Rabbits, Bananas and Skyhigh

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Day 7 of our trip - exploring the Dandenong. As the designated Road Trip Navigator, the only way I could do my job properly is if I have the proper maps. We stopped over at a shopping village to buy a refidex (map book of Victoria) on our way to Lilydale where we booked our accommodation for the night. Inside the shopping centre, I was surprised and amazed to see little cute bunnies in the pet store. Rabbits are banned in Queensland (QLD) as they are classified as pest. I guess this law does not apply in Victoria. Queensland is very strict when it comes to protecting its agricultural industry. Another example is banning the importation of bananas from other countries since the cyclone disaster hit Innisfail and all other QLD banana plantations in an attempt to provide continues support for QLD growers. But the citizens of Australia are the ones paying the hefty price - AU$12 per kilo or AU$16/kilo in Victoria to be exact, which are now more expensive than steak. In the recent news, banana growers in QLD are now instant millionaires! I guess the cyclone disaster was a blessing in disguise after all :> ....for the farmers, that is. :<

We arrived in Lilydale without any hassle - thanks to my navigational prowess :> (ok….it’s because of my new map book really). We stayed at “Taverner York on Lilydale”, 45min east of Melbourne. The backdoor of our room opens to an astonishing scenery of natural bushland, fountains, lake with ducklings and all. Ryan had so much fun chasing the birds and ducks. Jamie’s older brother (and his kids) only lives a stone throw away from where we’re staying. We spent the rest of the day with them exploring the Dandenong ranges. They took us up in the SkyHigh Dandenong Lookout where we saw the awesome panoramic view of Melbourne and its surrounds. At the SkyHigh Lookout, we sat on the “Giant Chair”, wished on the “Wishing Tree”, knocked on the “Possum’s Tree House” and hugged an Australian tree. Back at Lilydale, the kids had so much fun playing chase and kicking the soccer ball around. It was fun day !

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Photos

Australian Tree
This was a Eucalyptus tree with carvings of an aboriginal face and Australian native wildlife

Australian Tree
@ SkyHigh Dandenong Lookout

Taverner York on Lilydale
where we stayed

Possum Tree House
Dandenong SkyHigh

The Giant Chair II
SkyHigh Dandenong Lookout

The Secret Garden
SkyHigh Dandenong Lookout

The Wishing Tree
SkyHigh Dandenong Lookout

The Australian Tree
SkyHigh Dandenong Lookout

The Australian Tree
SkyHigh Dandenong Lookout

Taverner York
Lilydale where we stayed

Family of Ducks on the pool
Lilydale where we stayed

Taverner York
Lilydale

The room with the view
Ok...this picture didn't really do it much justice