Day 3: To Shepparton we go...

Saying goodbye to the Econolodge on Swanson Street.  Yes, that tiny little red sign was my hotel!

Going big in first class on the train from Melbourne to Shepparton, Victoria.  Shepparton is about 2.5 hours north of the city of Melbourne and out in the "bush".  Didn't take long for the terrain to look rather rugged.

Some views of the growing outback 
from the train window. I certainly appreciated the heat as we left Melbourne and headed north.  About 39`C (>100`F) when we hit the train station in Shepparton.

Unfortunately, no cute kangaroos or koalas on the trip, but a heck of a lot of beef cattle and sheep.  These were so close to the tracks that they scattered as the train approached.

  ARRIVING IN SHEPPARTON

Just 1 hour after arrival, I hopped a lift to the "Dookie Campus" of the University of Melbourne Rural Clinical School.  The campus was beautiful, but about a 30 minute drive from Shepparton proper. 

Finishing up the day with about 25 University of Melbourne students as they were introduced to their "rural medicine" clerkship.  They will be headed to posts in the countryside in a few short days and will be responsible for a 25 minute presentation on a rural health issue in 3 weeks time.