After four days crossing the Tasman Sea, we arrived in Melbourne for two full days of exploration — and a very specific list of goals.
I wanted to see:
- Leafy Sea Dragons
- The Great Ocean Road
- Koalas
- Kangaroos
By the time we sailed away, we had checked off every one.
Melbourne delivered both underwater magic and coastal grandeur — a perfect introduction to Australia’s southeastern edge.
🌊 Day One: Sea Dragons Beneath the Bay
While Bob explored the city, Roger and I headed south toward the Mornington Peninsula for two unique dives between Portsea and Rye.
These waters sit within Port Phillip Bay, a massive natural harbor that defines Melbourne’s geography and marine ecosystem.
🐉 Morning Pier Dive — Portsea
Our first dive began under the Portsea Pier — and it did not disappoint.
The kelp-covered seabed swayed gently in the current, creating the perfect camouflage for the elusive Leafy Sea Dragon. Visibility was not great so, at first, spotting them required patience. Their intricate appendages mimic seaweed so convincingly that they vanish into the background.
It took a little time before we were able to spot these masters of camouflage drifting in the kelp, but once we trained our eyes to their shape, we began to see them — drifting gracefully, moving in slow, almost balletic motion.
It felt like discovering a mythical creature. We also took time to explore the coral encrusted pier structures and watch for other marine life.
Australia is one of the only places in the world where these remarkable animals live. Seeing them in their natural habitat made the entire Tasman crossing worthwhile.
🐙 Afternoon Shore Dive — Rye
In the afternoon, we headed to Rye for a shore dive known locally as the “Octopus Garden.”
Fully geared, we shuffled across a sandbar until we were deep enough to submerge. The water was relatively shallow, but marine life was abundant.
Man-made structures embedded in the seabed created hidey-holes for octopus — many tucked neatly into six-inch PVC pipes. Watching them peek out cautiously was endlessly entertaining.
We also encountered:
- Vibrant coral growth unique to temperate Australian waters
- Schools of reef fish
- And a rare Banjo Shark cruising through the shallows
Our guide from The Scuba Doctor dive shop was exceptional — patient, knowledgeable, and helpful as we sorted out a few underwater camera issues. Afterward, they provided rinse tanks, tables, hot showers, and towels before our 90-minute return to Port Melbourne.
It was a perfectly run dive day.
🍷 Seaside Dinner in Port Melbourne
Back near the cruise pier, I quickly changed clothes — one of the benefits of showering at the dive shop — and we headed out again.
We walked along the bay at sunset before heading inland about a mile to Chio Celo Restaurant.
Dinner was simple and excellent:
- Fresh Calamari Fritto
- Homemade bread
- Egg Tagliatelle for me
- Mushroom pizza for Bob
- A local Allinda Pinot Noir
We left more on the plate than we could finish.
It was a beautiful way to close a day that had started underwater.
🌏 Day Two: The Great Ocean Road
Day Two began early with a 12-hour tour along the legendary Great Ocean Road.
Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to World War I servicemen, the Great Ocean Road is both a scenic masterpiece and a national monument.
🐨 Wildlife Encounters
Along the way, we encountered exactly what I had hoped for:
- Kangaroos grazing in open fields
- Koalas perched sleepily in eucalyptus trees near a seaside campground
Seeing them in the wild — not in a zoo — made the experience even more special.
🪨 The Twelve Apostles
No Great Ocean Road tour is complete without visiting the Twelve Apostles.
These towering limestone stacks rise dramatically from the Southern Ocean, sculpted over millions of years by relentless wind and waves.
Standing on the viewing platform was breathtaking.
Unfortunately, it was Chinese New Year, and the decks were crowded with hundreds of visitors competing for photos. It did take away from the moment.
However, our guide cleverly pulled a few of us aside to a quieter boardwalk for playful video shots — a much better memory to take home.
💡 Tip: Smaller tours often run the route in reverse, reaching the Twelve Apostles early in the morning before crowds arrive. We highly recommend this strategy.
🌿 Changing Landscapes
The beauty of the Great Ocean Road lies in its variety.
