Clean bowled by down under

Wildlife and nature have always fascinated me, and it was a truly enthralling experience to watch little penguins waddle up the beach. The world-famous Penguin Parade was all it promised to be and more. And they weren’t the only native creatures to catch our attention. A 90-minute-high speedboat ride along Phillip Island’s spectacular coastline, and we were at the home of one of the largest colonies of fur seals. Seeing them in their natural habitat is an unparalleled experience indeed. 

A trip to Australia is incomplete without a day well spent with the nation’s furriest citizens, the kangaroos and koalas at the Ballarat Wildlife Park. No other destination allows you to get as close to their wildlife as Australia, be it feeding the numerous free-roaming kangaroos or petting the adorable koalas; not to mention taking numerous photographs with both creatures. The gold star on my trip was a visit to Sovereign Hill, an outdoor museum that has recreated Australia’s Gold Rush history. 

This was a tick off the bucket list for me. For Indians like me who grew up on cricket, the Melbourne Cricket Ground brings alive several memories associated with the game. The in-depth tour that takes you through the famous MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club) Long Room, the MCC Library, the MCG Tapestry, the Cricketers’ viewing room, among others, stirred up memories of Indian cricketers playing some of their best innings’ here in Australia. However, my most cherished moment of the trip is viewing the legendary portrait of Sir Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar. It left me clean bowled! 

A truly unforgettable drive was the one down the picturesque Great Ocean Road. Victoria’s dramatic south-west coastline covers an incredible range of scenery, with the iconic 12 Apostles being the proverbial jewel in the crown. The team thoroughly enjoyed the scenic helicopter ride over these rugged limestone stacks, allowing us an uninterrupted view as we soared over the Apostles. 

It’s common knowledge that Australia is known for it’s food and wine, but what completely took me by surprise was being served a delectable meal while on a moving 1948 colonial tram car as it trundled through the streets of Melbourne. This is surely a ‘Melbourne Must’ for every traveller.

The vintage décor, great food and service make the experience even more cherishable. I would love to go there once again with my family.