Classic Impressions of Australia's East Coast Pacific
2024-4-18 Thu: Depart from Christchurch, New Zealand, start the Australia journey
At 3:50 PM, we took Qantas from Christchurch Airport, flying directly to Brisbane, Australia. Arriving at 5:50 PM, it was already dark. When entering Australian customs, a friend brought down cheese from the in-flight meal. The customs inspector gave a warning but eventually let us through without issue.
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 go from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, we needed to take a shuttle bus. We encountered a small hiccup while looking for the hotel. We stayed at the Ibis hotel, but when asking for directions, due to a pronunciation error, we said "yibisi" while locals were more accustomed to saying "aibisi," leaving us a bit confused. After much communication, we finally found the correct hotel and checked in smoothly.
In the evening, we packed dinner from the hotel restaurant and enjoyed it with drinks in our room. With the night view outside the window and wine in hand, we brought a perfect end to this New Zealand trip and started a new beginning and anticipation for our Australia journey.
2024-4-19 Fri: Queensland, Lone Pine Koala; Lamington, Springbrook
In the morning, we had a hearty breakfast at the hotel restaurant, recharging for the day ahead. Then we went to the Thrifty car rental counter beside the hotel to handle the rental procedures, picked up the car, and drove to downtown Brisbane. We visited South Bank Parklands, Queensland Cultural Centre, the giant Ferris wheel, and the remaining site from the 1988 World Expo—the former Nepal Pavilion.
After a quick tour of various attractions, we arrived at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a haven for Australian animals. Entering the sanctuary felt like stepping into a wonderful world filled with parrots, bats, lizards, rodents, cattle, sheep, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, and more. Of course, the most eye-catching were the koalas and kangaroos. The koala area had lively and adorable young koalas with their big round ears, small bright eyes, and plump gray-white bodies that made you want to get close. The kangaroo area was open-range; the kangaroos were long accustomed to humans, lying lazily, allowing visitors to pet them, occasionally hopping away as if playing with us. We searched for a while and finally found a mother kangaroo with a joey peeking its little head out of the pouch, curiously observing the outside world. Playing and watching, we didn't realize it was already noon. We had a light meal at the outdoor restaurant Riverside Cafe by the zoo entrance (Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, stop, 42/708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket QLD 4069 Australia). The cake was impressively sweet, and the ice cream was deliciously memorable.
In the afternoon, we headed to Springbrook National Park. The park was vast and awe-inspiring. We stopped at Western Boat Ramp and Hinze Dam lookout points, unexpectedly seeing two groups of people kayaking, experiencing the charm of Western kayaking culture. Then we went to Welcome to Springbrook Watertank Art & Winburn Lookout for a photo. Standing on the lookout, we gazed at the boundless forested mountains, as if in a magnificent painting.
We arrived at our lodging on the Gold Coast before 4:30 PM. After dropping off our luggage and changing into swimsuits, we rushed to the beach. The Gold Coast boasts a 42-kilometer-long stretch of sandy beach, with continuous white sand, extremely fine, clean, and flat, along with clear blue transparent water and romantic palm groves, forming a beautiful picture. Although it was already autumn, the water temperature was not low. Lao Wang eagerly plunged into the sea. We also took off our shoes and socks, fully enjoying the caress of the seawater, walking along the beach, pausing now and then, having a wonderful time. "On the beach at dusk, we left two and a half pairs of footprints."
In the evening, we had dinner at the Spanish restaurant Rosa across from the motel (2375 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218 Australia). The aroma of steak was enticing, and the wine was rich. We sat together, sharing our experiences and feelings from these days, savoring the joy of travel. At that moment, we were truly happy.
2024-4-20 Sat: Danger Point, Byron Port, Mabo Island; Coffs Harbour
Early in the morning, Lao Wang got up early to watch the sunrise at the beach. Although there were dark clouds in the east, he was lucky enough to capture a moment of radiant light, which had its own charm.
We made a simple breakfast at the motel, then drove to Surfers Paradise Beach, strolling along the coastal greenway and admiring the brave surfers in the sea. The waves rolled, and courageous people chased the swells, displaying superb surfing skills. The sandy boardwalk along the coast was spacious and comfortable, with people engaging in various fitness activities, full of vitality and enthusiasm.
Next, we visited the Tropical Fruit Farm. It was a vast orchard with fruit stalls next to the parking lot, displaying many unfamiliar fruits that we had never seen or could not name. We tried avocados; although they were a bit green and unripe, it was still a taste of Australia's unique fruits.
