Don’t drag me to that debate on which is lovelier, more vibrant, more fun between Sydney and Melbourne. Our tour guide in Melbourne started that and don’t ask me why. What’s the fuzz? Both are in Australia, and they’re BOTH lovely. We had our own brand of adventure in both and this piece is a summary of the blogs I’ve posted on Melbourne. Feel free to click on the links (tap the coloured headings) for more details. Share, repost, if you like.
The Great Ocean Road
1. THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
We booked online via Wildlife Tours. A GroupOn voucher discounted an Au$130-150 tour to only Au$88 for a daytrip starting at 7:30 am, back same day at 9:30pm. Now, before you start saying it’s butt-numbing, do browse through these first 3 blogs. Much adventures in a single day. Def worth every cent and minute of your time! Never mind that it took all of 14 hours. The itinerary is so well-planned with lovely reststops and breaks. Trust me, you’d wish it was longer!
2. LONDON BRIDGE NO MORE
Urban legend or not, I like the story. Or should I say gossip? Now, how many couples would go through an experience like that? Imagine being rescued and airlifted from one of those craggy stone formations because the connecting “bridge” collapsed? Go ahead, click on the link (tap the heading “London Bridge No More) for details.
Kookaburra
3. MAIT’s RAINFOREST WALK
Sandwiched among the many beach and oceanview pitstops is this rainforest walk and another site to “meet and greet” koalas and some kookaburra and other colorful birds. Perhaps even a kangaroo or two, if it’s your lucky day. Didn’t think much of this at the outset, but now I say it’s the finest way to stretch those atrophied muscles and breathe in some fresh air on a longgggg day.
Cheapest Hop O n, Hop Off Shuttle. Ever!
4. MELBOURNE ON A HOP ON, HOP OFF BUS
Can you beat Au$5 for a 90 minute tour on a shuttle bus around Melbourne’s city sights? There’s a long list that will keep you forever hopping off. You can buy your tickets from machines in designated bus stops or you can drop by the Melbourne Visitor Center for a brochure and that Au$5 ticket!
5. SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE: Lest We Forget!
This is one of the hop-off sites of the red shuttle bus. You can save it for last once you get on the bus in front of the Visitor Information Center and Saint Paul Cathedral. A fitting memorial to the gallant men and women who sacrificed limbs and lives in the name of peace. We visited just a day before ANZAC DAY so we witnessed a lot of preparations for next day’s dawn service.
ENJOY MELBOURNE!
lifeisacelebration 
Residents of each city would always say theirs is better than the other. As a traveler who stayed mainly in Melbourne, I’d say I like Melbourne more, but only because it’s more familiar to me. I do love Sydney’s harbours and beaches!
You’ve been to a lot more places in Melbourne than I have, and I’ve been there thrice! My biggest failing, is never getting to see the Great Ocean Road, but I guess that means I have to go back, no? 😉
I missed the GOR also the first time I visited. Glad I finally made it! And of course u need to go back, as I did. 😉