When we last left our heroes, they were headed to The Shire.

The movie sets from The Hobbit are now permanent and you can hang out by the hobbit holes on a gorgeous working farm.

Look! Bag End!

The end of our (soggy) tromp was the cozy Green Dragon where the grown ups had stout and the kiddos had ginger beer and we all pretended we were in Middle Earth with Aragorn sitting just around a dimly lit corner.

And with that, we dropped off our car, hopped on a plane for the second half of our epic journey, and headed to Melbourne.

Oh how I love this city! I’d forgotten how much. It’s vibrant and cultured and this perfect mix of old and new, technology and nature.

I did my usual “you have to visit the art gallery and you have to learn one thing” so while the grown ups wandered, The Boy found one exhibit and then enjoyed the free wifi.

We explored the city’s nooks and crannies using a free walking tour I downloaded.

(We also got a little lost, but I told my tour group they were getting what they paid for.)

Our evening was barbaric and hilarious (aka legit Australian) with an Aussie-rules football match. Think a mashup of US football, soccer, quidditch, and the invasion of the barbarian hordes. With no sissy pads or helmets to get in the way.

Yesterday we swapped city for country. First stop, a winery (plus bonus picnic by the vineyard).

Then it was off to a chocolate factory! We got to play games to win chocolate, see how it’s made, and even make our own bars.

You’d think that would be the highlight, but no – the best was yet to come. The wildlife reserve! Kookaburras, koalas, and cassowaries.

Wombats, dingoes, and Tasmanian Devils!

Echidnas, lizards, and emus!

But the best, best, best was feeding the kangaroos.

They were big! And a bit assertive, but so fun!

One last wildlife stop for the day – the Penguin Parade!

We waited on the beach ( in primo seats scored by our awesome Scottish tour guide and The Boy elbowing their way to the front of the line and racing ahead of the crowd) and as dusk fell, we watched the little waddlers emerge from the sea and head home to the nests in land. No pics allowed, but we did find this little guy outside of the park.

And with that, our wild day was done. Phew! We’re kinda exhausted, not gonna lie. The Husband definitely packs the itinerary full!

Today is a travel day off to Cairns where the highs lately have been 36 degrees Celsius. Tropical paradise! But first, someone turns Sweet Sixteen! Curious how I managed to put together a birthday breakfast halfway around the world? Stay tuned!