Melbourne Xmas Holidays (did someone say road trip?)

While this trip is not necessarily abroad, the feeling of going somewhere like Melbourne after being abroad provides you with a new perspective.  I grew up in Melbourne and knew it before it really exploded into what it is today.  Prior trips had always been to the 'burbs to stay with family, so this time, traveling and staying inner city was to us like traveling abroad and seeing Melbourne with fresh new eyes.  So far it has not disappointed.  For me personally, when visiting Milan this year, I was reminded of Melbourne.  Now being here, this very much reminds me of Milan.  Melbourne is very much a Euro style city, right down to the trams.

What makes this trip even more special is that our youngest is bringing her partner, he has never been to Melbourne.  Experiencing it through his eyes and seeing the joy he has in this trip so far is wonderful.

So far we have been to:

• ACMI
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Shrine of Remembrance
• Old Melbourne Gaol
• Queen Victoria Markets

With the Melbourne Zoo to come today.

For the road trip, we took a completely different route for a change with only minor similarities to the past.  Usually most people take A39 (Newell Highway) via Warwick.  This time it was via Toowoomba, then ontop familiar roads, but then we detoured via Mendooran, Dunedoo, Mudgee, and ending in Bathurst (1,000kms).  A very nice overnight stay, a lovely town to stop in.  From there it was Cowra, Young, Cootamundra, Gundagai and then the Hume Freeway to Melbourne (800kms).  A very enjoyable trip and nice to have a different drive to make the trip a little less boring.

Photos
2017-12-16 - Road Trip BNE 2 Bathurst
2017-12-17 - Road Trip Bathurst to MEL [SFH]
2017-12-17 - Road Trip Bathurst to MEL [LTH] 
2017-12-18 - Apartment View
2017-12-18 - Melbourne CBD & Art Gallery
2017-12-19 - Old Melbourne Gaol
2017-12-19 - Shrine of Remembrance