Revisiting Old Haunts - A Nostalgic Trip to Sydney, Melbourne, Hamilton Island, and the Great Ocean Road in Australia

2020 Chinese New Year holiday, the original plan was to go to Spain or Hawaii, the main consideration was whether the local season and climate and itinerary intensity were suitable for family travel, but both were rejected. Then I thought of going to Australia. At that time, the Australian bushfires had been burning for over half a year without stopping. After observing for two more weeks, I determined that the itinerary should not be affected by the bushfires, so I decided. I studied in Melbourne for two years and left many wonderful memories. I didn't expect to step on this land again after 16 years; it must be fate. Departed on 1/21, Wuhan lockdown on 1/23, returned on 2/1, transited in Singapore on the way back, less than 6 hours before Singapore airport closed transit channels.

Last year's Spring Festival holiday, I went to New Zealand and used an agent to customize the itinerary. It felt good, so this time I consulted the agent again. After seeing the quote, I felt there was no price advantage because hotel prices at major Australian attractions are very transparent, unlike some remote and popular hotels in New Zealand that are hard to book, where agents have an advantage. Besides, I'm familiar with Australia, so I could handle it myself.

The planned route was to enter through Sydney and exit through Melbourne, with two days each on Hamilton Island and the Great Ocean Road. Hamilton Island was a recommendation from the agent; you can visit the nearby Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Ocean Road goes without saying, a must-do. To fly directly to Australia, choose Cathay Pacific or Qantas from Hong Kong. At that time, Hong Kong was quite turbulent with airport access restrictions. In the end, I chose my favorite Singapore Airlines, departing from Shenzhen with a transit in Singapore. The business class fare, because it was not a direct flight, was slightly higher than the economy class fare direct from Hong Kong, what a bargain! Then I booked two domestic Australian flights, two days of car rental for the Great Ocean Road, bought a phone data package, downloaded an offline map of Australia, handled visas, hotels, and a few activities through XC, everything was ready.

Arrived in Sydney the next morning, pre-booked airport pickup, delivered to the hotel in half an hour. The hotel booked a harbor view room at The Sebel Quay West Suites. I haven't been to many places, but Sydney Harbour is the most beautiful port. Hotels that directly overlook the Harbour Bridge and Opera House are only the Shangri-La and Marriott few; this view is good enough.

After a short rest at the hotel, walked to Sydney Harbour. The advantage of business class is that sleep and meal quality are guaranteed, no need to nap the next day affecting the itinerary.

First, found a steakhouse near Circular Quay for lunch, standard Australian beef and broccoli salad, nothing special.

Actually, I've been to these places before, not particularly excited, haha, and it was really hot that day, nearly 40 degrees.

The little one was different, happy as long as there's fun.

Too hot, returned to the hotel to rest, took photos from the window, the best angle.

The night view was serene and charming.

After taking a time-lapse, good night.

Woke up naturally the next day, went straight to Sydney Fish Market for lunch.

The fish market has become a hot spot, crowded with people, mostly Chinese, prices are tourist prices, Australians usually don't come here.

Although not cheap, quality is guaranteed. Australia is a blessed land; whatever you plant or raise grows robust and delicious. The sea and land are full of treasures.

For lunch, ordered Australian lobster and green lip abalone, plus processing fee, 3000 yuan. After eating, took a taxi to the city center.

Visited the Sydney Museum to learn how the British invaded this continent and colonized the indigenous people. Australians admit this, and it has been a social issue for a long time.

Many Victorian-style buildings in the city center.

Went to QVB Queen Victoria Building, known as the most beautiful shopping mall.

Those huge clocks are extremely beautiful, the coffee is good, seems to cater to Chinese tastes. Locals don't drink coffee with cream. Australia's coffee is famous, Melbourne is the coffee capital, Starbucks can't survive, need coffee to survive every day.

Next stop, Darling Harbour.

Left Sydney, arrived at Hamilton Island in about an hour.

Seeing this blue, finally felt like on vacation.

Checked into Hamilton Island Holiday Homes. Originally wanted to book Reef View Hotel, where you can see parrots flying to the balcony to feed, but couldn't get it, so chose this one, also an apartment-style hotel. There are four or five hotels on the island, none with star ratings, about three-star standard. There are also some private exclusive resort villas not open to common agents like XC.

Complimentary buggy from the hotel, registered and collected at the airport, returned at the airport when leaving. Drove around the island these days, very convenient.

Wild kangaroos on the grass next to the hotel.

Many yachts on the island, a place for the rich to vacation.

Dinner at Manta Ray restaurant by the sea, only steak again.

On the second day on the island, booked a trip to the Whitsunday Islands, boarded the boat at the marina.

Arrived at Whitehaven Beach in over an hour.

Cloudy, light rain, affected photos, but the next day from above it looked like this.

Didn't affect the kid's play. Had BBQ on the beach at noon, also snorkeled a bit.

In the afternoon, hiked over a small hill to Hill Inlet at the back.

A huge stretch of white sand, you can tell from the size of the yachts.

Originally planned to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef, but it was fully booked, so had to change to an aerial tour of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.

