Australia episode 6. Melbourne

Goodbye Tasmania, hello mainland and Melbourne! Delighted with a propeller propelled plane over the water to the mainland. Pleasant little flight. United today with the balance of our tour group. No rest for the weary...literally. Off we went with our fearless leader, Matt, for a little walking tour of city central. Poked into a shopping mall complete with an Aussie version of a glockenspiel and a 100+ year old shot tower. The state library which is quite fascinating. The train station. Interesting to note there was a design contest about 100 years ago. The winners were 2 train conductors' designs. One was for the station in Bombay, the other Melbourne. After the buildings were constructed, it was discovered the designs meant for their specific city were switched. Who can make this up! If you go to Bombay, that building was supposed to be built here.....so close.... Matt took us into the heart of what makes Melbourne unique- it's laneways. Graffiti is legal street art and can be quite creative. You will also fine lots of shops, pubs, and very interesting businesses to poke into. Oh the mainland adventure is just beginning! Keep reading!

Tasmania Australia-only in Tasmania signage

Only here....

Tasmania Australia— parting shots

A collection of random thoughts and impressions over the last 6 days:

Dense population of eucalyptus or as the natives call them, gum trees
Sandstone buildings - major building material in the 1800's
Endless pastures full of sheep
Red bricks, also major building material source, made by convicts
Arid country
Population majority are descendants of convicts
Hobart, second oldest city, Sydney is oldest, in Australia
Established as a penal colony - 5 penitentiaries for men and boys and 5 female factories for the young women
Scenery is muted greens, blues and browns
Mob - a crowd of people. Our tour guide's endearing title for us travelers
Large span of open area spotted with what appears to be dead trees
Lots and lots of Merino and Romney sheep breeds. Lots ...
If you see a tree with no leaves this time of year, it is not native to Tasmania, silly Brits brought it here
Beautiful Wettle, sassafras, myrtle, eucalyptus, and huun pine trees that are native
Windy
Fresh clean air
Remarkably friendly people
You are the one with the accent


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Tasmania Australia episode 5 Non wildlife

Our exploration of the Launceston continues! Launceston, founded in 1804 is the 3 oldest city in Australia. It was an important whaling and sealing port in the early 1800's. Today located here is the administrative & service center for northern Tasmania and home to light industries including boat repairs and beer production. What is not to like about that! Absolutely fascinating to explore this remote corner island of the world. So different from anywhere previously traveled. Tomorrow we bade goodbye to the island and start our journey of the mainland starting in Melbourne. The correct pronunciation if Mell bin. Don't forget.

Tasmania Australia episode 5 Non wildlife

Our exploration of the Launceston continues! Launceston, founded in 1804 is the 3 oldest city in Australia. It was an important whaling and sealing port in the early 1800's. Today located here is the administrative & service center for northern Tasmania and home to light industries including boat repairs and beer production. What is not to like about that! Absolutely fascinating to explore this remote corner island of the world. So different from anywhere previously traveled. Tomorrow we bade goodbye to the island and start our journey of the mainland starting in Melbourne. The correct pronunciation if Mell bin. Don't forget.

Tasmania Australia episode 5. Wildlife of this part of the world

Today we walked through City Park to view en exhibit of Macaque Monkeys (not native, from SE Asia). Then on to the Cataract Gorge and a flock of peacocks. Bused our way out of town to Australia's only platypus and echidna House, ending up at the Queen Victoria Museum where the carefully preserved collection of native wildlife stood very still for us. What a fascinating part of the world that has totally unique flora and fauna from the rest of the world. Unfortunately with the invasion of man, climate and habitats changes over 60 species are now extinct that were found inTasmania and Australia. One we heard about every where we went here is the thylacine aka Tasmanian Tiger. The largest known carnivorous marsupial. Thanks to a bounty, this species is now extinct. The last one died in a London zoo in 1936. Google this for more information. Quite an interesting looking creature. One of this blog page is a pic of a spotted quoll. Can you spot it?

Tasmania Australia episode 4 part 2

Bennet wallaby to quaint village town characters.