We get to our backpackers in Melbourne and settle in to our noisy dorm for just 1 night as the following night we get to enjoy an excellent xmas prezzie from Ryan and Abby by spending the night in a posh hotel which comes with sauna, jacuzzi, swimming pool and gym! This is something us travellers should never have because it makes the hostels feel that much worse!! We left the hostel at 10ish and had to carry our stuff across the city centre (via the free trams!). Check in at the posh hotel wasn't until 2pm but we were hoping we could get in early. We ended up checking in at 1pm but we were able to leave our stuff there.

The hotel was amazing. The bed was really comfortable and you could even order different types of pillows if those provided weren't good enough. We thoroughly enjoyed our 1 night here and were very tempted to blow the budget and stay for longer!!!

Our third accommodation in 3 days was just out of the city and we caught a train to the district but, in a (rare) lack of organisation on our part, we didn't really know where we were going once off the train so we followed our nose but had to walk for about 20 minutes in the heat with all our stuff. Fortunately we guessed correctly and found it Its a run-down area but the hostel is much more our style. Very homely and comfortable as well as being sociable. The bigger city centre hostels are generally more suited to the partying travellers and i guess we don't fit in to that bracket.

Ryan, Abby & co joined us later today after their flight over for Adelaide and we spend the next four days together discovering Melbourne. Our first port of call was the Rialto towers where 360 degree views can be enjoyed and Melbourne can be seen in all it's glory. We returned here for superb sunset views later the same day.

We all went to the Zoo which was greatly enjoyed by everyone, i think, especially the monkeys, gorillas and orangutans.

Back at our hostel, we were lucky enough to be given a double room for dorm prices until someone else came along who paid the full price so every night we returned, we half expected to have been relocated and one night we returned all of our stuff had been neatly placed into boxes but remained in the room. We later found out that we were being moved but then something came up and the owner moved all our stuff back into the room for us! We stayed there for 7 nights and had the double for 5 until we were finally moved!!

Ryan & Abbys last day in Melbourne was what Sam & Abby had been waiting all of their lives for! We went on the Neighbours tour. This involved boarding the fully decorated bus and taking a trip to the school, the studios, the famous street and, finally, meeting a star from the show. It was actually a good day out and, having seen the show myself on the odd occasion (ahem!!) found it all a little too familiar! The school is not a regular high school at all, it's an English language school so most of the people who attend would never have heard of the show. The street seemed a lot smaller than on the show but it was completely recognisable and we had to stop Ellie running onto the resident's lawns! The street actually has its own security guard and no actual filming takes place in the houses, just on the streets. The star we met played Dr. Darcy, for those who are fans!!

It has been a fantastic period over the last few weeks as we've had family around us but we've got to say goodbye again. This time to the Aussies. The difference here is that we don't really know when we'll see them next. It's a sad time but we have to pick ourselves up and get backpacking again!

We did some regular touristy things and saw the sights as well as visiting Old Melbourne Gaol for a night tour - seeing the spot where Ned Kelly was hanged (how grim!) - before spending a whole day at the Australian Open. This was certainly something different and i think we both enjoyed it (maybe me more than Sam!). We saw the eventual winner and we also witnessed the only Brit remaining lose in his doubles match. A fun day!

After satisfying ourselves with Melbourne, we ventured out to the Great Ocean Road. We hired a car for this trip as we'd already sold Dora. We had 5 days until our flight to New Zealand so we took a shortcut to the furthest point on the road then spent 4 days working our way back along the coast.

Our first stop on the Great Ocean road is a place called Warrnambool. Its a very likeable backpackers but time is short and after one night we head east. Before hitting the famous road, we stop at an expensive glass blowing studio then a cheese factory where the cheese is delicious but it takes them absolutely ages to make a simple scone, jam & cream! And it's no cream tea!

It doesn't take long for us to start appreciating the magnificent coastal road complete with a brilliant scenic coastline and we stop at just about all the viewpoints along the way. Unfortunately the weather is overcast and windy so the photos hardly do it justice but we can still admire locations such as 'london bridge', 'loch ard gorge' and, ultimately 'the twelve apostles'. It was only when we got to our hostel for that night when we read a newspaper article and found out that there only actually 11 apostles as one fell a few years ago!

A little treat tonight following our pasta and sauce in the form of strawberries & cream on pancakes!! The hostel at Apollo Bay is a cozy beach house conversion with good views out to sea.

Next stop is Lorne and we go out to see a large waterfall (Erskine Falls) and we find out how unfit we are when the steps coming back up give us aches and pains in our legs!!

We feel like we're back home when we spend the next two nights in Anglesea and Torquay! In Torquay, our hostel is right next door to the surf shopping capital of the world - surf city. Many of the famous brands started here and most of our afternoon is spent walking around here. We've had no time to indulge in the watersport this area is famous for but hopefully we'll get more chances in New Zealand.

Back in Melbourne for our final day and we spend a bit of time enjoying the city sights before having an early night as our transport to the airport picks us up at 6am. Unfortunately we're sharing the room with the worlds loudest snorer. This doesn't help our intentions for sleep!

Farewell Australia. You've given us some of the fondest memories and some exceptional experiences. Til the next time.....