“Hey mate, move away from the trolleys” boomed a voice as I waited for my bags at the airport carousel. I looked around, not finding the source, I continued staring at the carousel. “Hey you, the Indian guy, move away” the voice boomed louder. I turned around and saw a portly porter with tattoos of Ganesha over his arms gravely staring at me. I was apparently on the line for airport luggage trolleys. To be frank the line seemed a fair bit away from where I was standing. Anyway, I moved away realizing, the 120kg of blurb was not worth picking a fight with. So, that was my initiation to down under. 
That was the only not so happy point of my trip to the apparently tolerant Australia. We had just landed after a 16hours flight from Bangalore. Fair to say we were pretty drained. We then hired a Kluger from the airport and drove to our hotel at around 10 pm. For a progressive city, Melbourne sleeps early. We could hardly see a soul on our 45 min drive.
Australians had a reputation to live up to. being a cricket fan I had grown up watching Aussies bully their way all through cricket matches. I expected much the same as when I was here. But, not so disappointingly, our stay here was as pleasant as it could be. Starting with the lady at the car rental until we headed back from Sydney, we felt the Aussies were more straightforward than rude. Of course, the accent doesn’t help. That’s not to say, we did not thoroughly enjoy our stay here.
Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures much like Sydney, given of course that most of the Australia live here. I’m amazed by the city which boasts of attractions like the Philip Island, Great Ocean Road etc all just a pleasant drive away. My three-year-old son had been yearning to see penguins since we landed. So Philip Island was first on the agenda.
Philip Island: The Kluger glided on the fresh asphalt toward the Island. You could almost taste the sea salt. My pal Gautham had the wheel and the tires suddenly screeched. A Kangaroo with a Joey stood on the side of the road preparing to hop across. It stared at us for a short second and hopped away. My three-year-old son could hardly peel his eyes of the bushes from then on. Awaiting a Kangaroo…
The Philip Island is one of the many awe-inspiring locations n Australia for seeing a variety of animals.
We first went to the Koala Conservation Center. It has a handful of Koalas over two boardwalks. You can get quite close to them and watch the.. well snooze.. They snooze up to 20hrs a day. At the conservatory, you can also see Wallabies and a few birds. Should be in and out in a couple of hours. Entrance fee: Adult (16 years+) – $12.80, Child (4-15 years) – $6.40
We then headed to the Nobbies center. It has a small experience centre with an awesome multimedia places, especially for kids (The Antartic Journey). They will enjoy their live projection videos on a virtual iceberg adjacent to Seals, Penguins etc. Kids will love it. You can also get good views of the ocean from the cliff and the boardwalks. A good pit stop before show-stopper, the Penguin Parade. Entrance fee: Adult (16+): $18.00, Child (4-15): $9.00
The Penguin Parade: This world famous Penguin conservatory is a natural habitat of the Widow or little penguins. They stay in the burrows lined along the shore. Every morning, they go for a swim, eat their fish and return at sunset. On their return, they are greeted by hundreds of wide-eyed visitors at the centre.
You can basically choose from general viewing ticket or special view platforms with peepholes at the level of the burrows. Once you take your seats at the Amphitheaterish setting and bear the cold, you just wait till the sun sets. Also, beware the Albatrosses that are only too happy to socialize and snatch your food. At dawn, the cute little penguins waddle onto the beach from the sea, walk in their characteristic cartoony gait and reach their burrows. You can see them also on their way to burrows alongside the boardwalks. You can get quite close to them. No flash photography is allowed, as they are light sensitive. You can use their PLR photos though. Tickets: Adult (16+): $25.70, Child (4-15): $12.80, Website.
Today I picked up this post to grasp the perspective behind your cartoons, how you get your ideas from real life experience. Truly enjoyed reading and knowing about your secret of captivating cartoons.
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So cute the Koala bear. My next destination is travel to Australia.
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I’ve never been to Australia yet, after reading your experience here, I would really love to travel there.
cute koala 😛
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Australia has been on my bucket list for the longest time. I love kangaroos, koalas and penguins! Too bad the Ringgit is not getting any stronger these days!
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The Koala bear looks so adorable. I am going to put this on my bucket list for our next travel visit. and I am sure that Australia is my next travel destination.
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Awww look at those Koala, Kangaroo, and Penguins!!! They’re all soooo cute! People waiting for them in the cold are even cuter hehe 😉
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The experience on Philip Island looks really interesting, not to mention the attractions you saw beforehand. Very cool filming effect captured on your video. The penguins do look very cute.
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Wow sounds great. How cute are those penguins, Id want to take them all home. Also sounds like you enoyed Koala Conservation Center- this is on my bucket list
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What a lovely travel! Love your post. I’ll definitely check out Koala conservation center.
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I didn’t know about Philip Island, omg, such a beautiful scene, I’m adding this to my bucket list.
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i hope i will have the chance to go there somedays. And watch penguin on my own.
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Omg all those animals, I would love to see them upfront just like you did! So jealous! I would love to visit there.
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Great wildlife photos taken here. I love the shots of the Koala Conservation Centre. However my favourite has got to be the Penguin Sanctuary. Loving the unique effects in the cool video..
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i been autralia before and saw those koala~ but they hang on the tree and sleep~~~ love your wildlife photos!
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so much in love with this coala bear.. lolz… wish i can hug them right now.. lolz
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I love your photo of the Koala. I wish I could be like them – sleep for 20 hours! Thanks for sharing your photos of your trip to Australia. If I get a chance to travel there, I sure would want to be in those places too!
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these pictures make me reminisce about the time I had in Western Australia… I had a great time time then cuddling the koala and the wombat… and bullying the kangaroo… but rest your mind, I did not cause him any pain….
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The Penguins there are awesome. I would definitely wait out in the cold to be able to see them as would my daughter. I really do need to make a trip out to Australia soon.
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Remember, no flash photography
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One of the places I want to visit, these animals just too adorable 🙂
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Penguins are my favorite I had no idea they were in Australia though. Now I want to go to Australia and see them.
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The penguins are so cute! My hubby visit this place too, it was really a fun experience to be able to see penguins in this close!
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What a beautiful travel. It looks like a great place to visit. It was really a fun experience to be able to see penguins and the Koala bear in this kind of close. So adorable.
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Wow this is so cool, so they are not kept in a small space and are free to roam.
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Awwww~ The The Foot High ‘Widow’ Penguins was so cute!
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OH GOSH!! That is so cute!!! Would love to see penguins with my very own eyes 😀
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The penguin parade has got to be my favorite! A bit pricey, but I would totally pay it. And then seeing a kangaroo cross the road would just be the icing on the cake! I love your description and you make australia that much more inviting!
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This place will definetely go on my bucket list! Luckily I happen to be in Australia now so I will try to go to Philip Island when I get the chance. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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would love to see the penguins in Oz. I have seen plenty of koalas and they are cute but a little dull. Glad you enjoyed your trip though despite the rude introduction
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