2024 Australia Sydney Family Trip [Chinese New Year Dragon Quest]

I've been busy from the end of 2023 to the middle of 2024, and this travel journal has been overdue for far too long... So, without further ado, let's get straight to the干货 (practical tips).

Australia New Zealand tourist visa valid for three years with multiple entries (each stay not exceeding three months). The processing time is about 20 working days after the application is submitted to the embassy. It's an electronic visa, no interview required. I used a reliable agent, cost 1350/person. Travel insurance was purchased separately.

Self-driving in towns around Sydney. You need to get an international driving permit notarized in advance. Drive on the left. Road conditions are much better than in New Zealand, but once you enter Sydney city center, the roads are complicated and easy to make wrong turns. Navigation still uses Google Maps. Rent a car online in advance. When picking up the car, we met a young Chinese couple who had tried many rental agencies and found no cars available.

In Sydney city center, buy an Opal card in advance. You can buy it at supermarkets, top up anytime, there is a child card with half-price fares. Top up as needed.

To have a good trip, you need a good night's sleep first. Since the kid is older, we chose two-bedroom suites mainly, Airbnb and apartment-style hotels where we could cook.

Buy a SIM card on Taobao in advance, switch cards upon landing. Bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent, printed e-visa, driver's license (including notarization), and a U-shaped pillow.

Download the tax refund app Australia TRS in advance. Claim refund per receipt after purchase.

On the third day in Australia, I started running a high fever, suspected second COVID infection. The fever rose quickly, and I was lazy and only brought the kid's usual medicine. Fortunately, my husband went out in advance to buy local fever reducers and lozenges. They were effective but felt strange. The lozenges did stop the sore throat, but the taste was odd. I looked up the ingredients... turns out the lozenges contain anesthetic成分... So key point: bringing medicine into Australia. The main point is, you can bring it, but you must declare.

Medicine tips: Declare on the arrival card, it's best to keep medicine in your carry-on backpack for easier inspection by staff without opening your suitcase. Look up the English names of the medicines in advance for smooth communication. (On the back of the arrival card, on the right side, for the first declaration item, mark X in the YES box. After collecting your luggage, you need to queue for baggage check before exiting. There will be a staff member collecting the "arrival card + the blue small card printed upon arrival." After checking the arrival card, they will direct you where to go next. Those who declared go to the declaration channel, those who didn't go the other way.)

Some common medicines I brought: Smectite powder for diarrhoea, antibiotic norfloxacin, ibuprofen painkiller, band-aid, aureomycin eye ointment.

Other items to declare: meat, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetable products, animals and animal products, plants and plant materials, tobacco, etc.

Prohibited items mainly include: prohibited medicines, dairy products, eggs and egg products, meat, seeds, fruits and vegetables... (Shoes must not be too dirty... soil is not allowed.)

Day 1 [Nanjing - Shanghai - Sydney]

07:05-07:55 Lukou T2 - Pudong T1 - MU2881. After arriving at Shanghai airport, you can go out of the airport to look around and have a meal first. Of course, if the ticket wasn't 2000 cheaper per person, I would have chosen a direct flight from Nanjing. After arrival, since I was too busy before vacation, I went to a nearby shopping area to get my hair done. Time was ample, so haircuts, manicures, massages are all options.

We returned to the airport a bit early, had some snacks and drinks in the lounge with the kid, changed into lighter clothes, took a shower, and prepared to board. 17:00-06:30 (+1), Pudong T1 - Sydney Kingsford 1 - MU7061, flight duration 10h30m. We got up early that morning, so after eating, drinking, and showering, we slept soundly and arrived quickly.

Before exiting customs, fill out the arrival card and declaration on the plane. Families with children must use the family manual channel. Overall it was quite fast. After landing, take an Uber from the airport to the car rental agency to pick up the car.

[Overall Itinerary]

Sydney car rental (brunch near rental agency + supermarket supplies) - Kiama Aircraft Museum - Blowhole (spectacular) - Berry life supplies shopping

Hars awatron museum Aircraft Museum

Kiama blowhole

Day 3 [Berry - Narooma] Farm & Treasure Town & Beach Wading

[Overall Itinerary]

Farm horse feeding - Town stroll - Jervis Bay White Sand Beach - Bodalla Dairy shed eating, drinking, and cow feeding - Narooma

The Airbnb we stayed at was run by a very friendly farmer who kept two horses. I can't remember their names anymore... On the first evening of check-in, the farmer thoughtfully brought hay and briefly introduced his little house. Then he introduced the names and personalities of the two horses, as well as some feeding precautions.

Strolling in Berry town

Very nice to walk around, residents are very friendly. Especially recommend the chocolate shop. The owner was warm and humorous, and even recommended a nearby oyster place. At the chocolate shop, we also met a kind old lady who kept telling us old stories about the owner's childhood in this shop.

