Classic Impressions of Australia's East Coast and the Pacific
2024-4-18 Thursday: Depart Christchurch, New Zealand, and start the Australia journey
At 3:50 PM, we took Qantas from Christchurch Airport, flying directly to Brisbane, Australia. When we arrived at 5:50 PM, it was already dark. When going through Australian customs, a friend brought down the cheese from the airplane meal; the customs officer gave a warning but eventually let us through.
Since it was dark upon arrival, we didn't want to drive at night, so we booked an airport hotel next to the domestic terminal. To get from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, we needed to take a shuttle bus. We encountered a small hiccup when looking for the hotel. We were staying at the Ibis Hotel, but when asking for directions, we mispronounced it as "yibisi" while locals are more used to saying "aibisi," which confused us a bit. After several communications, we finally found the correct hotel and checked in smoothly.
In the evening, we ordered takeaway dinner from the hotel restaurant and enjoyed it with drinks in our room. With the night view outside the window and good wine in hand, we concluded our New Zealand trip perfectly and started our Australia trip with new expectations.
2024-4-19 Friday: Queensland, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary; Lamington, Springbrook
In the morning, we had a hearty breakfast at the hotel restaurant to recharge for the day ahead. Then we went to the Thrifty rental counter next to the hotel, completed the rental procedures, picked up the car, and drove to downtown Brisbane. We visited the South Bank Parklands, Queensland Cultural Centre, the giant Ferris wheel, and the only remaining structure from the 1988 World Expo – the Nepal Pavilion.
After checking in at various attractions, we arrived at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a home for Australian animals. Entering the sanctuary felt like stepping into a wonderland. There were all kinds of animals: parrots, bats, lizards, rodents, cattle, sheep, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, and more. Of course, the most eye-catching were the koalas and kangaroos. The little koalas in the koala area were lively and adorable, with big round ears, small bright eyes, and chubby gray-and-white bodies that made you want to get close. The kangaroo area was free-range; the kangaroos were already used to humans, lying lazily while visitors petted them, occasionally hopping away as if playing with us. We searched for a while and finally found a mother kangaroo with a joey sticking its little head out of the pouch, curiously looking at the outside world. After playing and watching, it was already noon. We had a simple meal at the outdoor Riverside Cafe at the entrance of the zoo (Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, stop, 42/708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket QLD 4069 Australia). The sweetness of the cake was impressive, and the delicious ice cream was unforgettable.
In the afternoon, we went to Springbrook National Park. The park was vast, leaving us in awe. We stopped at the Western Boat Ramp and Hinze Dam lookout, unexpectedly seeing two groups of people kayaking, feeling the charm of Western kayaking culture. Then we headed to the "Welcome to Springbrook Watertank Art & Winburn Lookout" to take photos. Standing on the lookout, overlooking the endless forest and mountains, felt like being in a magnificent painting.
We rushed to our accommodation on the Gold Coast before 4:30 PM. After dropping off our luggage and changing into swimsuits, we couldn't wait to head to the beach. The Gold Coast boasts a 42-kilometer-long stretch of sandy beach, with continuous white sand that is very fine, clean, and flat. The clear blue water and romantic palm groves formed a beautiful picture. Although it was already autumn, the water temperature was not low. Old Wang eagerly plunged into the sea, and we also took off our shoes and socks to fully enjoy the touch of the seawater. We walked along the beach, stopping now and then, having a great time. We "also left two and a half pairs of footprints on the beach at dusk."
In the evening, we had dinner at the Spanish restaurant Rosa opposite the motel (2375 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218 Australia). The steak was fragrant, and the wine was mellow. We sat together, sharing our experiences of these days and feeling the joy of travel. At that moment, we were truly happy.
2024-4-20 Saturday: Danger Point, Byron Bay, Mabo Island; Coffs Harbour
Early in the morning, Old Wang got up early to watch the sunrise at the beach. Although there were dark clouds in the east, he was lucky to capture the moment of brilliant rays, which had a unique charm.
