In 2019 we were lucky enough to knock off a major bucket list item by traveling to Australia. The epic journey departed from Florida connected through San Francisco and landed in Melbourne. Breaking up the travel with a long layover in San Francisco was ideal because we were able to spend time in Half Moon Bay exploring a cliff side golf course and beach instead of sitting in the airport all day awaiting our 15 hour flight to Melbourne.
Day 1: Downtown Melbourne
After surviving the epic journey, we landed in Melbourne around 5 am in icy conditions (July is winter time down under) and had to adjust to driving on the left side of the road through the streets of an unknown city. Since we arrived very early, we actually rented an Airbnb a day ahead of our arrival so that we would be assured of a place to rest if necessary. However, that is not how this family travels! 15 hour flight on top of 10 hours in the California sand, on top of 6 hours cross country flight…whatever…this family pushed through because that’s what crazy parents of impressionable children do!
We found ourselves immediately immersed in lovely streets of Melbourne. After dropping off our bags at the Airbnb, our first stop was at a café for perhaps the most needed coffee of my life. Rather than cappuccinos, Australians call their coffee with steamed milk a Flat White and it was absolutely delicious! Fully caffeinated, we passed through the graffiti painted laneways, the Melbourne Gardens, strolled by Rod Laver Stadium of Australian Open fame and wound up 90 stories up at the top of the Eureka Tower viewing as far as the eye can see. Then we crashed around 5 pm that night.
Day 2: Yarra Valley
Eventually we woke up the following day and headed out of the city to the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley is about an hour drive outside of Melbourne and suits adults and kids alike. We started at the Hegend Maze where we encountered our first sighting of a mob of wild red kangaroos. The kangaroos were such an unexpected thrill as it was completely random and really gave credence that we were indeed in Australia. My sons loved watching them hop around as did Gina and I. It was truly a first for everyone in our family and best of all we experienced it together.
As the day progressed, we went to the Healesville Sanctuary where we also saw kangaroos, but somehow this wasn’t as exciting as bumping into them in the wild. Still, it was so interesting to view the various type of marsupials and other native animals that we had never encountered before. Most notably, we saw our first Koala bears and I must say, they are the cutest animal that I’ve ever seen. Clearly, we were buying stuffed koala bears in the gift shop later – they’re respectable salesbears indeed and just have that look that says you’re taking me home baby.
As sun began to set we found ourselves at one of the several wineries in the area sipping some nice rose and to our amazement the same kangaroo mob earlier hopped on by as if to say goodnight and thanks for coming. Apparently, they have a thing for Americans.
Day 3: Queen Victoria Market and Footy
Our last day in Melbourne was spent exploring more of the attractions in the city such as Captain Cook’s original home – which was shipped from England to Melbourne, the Queen Victoria Market – a must for street food and cheap souvenir t-shirts (be sure to try the Borek), the city library for a game of chess – architecturally speaking this was an unexpected treat and served as refuge from a thunderstorm, and finally a game of Footy – Australian Football.
If you do not know what Footy is then look it up! It’s a perfect balance of rubgy, soccer, football and violence that any sport lover would gladly want to watch. The game is played on a huge circular field in a cricket stadium and has loyal fan bases similar to what you may find in the English Premier League. Be prepared to earmuff your kids as the locals take their teams seriously and their swearing even more so. I found foul mouthed Australians in particular very amusing because even when they swear it sounds funny and doesn’t seem nearly as belligerent as an obsessed American fan at home.
Melbourne is a city filled with cuture, art, nature, wildlife and exciting sports. If you have the chance, plan to spend three days in Melbourne. You will not regret it!
Have you been to Melbourne? What are your favorite things to do?
