It was my fifth day out in Australia and we had yet another trip out of the city planned on our itinerary! But this time round, it was just for the day and definitely less adventurous. We were just going to treat ourselves to a nice soak in the hot springs and a good lunch! 😁
[Melbourne | Australia June & July 2016]
29 June 2016
Fingal, Sorrento, Dromana & Shoreham
Daybreak on the highway…
We woke up very early that morning just to be the first first few at the hot springs. And while JC were keeping their eyes on the GPS and roads and the young one drifting in and out of sleep next to me, I enjoyed watching the sun rising as we were cruising down south to our destination…
Peninsula Hot Spring
There are actually countless of hot springs south of Melbourne City but we picked Peninsula Hot Spring ultimately because they seem to have the best amenities and views. But most importantly, they are baby-friendly even if that means that babies and kids can visit their hot springs only during the first two hours of the day.
And for the fact that we have the baby in toll, and very much thankful for the baby also, we were really the first few to enjoy the place that morning and it was time for us to leave when the crowd at each pool gradually grew to an insane size. Haha!
All Smiles Sorrento Ocean Beach
Since we had to evacuate way before it was time for lunch, we dropped by the beach for a bit although it’s not like we were prepared to go for a swim or whatsoever. But all is good even if it was just a refresher on how it feels like to have the sea breeze slapping ruthlessly on your face and to hear the waves crashing onto the beach.
The little one had a little too much fun at the hot spring. She concussed and was sleeping in the car in front of us while we stood there to enjoy the view and sea breeze for a bit. And as much as I love the cold chilly weathers, I can’t help but miss the usual hot and sunny beach holidays! Damnnn…
Stillwater at Crittenden
Lunch at Stillwater at Crittenden was a two course meal complete with a sweet ending of desserts and I ended up four photos because the buddy’s pork belly there was simply picture perfect. Haha!
To be honest, lunch was decent but perhaps we heard one good review too many and we were really expecting much more.
This satisfied face because she had her nap and they offer kids menu with chips!
Post lunch wefie and run about for the little one at the vast open space outside the restaurant!
Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens
For some reason, the Instagram-worthy bathing boxes, that seems to be on everyone’s checklist when they visit Melbourne, are never that attractive to me and they didn’t make it to my itinerary.
And when we had more than enough time till sunset after the long lunch, we chose to visit Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens instead, absolutely forgetting that it was winter and the lavenders are not going to be in full bloom. Expectation 0 – Reality 1. 🙄
If not for the fact that there is a faint whiff of aroma in the air from the lavenders, all our excitement would have died when the Lavender Labyrinth turned out almost bare and so disappointing. Can’t deny the fact that there were lots of space for the little one to run around and we managed to salvage the high spirits a little by smashing through finishing both mazes. Haha!
p.s. I had a little lavender obsession after that and tried to create my own “lavenders field” 😆
Back on the highway. This time heading back to the city with dusk setting in…
Dinner @ Ramen Bankara
Aqua S
And what a long day it was. When we got back to the city after sunset, we couldn’t think of anything fancy to have for dinner anymore and so we walked out to Ramen Bankara nearby the apartment and had a nice piping hot bowl of Japanese ramen followed by an ice cream from Aqua S after dinner even though I was very sure I was super filled with dinner!
But nothing beats keeping up the buddy system! The buddy had the Sea salt & Lemon Squash while I had the Sea salt & Pandan ice cream on cone anyways. Sometimes I don’t know if it’s good to have a buddy for almost everything! Haha!
More posts from Melbourne | Australia June & July 2016 travelogue series:
- Red Spice QV, Om Nom & Fancy Hank’s | Melbourne, Australia
- Yarra Valley, Healesvilles & Marysville | Victoria, Australia
- Lake Mountain Resort and Bruno’s Art & Sculpture Garden | Marysville, Victoria, Australia
- Cafe Carpenter & Gukbab | Malvern East & Melbourne, Australia
- Fingal, Sorrento, Dromana & Shoreham | Victoria, Australia
- Hammer & Tong, Federation Square & ACMI, Belleville, N2 Gelato and Campari House | Melbourne, Australia
- Operator 25, Shrine of Remembrance, Royal Botanic Gardens, Yarra River & St. Paul’s Cathedral | Melbourne, Australia
- Breakfast Thieves, Rose Street Artists’ Market, Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam and Yarra River + Gas Brigades Fire Show | Melbourne, Australia
- Manchester Press, Market Lane Coffee and St. Kilda Beach & Breakwater| Melbourne, Australia
- Vertue Coffee Roasters, Melbourne Museum & Jurassic World: The Exhibition, Jimmy Grants and Gelato Messina | Melbourne, Australia
- Great Ocean Road | Victoria, Australia
- South Melbourne Market, State Library Victoria, Docklands Winter Fireworks 2016 and Cafes | Melbourne, Australia
- Collingwood Children’s Farm & Farmers’ Market, Flagstaff Gardens and Brick Lane Melbourne | Melbourne, Australia
