If you're going to the MCG, the Australian racing museum is well worth a look. Even if you don't know which end of a horse to feed & have never laid a bet, it's a fascinating insight to the "sport of kings", our culture & some of our most famous racehorses.

Sadly no time for Phillips island - this is the last day in Melbourne, and I'm already behind. I'm at the Grand Hyatt here - really nice location. Yes, the Portrait Gallery in Canberra is on my list for sure. I appreciate the suggestions but unfortunately there's just not enough time to get everything in! Especially when the hotel views are so lovely.

"Walked quickly past the Park Hyatt, where I nearly stayed but changed at the last minute. I walked back to my hotel, relaxed for a few..."

I must have misunderstood what you wrote. No matter - and yes the Grand Hyatt isn't a bad little pub.

Day 11: Left the hotel about 9:30, to walk to make it to the Zoo. I was able to check out at Myki card from the hotel, which was a nice touch. It took some time to figure out how much was on it and to top it up again. Walked over to William Street to catch the 55 tram directly to the Zoo. I spent 2 hours at the zoo. It was kind of my worst nightmare (kids, mud, smells) but I'm also really glad I went, as it was my last chance to see some great Australian animals. I found the exhibits a little sparse in places, but it was still better than nothing.

I refreshed in the hotel for about half an hour or so and then walked over to Rod Laver, Botanic Gardens, and Shrine of Remembrance. The views from the Shrine were amazing - I must have spent about half an hour up there and walked around countless time. The gardens were also amazingly huge, and I only went through part of them. I walked back to the hotel absolutely exhausted. Took a $10 cab to my new hotel, Downtowner on Lygon (Priceline fail!) and had dinner at Jimmy's Wine Bar. I had my heart set on some risotto, but they didn't have any, so I went with some fish and chips. Good, but not preferred, and walking back the opposite way I wish I would have eaten at about 5 other places. So many options, and I'm glad I did get to see that part of town. Had a nice ice cream at New Zealand Naturals.

Day 12:

Woke up super early to catch a cab to Melbourne Airport for my 8:30 flight. Zipped through everything and had maybe 2 hours to spare. Unfortunately uberx wasn't operating, and the fare was $54 AUD, 59 with tip.

Took a cab in from Canberra to the Hyatt for a tune of about $30 all in. My room wasn't ready, so even though I was gross, I dashed out for the day. I found Canberra just an awful city to get around in and try to walk in. I'm also directionally challenged, which didn't help. So, it took me a while to find the walk bridge up to the other side, and then a really long time to actually find the National Gallery. I kept walking around a car park and other government buildings. Anyway, I spent about 2 hours in the National Gallery. It felt a bit rushed but good as well. The Ned Kelly stuff was impressive, and I loved some of the Australian impressionist-type folks. Too much modern art for my tastes, though. They had some interesting small fashion galleries, and some Asian art, and then obviously the Aboriginal art. A little bit of everything.

I walked over to the National Portrait Gallery for about an hour, including a quick lunch in the cafe of a wrap sandwich. I appreciated this gallery very much, and it was small. I was sad not to see a Cate Blanchett photo, but the video installation about her was pretty neat. I could watch her do anything. When is Toni Collette going to get her picture up there?

I then ... proceeded to get horribly lost and nearly miss the Parliament tour. I must have asked at least 5 different people (Questcon, Library, eventually back to Hyatt) where to go. It was easiest from the Hyatt, and I finally got my bearings. The Parliament Tour was 30 minutes with a great Danish guy, and then I walked around for another 20 minutes or so. They were in session today, so I opted not to go in. Instead, I went to the Old Parliament House, which I found really awesome. It was neat to be able to see all the old rooms and how the museum is designed around them. Also, Tony Abbott is a hottie!

I think walked back to the Park Hyatt, made a meal out of the lounge (I know, one of those people!) and caught up on my e-mails.

