Spending three weeks in south east Australia and the Melbourne area was the perfect end to my first trip flying half way across the world. Visiting Australia has been a dream as I have mentioned before. Years ago, I never would have imagined that for my 30th year I would travel to all of my turquoise destinations for 14 months. Flying from Canada to Australia, on the other side of the world, was well worth it. Ending my trip with friends whom I have known for years makes leaving Australia harder, yet has created lasting memories.
After spending 6 weeks on the east coast, 10 days on the west coast, and 3 weeks in south east Australia. I am ending my trip on a high. The most unique area in Melbourne was St Kilda. I spent the day exploring in the rain regardless of the weather. I saw Luna Park, the theater, wharf, Brooks Beach, St Kilda Beach and Brooks Jetty. St Kilda Pier was most interesting because I saw fairy penguins, water rats (like an otters ), starfish, and jelly fish at the breakwater. In the afternoon, I had tea and a slice at Eurqa Cake Shop and then walked through the botanical gardens. The day ended with dinner at Lentil As Anything (a new concept: you pay what you feel the meal is worth) for a vegetarian meal and nice conversations with a Kiwi I met.
When I said goodbye to my best friend in Melbourne, I was holding back the tears as we said our until next time, not goodbyes. I’ll never forget the memories we made together, from dancing to old school and new school hip hop in a down town Melbourne club to hiking and singing in the rain on Phillip Island. My time in south east Australia was well spent. I stayed busy while exploring Melbourne, the surrounding suburbs, and the extraordinary regions that were just a drive away. The various unique suburbs included Thornbury, Fitzroy, Brunswick, North Melbourne, CBD, Northcote, Oakleigh, and St Kilda. Each area had its own unique style, artistic flair, and feel. The chic hip city was unlike any other in Australia.
The foodie and cultural city made it easy for me to eat pescatarian. I learned how to make a variety of vegetarian meals using a variety of fresh ingredients. My staples included fruit, vegetables, nuts & seeds, eggs, lentils, beans, and seafood. I fell in love with all of Australian’s fabulous seafood including: flat head, barramundi, cod, calamari, prawns, and shrimp (among others). I’ll miss the abundance of fruit smoothie shops and fresh baked pie shops in Australia.
Melbourne
Healsville & Yarra Ranges National Park
Great Ocean Road
Victoria Market
Phillip Island
AFL at CBD at Etihad Stadium
St Kilda
Monington Peninsula
Although it was hard to leave Australia, almost three months was the perfect amount of time to visit. Leaving Melbourne only meant starting another journey…to New Zealand.
Turquoise Compass Wellness 
Yay you are going to NZ next! Would love to hear what you have planned for your time there 🙂
Stay tuned for posts on my recent trip to New Zealand. I think you will be impressed?
Have you been?
It’s my home country! You will love it 🙂
Brilliant!
Glad you got to see so much of Australia. Have fun in New Zealand xx
Have you been to New Zealand?
Unfortunately no, but it is on the bucket list.😊
🙂 I bet your bucket list grows by the minute.
Sure does 😀
Nice shots and looks like a nice trip! Cheers! K.
Thank you so much. What would be your favorite part of my trip?
I can’t believe you’re leaving Australia already, thanks for sharing it with us. By the way, I’m even more jealous that you’re going to New Zealand 🙂
2.5 months in Australia went so fast! Is New Zealand one of those places you want to see even more than Australia? Stay tuned for posts about my incredible journey through Middle Earth-New Zealand.
Yes, I don’t know why but New Zealand has always captured my imagination. I’ve also made friends with a few Kiwis who have said I would fit right in there. I think if I ever get the opportunity to head down that way, I’ll definitely have to make enough time to explore both 🙂
Yes you would with the grand landscapes, outdoor living, and extreme adventures.
Amazing and beautiful! Can hardly wait to see NZ through your lens and voice!
Great. I look forward to hearing your feedback.
good to see you got in some AFL!
Yes, it was an authentic Australian experience.
I can’t wait to read about your adventures in New Zealand. Yipee!
Yes, you will for sure read more about New Zealand! I always have so much to say about each place that I visit! Is it another one of your dream destinations?
Jessica, Turquoise Compass
Oh yes. Definately. New Zealand is a wonderful combination of diversity, culture and interest, and being the film location of our most British of books – Lord of the Rings – certainly doesn’t hurt!
Yes tramping through Middle earth was worth it right there.
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