Following a slightly bumpy four hour flight from Auckland we landed safely in Melbourne and headed for our South Yarra hostel.After six months or so in New Zealand, Melbourne seemed like a really big city with lots going on and lots of people (and lots of shops, oh no!).Getting there quite late the first night we didn't do much but explore South Yarra's main street.

The next day we were in full sight seeing mode and were pleasantly surprised to find a FREE tourist bus. That was the day sorted. We saw all the main sights of the city including Federation Square, Melbourne Museum, Queen Victoria Market amongst others.We also booked a day trip to the Great Ocean Road that was picking us up at 7am so decided on an early night.

The Great Ocean road proved as spectacular as the guide book said it was.Starting at Bells Beach, we worked our way along to the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Bay.We also managed to see both Kangaroos and a Koala bear in the wild. This was a really superb day but very long, not getting back to our now St Kilda's Hostel until 9:30pm.The next morning we went for a run along St Kilda's promenade passing the fittest old man we have ever seen emerge from the cold water in nothing but a pair of Speedos.

We then met up with Rhian and Marley, Rhian being a friend of Hannah's from Alford Lake Camp USA.They treated us to a pub lunch and tickets to the Western Bulldogs Vs Melbourne Aussie rules football game at the Telstra Dome.We were a bit unsure of the rules at first but got into it and managed a few shouts of "Ball", "Punch" and "Wrap him up" by the end.From there we headed back to Rhian and Marley's stunning house at Ocean Grove and a few home brews.I was beginning to like Australia.

After visiting the Ocean Grove beach we hopped on the bus to Geelong and then the train back to Melbourne.Discovering this time a free tram we managed a little more sightseeing including the fire show at the casino before booking our Greyhound passes that will hopefully take us all the way to Cairns and boarding the night bus for Canberra.