We took a leisurely walk down to Federation Square where we were due to join our afternoon tour of the highlights of Melbourne. The Square is on a large block and really quite impressive with very modern architecture, art galleries of various types and a good selection of dining and drinking options. Plenty of outdoor entertainment for those with time to stand and stare, and we walked past just at the right time to receive free fruity ice-cream bars so a morning well spent!

On joining our tour we discovered that the first part involved a few minutes walk to the nearby Yarra River to join a scheduled boat for our river cruise. Maybe we have been spoilt, but we weren't hugely impressed with the 'cruise'. The first five minutes were really interesting as we passed by the busy city area but the majority was spent gazing at the docks and trying to get enthusiastic about a couple of container ships. To make matters worse, the commentary was too quiet and very muffled so impossible to hear anything. It was lucky that we had ordered the packed lunch because nothing else was available on board. It was very good, and all the lunchless people around us looked very envious!

Back in Federation Square we boarded our coach for the rest of our afternoon tour, only to find that our driver was an exile from the Isle of Wight and very keen to reminisce on old times back in Blighty.

Our first stop was at the impressive Shrine of Remembrance, originally in honour of those Australians lost in the 1st World War but now dedicated to all those lost in conflict.