Only a week left to tour Australia. So, it’s now time to get serious with the speed of getting to the major cities and all the famous points of interests. Since being here for almost a month, I’ve heard the most about Melbourne. So, I thought I’d better make a short stay there.

I wasn’t sure about Melbourne, but decided to book myself an OZ experience, because I wanted the freedom of travel. Also, because there were no other trips that would get me there in enough time to see all of Melbourne and then time to travel to Adelaide, which is where I’ll catch my flight back to Sydney. Before I caught the ‘party’ bus, I managed to get reservations with a boutique hotel Melbourne has, I wanted to chill from the bus ride. But, taking the OZ bus was the best decision I ever made. I know wish I would’ve used that through out my whole trip! It was great being around people my own age and being given information about the places we passed along the way, and stopping at all the viewpoints and points of interest. This would’ve been totally impossible on a regular bus.

Too bad I only booked the travel to Melbourne on the OZ tour, it would’ve been a total blast staying with all the great people I met on the bus. But, I really like to be off on my own when traveling. It was a tough decision though. So, the next day was my first day in Melbourne and I really loved my hotel! What a calming change from the ‘party’ bus. I had to rush around to see all the sights since my time was limited. I got up early and headed off to my self named tour ‘the whistle-stop’ tour. I started out with what the Lonely Planet guidebook recommended, a walking tour. I first walked to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The stained glass windows were astoundingly beautiful. I then walked through some alleys and streets of the Central Business District. The architecture here in Melbourne was an interesting mix. There were tree-lined Parisian type avenues and some pretty old Victorian structures, which contrasted weirdly with the modern angular glass and steel buildings. I really liked my walking tour. This gave me a real feel for the place, especially walking through a real live Victorian arcade, which was linked by two streets and some very tall skyscrapers. I really wish I had more time to spend here. It was really quite lovely.

I was hoping to go to the museum, I was told that it was very impressive and that it even had a special Neighbors exhibition. But, unfortunately, the Lonely Planet had the times wrong; I arrived 10 minutes before they closed. I guess I’ll have to come back to Melbourne another time. I think I’ll plan for that now, even though my only time free again will be next year.