Danger Point was another checkpoint on our trip. It was where Captain Cook almost capsized. The sea waves were even more turbulent. Young surfers rode their boards amidst the huge waves, their figures dancing on the wave crests, agile and flexible, challenging various high skills and continuously charging new waves, showcasing the infinite charm of surfing.
By noon, we arrived at Byron Bay, the easternmost point of Australia. The food there was irresistible for foodies like us. We indulged in a seafood feast at The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co (7/3 Lawson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia), including oysters, lobster, Antarctic shrimp, tuna, and more, satisfying our cravings.
However, a sudden heavy rain after lunch disrupted our original plans. We had to give up visiting the Byron Lighthouse and headed straight for Coffs Harbour. The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour was a must-visit; this unique building attracted many tourists to the area.
Afterward, we went to Mabo Peninsula, where flocks of short-tailed shearwaters circled overhead, adding vitality and energy to the sea area. It was a good harbor with many yachts and sailboats docked. Next to it was a seafood market. We decisively bought 1.5 kg of skinless salmon, 2 kg of Pacific sweet shrimp, vegetable salad, wasabi, soy sauce, etc. Back at the motel, we prepared them simply for another delicious dinner.
2024-4-21 Sun: 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 around noon and had lunch at the hotel's restaurant (2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Australia) with pizza and fish and chips. After a filling meal, worried that the wine tasting at Brokenwood Wines required a reservation, we hurried to register and booked a session starting at 3:00 PM. The winery was open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last check-in at 4:00 PM. From Monday to Thursday, visitors could tour the winery and vineyards.
We still had time, so we checked into our hotel for the night, then rushed to the winery. Brokenwood Wines is nestled in a peaceful valley surrounded by lush vineyards. Tasting wine in such an environment made us feel as if we were in a tranquil and beautiful world, blending with nature.
The winery staff were very friendly and welcoming. We followed a professional wine tasting instructor to learn tasting techniques and knowledge. By sampling different types of wine, we experienced the rich flavors and unique characteristics. The instructor also taught us how to judge wine quality and taste, which was very enlightening.
During the tasting, I bought a bottle of the winery's sweetest wine, which was rich, sweet but not cloying, like fine honey, leaving a lasting aftertaste.
The back door of our hotel room directly led to a large vineyard. To our surprise, we saw a group of wild kangaroos hopping leisurely, either lying lazily on the grass or grazing calmly. They even ran toward us without a care, as if time stood still for them. Their ears stood erect, as if listening to the surroundings. Their eyes were black and bright, like sparkling gems, revealing alertness and cleverness. The kangaroos moved slowly and gracefully, giving a tranquil and mysterious feeling. Their forelimbs were short and stout, while hind limbs were very developed, muscular and powerful. When they jumped, they pushed off with their hind legs, leaping forward lightly like elegant dancers. A joey in a pouch stuck out its round little head, looking at us curiously, as if greeting us, incredibly cute. The fur of these kangaroos was soft and glossy. Their movements were slow and graceful, giving a serene and mysterious feeling. Their presence made us feel the charm of nature and the beauty of life—a truly intoxicating scene.
We ordered dinner from the hotel restaurant and ate in our room, of course accompanied by wine.
2024-4-22 Mon: Taronga Zoo in North Sydney, Harbour Bridge, Sydney City
Early in the morning, after a simple breakfast in the room, we drove for two hours, full of joy, to Taronga Zoo in North Sydney. However, finding the parking lot entrance became a small challenge. The entrance shown on Google Maps was closed. Following advice from netizens, we decided to look for parking on Bradleys Head Road. After turning a corner, we saw many cars queuing, guessing this might be the line for the zoo parking lot. So we followed suit—bingo! It was the entrance to the multi-story car park.
Although the zoo is not large, it is undoubtedly a paradise for children. Various animals live freely, and almost every minute there is a wonderful show. We saw elephant performances, chimpanzee fights, and the most popular sea lion and fur seal show. The trainers brought the adorable sea lions into the audience aisle. We happened to be sitting in the first row of the aisle, witnessing the sea lions walking right in front of us, almost within reach. This close interaction excited us immensely. We had lunch at Taronga Food Market inside the zoo (Athol Wharf Rd, Mosman NSW 2088 Australia). We had to watch our food carefully, as various birds would boldly compete with us for it.
