Day 12 - 13 - Wilson's Promontory

9-10 December - I departed Melbourne and walked all around Wilson's Promontory with Bunyip Tours. It was a great tour and I saw a lot of amazing stuff, but I have to admit I jumped in the deep end and was ill-prepared - I spent most of the time trying to keep pace with 2/3 of the group and had to look down to avoid tripping over roots on the rocky terrain, so did not really get to see much of the forest and mountains and stunning backdrop - although I saw enough to be seriously impressed.

Furthermore, it was 32°C and approximately 90% humidity, with a minimum of 27°C - the sort of conditions for which there's never enough drinking water. This is *very* atypical weather for the region - more like North Queensland! Anyway, we slept in tents. Each of me and the non-English-speaking guy I shared it with insisted the other snored. So at the end of the trip I was absolutely exhausted, a bit sick, and seriously underslept.

On the upsides, we got to play beach cricket, saw a lot of wildlife after dark, and had a great organic dinner and got to hear the tour guide playing the didgeridoo.

10-11 December - After a bit of drama getting to Port Melbourne by tram, and forgetting to get my ticket from check-in (the staff were very friendly though), I climbed aboard the Spirit of Tasmania. This is not a boat, this is an experience! Imagine the Hyatt Hotel and your state capital's casino mixed together, and that's kind of like what it was like. The beds were comfortable and in rooms that actually reminded me of some motels I've been in. The restaurants were pretty good. If not for the amazing view off the sides, one wouldn't even know one was floating. But if you wanted to be reminded, you could go outside and see the sea and experience a bit of spray and so on if you wished to. It's something I've got to do again - and intend to one day.