My to-do attractions in Australia

I’ve been in Australia for nearly three months and I’ve seen a lot.

I’ve seen many animals at the Melbourne Aquarium, Werribee Zoo, and Healesville Sanctuary. I’ve visited Federation Square, marvelled over the city from the Eureka Skydeck, and even went to a footy game. I’ve done lots of shopping and ridden almost all the rides at Luna Park. I took a few day trips out of the city to explore Daylesford, stroll in the serene William Ricketts Sanctuary, ride the old Puffing Billy Railway, and coast along the stunning Great Ocean Road. I’ve explored Australia’s penal history at the Old Melbourne Gaol and in Tasmania’s Port Arthur. I went to Tasmania! Never in my life did I think I’d go to Tasmania. And I managed to survive all the deadly animals (so far).

But Australia is a large and beautiful country and there is much I haven’t experienced yet.

In Melbourne, I’d like to visit the Immigration Museum, Melbourne Zoo, National Gallery of Victoria International, and Royal Botanic Gardens. And it would be lovely to take a river cruise and explore some old heritage homes.

There are still some great short trips to be had exploring areas near Melbourne such as the vineyards in the Yarra Valley and the lovely Cloudehill Nursery and Gardens in the Dandenongs. I’d also like to see the penguins come in at Phillip Island.

Venturing out a little further, I want to visit Ballarat, a Victorian era boomtown that drew people from all over the world when gold was discovered there in 1851, and the Grampians National Park.

And eventually, I want to leave Victoria altogether for Adelaide and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Uluru in the Northern Territory, the Kimberley in Western Australia, and Sydney in New South Wales. Maybe I’ll even get as far north someday to see the Great Barrier Reef.

Next time, Australia.