We made a simple breakfast at the motel. After breakfast, we drove to Surfers Paradise Beach and strolled along the coastal path, admiring the brave surfers in the sea. The waves rolled, and brave people chased the waves, showcasing superb surfing skills. The sandy boardwalk along the coast was wide and comfortable, with a few people doing various fitness activities. The place was full of vitality and passion.
Next, we arrived at the Tropical Fruit World. It was a vast orchard. There was a fruit stall near the parking lot, with many unfamiliar fruits that we had never seen or couldn't name, dazzling us. We tried an avocado, but it was not ripe and tasted a bit green, but we still got to taste a unique Australian fruit.
Danger Point was another check-in spot on our trip. This was where Captain Cook nearly capsized in the past. The waves were even more turbulent here. Young surfers rode their boards in the huge waves, their figures dancing on the wave tips, agile and flexible, challenging various high skills and constantly charging at new waves, showing the endless charm of surfing.
At noon, we arrived at Byron Bay, the easternmost point of Australia. The food here made us foodies irresistible. We indulged in seafood such as oysters, lobster, Antarctic shrimp, and tuna at The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co (7/3 Lawson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia), satisfying our cravings completely.
However, a sudden heavy rain after lunch disrupted our original plans. We had to give up visiting the Byron Bay Lighthouse and headed straight to Coffs Harbour. The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour was a must-visit spot. This unique building attracted many tourists to the area.
Then we went to Mabo Island. Flocks of wedge-tailed shearwaters circled overhead, adding vitality to the area. It was a good harbor, with many yachts and sailboats docked at the pier. Next to it was a seafood market store. We decisively bought another 1.5 kg of skinless salmon, 2 kg of Pacific sweet shrimp, vegetable salad, wasabi, soy sauce, etc. Back at the motel, we cooked it simply and had another delicious dinner.
2024-4-21 Sunday: Hunter Valley Gardens, Brokenwood Wines
In the morning, we had a simple breakfast at the motel and set off for the Hunter Valley before 8 AM. The scenery along the way was picturesque, lifting our spirits.
We arrived at Harrigan's Hunter Valley Hotel for lunch (2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Australia). After a filling meal of pizza and fish and chips, worried that the wine tasting at Brokenwood Wines might require a reservation, we hurried over to register. We booked a tasting at 3:00 PM. The winery is open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last check-in at 4:00 PM. From Monday to Thursday, you can tour the winery and vineyards.
We still had time, so we first checked into our hotel for the night, then rushed to the winery. Brokenwood Wines is located in a tranquil valley surrounded by lush vineyards. Tasting fine wine in such an environment made us feel like we were in a peaceful and beautiful world, at one with nature.
The winery staff were very warm and friendly. We followed a professional wine tasting instructor to learn tasting techniques and knowledge. By tasting different types of wine, we experienced the rich flavors and unique characteristics. The instructor also taught us how to identify wine quality and taste, which was very enlightening.
During the tasting, I bought a bottle of the winery's highest sweetness wine. It was rich and smooth, sweet but not cloying, like top-quality honey, leaving a lasting aftertaste.
The back door of our hotel room directly opened onto a large vineyard. To our surprise, we saw a group of wild kangaroos hopping leisurely. Some were lying lazily on the grass, others grazing peacefully, and they even ran toward us as if we didn't exist, as if time stopped for them. Their ears stood upright as if listening to the surroundings. Their eyes were black and bright, like crystal clear gems, showing intelligence and alertness. The kangaroos' movements were slow and graceful, giving a sense of tranquility and mystery. Their front limbs were short and sturdy, while their hind limbs were very developed, firm and powerful. When jumping, they pushed off with their hind legs, leaping lightly forward like a graceful dancer. A joey in the pouch stuck out its round little head, looking at us curiously as if greeting us, extremely cute. Their fur was soft and shiny, and their movements slow and elegant, giving a serene and mysterious feeling. Their presence made us feel the charm of nature and the beauty of life. It was an enchanting scene.