Entering downtown Sydney, we passed the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, once claimed to be the world's longest single-span arch bridge. It is an early representative building of Sydney and the only bridge in the world that allows tourists to climb to the top of the arch. Completed in 1932, the bridge is 1149 meters long, 49 meters wide, and the deck is 50 meters high. The design is unique, shaped like a giant coat hanger, supported by eight huge steel arches, each with a span of 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 downtown Sydney. The hotel is in an excellent central location, surrounded by bustling shopping streets and attractions. Right outside the hotel is the famous Queen Victoria Building, which perfectly combines Romanesque architecture with desire-inspiring boutique shopping. Sydney Tower, Sydney Town Hall, and Hyde Park are also nearby. From the window of our room, we could see the towering Sydney Tower. Stepping out for a stroll, we found the famous Barrack Street pedestrian street right outside, with light rail passing by. It gathers various fashion brands and cuisines.
Parking is difficult everywhere in Sydney, and we were unfamiliar with the area. My husband drove to Sydney Airport to return the car, ending the 1,100 km rental journey. Subsequent sightseeing in Sydney relied mainly on walking and taxis.
For dinner, we chose the number one Thai restaurant in Sydney (Chat Thai, 20 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia). Rich green curry mixed with rice was delicious and memorable.
2024-4-23 Tue: Hop-on Hop-off Bus, Sydney Opera House, Sunset Harbor Cruise, Full Day Sydney Tour
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 enjoyed a tasty egg roll. After breakfast, I strolled through Hyde Park, one of Sydney's oldest public squares. Originally built in honor of King George III, it has become a major landmark of Sydney. The square is surrounded by many historic buildings and cultural sites, 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. Sturdy trees seem to tell stories of the years, and several fountains in the square have special significance, among which the Archibald Memorial Fountain is particularly striking.
We purchased tickets for the "Sydney Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour." The website said the meeting point was at the fountain in Hyde Park, but we couldn't find any sign for the tour bus, causing Lao Wang to feel a bit lost. Not until 10 AM did the guide emerge from the crowd, and we successfully joined the tour. The route, shown as a black dotted line on the map, took 3.5 hours and covered all major Sydney attractions.
Throughout the tour, the guide kept talking about the sights we passed, but unfortunately we couldn't understand a thing. Australian English is closer to Spanish English pronunciation: all "t"s are pronounced as "d", with a heavy rhotic accent and very fast speech. The bus made photo stops at four famous spots: Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Rose Bay, The Gap Park, and Bondi Beach.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair was built in memory of the fourth Governor of New South Wales, 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 28 months. While the governor was away, the lonely Mrs Macquarie would sit here every day, painting, reading, and looking into the distance, hoping for her husband's early return. In 1810, in praise of Governor Macquarie's achievements and to commemorate the deep affection between the couple, craftsmen carved a huge stone chair on the rock at the headland, inscribed with commemorative words, dedicated to the wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
Rose Bay is a scenic curved harbor in Sydney. The bay is surrounded by green, lush mountains, with villas of various styles—red, white—built on the hillsides, and numerous marinas along the shore. The blue harbor is calm, with only a few sailing boats gliding in the sea, leaving behind white waves in the blue water. In the distance, the towering buildings of Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are clearly visible. This is a famous wealthy residential area.
The Gap Park is a quiet cliffside walking track, offering views of the New South Wales cliffs facing the Pacific Ocean and the sound of waves crashing against sedimentary rocks formed during the Triassic period 200 million years ago. Despite its beauty, it is also a notorious suicide spot; many people have ended their lives by jumping off the cliffs.
At Bondi Beach, we stopped for half an hour. It is a surfer's paradise, with crystal clear water and soft, fine sand. The beach was covered with people sunbathing. I walked along the beach, feeling the sea breeze and admiring the surfers' prowess. We tried hard to recall the memories of our child when he was here, feeling especially cheerful.
After three and a half hours of touring, we had seen the main attractions of Sydney.
In the afternoon, we headed to the Sydney Opera House, passing the New South Wales Parliament House. A sign outside indicated visiting hours from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Parliament House is the seat of the New South Wales legislature and one of the oldest parliament buildings in Australia. Built in 1816, its architectural style is Classical Revival. The interior is adorned with exquisite 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), we tried a hamburger for the first time. By the time we reached the Opera House, we had missed the Chinese-language tour time, so we just wandered around the Opera House, recalling the scenes when we brought our 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. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it was completed in 1973. The design is unique, resembling a ship under sail. Inside, it is decorated with fine artworks and decorations. The Sydney Opera House is not only a temple of culture and art but also a tourist attraction.