Oh, it poured nearly the whole today. Tomorrow should be ... interesting. Going to probably require a couple of cabs, which I find really expensive here ($5 to start, even!). I took more cash out today at the airport (a 50 at the Travelex ATM, hopefully they didn't rob me blind ... just no other options) and may need a touch more. We shall see.

OMG' tony Abbott is a hottie'. Well ok, if you say so, thanks for the chuckle.

Like you, I too am directionally challenged and it drives me nuts! You have my sympathy.

Hi Joe, a very engaging trip report. You're right, Canberra is confusing to navigate - much worse when you do not have a car. It's not really a pedestrian city. You need to visit it a few times to find the right turn offs etc. Thanks for the report and please keep writing. (BTW - really, you find Tony a hottie??????)

Lavandula

As soon as I read your comment about Tony Abbott, this image popped into my mind and now I can't stop laughing:

http://static.squarespace.com/static...ny_Abbot_1.jpg

Enjoying your report Joe.

Mel!!! How am I supposed to get that image out of my head - ever!!!! :)

Mel, I'm not even going to open the link, the front page news at the time was enough to create an indelible and cringeworthy memory.

Tony Abbott a hottie ? Sacrilege !

Enjoying the report though Joe, please carry on.......

<<The Parliament Tour was 30 minutes with a great Danish guy>>

I know the guy you're talking about, I was at Parliament House last Tuesday when the Japanese PM was visiting, he was at the enquiries desk and I had a chat with him. He thought I was Scottish and I thought he was trying to badly copy my accent until he said he was Danish. He said a few interesting things, like despite a world leader being in the building, the public were able to tour and walk around the building as normal and that no guns were inside the building only on the outside. I also thought it strange yet refreshing that the public can park their cars under Parliament House with no security checks at all.

I always get lost driving around Canberra, I've lost count on how many times I have done a U-turn just beside the Park Hyatt, as I've gone the wrong way.

You've just warmed me up, Mel, with that divine picture. I just about fell off the chair laughing. 'Tis only 9 degrees here today. :(

Oh good Gawd, Mel! That's gross.
And the mad monk lives in my Shire!
Fortunately he's always been fully clothed when I've seen him.

In his defence, often in his volunteer firey outfit buying some stuff at our local hardware store.

I have to tell you though, I think I shall need several years of therapy to recover from that hirsute horror. Thanks very much!

It's a classic, that one. I particularly like the tail feathers poking out from the, hmmmm, smugglers? And the Neverlast gloves are a nice touch.

A sent the photo to a friend the US, tucked away in this card by Sue Janson:

http://acquisitions.co.nz/shop/media...29020-oxre.jpg

I figured it'd be easier to show her what budgie smugglers referred to than try to explain. Something tells me those two little words are now indelibly etched in her mind.

Okay, less hot now. Much less so. Anyway, Day 12:

Checked out of the hotel around 9:30. I'd meant to view the swimming pool, but the fitness centre was in another building, and it was cold, so ... no.

Walked to the National Exhibition Centre. The staff were absolutely lovely, helping me with directions and offering to play a 10 minute film. They really looked after me. Spent about 30-40 minutes in there, and I found it a nice summary of Canberra history (with some duplication of what I heard already from the Museum of Democracy).

I walked from there to War Memorial, not without some difficulties - I made it around the lake to Anzac Parade but couldn't find a way to get around the round-about to the other side. So, back down to the lake, walking further, to approach again after a little ways. Finally, success!

I see what people mean about both how important the Memorial is and how much there is to see. I was there for about 2 hours and really only made it through the WWII, Aircraft area, and a little of the ANZAC Hall. I wish I'd have had more time. It was nice to see the photos of Will and Kate (gosh, she's just sooo pretty) touring the Museum and putting poppies up. School was out, so there were a million children of all ages and types there. So ready to be done with school touring groups now, please, thank you!

