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

During the 2020 Chinese New Year holiday, the original plan was to go to Spain or Hawaii, mainly considering whether the local seasonal climate and itinerary intensity were suitable for a family trip. Both were rejected in the end. Then we thought of going to Australia. At that time, the Australian bushfires had been burning for over half a year and hadn't stopped. After observing for another two weeks, we estimated that the itinerary would not be affected by the bushfires, so we decided on it. I had studied in Melbourne for two years and left behind many good memories. I never expected to set foot on this land again 16 years later—it was fate, I suppose. Departed on January 21, Wuhan was locked down on January 23, returned on February 1. The return trip had a transit in Singapore, less than 6 hours before Singapore's airport closed its transit通道.

Last year during the Chinese New Year holiday, I found an agent to customize a trip to New Zealand and it felt good. This time, I also consulted an agent as usual. 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 scenic spots in New Zealand where hotels are hard to book—agents have an advantage there. 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 for Hamilton Island and the Great Ocean Road. Hamilton Island was a scenic spot recommended by the agent; you could visit the nearby Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Ocean Road goes without saying—it's a must. To fly directly to Australia, I would choose Cathay Pacific or Qantas departing from Hong Kong. At that time, Hong Kong was quite chaotic, and there were traffic restrictions at the airport. In the end, I chose my favorite Singapore Airlines, departing from Shenzhen with a transit in Singapore. The business class price, since it wasn't a direct flight, was slightly higher than the economy class direct flight from Hong Kong—what a great deal! I also booked two domestic flights within Australia, a two-day self-drive car rental for the Great Ocean Road, purchased a phone data package, downloaded offline maps of Australia, and arranged visas, hotels, and a few activities through XC. Everything was set.

The next morning, I arrived in Sydney. I had already booked airport pick-up and was delivered to the hotel in half an hour. The hotel booked was The Sebel Quay West Suites with a harbour view room. I haven't been to many places, but Sydney Harbour is the most beautiful port. Hotels that directly overlook the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House include Shangri-La and Marriott—this view is nice, right?

After a short rest at the hotel, I walked to Sydney Harbour. The advantage of business class is that the sleep and meal quality are guaranteed, so I didn't need to nap the next day, affecting the itinerary.

First, I found a steakhouse near Circular Quay for lunch. Standard Australian beef and coleslaw—nothing special.

Actually, I've been to all these places before, so I wasn't particularly excited, haha. Plus, it was really hot that day—nearly 40 degrees.

The little one was different—having fun made him happy.

The weather was too hot, so we returned to the hotel to rest and took photos from the window—the best angle.

As night fell, the scenery was serene and charming.

After taking a time-lapse, goodnight.

The next day, I woke up naturally and headed straight to the Sydney Fish Market for lunch.

The fish market has become a popular attraction, crowded with people, mostly Chinese. The prices are also tourist attraction prices. Australians generally don't come here.

Although not cheap, the quality is still guaranteed. Australia is a blessed land. Whatever you plant or raise grows strong and plump—the sea and underground are full of treasures.

For lunch, I ordered Australian lobster and abalone, plus cooking fees, costing three thousand big ones. After eating, I took a taxi to the central business district.

I visited the Sydney Museum to learn how the British invaded this continent and colonized the indigenous people. Australians do acknowledge this; it has long been a social issue.

There are many Victorian-style buildings in the city center.

Located at QVB Queen Victoria Building, known as the most beautiful shopping center.

These clocks are extremely beautiful, and the coffee was good. It seems they cater to Chinese tastes—locals don't drink this kind of coffee with cream. Australian coffee is very famous; Melbourne is the coffee capital. Even Starbucks couldn't survive there. I rely on coffee to stay alive every day.

Next stop: Darling Harbour.

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

Seeing this blue color gave me a holiday feeling.

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

The hotel provided a complimentary buggy. It was registered and picked up at the airport and returned when leaving. Over the next few days, we drove it around the island—very convenient.

There were wild kangaroos on the grass next to the hotel.

Many yachts on the island; it's a place for the rich to vacation.

Dinner was at Manta Ray restaurant by the seaside—had to have steak again.

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

Arrived at Whitehaven Beach after more than an hour.

It was cloudy with light rain, affecting photos. The next day, from the air, it looked like this.

It didn't affect the little one's fun. At noon, we had a BBQ on the beach and did some snorkeling.

In the afternoon, we hiked over a small hill and arrived at Hill Inlet behind it.

A huge stretch of white sand—you can tell by the size of the yachts in comparison.

