Melbourne & Great Ocean Road

#Australia #Melbourne #Roadtrip

No long-winded stories this time. Just a short trip with a small photo collection. Shall let the pictures tell a thousand words for the thousand kilometres we have driven around the State of Victoria, Australia.

The Capital of Victoria was still asleep when we arrived in the early morning.

A seemingly homeless guy struggling to keep warm at a bus stop.

The warm morning sun against the signature bright blue Melbourne sky.

Walking down the street adorned with graffiti.

Headed to the famous market of Melbourne when it had just opened its doors.

Backlit merchandise before the stalls were open.

Fresh produce at QVM.

The QVM is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Be prepared to get lost and find your way out in its labyrinth of aisles.

Opened in 1878, it's not just a market but one of Melbourne's most significant landmarks.

The start of morning rush hour.

St. Paul's Cathedral, since 1891.

Chloe's Rooms - ranked no.1 by Elle in their list of "Top 10 Places to Kill Time in Melbourne". Quite clearly, the old man knew where and how to do that.

You'll never get lost in Melbourne. Tourism volunteers are always around to assist.

Dialogue between the old and the new.

The distinctive silhouette of Federation Square.

Stairs ascending to The Square, paved with oche sandstone from Western Australia.

The iconic facade of Federation Square comprising zinc, perforated zinc, glass and sandstone over a steel exoskeletal frame in a repeat yet complex geometric pattern.

Federation Square houses one of Australia's national broadcaster.

Mathematical complexity with architectural materiality.

Let there be light.

Juxtaposition versus alignment.

The floors ain't spared of the Federation effect.

An iconic, shabby chic bar in Fitzroy - The Provincial Hotel.

Woman and man...

...and 9 months later.

Mondrian mail.

I always enjoy looking at contemporary Australian architecture. Their use of both materials and colours are bold yet always pleasing and refreshing.

Evening peak hour.

A beautiful 1958 Holden FC Special outside Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Having a good afternoon nap.

In the safe and warm arms of mummy.

Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Eucalyptus.

Visited Sovereign Hill - an open-air museum that brings one back in time to the mid 19th century.

The Horseman.

Streets of Sovereign Hill.

The iconic bathing boxes of Brighton Beach, on a not so bright day.

The hidden brightness at Brighton Beach.

Built in the Victorian era since the mid 19th century, these bathing boxes can fetch up to $300,000 per shed under the hammer.

Open air public toilet.

Stopping for coffee the at Aireys Inlet.

The landmark Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, guiding ships since 1891.

132 steps within to ascend the Split Point Lighthouse.

Our Outlander that had brought us safely through the Great Ocean Road.

Getting closer to the Twelve Apostles.

A magnificent view of this coastal road.

The place to be indeed.

Finally arriving at the Twelve Apostles before sunset.

12 apostles and the 4 evangelists? No, just tourists.

Simply breath-taking.

Looking up from The Loch Ard Gorge.

Closing in on the Apostle.

A stack had collapsed back in 2005 (foreground debris). The rate of erosion at the bottom of the stacks is believed to be about 2cm per year.

Back to the Capital.

Southern Cross railway station.