I walked to the Mecure, changed a large note, took out another 20 AUD just in case (the machine wouldn't take my usual card, so I did it with the backup ATM card that may not waive fees and/or may also charge a foreign conversion fee. I really should just have taken more money out to begin with, at a Melbourne bank, to have to avoid the 2 Canberra dodgy ATM dashes. Lesson learned).

Caught a cab from the Mecure to the Australian Museum, for the fare of $21 including tip. I don't know how common it is to actually tip cabbies in Australia - I've gotten a couple of ummm the fare is actually XXX amount reactions. Nonetheless, I stuck to 10% for cabs and restaurants.

Anyway, I thought the Australian Museum was good, but not amazing. I think I was expecting a little more punch or maybe even controversy to it. I enjoyed the history of Australia bits to figure out how each city was founded and the order of things. Much as I disagree with Kevin Rudd and Julia on nearly everything, the short video of "The Apology" was well done to see the reactions of many of the Aboriginal audience.

I walked back from there around the lake to the Hyatt and got some last amazing views with the clouds and sunset. Just a beautiful backdrop to the city with the lake and the hills and mountains. Canberra definitely felt like what I imagine the Swiss Alps or lake areas to be like. On the other hand, I hated the city itself for its ugly buildings and difficulty to walk.

Caught a cab back to the airport for 30 and promptly found that my flight had been cancelled. Big problem, as I'm flying out early the next day from Melbourne to LAX. However, she got me on the flight that was boarding, and I did a mad dash to just make it. Perks of getting to the airport 2 hours early!

Just been settling into the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport and enjoyed a nice pizza (had been craving one) from the bar. Early bedtime for me and onto to LA tomorrow!

Day 13:

Took the flight from Melbourne to LAX. Nothing noteworthy, other than the fact that I didn't sleep well. Decided to take Super Shuttle from airport to hotel (Crescent, on Beverly). 2 hours later, I arrived. Definitely not a fan. I arrived at 9:00 am, and no surprise, my room wasn't ready. I wandered Beverly Hills for a couple of hours, mostly trying to charge up my dead I Phone, until I realized that the plugs weren't fitting my phone at the local Starbucks. I looked a bit like a hobo in my unkempt appearance, turtleneck and coat. I was really glad when the room became available. I showered, napped for a couple of hours (poor decision, as now I probably won't have time for Santa Monica), and took uberx for a great Dine La dinner with a friend at Upper West. Highly recommend.

Looks like you had a great trip, Joe. I think you has a good mix of things we locals do in our everyday lives & those iconic "first visit" places & experiences.

And ... " told you so!" about the War Memorial ;) haha. I'm so glad you went - it really is something special isn't it?

Thanks for taking us along on your adventures, your good spirits & hope you come back again. Now you've scratched the surface, there's lots more to see.

Glad you enjoyed your trip JoeTro. I'm still in shock that you think the Mad Monk is hot, but I guess if you are a fan of conservative politicians he is at least fit.

Re. tipping, we don't really tip cab drivers, other than rounding up to the nearest dollar.

I'm flying to Sydney next month and have a reservation at the Marriott. Just wondering--why did you change hotels during your stay there?
Thanks,
Jane

Yes, the War Memorial was really great. I assumed it would just be the memorial but didn't realize all of the museum aspect to it. I also really enjoyed the smaller one in Melbourne because of the great views from the roof.

I wanted to use my two free Hyatt nights at the Park Hyatt, so that's why I switched hotels. However, I really liked the location of the Marriott.

My rest of LA was relatively uneventful and not much to write about, aside from being usually messed around by a guy I sort of used to date there. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the chance to reconnect with so many friends and visit old haunts. I had a nice drink at the Penthouse at the Huntley, which had a great view and a nice happy hours.

Thanks for everyone's help with planning this trip! I imagine the next few big trips will be to Europe, but I am eager to return to Australia one day to see some more of Sydney, Tasmania, and maybe a little Queensland or further north beach-going.