15 Dec 2008, 8am - Melbourne

Our rental car from Avis

EU and I got up early to collect our car from Avis. We had booked the car and GPS online last night. Hopefully an early start will bring us the 200km to Halls Gap/Grampians.

Wah... Oversized vehicles have specially fitted escorts

Victoria inter-state roads are interesting -- there are generally less lanes. Highways have 2 lanes on each side, while normal roads have only 1. Driving feels different too, I think. Our normal speed is 120km/h!

15 Dec 2008, 2pm - Ballarat

Our first stop is Ballarat, one of the first gold mining towns in Victoria. The main attraction is Sovereign Hill, a museum/historic theme park recreation of 1850s Ballarat. Supposedly, we can see the historic artefacts used in gold mining, and even participate in some gold panning activities. However, a hefty admissions charge did not strongly encourage us to enter. O.O

What???

We did, however, visit the Gold Museum opposite it. It exhibits GOLD! GOLD COINS! GOLD MINING! GOLD JEWELLERY! GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!

That is Singapore women's traditional clothes?!?

There is also a Women's Museum inside. Commemorating the achievements of women through the ages, the museum has photos of famous women and costumes of women throughout the world.

With nothing much to do, we took our lunch and continued on our way.