We ordered takeaway from the hotel restaurant and ate in our room, accompanied by wine, of course.
2024-4-22 Monday: Taronga Zoo Sydney, Harbour Bridge, Sydney City
In the early morning, after a simple breakfast in the room, we drove for two hours, heading happily to Taronga Zoo in northern Sydney. However, finding the entrance to the parking lot became a small problem. The entrance marked on Google Maps was blocked. Based on advice from netizens, we decided to look for parking on Bradleys Head Road. After turning a corner, we saw many cars queuing up, guessing it might be the line for the zoo parking lot. So we followed, and bingo! It was the entrance to the multi-story car park.
Although this zoo is not large, it is undoubtedly a paradise for children. All kinds of animals live freely, and there are almost constantly exciting performances every minute. We saw an elephant show, chimpanzees fighting, and the most popular seal and sea lion show. The trainers led the cute sea lions into the audience aisle. We happened to be sitting in the first row of the aisle, witnessing the sea lion passing right in front of us, almost within reach. This close-up interactive experience thrilled us. Lunch was at the Taronga Food Market inside the zoo (Athol Wharf Rd, Mosman NSW 2088 Australia). You have to watch your food carefully, as various birds will boldly try to steal it from you.
Entering Sydney city center, we passed the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, once known as the world's largest single-span arch bridge, an early representative building of Sydney, and the only bridge in the world that allows tourists to climb to the top of the arch. This bridge was completed in 1932, with a total length of 1,149 meters, width of 49 meters, and a deck height of 50 meters. Its unique design resembles a giant coat hanger, supported by eight huge steel arches, each spanning 503 meters. The deck carries a six-lane road, two railway lines, and a bicycle path.
In the evening, we checked into the Hilton Hotel in Sydney. The hotel was in an excellent central location, surrounded by bustling shopping streets and attractions. Right outside the hotel was the famous Queen Victoria Building, perfectly combining Romanesque architecture with enticing boutique shopping. Sydney Tower, Sydney Town Hall, and Hyde Park were also nearby. From our room window, we could see the towering Sydney Tower. When we went out for a walk, we found the famous Barrack Street pedestrian zone right at the door, with light rail passing by. It gathered various fashion brands and cuisines.
Parking in Sydney is difficult everywhere, and we were unfamiliar with the area. My husband drove to Sydney Airport to return the car, ending our 1,100-kilometer rental car trip. Subsequent sightseeing in Sydney relied mainly on walking, supplemented by taxis.
For dinner, we chose the number one Thai restaurant in Sydney (Chat Thai, 20 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia). The rich green curry with rice was delicious and left a lasting impression.
2024-4-23 Tuesday: Hop-on Hop-off Bus, Sydney Opera House, Sunset Cruise – Full Day Sydney Sightseeing
Early in the morning, I went to Coco Noir Cafe (shop 201/202, 86-100 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia) in a mall near Hyde Park and had a delicious egg wrap. After breakfast, I strolled in Hyde Park, one of Sydney's oldest public squares. It was originally built to commemorate King George III of England and has now become an important landmark of Sydney. Around the square are many historical buildings and cultural attractions, such as the Museum of Sydney, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and St Mary's Cathedral. This small area is full of historical charm. The sturdy trees seem to tell stories of time, and several fountains in the square have special meanings, among which the Archibald Memorial Fountain is particularly striking.
We bought the "Sydney Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour" package. The website said the meeting point was at the fountain in Hyde Park, but we couldn't find any sign for the bus, and Old Wang started to get a bit anxious. It wasn't until 10 AM that the guide emerged from the crowd, and we successfully joined the bus tour. The black dotted line in the picture below shows the bus route. The entire tour lasts 3.5 hours and covers all major Sydney attractions.
