On the previous post, I was updating the stories about discovers Sydney City and also Melbourne City on 13th September 2018 (Thursday) until 16th September 2018 (Sunday); which is Day 1 until Day 4. So I would like to continue my stories on Day 5, 17th September 2018 (Monday). On this day, we're going the outside part of Melbourne City.
After breakfast at the hotel, we're going to the Chadstone Shopping Centre. The journey from hotel to the Chadstone Shopping Centre is taken around 45 minutes by minibus. The Chadstone Shopping Centre (colloquially known as Chaddy) is a super regional shopping center located in the south-eastern suburb of Malvern East, Victoria in the city of Melbourne, Australia and is the biggest shopping center on Australia and claims to be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. The center opened on 3rd October 1960 and was the first self-contained regional shopping center in Melbourne.
The center contains 129,924m² of the shop floor space, about 530 stores and more than 9,300 free car parking spaces. It has as many as 68,000 visitors on its busiest trading days and attracts about 400,000 tourists a year from interstate and 200,000 from overseas. Sales at the center exceed $1.4 billion – the highest turnover of all Australian shopping centers – and it has more than 20 million visitors annually.
For me, this shopping mall is reminding me to the Mid Valley Shopping Mall at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It's a big shopping mall and also can make me lost in this mall. I take this chance to shop and take a simple lunch at the Pappa Rich Malaysian Cuisine Restaurant since this day our lunch is not including in the itinerary.
I also never miss making the small souvenir to myself, which is post the postcard from Australia to my house at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Actually, I do post the postcard at Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. I don't remember the fee to send the postcard from Australia.
TIP 10 – if you want to shop with the cheaper price, I recommend visiting the Chemist Warehouse Store. Most of the things in this store are cheaper than another store. You also can find anything in this place. I think this store is already famous among to the Malaysian tourists.
After shopping, we're moving to the Maru Koala and Animal Park. The journey from the Chadstone Shopping Centre to Maru Koala & Animals Park is taken around 1 hour and 30 minutes by ride the minibus. The Maru Koala and Animal Park is a family run tourist attraction on five acres near the waterline of Westernport Bay and features an animal part, Pirate Pete's Mini-golf and the Homestead Bistro with the Dinosaur indoor playroom. Part of the Gippsland region and only fifteen minutes from Phillip Island, Maru has been operating its current location since 1983.
The general admission fee of Animal Park only for the adult is AUD $20 (RM 63.10) and child (4 – 15 years) is AUD $11 (RM 34.70). The operation hours from 09:30 am until 05:00 pm (last entry) and open every day except on Christmas Day. In the animal park, where can see a lot on animals through tactile experiences where I can hand-feed, pat and ‘get in touch with' many of the animals, including koala. But if want to touch and take the photo with the koala, you have to pay AUD $30 (RM 94.65) for 2 persons. They will take the photo and print it for you.
Of course, I never miss taking the photo with koala since it is my first time in Australia. I also was getting close with the kangaroo in this park. The unique of this park is they have a white kangaroo. We've had a lot of fun in this park.
TIP 11 – just keep on eyes on the floor because it has a lost of the boom (animal's poop).
Then, we're moving to Phillip Island – Penguin Parade. The journey from Maru Koala and Animal Park to Phillip Island is taken around 50 minutes by ride the minibus. Before we're going to the Penguin Parade at the Phillip Island, we're walking around at the Cowes. The Cowes is the main township on Phillip Island in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia.
It is about two hours' drive from Melbourne and can also be reached by coach, or passenger ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula. Cowes is located on the northern side of Phillip Island and faces towards French Island and the Morning Peninsula. At the 2011 census, Cowes had a population of 4,053. This small town is nice and beautiful. I also take this chance to take some photo at the beach.
After dinner, we're headed to the Penguin Parade, Phillip Island. The Phillip Island Nature Parks is located only 90 minutes from Melbourne. It has five major attractions, which are the Penguin Parade; the Koala Conservation Centre; Churchill Island Heritage Farm; Wild Oceans EcoBoat Tour; and the Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre as other recreational areas, including beaches, wetlands, and woodlands.
It is a not-for-profit organization. Revenue generated through the ecotourism activities is invested in vital conservation, research, and education programs. The entrance fee of the general viewing for adults is AUD $26.20 (RM 82.70) and for the child (4 – 15 years) is AUD $13 (RM 41.00).
The unique of the Penguin Parade Phillip Island is to see the world's smallest penguin in its natural habitat from viewing stands and boardwalks. Each night at sunset you'll be amazed by Little Penguins returning ashore after a day's fishing. As the sun fades in the sky, Little Penguins waddle up the beach to the safety of their homes in the sand dunes. Witness this magical procession – it is a treat never forgotten.
TIP 12 – mostly time to see the Little Penguin from the sunset until night so I strongly advised to bring the long jacket. The weather is normally windy because on the beach and it also so cool at night time. Prepare well before going there.
TIP 13 – no photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade. The Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin. To ensure penguins keep coming back to this special area they ask you do not use your cameras, camcorders or camera phones at the Penguin Parade. Normally, they will check each of you while you're seeing the Little Penguin coming back to their homes. Once you get caught, they will ask you to delete the photos. Just take the memories into your mind.
For me, the night time at this place is crazy cool. I can't stand long at the outside once I saw the Little Penguin coming back to their home. I just buy them some souvenirs at the souvenir shop before going back to Melbourne.
That is all my stories on day 5 of this trip. Just for your information, I have been writing the extra note tip about discovers Sydney and Melbourne, Australia based on my experience during this trip. Feel free to read it.
