel and a great free brekkie. When we checked in it was still early and the room wasnt ready until 1pm. We put our bags in the locked room and helped ourselves to the free brekkie, yum. We then headed off, to see what the area was like, where we will be staying. I like South Yarra a lot, it was quirky, with some cool shops. Col even spotted a hairdressers which he would have liked to work in. I couldnt tell if it was a hairdressers or a tattoo parlour, it was cool. That night we met up with Sarah and her friend Ruby and went for something to eat and a few drinks. Her other friend who lived in Melbourne also joined us. While in Melbourne, we visited the MCG, it was a nice stadium, but I dont get all the fuss about event arenas, it was Col's thing. We also visited Hoiser Street and the surrounding areas which is famous for its street art.

I booked the bus to take us to Phillip Island, as Col and I really wanted to see the penguins and kolas. We caught the bus in the morning and 2 hours later we were in our hostel, YHA again, in Phillip Island. It was brilliant weather and a really nice place. We stayed 2 nights on Phillip Island before heading back to Melbourne. We booked the Penguin Parade and the Koala Sanctuary. The penguin parade was at night. We got picked up in a taxi at 6.30pm and the parade was to start at 8.30pm. That night was fantastic, we saw so many little penguins just waddling out of the sea, quickly making a dash across the beach and catching a breath near the rocks and banks, before making their journey to their homes. They come out of the water in swarms, just a few at first, then in massive packs. So cute, and the chicks are so fluffy. We really wanted to take some photos, but we were not aloud, and they made it very clear. I will just have to remember the pictures in my memory. We walked along the board walk back to the building, and you walk next to all these little penguins who are heading back home. Some where really fat, and will not be going back out to see for a for days to a week. It was a very good night and money well spent. The next day we hired bikes, and we biked to the Koala sanctuary. That was also special, we hadnt seen any koalas the whole time we had been in Australia, and they were cute, especially the baby ones. We spent a good few hours there and biked back, stopping at some coastal spots along the way.

The next day we were heading back to Melbourne. We spent another couple of nights in Melbourne city, before heading to the airport. It was time to say goodbye to Australia and hello to New Zealand.

I really was not excited about New Zealand, my heart wasn't in it, just because I didnt want to leave Australia. I made a promise that I would most definitely return some day. Hopefully sooner rather than later.