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Our last day of the Australian trip would be spent in Sydney.  We arrived early in the day and went to rent a car.  We had no idea how hard it would be to get one!   Finally we were able to drive away from the airport and explore the Royal National Park south of Sydney.  What a beautiful area! We had lunch at The Dance Hall in the park.  We ate our hamburgers and chips outside while we watched Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Black Ducks, kookaburras, Little Wattlebirds and so many more birds.  Flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in trees Laughing Kookaburra We spent all afternoon exploring and enjoying the area.  Gymea Lily at a lookout Popular Beach National Falls Since our plane left early the next day, we had checked the car back in with the rental company, grabbed a panini at the airport for dinner and walk to the Ibis Budget Hotel.  Since we spent our first night here we knew what to expect - a bed, a desk and chair.  No coffee pot

Time to Explore The Great Ocean Hiway

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Leaving Melbourne we drove southwest and stopped at Cherry Lake.  This was an area of biodiversity and  after we picnicked in the park, we walked around the lake.  There were pelicans, Superb Fairy-wrens and Crested Pigeons.  Crested Pigeon Cherry Lake also had a talking toilet.  I took my phone with me hoping to make a video but fortunately for all of us, it failed!  Push a button and the door slides open.  Push a button and it closes.  Then it informs you that you have 10 minutes to do your business and when you are finished the toilet will flush when you wash your hands.  The music plays and sure enough….when I washed my hands, ‘’whoosh”!  Push the button and the door opens.  Made my morning! Talking Toilet We drove past beautiful yellow fields of rapeseed used to make canola oil.  Rapeseed field Next stop was Angelsea and the volunteer “I” center.  These information centers have a wealth of knowledge, suggestions, helpful hints and of c

Four Days in the Melbourne Area! Another Adventure!

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FaceBook Friends Meet!  Linda and PennyJane We rented a car at the airport, took their map and sketchy directions, and drove to the Albany Hotel by a circuitous route!  It was evening, dark, lots of traffic, unfamiliar territory and I needed a magnifying glass to read the street names on the map!  After a few wrong turns and stopping 3 times for directions we escaped the industrial area and arrived at a very nice hotel in a nice part of town about 8 p.m. Albany Hotel Where was dinner?  We were directed to the closest food - Subway - a few blocks away and walking seemed a good idea.  After dinner and some wine, we tucked in for the night. The morning brought beautiful weather, a buffet breakfast and a walk in the park across the street.  Our first stop was Healesville where we would spend the next two nights.  We passed many vineyards in Yarra Valley with pastoral views.  At a little park, we found several Superb Fairy Wrens and a winding path leading to a river.