Along the way, the guide kept talking non-stop about the attractions we passed, but unfortunately, we couldn't understand anything. Australian English is closer to Spanish English pronunciation, where all "t" sounds become "d," with strong retroflexion and very fast speech. The bus stopped at four famous attractions for photo ops: Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Rose Bay, The Gap Park, and Bondi Beach.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair was built to commemorate the fourth Governor of Australia, Lachlan Macquarie, and his wife. According to regulations, the governor had to return to England every five years to report, and a round trip took as long as 28 months. When the governor was away in England, the lonely Mrs Macquarie would sit here every day to paint, read, and gaze into the distance, hoping for her husband's early return. In 1810, the people of Sydney, wanting to praise Governor Macquarie's achievements and commemorate the deep bond between Mrs Macquarie and her husband, carved a huge stone chair on the rock at the point and inscribed commemorative words, dedicated to the wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
Rose Bay is a beautiful crescent-shaped bay in Sydney. The bay is surrounded by lush green hills, with villas of different styles in red and white built on the hillsides, and many marinas along the shore. The blue bay is calm, with only a few sailboats gliding in the sea, leaving white foam in the blue water. In the distance, the towering buildings of Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are visible. This is a famous wealthy residential area.
The Gap Park is a quiet cliffside walking track where you can see the sheer cliffs of New South Wales bordering the Pacific Ocean and hear the waves crashing against the sedimentary rocks formed in the Triassic period 200 million years ago. Such a beautiful place is also a famous suicide spot; many people who wanted to end their lives jumped off the cliffs.
We stopped at Bondi Beach for half an hour. This is a surfer's paradise, with clear water and fine soft sand. The beach was full of people sunbathing like "bacon." I walked along the beach, feeling the sea breeze and admiring the surfers' postures. Here, we tried hard to recall all the little details when Little Mao came here, feeling especially happy.
After going around, we visited the main attractions of Sydney city in 3.5 hours.
In the afternoon, we went to the Sydney Opera House. On the way, we passed the New South Wales Parliament House, with a noticeboard saying it can be visited from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. The Parliament House is the seat of the legislative body of New South Wales and one of the oldest parliament buildings in Australia. It was built in 1816 in the Classical Revival style. The interior is decorated with beautiful murals and sculptures, showcasing Australia's history and culture.
At a small kiosk cafe, Piccolo Me Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) (Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia), I had a hamburger for the first time. When we arrived at the Opera House, we had missed the Chinese-language tour time, so we just walked around the Opera House ourselves, recalling many scenes from when we brought the child here years ago. The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia's iconic buildings and one of the most famous opera houses in the world. It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1973. Its unique design resembles a ship sailing with full sails, while the interior is decorated with exquisite artworks and decorations. The Sydney Opera House is not only a temple of culture and art but also a tourist attraction in Sydney.
From the Opera House, we could get a closer view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, seeing many tourists slowly moving along the top of the arch, which was quite amusing. On the way back, we passed Circular Quay, which was bustling with people. Circular Quay is a transport hub and commercial center in Sydney, one of the busiest areas. It is located on the edge of Sydney Harbour, surrounded by many restaurants, bars, and shops. Circular Quay is also a tourist attraction where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sydney Harbour. We queued at a possibly trendy ice cream shop there to buy ice cream.
We strolled along the streets, feeling the prosperity and vitality of Sydney. Back at the hotel, we freshened up and went to enjoy Australia's delicious steak at Gowings (1/49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia). This restaurant has no signboard, no advertisement, no neon lights, hidden on the second floor, with style and atmosphere. The two gentlemen had scouted and reserved a table in advance. The steak was juicy and tender. I ordered an iced Riesling wine that suited my taste perfectly, sweet with a slight sourness, mellow and wonderful. The men ordered Rémy Martin XO cognac, which was expensive but not really to their liking.
2024-4-24 Wednesday: Full day shopping and strolling in Sydney city
In the early morning, each of us started our own city walk. The first stop was Sydney Central Station. This historic building has witnessed the city's changes and added a touch of retro charm to our trip.