The landscape shifted throughout the day:
- Rugged sea cliffs
- Surf beaches
- Lush rainforests
- Rolling farmland
- Seaside villages
Each turn revealed a new version of Australia’s southeastern coast.
🌆 Melbourne Beyond the Tours
Though much of our time was spent diving and touring, Melbourne itself is a city worth deeper exploration.
Situated on Port Phillip Bay, the city is shaped by water, migration, and gold-rush wealth. Founded in 1835 on lands traditionally belonging to the Wurundjeri people, Melbourne boomed during the 1850s gold rush, quickly becoming one of the wealthiest cities in the British Empire.
Today, it is one of the world’s most multicultural cities, known for:
- Laneway street art
- World-class coffee culture
- The National Gallery of Victoria
- Queen Victoria Market
- The Yarra River promenade
Melbourne blends European elegance with Australian ease — a city that feels both refined and relaxed.
🌅 Farewell to Victoria
As the sun set over Port Melbourne and the tugs guided us out of harbor, we reflected on what these two days had delivered.
- Rare marine life
- A perfectly executed dive day
- Coastal drama on a global scale
- Wildlife in its natural habitat
- Excellent food and wine
Melbourne had been more than a stop.
It was an experience layered above and below the sea — a dynamic introduction to Australia that set the tone for what lay ahead.
🌏 Our Australia Cruise Journey
Our Australian itinerary included four unforgettable stops:
- Melbourne Sea Dragons and the Great Open Road: Underwater wonders in Portsea & a scenic Great Ocean Road adventure
- Parade of the Penguins – Wildlife spectacle with Little Penguins at sunset
- Eden, Australia – Whales, coastal history, and seaside charm
- Discovering The Sights and Sounds of Sydney – Iconic city landmarks, harbor views, and urban exploration
- A Premature End to our World Cruise – sad, but so thankful.
Follow along as we explore this remarkable country from south to north — from unique marine life to rugged coastlines and vibrant cities.
Australia’s southeastern coastline — including Victoria and New South Wales — is a region of dramatic contrasts. From the rugged limestone cliffs of the Great Ocean Road to the sheltered waters of Port Phillip Bay and Sydney Harbour, the landscape is shaped by wind, sea, and deep geological time.
Melbourne sits along Port Phillip Bay, a vast natural harbor that supports temperate marine ecosystems — home to unique species like the Leafy Sea Dragon.
Further east, Eden’s coastline reveals ancient rock formations and migratory whale routes, while Sydney’s harbor is considered one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world.
Australia’s geography is defined by extremes — arid interior deserts, tropical north, temperate southern coasts — but along this southeastern stretch, ocean and cliffs dominate the experience.
🏛 A Brief History of Settlement
Long before European arrival, Australia was home to Aboriginal peoples for over 60,000 years — one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures.
Melbourne and much of Victoria are located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
European settlement began in the late 18th century with British penal colonies. Melbourne was formally founded in 1835 and grew rapidly during the 1850s gold rush, transforming into one of the wealthiest cities in the British Empire.
Eden’s history is tied to whaling in the 19th century, including the remarkable partnership between whalers and killer whales — a unique chapter in maritime history.
Sydney, established in 1788 as a penal colony, became Australia’s first major European settlement and remains the country’s most globally recognized city.
🎭 Culture: Old Traditions & Modern Identity
Across southeastern Australia, Indigenous heritage remains foundational. Aboriginal art, storytelling, and land stewardship are increasingly recognized as central to national identity.
Wildlife also plays a defining cultural role — kangaroos, koalas, penguins, and whales are not just attractions but symbols of the continent itself.
🌊 Why Australia Feels Different
Australia’s southeastern coast offers:
- Unique marine life found nowhere else
- Dramatic ocean-sculpted landscapes
- Wildlife in natural habitats
- Deep Indigenous roots
- Colonial history layered with modern global identity
It is a place where nature dominates the narrative — and cities exist in harmony with sea and sky.
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Melbourne looks beautiful!
Are you eating all meals on the ship or some on shore ?