Bendigo to Melbourne CBD

After pleasant sleep in, we set out to explore Bendigo. It became very apparent that Bendigo has more than one day's worth of attractions to visit. The city has very beautiful buildings and parks to explore. A very Victorian and Edwardian era landscape of public buildings and homes.

We settled on visiting the Golden Dragon Museum for an hour and half. A cultural and historic wonderland of displays showing the Chinese history of the town. We could have easily spend double the time at the Museum, and still had more to see and learn. The highlight was the various Imperial Dragons on display. It has tempted us to return for the annual Easter festival.

The second visit we made was to the Central Deborah Gold Mine.  We opted to do a  Mine Experience Tour which took us 61m underground into the now decommissioned gold mine.  Before embarking we were able to have a quick look at many static and moving displays explaining the mine's history and general workings.  We even got to pan for gold again.  Sadly, yet again, we will be returning to work.  Yet again we have spent far more time here but still enjoyed the visit.

Day 3 Bendigo to Melbourne

We returned to Bendigo CBD for a quick look and a late lunch. We sampled Gillies Pies, a local icon for this part of Victoria, hmm ok but we have tasted tastier. (I think we could strike it rich if we exported some of our pies to Victoria.) Bendigo is truly a city that one must visit.

The trip to Melbourne was quick and uneventful. The road was modern and well fenced, and truly a delight to drive on. The landscape was pleasant to see but in need of rain.

Once inside Melbourne CBD, we thought we had been teleported back to New York, right down to the car horns and yellow taxis. The "left hand hook" right turn.  Where you actually do a right hand turn from the left hand lane in the CBD is totally unique and quite scary.  On enquiring it turns out it was introduced to discourage people from driving in the CBD.  It worked for us.  When turning right at an intersection you move as far left as possible and and wait for ALL traffic to pass ie  give way to everyone then you can turn.  Here's where most of the horns are heard.  Add trams to the mix who get right of way we believe and boy traffic is interesting.  Although if not turning right it wasn't too bad.

After finding parking and getting to the accommodation we made our way up to reception.  We checked in and went to our room at Darling Towers on Collins.  It is very pleasant, fresh although bedrooms are not large kitchen area and living space is very pleasant and quite comfortable.  We have a small balcony that overlooks Collins Street.

The evening was spent wandering the  streets getting our bearings and finding some tea.  Tough choice but decided on some very nice Indian.  Once again old architecture lines many of the streets and seems to be an eclectic mix of New York, (yellow taxis and traffic, Basel (architecture) and even Venice (no canals :-) but small lane ways)