Stories of Seeking Another Land: Australia Chapter (Sydney + Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles + Melbourne)

To be honest, when I was a child, I imagined that one day I could go to a country with pure Western white faces, but Australia was not the first place I thought I had to visit in my lifetime. Before this, my knowledge of Australia was limited to keywords like kangaroos, koalas, and the Sydney Opera House. I knew very little about it. The reason I chose Australia was purely because the visa threshold was easier than countries like the US and Canada, and the flight tickets to Australia were relatively attractive. But I clearly know that I do not regret this impulsive travel plan... From deciding where to go, to applying for the visa, to buying the tickets, we did everything in one go without much comparison. We saw the cheapest tickets from Macau to Sydney and directly placed the order. We didn’t care whether the price would rise or fall later, because I always believe that the decision at the moment is the best choice for us at that time.

Day 1: From Guangzhou, we took a Didi directly to the Hengqin Port, passed through smoothly, and then headed straight to Macau Airport (for a family of four, it’s recommended to take a taxi. Of course, if you’re not in a hurry, you can take the free shuttle bus to the Venetian and then transfer to Macau Airport. If there are many people, taking one taxi is more convenient, costing about 100+ MOP). We flew from Macau to Singapore, had a short layover of a few hours, then immediately flew to Sydney Airport. Flying is exhausting, and for long-haul flights, you must bring a neck pillow—lesson learned from painful experience! (Wealthy people can directly buy a neck pillow at the airport, but I didn’t see any price below RMB 200 along the way.)

Day 2: After landing in Sydney in the morning, I had my first latte. Nothing a cup of coffee can’t solve; if it really can’t, then have a second one ^_^ (Coffee at Sydney Airport is not expensive, about RMB 25, and there are also many wraps and burgers at acceptable prices.)

After coffee, we bought Opal cards at the airport. In the following journey, the Opal card was used a lot. It’s recommended that everyone get one. After reaching the daily cap, you can ride for free, including ferries. (When using the Opal card, tap on when boarding, tap off when alighting; tap in and tap out at stations, otherwise the maximum fare will be charged!) P.S. Actually, our connection wasn’t so smooth. It took us nearly an hour from the airport to the train station to buy the Opal card, not because the distance was far, but because we hadn’t done enough research. We were like blind flies asking around, and finally found a local elderly woman who was attending an exhibition, and she told us how to take the train. This experience almost made us give up. Travel always has its bumps, but luckily we had plenty of time.

Since our hotel was booked near Darling Harbour, the location was pretty good. After a short rest, we started our CITYWALK. (Sydney’s night streetscape, the long-awaited Sydney Opera House, art exhibitions along the way.) In August, Sydney’s weather is cool and the air is fresh. Strolling along the streets was really pleasant.

Day 3: There is only a 2-hour time difference between Australia and China. With the family, we could only set off around noon every day (strictly following China time, haha). First, we went to visit the University of Sydney. We took the bus there using our Opal cards. Along the way, we met a law professor who was heading back to the university. He kindly led us into the campus and enthusiastically explained every place worth visiting. Our luck was really good! (The scenery at the University of Sydney is fantastic. Harry Potter was also filmed here. We also saw many study tour groups visiting the museum inside the university. The museum is free, so if you go on your own, it’s more cost-effective. As long as you are bold enough, you can directly ask the staff to introduce the exhibitions.)

Today’s schedule was quite full. After leaving the University of Sydney, we walked to Hyde Park and St. Mary’s Cathedral (both are close, walkable. After the pandemic, there were fewer people, so walking and stopping was quite comfortable). We happened to see someone proposing. After the plane sprayed the words “Marry me,” I felt it not only healed love but also cured my cervical spondylosis o(╥﹏╥)o

Day 4: Today we visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales. We encountered many students sketching. My child directly asked the front desk staff for paper and pens and joined in (as long as you have thick skin, nothing is impossible ^_^). If you book in advance, you can participate in different free courses or experiences. The art gallery and museum are nearby, so if you have time, you can visit them all—they are free.

We met mounted police officers on duty, looking dashing.

