Even though Toolangi is a smidge out of Melbourne proper, it is my pleasure to review the Toolangi Tavern and other small businesses around Victoria that will feel the hit of not only diminished customers because of the Victorian bushfires but also because of the coming winter months.

If you're looking for a place that has atmosphere, televisions to watch the sport, a wide arrangement of beers and a mighty good feed, then you'd do well to stop by Mrs. Parma's.

When I say there is something for everyone in Melbourne, I most certainly mean photographers as well.

A perfect place to meet surrounded by places to eat, right next to the SBS television building and the biggest free Wi-fi hotspot in Melbourne?

That’s Federation Square.

When you're visiting Melbourne - and Australia in general - earthquakes are not high on the list of things to be prepared for. However, last night (March 7th), Melbourne (and surrounds) showed itself to not be completely impervious to the phenomenon.

I love Australia. I love to travel, I love to see the sights, talk to the people… Over the past few weekends, my husband and I have been making a point to get out and explore more of Victoria. We have met so many wonderful people and seen many breathtakingly gorgeous landscapes.

Even if you have only a few days to visit Melbourne, one of the places you can't miss is the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Just a short walk away from Flinders Street Station, the gardens are not only easy to get to, but they are HUGE! If you're on limited time, you probably won't get to see all of the gardens, but it is definitely worth it.

This week Melbourne is hot! And not just in the sexy way, either.

Despite what the news broadcasters around here would like people to think, Melbourne being hot in the middle of summer is not such a surprising thing. But like a gambler who sees three cherries on his machine, the rest of the week forecasted at being in the 40s is causing quite a stir.

One of the things Australia is best known for is its variety of strange, interesting and sometimes scary animals and insects.

Here are a few interesting facts about Australia’s wildlife:

*There are 1500 species of Australian spiders.
*There are over 6000 species of flies. (Waving flies away from your face is the “Australian wave”.)
*There are about 4000 species of ants.
*There are about 350 species of termite.
*Australia has some of the deadliest insects, reptiles and other animals in the world.

Tonight I passed another Aussie milestone – I saw my first Huntsman!

The Bloke was calmly destroying a chicken so he could make his sangers for work and I was going on about my latest writing project when…

“So, I looked on the website and the only specification they gave was – Holy ****! That’s a huge spider!”

Just past The Bloke under the kitchen window (well within his arm’s reach) a big ol’ spider was happily hanging out. He said, “Oh, it’s a Huntsman.”