Tuesday
We packed and set off at 9am to drive across country to Ballarat, which was founded in the 1850s, based on the gold rush. The centre of the town had many old buildings which had all been built on the wealth that had been created at that time. We had a coffee and went to see the Anglican Cathedral, which was very high church, someone was practising the organ and then walked down to the end of the street to the old gaol, which was only a facade with three flags flying, the Australian flag, the Eureka flag and the Aboriginal flag. We drove out to the old gold rush township but decided not to go in as we didnt have much time to look around. We went to get some lunch, but this took quite a while and then drove onto Melbourne, arriving about 4pm. After messing about with car parking and getting our bags into the Prima Tower, where we were staying on floor 52, we went up to the 67th floor infinity pool for a quick swim and a lookout over the city. We then got ready and set off down to the Southbank of the Yarra river to find some dinner. We settled on an Italian place which was enjoyable and walked home through the Crown casino, being amazed by the amount of people, mainly chinese, playing roulette and on the Pokies (fruit machines).

Wednesday
Graham and Graham went to move the cars first thing (before 7.30am) to a car park from parking on the street overnight. We then went for a swim in the lengths pool on level 9. We set off to walk into the centre of the city which is just aross the bridge from Prima Tower where we are staying. We walked down Flinders street to Federation Square which is surrounded by funky buildings, had a coffee stop at one and then went into the Ian Potter Art gallery which had some amazing art and also some very dodgy and strange art. It was cool in here in more ways than one, a hot day of 32 degrees around lunchtime so any shade was welcome. We then went on the old tram round the city to the harbour area and found a cafe for lunch. We walked to the Harbour Mall but were disappointed to find a half finished mall which had been opened 9 years with 3 different owners and was half empty with lots of building work still going on. We quickly moved back to the tram and headed to Spencer Street mall for a browse round the shops. Back to the ranch or 5208 Prima Tower for a wash and brush up before out for a meal at TGI Fridays and a chat over dinner.

Thursday
We set off for the Victoria markets today by tram in the north of the city and had breakfaast there. WE had a wander and a browse and then mid morning the boys set off for the Melbourne Cricket Ground for a tour and the girls bought food in the market for a picnic before heading to Fitzroy gardens on the tram. We had a look round including the fairy tree and model village and conservatory full of hydrangeas and fushias. We met up with the boys and had a picnic lunch. We went from here to the old treasury which was built to receive and store the gold from the gold rush of the 1850s. There was an exhibition about bushrangers including Ned Kelly and also the gold rush and the growth of Melbourne in the 1850s onwards. Me and Chris went shopping in the lanes and arcades, lots of individual shops with interesting things for sale. We eventually walked back home and went for a swim and then out for dinner to an irish pub complete with live music.

Friday
Set off on the drive towards home. We were heading for Wagga Wagga, a lot of the way down the Hume highway. Once we were well on the way out of Melbourne, we thought we would stop off at Wodonga for lunch so we did. the first cafe we looked at was shut with a sign saying it was Ian’s 60th birthday, the second one said shut today, the third one said shut because of Wodonga races so we asked someone and they said “Oh everythings shut today cos of the races” We carried onto Albury, across the border into NSW and had a late lunch. We drove onto Wagga Wagga and checked in at the motel and went to the Thirsty Crow brewery next door for dinner.

Saturday
And back to Sydney, stopping at Gundagai for breakfast and then at Berrima for lunch. Berrima is a pretty town with lots of crafty and gift shops and cafes. We were back about 4pm and it was good to be back in Sydney at Tim and Chris’s house. Tired after a lot of travelling and ready to stop for a while.