Jervis Bay White Sand Beach

Bodalla Dairy shed eating, drinking, and cow feeding

A dairy product shop you pass on the way to Narooma. Very delicious, highly recommended!!! At 10 am and 4 pm you can experience bottle-feeding calves for free. They are incredibly strong... The ice cream is exceptionally good, and the milk is also very tasty!

Narooma sunrise

Australia Rock is a spot to see the sunrise. We stayed very close to Australia Rock, but... I started having a low fever, so I could only watch from the room. Fortunately, the room had a great view, and I saw the southern hemisphere's egg yolk leap out of the sea! After watching the sunrise, you can find a cafe for breakfast, like Salt or Surf Beach Cafe.

Mill Bay Boardwalk wild seals and stingrays

I really love the little town in the early morning. It's so quiet, everything is slow. The people in town are especially friendly. Stress-relieving and healing.

Century-old retro town Tilba (Tilba is about 15 minutes drive from Narooma)

A truly treasure retro healing town on this trip. It has the best milk and ice cream (the ice cream coffee is also highly recommended! A bit like my beloved salty latte). Shops in town basically close at 4 pm, so go early to explore.

Tilba, an ancient town hidden in New South Wales, is simply a forgotten paradise out of time. The town was first established in the mid-19th century, and it still retains many buildings from that era, showcasing the Australian colonial style. 'Tilba' is a word from the Aboriginal language, meaning 'quiet place'. Strolling along the streets of Tilba, time seems to slow down, and you never want to leave.

On the way to Kiama, eat oysters. The Oyster Farmers Daughter recommended by the chocolate shop owner - remember to book in advance. We forgot, so we went to another highly rated place, and it was indeed very tasty!

Kiama for Chinese New Year

Today is New Year's Eve, can't take it lightly. We arrived early at the booked homestay. The hosts were an elderly couple living in the neighboring townhouse. The house was clean and comfortable. The highlight was that the small room's Youku box could stream the Spring Festival Gala! Unexpected and delightful!

Day 5 [Kiama - Wollongong - Kiama]

Breakfast at Kiama's trendy burger joint

Questacon Wollongong Science Center (highly recommended for families)

Wollongong Science Center: Breakwater Battery Museum, 2 Gloucester Blvd, Port Kembla

Raddall Reserve Red Lantern Playground & Kiama city beach

Day 6 [Kiama - Sydney] Return car & Darling Harbor & Town Hall

Early morning drive from Kiama to Sydney to return the car, then start a city walk day. At this point it felt cold, but I didn't expect the temperature to suddenly rise. During the Chinese New Year period, many places have dragon and lion dances, Spring Festival folk activities, lantern festivals, etc., with a strong festive atmosphere. Plan your time well for an amazing experience.

Chinese Garden (Yiyuan) (has Chinese New Year activities)

Chinatown - Town Hall - Fireworks show

Stayed at the nearby Meriton, went back to drop off luggage and take a nap, bought some snacks and an Opal card at the supermarket.

Day 7 [Sydney] Zoo & Botanic Garden & Observatory Sunset / Bondi Junction

Central Pier - Taronga Zoo - Botanic Garden - Observatory sunset

Bondi Junction shopping, eating, and buying

There is a bird shop with limited stock, but you can browse... Not as good as Kobe for shopping.

Day 8 [Sydney] Lulu Factory Store & Alex & Museum

Lulu & UA factory store - The Grounds of Alexandria

Darling Harbor playground

Second visit after the first day at Darling Harbor, very obsessed. Started crying while playing... didn't want to go home...

Day 9 [Sydney - Nanjing] Tax refund & Shopping

Supermarket restock - Sydney Airport (tax refund) - Go home

Key points on tax refund: First, you need to do tax refund. If you also need to shop at duty-free stores, arrive at the airport at least four hours early. Before checking in luggage, go for tax refund and get documents stamped. They may check the items you bought, especially alcohol and valuables. Prepare the receipts and items. The place is marked ABF in the picture below, easy to find. Check in luggage, get boarding pass. Queue length depends on luck. Once stamped, you don't need to carry the purchased items; you can check them in.

After passing security, take the tax refund form, find the tourist refund counter 10, and queue again for tax refund. Before that, remember to fill in each item you bought one by one in the app. After filling in, you'll get a QR code for the officer to scan.

See you!

Table of Contents

1. [Pre-trip Preparation] 2. [Itinerary] 3. Day 2 [Sydney - Kiama - Berry] Aircraft Museum & Blowhole 4. Day 4 [Narooma - Tilba - Kiama] Sunrise & Seals & Stingrays & Shopping & Chinese New Year Travel Information Hotel Index Guide Index Ticket Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Enterprise Travel Index Join Franchise Distribution Alliance Affiliate Links Enterprise Gift Card Procurement Insurance Agency Agent Cooperation Hotel Franchise Destination & Scenic Area Cooperation More Partnership Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip Hotspots Contact Us Careers User Agreement Privacy Policy Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure