A layover of 22 hours is hardly worthy of a blog post, but I thought I would capture a few highlights from my day exploring one of the many great cities of Australia.

EXPERIENCE

From the airport, I took the SkyBus (which is very affordable and includes WIFI) into downtown Melbourne to Southern Cross after sleeping in upon arriving. Form here I grabbed a tram uptown and hopped off in hot pursuit of the National Gallery of Victoria. The museum was busy setting up for a Dior Exhibit Opening Gala, so portions were closed, but I lucked out and was able to enjoy a Hokusai special exhibit that was really wonderful.

From here I headed to Chin Chin for a fantastic Thai lunch and then strolled Federation Square and the coffee shops of Fitzroy Street. Because my visit was in the Australian winter, the day was short and I spent the remainder of the hours perusing the Emporium Shopping Mall, Carlton Gardens and the Central Business District. Other places to check out in Melbourne are the Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Bolte Bridge for great views of the skyline. With more time, the Melbourne Zoo and Sea Life Aquarium may also be good stops.

If I return to Melbourne, there are several things I would like to do with more time. One activity at the top of my list would be visiting the koalas and kangaroos at Maru Animal Park and the penguins of Phillip Island. A trip out to the Mornington Peninsula also sounds lovely with boutique wineries, fruit orchards and the famous multi-colored bathing boxes of Dromana. Other activities to consider are a day exploring the Yarra Valley Wineries, Mt. Buller winter village Grampians National Park.

Had I not been so exhausted from my previous weeks of travel, I would have rented a car and explored the Great Ocean Road, making stops at Corio Bay, the Twelve Apostles limestone formations, Apollo Bay, Loch Arch, Razorback and Island Arch.

STAY

Since my stay was technically just a layover between Brisbane and Auckland on my journey from Papua New Guinea to Tahiti, I wisely opted for an airport centric accommodation. I stayed at the Parkroyal Melbourne Airport. It was clean and comfortable, a welcome respite after weeks of roughing it in PNG. Staying close to the airport is a great way to make the most of one day in a city because you can avoid toting luggage further than is necessary and get the most sleep possible with odd flight times.

EAT

The food was amazing in Melbourne, such a wonderful Asian influence in thus part of the world. While here I had a curry chicken pie and a wonderful Thai meal at Chin Chin if pork wraps and barramundi jungle curry. Other restaurants I hoped to make it to, but simply didn’t have enough space in my stomach for, included Lucy Liu, Wonderbao Korean, Serotonin Dealer, Virtue of the Coffee (brunch), Beatrix (sweets), Long Chim Thai (owns Nahm in Bangkok), Pho Nom, Drinks at Bar Heartbreaker and Baba Ji (beautiful Indian food).