Marko and Alex can never be accused of not getting out there and exploring when they hit a new destination, and with just a week to take in all Melbourne had to offer they weren’t about to slow down now. Hang onto your seatbelts!
With an itinerary to make even Michael Palin green with envy they set about exploring ‘Australia’s most Liveable City’, one layer at a time…
The Great Ocean Road
Touching down at the airport Marko and Alex were met by My Destination local experts David and Cliff. They soon welcomed them to Australia’s cultural capital and set them up for their first adventure – a road trip down the Great Ocean Road.
Hiring a JUCY Camper van Marko and Alex set about exploring some of the 243km stretch of road built by World War I veterans, that as the name suggests, follows the coast between Torquay and Warrnambool. Their destination was ‘Bells Beach’, a popular surf spot that shot to fame in the Hollywood hit ‘Point Break’.
After a spot of surfing the brothers headed over to the Surf World Torquay Museum to learn about the history in surf in the area.
Not satisfied with hitting the waves once, they then met up with Kristi Page, the number five ranked stand-up paddle boarder in her age category in the world. She taught them the basics and before long they were out in those waves for a second time, trying to stay afloat…
Queenscliff
Next up on their road trip was a visit to the other side of the bay – but not before stopping off in the small town of Victorian Queenscliff. Stepping out of their campervan they met the local mayor who handed over power to one of the Vagabrothers – Marko (the victor of the ever-important rock-paper-scissors decider) who became Mayor of Queenscliff (we are assuming here, just for the day…)
With his new found power the Vagabrothers checked into The Vue Grand Hotel and celebrated in pizza and beers on the rooftop bar with amazing 360 views of the town below. Not before ‘officially’ opening it however, Marko’s ribbon cutting coming into practice…
Swimming with Dolphins & Chilling with Wildlife
Next day the Vagabrothers hopped onto the Searoad Ferries and headed to Sorento. With no time to waste it was onto the Moonraker boat that was going to lead them out to frolic in the water with dolphins (yes, we know, it’s a tough life…)
Back on dry land and the next stop was a visit to the Moonlit Sanctuary where Marko and Alex chilled out with Tasmanian devils, got climbed all over by flying squirrels, wrapped a snake around their shoulders, photographed an emu, dined with koalas and kicked back with the kangaroos.
Rest and Recuperation
After all that excursion the boys headed to the Hot Springs Mornington Peninsula to unwind in the springs before quaffing a glass of Pino Noir at the Mornington Star Estates. The next morning it was time to turn that JUCY campervan back around – the destination? Melbourne…
Federation Square
As the heart of the city, Federation Square makes for a logical starting point and thanks to the Red Shirt Volunteer Ambassadors who hang out in this part of the city, if you are looking for tips on how to get about you’ve come to the right place. Marko and Alex decided to take their advice and head up to the top of Eureka Tower to take in the views 88 floors up.
Lygon Street
Next up they went to Lygon Street to discover the influence of one of the coolest and strongest neighbourhoods in the city – the Italian community. Here they spoke to Giancano Caprioli, the owner of University Café and Sam Bufalini, who believe in sharing the Italian culture, good food, great wine and first class coffee.
Café Culture and Street Art
With over 2,500 different coffee shops in Melbourne Alex and Marko soon realised this is a city that takes its coffee seriously. Maria Paoli, a local coffee connoisseur from Coffee Tours Melbourne, took them around some of the city’s best coffee haunts and before long Marko and Alex were discovering the art of tasting a fine bean (and just how scientific some coffeemakers really are).
After losing themselves in the street art and discovering the huge range of independent shops and boutiques amongst it’s streets the Vagabrothers likened Melbourne to the colourful and laid back city of San Francisco. Where individuality is embraced and culture is allowed to thrive – leaving all those who visit yearning for a chance to come back.
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