We had skipped going ashore in Hobart and our first day in Melbourne. Our 2nd day in Melbourne was the first time we'd been off the boat since Dunedin, a whole week ago! The tour we'd booked for today was "Puffin' Billy, Wildlife and Dandenongs". We knew that Puffin' BIlly was a train, we weren't sure what "wildlife" would be and the Dandenongs just sounded like an Australian aboriginal name that could mean something significant or just babble!
The first part of the trip was Puffin' Billy, a narrow gauge train that had back in the early 1900's, before roads and automobiles were prevalent had been the only means of getting supplies to the mountain area (Dandenong Ranges) and products back down the hills. Today it is a tourist ride that also has a dining option.
As we walk down the long ramp tot he train, our guide point out a kookaburra high up in a tree. While an Australian bird, it does remind me of the Kingfishers we've seen in the Keys and along the Florida coastline.
Almost time to go, Puffin' Billy shows his puff! Note the kids sitting in the windows. Our crowd being a bit older chose to sit on the seats. Well, there was younger couple, probably in their mid-late 40's who at least posed for a picture.
Little touches with an old timer look to maintain Australia's huge push on being ecologically sound!
The map of our journey. Our trip began in Belgrave and ended in Menzies Creek. The train moved rather slowly, perhaps golf cart speed. It took us close to a half hour to map the 10-12 mile trip! Hmmm! A LOT slower than the golf carts in our community!
As we go over a curving trestle, we can see the engine and LOTS of legs hanging from the cars in between.
At Menzies Creek, we "climbed" back up the hill to where our coach was parked and waiting for us. There were 35 folks from the ship plus our guide. From there we were off to the Yarra Valley, to Rochford Winery, the exact same one where we'd had our champagne breakfast after our Hot Air Balloon ride over the Yarra Valley. We began our visit there by sampling the wines from this boutique winery. They had one of the nicest chardonnays I ever recall tasting. Unfortunately, they are virtually impossible to find in the US!
All the 4 wines we would taste before going in for lunch! Lunch was fabulous and I regret I forgot to take a picture!
The front of the Rochford Winery building. We had our tasting outside in a area to the left then went inside to the cooler air for lunch and, of course, wine!
From Rochford, it was back on the bus and off to the Healesville Sanctuary, the wildlife part of our journey. First stop, the koalas. We must have seen 6 or 7 of them. This was of the ones it was easiest to see.
Looking at his size and seeing mostly a bare tree, this guy must have eaten all the leaves on that tree!
This guy, an echidna, was very hard to see as the weather was HOT and it was trying to stay in the shade. Fortunately, with a little photoshopping, we are able to see it in the picture. While native to Australia and New Guinea, it has few predators, other than man clearing its habitat, it is not endangered.
Next up on the path was the platypus. Inside the building, we did see a couple of platypus, however, the light was dim and they are fast swimmers, thus no pics!
This carving will have to suffice!
As the day drew to a close, we were heading out once again into the Tasman Sea.
Tomorrow is a day at sea, then we'll head into the Sydnet harbor on Wednesday, the 23rd.
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