Visited this beach yesterday, but from above it feels even more beautiful. Some beaches in the Whitsundays are ecologically protected and cannot be visited by tourists.

Here you can see how the beach is formed: need a flat area near the land like a dustpan, waves over at least millions of years grind rocks and limestone into sand, evenly spread on the dustpan. Of course, this is all my speculation.

Ink wash landscape or sand painting looks like this.

Here we come, Great Barrier Reef.

There are several platforms next to the coral reef where snorkeling activities take place.

No activities in the afternoon, drove the Buggy around the island.

There's a café on the hilltop, the best spot for sunset.

There's also a small white church, obviously.

Met cute little wallabies.

This is called a waterhen, can walk on water with aquatic plants.

Many parrots on the island, this color is the most flamboyant.

In the evening, caught hermit crabs on Catseye Beach.

Go ahead, child, don't be afraid.

Afternoon flight to Melbourne, reluctant, so circled the island one more time.

First went to Koala Restaurant for breakfast.

View of the hotel location and Catseye Beach from afar.

In the distance, a private resort area.

Three days on the island were all cloudy, though no sunrise or sunset, the misty mountains and green scenery were also nice, and not hot.

Farewell Hamilton Island.

The totem of the land, marking the original appearance of this red earth.

Entering Melbourne city, a little excited. Meowben, I'm back!

The world's most livable city is indeed extraordinary. The ultra-luxury apartment building under construction now was in the news. On the right is the highest Eureka Skydeck in Melbourne.

After checking into the hotel, had dinner in Chinatown, somehow ended up at the gate of RMIT Business School, after all, alma mater, haha.

Familiar streets, unfamiliar crowds, no one asks where you're from.

In front of Parliament House, corn and tomatoes are planted.

St Paul's Cathedral on Swanston Street.

Federation Square, passed by countless times but never entered.

Flinders Station, along with Federation Square and St Paul's Cathedral, three major landmarks within 200 meters.

Continue east, cross the Yarra River via Princes Bridge, then turn right to Southbank.

Walk west along Swanston Street, that was the old campus and living area.

Alma mater city campus.

138 Queensberry Street, used to live upstairs. Went in and asked, the landlord changed.

Through Carlton Gardens, came to Lygon Street.

Notturno cafe, haven't visited for a long time.

Plane trees, pizza, coffee, Italian restaurants, Lygon Street's labels.

Melbourne Museum, closed for renovation.

Found this trendy dessert shop via DZDP.

Another Flat white, full of satisfaction.

Still early, went to St Kilda Beach.

Favorite picture: kid with hands in pockets, looking into the distance with a purpose, kitesurfers riding the wind and waves on the beach, mom leaning close to the child, long shadows under the setting sun.

Caught this guy named Davey doing some fancy moves, he turned back asking for the video, left an email.

Dark, had dinner at a beachside restaurant.

There's a long pier by the sea, at night you can see fairy penguins swimming from Antarctica. Phillip Island in Victoria has a fairy penguin viewing activity, but not recommended: several hours drive plus tickets, and groups of penguins don't exist.

Next two days, self-drive on the Great Ocean Road. Booked a Highlander via ZZC, picked it up early in the morning. The pickup location happened to be in the basement parking of the Grand Hyatt where we stayed, super convenient.

First stop on the Great Ocean Road, Anglesea.

Aireys Inlet, there's a lighthouse with a red cap.

Wongarra lookout.

Apollo Bay.

Detour to Cape Otway, passed through a dead forest.

Detoured here to find these cute little guys, sleeping on eucalyptus trees by the roadside.

The lighthouse closed early in the afternoon, quickly took a photo, worth the trip.

The highlight of the Great Ocean Road is the Twelve Apostles. Before them is a corner, Gibson Steps. It was dusk, the steps down to the beach were closed.

From here you can see the first apostle rock to the east.

Maybe this is the most enchanting moment of the Great Ocean Road.

There are no longer 12 standing rocks. In 2004, there was a large one here, but it collapsed a few years ago, leaving only a small pile of stones. Cherish the beautiful scenery before you.

Stayed overnight at Port Campbell motel. The best time to view the Twelve Apostles is sunrise and sunset, so staying nearby in Port Campbell is common.

Morning heading back towards Melbourne city, visiting a few other sights along the way.

The Arch at Port Campbell.

London Bridge.

Another arch at Peterborough, The Grotto, a bit of sightseeing fatigue. Noon was scorching, and many sandflies flew straight into eyes and lips, probably very thirsty.

Loch Ard Gorge.

Victoria Market, used to come here every week for groceries, nothing changed inside, many high-rises outside.

Flinders Station looks especially magnificent at night.

Last day in Meowben, always true love, don't know when next time. Hope everyone is well, no fight, peace to the world :)

Travel log table of contents: 1. Preface 2. Trip planning 3. D1-D2 Shenzhen-Singapore-Sydney 4. D3 Sydney city 5. D4 Sydney-Hamilton Island 6. D5 Whitsunday Islands 7. D6 Great Barrier Reef 8. D7 Hamilton Island-Melbourne 9. D8 Melbourne city and St Kilda Beach 10. D9 Great Ocean Road 11. D10 Great Ocean Road-Melbourne city 12. D11 Melbourne city

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