Grant and I arrived in Melbourne late on 14th April into Flinders Street station which is pictured. We were staying in a hostel just 10 minutes in the tram from the centre of Melbourne.

On Wednesday the 15th we took the free city shuttle round the main atrractions in the city. We then took the free city tram to see where it went in the circle round the city. It is great that they provide this as a free service to tourists (locals can jump on too) should be something that we offer in Glasgow! We got off outside Federation Square (across from the station pictured) and had a look around. It is a very "Arty" city and this is reflected in the square. We then went across and visited the Victorian Museum of Art which is in the theatre district. In the afternoon we found "Little Cupcakes" whcih was a cafe I had found in the guide book that I wanted to go to. It is in a small lane which is full of cafes and restaurants and you can sit out on the pavement, really nice area (plus its their autumn and its warmer than our summer, not difficult though!).

On Thursday 16th we went to the Shrine Of Rememberence which is in a park just before you enter the city. ANZAC Day is coming up on the 25th April here and that's when people from Australia and New Zealand remember the people who fought for them at war. It would have been interesting to come back to the Shrine for the ANZAC Day service, but unfortunately we will be away by then. We then had a wander through the Huge Botanic Gardens that are next to the park. In the afternoon we did the Neighbours tour. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any filming, but it was great all the same. Weird pulling up in a street and recognising it. It is much smaller in real life, for those of you who know where I live it is smaller than the cul de sac across the road from me! We then got to meet a "Star" who was Michelle Skully, Steph's youngest sister in the show.

We then visited the Melbourne Museum on Friday 17th, which was a bit of a mistake as we hadn't realised the schools were off. Anyway, we had a wander around it and it has a huge IMAX Theatre attached to it as well. We then walked to the Old Melbourne Gaol and had a look around the courtyard. We went to Chinatown which I foudn a little disappointing. We then found Melbourne Central which is a shopping centre. You go in a tiny entrance and then all of a sudden there are four huge floors filled ith shops. Absolutely great if I had the room to carry anything for another 2 months!

On Saturday we took a day trip to Phillip Island to see the penguins. On the way there we stopped at a wild life park and saw some Koalas, Emus and kangaroos. Then we got to do some wine tasting at a local winery. Much nicer than the New Zealand wine tasting. Then at night you go and sit on the beach and wait for the penguins to come in. They come in at sunset around 6.30 in groups of around 20. They all catch a wave and come in, then they go as fast as they can voer the sand as they don't like being so exposed. The place has boardwalks set out so you can get right beside the penguins as they find a place to stay in the dunes until the next morning.

On Sunday morning we went to Queen Victoria Market. Its a famous market in Melbourne and it is open 5 days a week. A lot of repetition however, with a lot of stalls selling the same things. We then went to the Docklands area to see the shops. This area is in development just now and is expected to be home to around 20,000 people in the next few years. There is also a small harbour area so it is a lovely place to see. From here we found the DFO outlet mall. Some good bargains to be found. Unfortunately not the coat I really wanted which was still full price even in the outlet - typical!

Monday is our last day in the centre of Melbourne and so we just went back to some of the malls and places we had already been before we leave.