L&L Archives: Melbourne, Day 1

Day one in Melbourne technically did not take place in Melbourne.

I was on a tour bus at 7am heading toward the Great Ocean Road, which means I saw a moon so massive it looked Photoshopped, (and also means I was awake at an hour I morally disagree with).

First stop: Torquay Beach, near Bells Beach (yes, the surfer holy ground and familiar if you’ve watched Make or Break).

Then we pulled over at a golf course to see kangaroos just… hanging out. Imagine lining up a putt and there’s a kangaroo ten feet away. Casual.

After another hour, we officially hit the Great Ocean Road coastline. The second I stepped onto the sand, dare I say I got a little emotional. Everything felt oversized and slightly humbling. I’m about to get earnest for a second, so brace yourself: it made me feel very small in the best way. Like my problems could wait. Like I was just lucky to be standing there. I was happy to be alive and fully living my life. Okay. We’re done being reflective.

Next stop: koalas. It took me an embarrassingly long time to find them, but I eventually spotted two. Tiny, sleepy, worth the neck strain.

We did a guided forest walk after lunch, and the ferns were enormous. They are your typical house fern, but on steroids. Everything felt prehistoric and dramatic, as if a dinosaur might wander through at any moment.

Then: the Twelve Apostles limestone formations from Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge. Sharp cliffs, wild ocean, textbook scenery. The whole day was about 12 hours, which is long for a bus tour, but I’m glad I did it. Leaving the city to see something that big resets you.

Back in Melbourne, I went straight to Queen Victoria Market, which happened to be hosting a summer festival. It was slammed. Live music, DJs, food stalls, chaos. I got paella and Dutch pancakes, because balance, and walked home during a very cinematic sunset.

If that counts as day one “in” Melbourne, I’d say we started strong. Exhausted, but strong.