Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is a charming city. Some people say, its not a tourist place. To an extent I agree that it doesn't have Opera house and harbour bridge - but it has everything to offer that keeps one entertained. Carnivals, events and festivals doesn't leave one's calendar empty.

Melbourne parks :
Every time I visit a garden, I find myself saying - "This is the best one", and then I visit even better one.

Docklands children park -
Living in Docklands, one can not miss visiting Docklands park. Its a small children's park with few swings. I have noticed that every place in Melbourne have something different from other - no gardens would be alike. Docklands park houses a 'Blowhole' - thats a 15 metre high wind powered sculpture. Apart from it, there are metal rings installed on the ground to give it a distinct look.

Docklands Monument park -
Newly built, a small park to sit or play around.

Flagstaff gardens -
A big green patch, just in heart of city. Very close to Queen Victoria market.

Carlton gardens -
Gardens located behind iMax and Melbourne Museum.

Royal Botanical garden - Had heard of Royal botanical garden as #4 on list of must visit places in Melbourne, but did not get chance to visit until last weekend. Planned a walk from fed square to Royal botanical garden.

#21st June 2015
Sunday was a sunny day with manageable cold in evening.We reached fed square and started walking from there. Crossing the bridge on Yarra river, entire walk (Around 1.7 km) to Botanical gardens is scenic. With Victoria gardens on left, one starts feeling that he is out of city chaos.
There are monuments and a nice water fountain on the way. We headed to Shrine of remembrance.
Shrine of Remembrance is War memorial, built to pay respect to those who served in WWI. With such a big trees on the sides, an eternal flame and silence around, the place seems paying silent salute to Martyrs. Balconies of Shrine gives spectacular view to the city and gardens.
Botanical garden is huge precisely 170 hectares, we just moved around a small patch. I would say this heaven for nature lovers - located just 10-20 mins walk from heart of the City.

Had a nice picnic with family. Next time, may plan a BBQ picnic ;)

There are still many places which I have not yet visited. Will keep updating this blog for same.

Grampians, Victoria, Australia

Travel time : 4-5-6 April, 2015

This is more of photo blog. Just want to hold memories of the places we went to.

We started from Melbourne in morning and reached Grampians around 2 pm. With not much planned to do, we took a left turn to reach a scenic lookout named One Tree hill.
The views were good and most lovable part was silence!! Some felt it scary but I loved it. Most of the places we go are generally crowded. This one was different. It had just two other fellows sitting there and having good time.

One tree hill

Our next place to go was The Pinnacle! We had not researched about the place, just saw some good photos of it and chose to visit it.

Pinnacle base

We reached here around 5.00 PM. When inquired from information center, lady there suggested not to visit Pinnacle as it will take 2.5 hrs to complete it. But we were adamant to go up there.

From the base, further path was not visible. All we knew is that trekking there was medium difficulty level. Grand canon was one of the view point which was 0.1km from base. And for Pinnacle, we had to go 2.1 km up.
We started all together. Climbed it up for 200 mtrs, but with two families comprising of three kids, half of us decided to stay at base. Four of us, including my 2 yr old daughter, decided to climb it up.
When we started moving further, I started appreciating decision taken by my friend to stay at base with her husband and two kids. With 200 mtrs itself, i felt my bag is heavy and its difficult to carry it up there and handed it to my friend to take it back to car.

It was a complete trekking place, and we moved ahead with our jackets on and just one 600ml water bottle in hand. What a mistake!

We met some people who gave up the climb. But somehow, we were motivated seeing even kids returning from the top. Time was running fast, so we decided we will start descending at 6.30 PM from wherever we reach.

Some very steep slopes and difficult to climb rocks, we finally reached there.

The Pinnacle

More places visited in Grampians are - Balconies and McKenzie falls. Want to write more, but time isn't permitting me.