Melbourne

Herding 30 travelers, each with at least one large suitcase plus 25 sets of golf travel bags meant two coaches were needed to transport us to the Sydney airport. It seemed most of Australia was on the move as the domestic terminal was packed but somehow we managed to get our entire party, luggage and all, to Melbourne.

It’s a 90 minute flight to Melbourne which is in the state of Victoria. Stepping out of the plane was like walking into an oven. Temperatures here this week are expected to rise into the mid to upper 30’sC (mid to upper 90’sF).

With a population of 5.4 million, it’s a BIG city. We are staying right downtown at a beautiful hotel owned by the Royal Automobile Club Victoria.

There is a 1937 Austin coupe in the lobby highlighting functions of the RACV back in the day.

After a brief respite it was into the red jackets for a short walk to The Australian Club which is one of the iconic social clubs in the city.

Housed in an imposing Victorian building, the club has magnificent rooms full of paintings and architectural flourishes. After having the official team portrait done we did take a few pictures before learning photos were not allowed.

Curiously we were served a delicious Cote de Rhone despite being in the land of world class Shiraz (Syrah for you familiar with the French version). Not really a hardship though.

After the reception a small group wandered off and found a steak restaurant serving Wagyu beef. Paired with a fantastic Barossa Valley Shiraz it was fun way to end a great day.

Tomorrow it’s off to Phillip Island, southeast of the city for a wine tour, beach walk and nature walk through the Koala conservation reserve. The highlight comes at sunset when the penguin parade occurs where, hopefully, thousands of penguins make their way up the beach.