From the Opera House, we could get a closer view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, seeing many tourists moving slowly along the top of the arch, which was quite interesting. On the way back, we passed Circular Quay, bustling with people. Circular Quay is Sydney's transport hub and commercial center, one of the busiest areas in Sydney. It is located on the edge of Sydney Harbour, surrounded by many restaurants, bars, and shops. Circular Quay is also a tourist destination where visitors can enjoy beautiful views of Sydney Harbour. We bought ice cream at a shop that might be a网红店 (internet-famous), queuing for our turn.
Sauntering along the streets, we soaked up the vitality and energy of Sydney. Back at the hotel, we freshened up and went to enjoy delicious Australian steak at Gowings (1/49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia). This restaurant had no door sign, no advertisement, no neon lights—hidden on the second floor, a chic and romantic spot. The two gentlemen had scouted and booked the table in advance. The steak was juicy and tender. The chilled Riesling I ordered suited my taste perfectly, sweet with a hint of acidity, rich in aroma, indescribably wonderful! The men ordered Rémy Martin XO cognac, which was expensive but not to their liking.
2024-4-24 Wed: Full Day Shopping and Strolling in Sydney City
In the morning, we each started our 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 stepping into a Chinese-speaking world, with traces of Chinese life everywhere. Compared to Chinatowns in the United States, this one was cleaner and quieter. The early morning tranquility made the whole neighborhood even more pleasant. Although shops had not yet opened, restaurants were already busy, with the aroma of dim sum from Chinese restaurants attracting many diners. In coffee shops, friends were leisurely enjoying the morning, adding to the neighborhood's peacefulness.
Around noon, our friend's cousin and his wife warmly hosted us, taking us to Chinatown for an authentic Cantonese morning tea. The tea restaurant preserved traditional dim sum culture, with pushcarts moving between tables, and freshly made snacks by the chefs that were mouthwatering.
In the afternoon, we strolled to Darling Harbour. At Tumbalong Park square, 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 square's water features, seagulls circled around passersby begging for food, creating a harmonious scene. Not far away, the National Maritime Museum had a destroyer and a submarine docked, both commissioned in the 1960s, witnessing historical changes.
Not far from there was the famous fish market. Stalls packed with all kinds of freshly caught seafood displayed various high-end seafood that we see at home, both frozen and live, an overwhelming array. Next to the seafood stalls were processing points that could cook and pack the food directly. There were many tables by the sea outside. We couldn't miss this opportunity and decisively selected four cooked king crab legs for just 50 AUD—an incredible bargain. The stall worker expertly cut the crab legs, paired them with special dipping sauce, packed them up, and we sat at a seaside table to enjoy this delicious seafood feast. The crab leg meat was tender and sweet, comparable to Hokkaido's best. It had been a long time since we had such delicious 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. They were soft to the touch, excellent gifts for friends and family.
In the evening, we arrived at the airport hotel, packed some food from the hotel restaurant, and enjoyed our last meal in the room. We raised our glasses to celebrate a successful end to our Australia trip.
2024-4-25 Thu: Return Home!
At 8:30 AM, we left the hotel on time. Just 200 meters away was Sydney Airport. Check-in was very smooth, and we quickly passed security.
Near Gate 10, we noticed a long queue for tax refund procedures. There were many refund counters, so we completed the process quickly. Having verified our goods before security saved us time.
Then we went to the SilverKris lounge of Singapore Airlines (on the second floor near Gate 58), where we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before boarding smoothly. At Singapore Airport, we again indulged in the irresistible ice cream.
After a long flight, we landed on time at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport early on the 26th. The weather forecast had said there would be thunderstorms and strong winds in Guangzhou, worrying us the whole way. But when we landed, it was just overcast without rain. We didn't see any sign of rain until we arrived home safely. What luck!
1. About Communication
Google Maps is still the best abroad—very clear, high precision, and easy to use for navigation, translation, shopping, and searching.
Apple's built-in Maps and Translate are also good.
Huawei's HarmonyOS phones, due to sanctions, don't work well abroad. Common apps can't be opened, and Google Maps is completely unusable.
We bought a foreign SIM card with voice and data. We needed plenty of data for navigation and searching. Voice calls were also necessary in case we got separated. We purchased a SIM card from Hong Kong Unicom; it was easy to set up—just install it in slot 1—and worked well.
Email was used frequently, such as communicating with hotels and booking activities, 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, etc., charge an additional 2-6% transaction fee. So cash is convenient!