Look at our daily “white people food.” (Authentic white people food—delicious, but can’t be eaten for more than 3 consecutive days o(╥﹏╥)o)

There is a path through the art gallery. Walking along it, you will discover more beauty. How can you not love such a Sydney? (I have seen many travel magazines about Australian scenery or weather forecasts showing this scene. The sky really can be so blue and clear...)

On the way back to the hotel, we happened to encounter a related event for the Women’s FIFA World Cup. You could sign up for free to play football. Once again, our luck was great. (P.S. My younger child also gathered the courage to sign up. She had never wanted to speak English before, but for the first time she responded to the host’s “What’s your name?” As a mother, I felt very comforted. Taking her on this trip made her grow, helped her break out of her timid personality, and bravely express herself. This journey was worth it!)

Day 5: Today’s destination—Blue Mountains National Park. Some friends recommended it to us. We hadn’t thought of going to this park before departure, thinking all parks are man-made and can be found anywhere. But after strong recommendations from colleagues, we made a quick plan and set off for Blue Mountains National Park. These days we had been transferring at Sydney Central Station. This time was the same: first take the bus to Sydney Central Station, then take the Blue Mountains Line train to Blue Mountains Park (you need to transfer to a minibus after getting off; it takes basically a whole day to go to Blue Mountains Park). Although the weather was nice, the wind was really strong. From the angle of the photos, you can tell we were halfway up the mountain, and the wind made my legs shake. However, I have to say, the scenery of Blue Mountains National Park is unbeatable—a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. P.S. As always, you have to experience it yourself to know if it’s worth going. Before departure, I didn’t have high expectations, but this trip overturned my view. It is really worth a visit. I won’t use flowery words to describe it, and my phone photos have no filters, but it stands majestically in front of me. I have to admire the wonders of nature. Everything is like a dream, real yet unreal, breathtakingly beautiful...

Day 6: Before ending the Sydney itinerary, we had one important thing to do: cure our Chinese stomachs by visiting Sydney’s Chinatown and having an expensive bowl of noodles. Although expensive, at least it was authentic and satisfying. (I have never missed Chinese food so much. After eating white people food for several consecutive days, even a simple bowl of tomato beef brisket noodles tastes like a state banquet o(╥﹏╥)o)

Day 7: Originally we planned to rent a car and drive from Sydney to Melbourne, but considering the unfamiliar roads and the fear of wild animals appearing along the way, we booked tickets from Sydney to Melbourne online at the last minute. The usual price was RMB 500 per person, which was an experience of domestic Australian flights. The flight took about 1 hour. Melbourne’s domestic airport is Geelong. From the plane, we could clearly see the “green” and “blue” of Melbourne. We were really looking forward to the next part of the trip. We had booked a car online in advance. When we arrived at Geelong Airport, we went through the rental procedures. There weren’t many people. We only needed to show our driver’s license and translation. It was the first time I drove a right-hand drive car. Inner voice: “Left, left, left,” but I always ended up turning right. (Friendly reminder: When renting a car, be sure to read the terms clearly. Buy full insurance, don’t take risks. Remember to take photos of the whole car. Check whether the fuel tank is full. You must return the car with a full tank, otherwise you will be fined.)

Day 8: We stayed at different hotels/B&Bs every day on the Great Ocean Road. Accommodation on the Great Ocean Road is slightly more expensive than in the city, but you can choose different types. Drive and stay wherever you like; not rushing is the most comfortable. Today we officially started our Great Ocean Road trip. The weather was a bit cloudy and rainy at first. At Geelong’s waterfront, there were many painted wooden figures. Because it was winter in Australia, the beach looked rather quiet, but that didn’t affect our enthusiasm. (Maybe because it was winter, parking was free. We parked directly in the lot by the beach. There was a helicopter experience on the shore, about RMB 2000 per person. I wanted to grit my teeth and try, but the weather wasn’t great, which might affect the view. In short, it came down to one thing: not enough money.) We drove along the coastline. Everything was so beautiful and natural. Truly the most beautiful coastline. This is the entrance to the Great Ocean Road, and a must-pass on our journey.

