Ella Travel Blog: Sydney-Melbourne Road Trip: Hello Melbourne! (AU13 Part 4)

Melbourne, Australia 2013

This was going to be our last day living in the camper van.

Before I start, here's a little note on the caravan road trip. You might already heard that the enforcement on road safety is very strict in Australia. We must comply to the speed limit, that's for sure. Infants and kids must use proper car seat or booster seat. One of my friend experienced a local cab driver who refuse to start driving until all her kids sit down and buckle up in the child car seat. Yes, the people are obliged to the rules. And it is no different when it comes to driving a camper van. Speed limit, buckling up and child car seat, same rules apply. During our road trip, we convoyed two vans (the camper van and the MPV). Most of the times during convoy, only two persons will ride on the camper van (driver and co-pilot), and the rest will ride on the MPV. Reason being is that, the passengers' seats in the camper van are the same dining seats (the one at the dining table) and they are quite uncomfortable for long ride. It can't be reclined or adjusted like other normal vehicle seat. So imagine sitting straight for 3 hours (because you still need to buckle up). Tak ke sakit pinggang? If you've seen other travellers doing otherwise, well I could just say, do it at your own risk.

Let's get back to the story, shall we. Wondering how it looks like from the inside of the camper van?

The kitchen. Those on top are stove and sink (covered if not in use). Also seen here is the dining table at the back.

Small toilet for small sized people. Notice the sink fixed on the wall? Need to pull it over to use. Everything is compact.

Another dining table. Transformable into a second double bed. As you can see, these are the seats for another 4 passengers that I've mentioned earlier. Complete with proper seat belts. But too straight, aren't they?

Here was where I sleep.

So this morning, we woke up early and packed all of our things, cleaned up all the mess we made in the camper van and put everything back to its initial condition. We're going to return it back today.

Leaving Lake Entrance, we're heading to Melbourne!

Say goodbye to Joe Jambul. We'll sure gonna miss you.

Tid-bits for snacking during the road trip.

Hello, Melbourne!!

We reached Tullamarine, Melbourne in late afternoon and return the camper van back to Apollo Motorhomes Melbourne branch, leaving only the MPV with us. After that, it's shopping time! To South Wharf DFO we go.

We're here.

Shop close (too) early. Not enough time. :(

Getting dark.

After all shops were closed, we had no choice but to check out from DFO and check in to a 3-bedroom Stanton Service Apartment in St. Kilda. The apartment is spacious and cosy, suitable for family with kids. It's time to rest, and ready for tomorrow's new adventure.