Aussie Tour 2005

Are you ready to see why Melbourne is the most liveable CITY In the world. There are 5 days to show a little of what Melbourne has to offer

Costs + Bookings

Tour Dates

11/04/2005 - 15/04/2005
The tour starts on Monday 11th April - the day after the convention ends, and runs till Friday 15th April 2005.

Monday

Drive to Philip Island

Stopping at Mirboo North

Baths Road Reserve
Approximately 2km of bushwalking track within the township. A feature of the walk is the unusual King Fern Gully (a spring-fed water fern plant community) and a representative selection of native flora. Access from the swimming pool or carpark opposite the Town Hall. Lyrebird Forest Walk 2.8km north of Mirboo North is this 4.8km walk winds through native bush in the Strzelecki State Forest. There is a wide range of native plants, birds and animals. A night walk with a torch can be particularly rewarding.

Stopping at Wonthaggi

Taberners Hotel
Taberners Hotel, licensed in 1914, is registered with the National Trust. The huge jawbones at the front are from a 74-foot whale which washed up upon the beach in 1923. An unemployed butcher boiled it down for 450 pounds and sold the jaws to the hotelier for $25.

Coastline to Kilcunda
The coastline east of San Remo offers fine opportunities for surfers, anglers, snorklers, birdwatchers and beachcombers who would find long ocean beaches and extensive rock platforms, although access to some of the beaches can be dangerous owing to the cliffs. South of San Remo is Griffith Point which is suitable for fishing, surfing, snorkelling and paddling at low tide. Between the two are Children's Beach, where families can enjoy sheltered bathing, and Bonwick's Beach. Just east of Griffith Point is Shelly Beach which is a good spot for beachcombers. Beyond that is Bore Beach. It can be accessed via Potters Hill Rd which runs south off the highway. Other side roads head south off the Bass Highway at other points east of San Remo to other beaches, such as Black Beach and the Punchbowl (an impressive blowhole). 3 km from San Remo are 'The Caves' where the sea passes under the cliffs for a distance of more than 183 metres.

Churchill Island**
http://www.ausemade.com.au/vic/destination/c/churchillis.htm

Lunch at own cost

Penguin Parade**
http://www.penguins.org.au/02/sec_02_html/penguin_pg.html

Dinner at own cost

Tuesday

Yarra Valley Winery Lunch**
http://www.chateau-yering.com.au/

Healsville Sanctuary**
http://www.zoo.org.au/visiting.cfm?zoo_id=2

Dinner Pub Meal at own cost (leave room for dessert)

Desserts and Coffee at Martin's house

Wednesday

Rippon lea
Rippon Lea is the one of the last privately owned great 19th century suburban estates and one of the finest National Trust properties in Australia. Designed and built in 1868 in the Romanesque style, the mansion sits as the centrepiece of an orginal Victorian pleasure garden. The gardens are of international significance and include a grand Victorian fernery, a lake, an heritage orchard and a 19th century conservatory. The mansion is a mix of Victorian decoration from its first owners with the glamorous 1930s "Hollywood" influences of its last owner. Rippon Lea is a wonderful place to spend a quiet morning, or an afternoon, and a picnic beside the lake is the best way to enjoy this marvellous estate. Inside the grounds, you quickly forget that you are in a city of more than 3 million people

City Sites

Rialto towers
http://www.melbournedeck.com.au/towerfacts/towerfacts.htm

Lunch ** Crown Conservatory
http://www.crowncasino.com.au/Content.aspx?topicID=458

Federation Square
http://www.federationsquare.com.au/

SouthBank
http://www.melbourne.com.au/southban.htm

Art Centre
http://www.vicartscentre.com.au/venues/index.htm

Dinner Greek Banquet

Thursday

Queen Victoria market

Foodies tour** 10 am

Free shopping Queen Victoria market

Back to base then

Dinner**Tram Car Restaurant

Friday

Day in the Dandenongs
http://www.dandenong-ranges.net.au/

Lunch
THE SKYHIGH MOUNT DANDENONG OBSERVATORY BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
Having undergone a 12-month $3 million refurbishment, the famous observatory site on Mount Dandenong will be re-opened this December, establishing itself as the lynch pin for the Dandenong Ranges once again. The much-anticipated opening of SkyHigh Mount Dandenong will unveil new facilities, developed to complement the breathtaking views. These include new roads; car parking and access; public BBQ facilities that showcase the outstanding views; over 4000 new plants in the Garden Walk; an elaborate new garden maze; an extended and upgraded caf? and bistro facilities with a huge open fireplace and large picture windows for an unobstructed view; a premier function facility with access for viewing terraces; and a garden wedding setting with a superb Victoria Gazebo.

Football at MCG at night**
730 pm North Melbourne Vs Collingwood
[who barracks for Collingwood? Matt: This is the team that every one hates!]
See the most spectaclular football code in the world no padding for players, no offside rule . 100 minutes of non stop action

http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=historydisplay&articleid=35

**cost included in fees

Costs

Accomodation:
$40 per person twin Share per night
$80 A couple per night
$60 a single per night
$200- $300 for 5 nights

Transport $100

Fees
Including some meals and entry fees to sites $255

Total
approx A$555

Deposit Required by 7th March

Deposit Amount: A$250

How to make a deposit
1) Send cheque payable to 'Melbourne Origami Group'
2) Send money order payable to 'Matt Gardiner'
3) Send money via www.paypal.com.au to email address matt@airstrip.com.au

Contact Matt Gardiner matt@papercrane.org
if you have trouble making a deposit.

Tour Organiser

Martin Liu liumcn@bigpond.net.au 0418 397 040