!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> With rain predicted for today we figured it was a good time to go shopping. Taking the Mornington Penninsula Freeway we started at the Direct Factory Outlet in Moorabbin. It's got a lot bigger since we were last there. After 5 hours Tom's arms were stretching, carrying his new wardrobe and Ian had replaced all his worn out shirts. Unsure of what time Chadstone closed we drov...

<!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> Bad weather has been forecast for most of the week so we thought it best to visit Philip Island to see the penguins. It's a 2 hour drive from where we are so we headed off about lunchtime going straight there to get the tickets without the hassle of the any crowds. We also decided to book and Eco Tour where a ranger takes you on a walk explaining things and answering any...

An even lazier day than yesterday. Eventually getting up midmorning to enjoy one of Ian's cooked breakfasts, then off for a lazy drive up to Hastings, via the strawberry farm up the road. Paddocks and trees on the penninsula more resemble New Zealand countryside. Tom spent the afternoon in the pool with the kids from the unit next to ours, while Ian and Sally spent it on the couch watching the NRL Final, followed by a big steak dinner.

Time to start slowing down for a bit as we're here for a week. So we start with a lay in before checking out the shops in Rosebud. A small area but has a Kmart and Target. Tom found a new cover for his Ipod and we all got new beach towels. After lunch we took a drive out to Cape Schanck. We didn't go in to the light house but for some unknown reason we headed down the hill on the board walk. We couldn't find much life in the rock pools and the tide was starting ...

Thought we'd better actually "do" something in Ballarat so went to the Animal Sanctuary. Tom enjoyed being able to get up close to the kangaroos and hand feed them. Not a huge animal selection, but got to see wombats, wedge-tailed eagles, roos, wallabies and emus. Arrived back in Melbourne around lunchtime and then took another couple of hours to circumnavigate the city and head down the Mornington Penninsular to the resort.Stopped briefly at Frankston...