Second stop: Cape Otway Lighthouse. Our luck was really something. We spotted a wild “kangaroo.” Many people say you can often see wild animals in Australia, but witnessing it with my own eyes made the trip worthwhile. Originally we drove aimlessly along the Great Ocean Road, stopping and going, stopping wherever the scenery was beautiful, and staying there. That’s the real meaning of a road trip. Life is probably like that too...

Third stop: The famous Twelve Apostles, located in Port Campbell National Park along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. They have stood by the coast for 20 million years. They were gradually formed by the accumulation of hundreds of millions of small stones, buried under the sea, and later strong tides and winds exposed them above the water, becoming the famous Twelve Apostles. Because their number and shapes exactly resemble the twelve apostles of Jesus, people named them after the biblical story. I don’t know how to express it in words. Just look at the photos... (Taken with a phone, not as good as a professional camera, but still very beautiful. P.S. These attractions are free.)

Day 9: When I thought I had seen the most beautiful scenery of the Great Ocean Road, I realized there was always something better. We sped along the Great Ocean Road and occasionally discovered this small town (located at Port Campbell Beach). The scenery was absolutely stunning, so we decisively stopped and stayed for a night. The tranquility, the contentment—this is truly a perfect place to “get rid of the office vibe.” A simple beach could be so beautiful, and we even caught a sunset. Grateful for everything, grateful for this simple beauty...

Day 10: Every section of the Great Ocean Road is worth stopping for. Many scenes cannot be expressed through photos or words; they can only be felt with your own eyes, or understood in your heart. I strongly recommend a self-drive along the Great Ocean Road. On the last day, we drove all the way from the Great Ocean Road back to Melbourne city center (if time allows, you can continue along the Great Ocean Road, but we had another itinerary, so we drove directly back to Melbourne). The city is really not suitable for driving. There seem to be many more cars in Melbourne than in Sydney, and it’s easy to miss the exit. Fortunately, there are no tolls on Australian highways, so if you miss it, you just drive back o(╥﹏╥)o. When we rented the car, we agreed to return it in Melbourne city center. Returning a car in the same city is cheaper. Our next itinerary was in Melbourne, so we had no choice but to return it in a different city. The return process was simpler than we expected. Next, we experienced the day and night of Melbourne...

Various museums (also free to visit)

Day 11: The trams in Melbourne’s CBD are free. Going around the city center, stopping and going, is also a good choice. The hotel front desk was very enthusiastic, showing us a map of the free tram zone in Melbourne’s city center, so we could get on and off within that area, saving some transportation costs. (Melbourne’s traditional market closes at 3:00 PM. If you want to experience it, remember to check the time.)

There are many graffiti walls on the streets of Melbourne. We also wandered aimlessly around the city, eating and drinking.

Day 12: Visited the State Library Victoria.

Then continued walking to the University of Melbourne. My legs felt like they were going to give out.

Day 13: St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne + Federation Square.

My “Chinese stomach” had reached its limit. I was sick of pizza, burgers, and anything with cheese. The good thing about Melbourne is that it’s easy to find Asian supermarkets, where you can buy rice and noodles. High-quality ingredients often need the simplest cooking methods. So I made congee with roasted pork bones... (P.S. The hotel basically has an oven and microwave, and salt and pepper are standard. Remember to check the cabinets. Don’t go to the supermarket to buy that bottle of salt worth RMB 10. Don’t ask me how I know o(╥﹏╥)o)

Day 14: Melbourne has a stronger sense of life than Sydney. The weather was great, mostly endless blue skies. Shared bikes and scooters can be seen everywhere on the streets, along with old trams... And the pigeons that my child kept thinking about. This was our last day in Melbourne.

LAST DAY: Australian visa allows visa-free entry to Singapore. We chose a layover of 10 hours on the return trip and smoothly entered Singapore (in 2023, Singapore still required a visa. Taking advantage of the opportunity, we saved visa fees and spent RMB 500 on a trip to Singapore, including taxi and meals). Seven years later, returning to Singapore brought many thoughts. Let’s do a simple CITYWALK ^_^