Next, we arrived at the famous Chinatown. Entering Chinatown felt like being in a Chinese world, full of traces of Chinese life. Compared to Chinatowns in the US, this one was cleaner and quieter. The morning tranquility made the whole area more pleasant. Although shops hadn't opened yet, restaurants were busy; the aroma of dim sum from Chinese restaurants attracted many diners. In cafes, friends were leisurely enjoying the morning, making the neighborhood more peaceful.
At noon, our friend's cousin and his wife warmly hosted us for an authentic Cantonese dim sum lunch. The tea restaurant retained the traditional yum cha culture, with small carts moving between tables, and freshly made dim sum by the chefs made our mouths water.
In the afternoon, we strolled to Darling Harbour. In Tumbalong Park, preparations were underway for ANZAC Day (commemorating the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who died in the landing at Gallipoli, Turkey on April 25, 1915). Children were playing and splashing in the fountain in the square, seagulls circled around passersby begging for food, creating a harmonious scene. Not far away, the Australian National Maritime Museum had a destroyer and a submarine moored, both commissioned in the 1960s, witnessing historical changes.
Not far away was the famous Sydney Fish Market. Stalls upon stalls were filled with all kinds of freshly caught seafood, including many high-end seafoods we see domestically, both frozen and live, dazzling us. Next to the seafood stalls were processing points where they could cook and pack the food directly. There were many tables by the sea at the entrance. We couldn't miss this opportunity, so we picked four cooked king crab legs for only AUD 50 – a great deal. The stall worker skillfully cut the crab legs for us, added special dipping sauce, packed it, and we sat at the seaside tables to enjoy the delicious seafood feast. The crab leg meat was tender and sweet, comparable to Hokkaido quality. It had been a long time since we had such good food. Sydney Fish Market (Corner Pyrmont Bridge Rd &, Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009 Australia).
Back at the hotel, we bought nine cashmere scarves from a nearby shop. These scarves were soft and were excellent gifts for friends and family.
In the evening, we arrived at the airport hotel, ordered takeaway from the hotel restaurant, and enjoyed our last meal in the room. We raised a toast to celebrate and successfully conclude our Australia trip.
2024-4-25 Thursday: Heading home!
At 8:30 AM, we checked out of the hotel on time. Sydney Airport was only 200 meters away. The check-in process went smoothly, and we quickly passed security.
Near Gate 10, we noticed a long queue for tax refund procedures. There were quite a few tax refund counters, and we completed the process quickly, saving time because we had already validated the goods before security.
Then we went to the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounge (near Gate 58, second floor). There, we leisurely had breakfast and then boarded the flight successfully. At Singapore Airport, we again had that irresistible ice cream.
After a long flight, we landed at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport on the 26th at midnight on time. The weather forecast had said there would be thunderstorms and strong winds in Guangzhou for these two days, which worried us throughout the flight. But when our plane landed, it was only cloudy and didn't rain. It didn't rain until we got home safely. What a stroke of luck!
1. About Communication
Abroad, Google Maps is still the best, very clear and accurate. Navigation, translation, shopping, and searching are all clear and convenient.
Apple's built-in maps and translation apps are also good.
Huawei Harmony OS phones, due to sanctions, are really not useful abroad. Commonly used apps cannot be opened, and Google Maps cannot be used at all.
Buy a local SIM card with voice and data. You need plenty of data for navigation, searching, etc. Voice is also needed when you get separated and need to call each other. We bought a SIM card from Hong Kong China Unicom, easy to set up, just install in SIM slot 1, and it works well.
Email is often used, e.g., communicating with hotels, booking tours, etc., mostly via email.
2. About Language
Google Translate app and Apple's Translate app both work well.
In New Zealand and Australia, when using credit cards, almost all hotels, restaurants, and other businesses charge an additional 2-6% credit card transaction fee. So cash is better!