Originally planned to go snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, but it was fully booked. So I changed to an aerial tour of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

We had been to this beach yesterday, but it looks even more beautiful from the air. Some beaches in the Whitsundays are restricted due to ecological protection—tourists cannot visit.

Here you can see how the beach was formed: near the land, there needs to be a flat area like a dustpan, where waves over at least millions of years grind stones and limestone into sand, smoothly covering the dustpan. Of course, I'm just making this up.

Ink-wash landscape or sand painting—this is what it looks like.

Great Barrier Reef, here we come!

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

No activities in the afternoon; we 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—redundant to say.

Encountered cute little wallabies.

This is called a swamp hen; it can walk on water surfaces with grass.

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

In the evening, we caught hermit crabs on Catseye Beach.

Go ahead, little one, don't be afraid.

Afternoon flight to Melbourne. Reluctantly, we took another loop around the island.

First, breakfast at the Koala Restaurant.

Overlooking the hotel location and Catseye Beach.

In the distance are some private holiday houses.

It was cloudy for all three days on the island. Although we didn't see sunrise or sunset, the misty rain and green mountains were quite nice, and not hot.

Farewell, Hamilton Island.

Tattoos of the land, marking what this red earth originally looked like.

Entering downtown Melbourne, feeling a bit excited—Melbourne, I'm back!

The world's most liveable city is truly remarkable. The ultra-luxury apartment under construction in front of us—I've seen reports about it. To the right is Melbourne's highest, the Eureka Skydeck.

After checking into the hotel and eating in Chinatown, I somehow ended up at the entrance of RMIT Business School—after all, it's my alma mater, haha.

Familiar streets, unfamiliar faces—no one asks where you come from.

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

St. Paul's Cathedral on Swanston Street.

Federation Square, passed by countless times but never entered.

Flinders Street Station, together with the above two landmarks, all within 200 meters of each other.

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

Heading west along Swanston Street leads to the former campus and living area.

City campus of my alma mater.

138 Queensberry Street—I used to live upstairs here. Went in and asked—the landlord had changed.

Walk through Carlton Gardens to Lygon Street.

Notturno Cafe—haven't been here in a long time.

Plane trees, pizza, coffee, Italian restaurants—the labels of Lygon Street.

Melbourne Museum—closed for renovation.

Found this trendy dessert shop through DZDP.

Another Flat White—overwhelming satisfaction.

Still early, so we headed to St. Kilda Beach.

My favorite photo: the child with hands in pockets, eyes fixed on the distance with a determined look, kite surfers riding the wind and waves on the beach, mother leaning close to the child, long shadows under the setting sun.

Just managed to capture this guy named Davey doing some impressive maneuvers. He turned back to ask me for the video—left his email.

It got dark, so we had dinner at a seaside restaurant.

There's a pier by the sea where at night you can see fairy penguins swimming up from Antarctica. There's an activity to see fairy penguins at Phillip Island in Victoria—not recommended; a few hours' drive plus tickets, and groups of penguins don't exist anyway.

Next, two days on the Great Ocean Road. I booked a Highlander through ZZC and went to pick it up early in the morning. The pickup location happened to be in the underground parking lot of the Grand Hyatt where I was staying—very convenient.

First stop on the Great Ocean Road: Angel Sea.

Aireys Inlet—there's a lighthouse with a red top.

Wongarra Lookout.

Apollo Bay.

Detour to Cape Otway, passing through a dead forest.

We came this way just to find these cute little guys—sleeping on eucalyptus trees by the roadside.

The lighthouse closed early in the afternoon; quickly took a photo—the trip was worth it.

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

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

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

Now there are no longer 12 standing rocks. When I came in 2004, there was a big one here, but it collapsed a few years ago, leaving only a small pile of stones. Cherish the beautiful scenery while you can.

That night, we stayed at a motel in Port Campbell. The best time to see the Twelve Apostles is sunrise and sunset, so we stayed nearby in Port Campbell.

The next morning, we headed back towards downtown Melbourne, stopping at other sights along the way.

The Arch in Port Campbell.

London Bridge.

In Peterborough, there's another arch—The Grotto. A bit of aesthetic fatigue. At noon, it was scorching hot, and there were many sandflies flying straight into eyes and lips—probably very thirsty.

Loch Ard Gorge.

Victoria Market—I used to come here every week to buy groceries. The inside hasn't changed much, but outside there are many new high-rises.

Flinders Street Station looks especially magnificent at night.

Last day in Melbourne—always true love. I don't know when I'll see it again. I wish everyone peace and well-being. No fight, peace to the world :)

Travelogue directory: 1. Preface 2. Travel plan 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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