Australia, the vast island continent is a world of endless adventure. While its vibrant cities feel familiar, Australia forges its own distinct identity. Beyond the stereotypes of koalas and kangaroos, you’ll find a nation obsessed with sport, fuelled by world-class coffee, and defined by a laid-back beach culture that is envied the world over.
Day 1: Arrival in Sydney, The Rocks & A Chinese Feast
After a travel journey of over 30 hours, I finally made it to the land down under. I had a smooth airport experience and took the train to my hostel. Sydney clearly knows its trains because it has gone for triple-decker carriages, which are the best ones.
Accommodation:
I stayed at the YHA Sydney Harbour. This was one of the best hostels I stayed in during my trip. The staff were brilliant, the location was excellent, and the rooftop bar gives you a perfect view of the Sydney Opera House. They also run weekly events. It’s the whole package. Stay here if you are looking for a good-quality place to stay without breaking the budget.
After freshening up, I wandered around The Rocks market and Circular Quay. I found many cute independent shops and was lucky because the market is only open during the weekend. For fear of overdoing it on my first day, I headed back to my hostel to grab my first coffee in two days, which in itself is a Christmas miracle. I’m not sure why I decided against caffeine or alcohol for my journey, but it seems to have weirdly helped maintain my energy levels. I don’t think there’s a rational reason for this!
In the evening, I went to Mr. Wong, a fine-dining Chinese restaurant. The fried rice and pork were cooked to perfection. I had overestimated how hungry I was and struggled to finish the meal! I had to walk it off with a stroll around Circular Quay.
Day 2: The Iconic Opera House & A Thai Reunion
The next day, I headed to the Sydney Opera House – the most iconic building in Australia. Its white-domed arches are recognisable anywhere. The fun part was seeing how they maximised the interior to amplify and improve the quality of the sound. The tour covers how the building came to be, as its construction had a tumultuous history. For one thing, the project sacked the building’s original architect! Eventually, the building became what it is today and is said to have contributed over A$10 billion to Australia’s economy. Well worth the money, I’d say. Also, a weird highlight was seeing the former WWE star Dave Bautista. A bit random. Maybe he was shooting a film nearby?
For lunch, I grabbed something nearby. Surprisingly, the food underneath the Opera House is good quality and at a reasonable price. I had a Vietnamese salad. To walk off lunch, I headed to the nearby Royal Botanic Garden. A mix of large trees and exotic plants lined the pathways. I came across a rainforest exhibition, which left a lot to be desired. After the underwhelming exhibition, I headed to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, where you can see some top views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
In the evening, I met some old friends I travelled with to South America. The beauty of this trip is that I can reconnect with old friends. They took me to Chat Thai, a funky and modern Thai place. The food was light years ahead of what you get in the UK. Close to the Thai place, we ended the night with a much-needed gelato.
Day 3: The Coogee to Bondi walk & Chinatown Eats
I visited Bondi Beach. Handily, the hostel organises a weekly walk from Coogee to Bondi. The walk itself was breathtaking. Expensive mansions dotted the path, reminding me how poor I am. Ah, to be a member of the 1% club! We stopped periodically to admire the landscape. Beaches and bays broke up the journey. People were either launching themselves into the light-blue ocean or sunbathing without a care in the world. Everyone looks like a supermodel. And here’s me with my pot belly. Sigh.
I was surprised to see so many people, considering it was a Tuesday. Does anyone work in Australia? I mean, why would you? They are living their best lives. I must remind my dad that he chose the wrong country to emigrate to. I get why British people make the move to the land down under. It’s just better in every sense of the word.
In the evening, I walked the length of the city and noticed the eclectic architecture. Each building seemed unique. One would be slanted, the next would have classical flourishes. It reminded me of London, though the buildings seemed to fit together better. No Cheese Grater here! I found myself in Chinatown. Here I had some Malaysian food at Mamak, a popular local eatery. I treated myself to Roti Canai and Lamb curry. I made a mess of the meal. The roti was lovely and the highlight. I ended the night with a gelato.
Day 4: Museums, Gardens & A Fancy Dessert
On my final full day in Sydney, I visited two museums: the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Sydney. One focused on art, the other on Aboriginal history. I didn’t know much about either, so it was cool to take the time to learn more about both. The highlight of the day was visiting the Chinese Garden of Friendship. It is a little oasis in the heart of the city that follows the principles of Feng Shui. Resting here helped my tired legs recover.
Chinese Garden of Friendship.
Visiting Paddy’s Market was a fun way to cap off the afternoon. I should have got some souvenirs from here, but it felt too early to do so. Then finally, I ate a fancy dessert. Finding this place was tough. Despite it taking an age, the dessert was well worth the wait. I ended my night with a bowl of ramen at Gogyo.
Day 5: Brisbane Bound & A West End Welcome
Sadly, it was time to leave Sydney. Getting to the airport only took 30 minutes, and it cost me £1. Now that’s great service. I flew with Jetstar to Brisbane. They seem to be the Ryanair of Australia. They even weighed my bag before I boarded. Luckily, I had paid for extra luggage.
I’m staying with some friends in Brisbane. Their apartment is epic. They have a pool with incredible views of the city. You can even see The Gabba! I’m lucky they are letting me stay here. Getting here was easy too, as they are well connected to public transport.
I spent the evening with my friend walking across the West End and South Bank. It’s jarring to me that they use the same names to describe places that are similar to what we have back home.
Did you know Brisbane is hosting a future Olympic Games? The city is gearing up to host by updating its travel infrastructure and venues. It doesn’t seem like it can handle anywhere near the numbers of places like Paris. Where are all the people going to stay?
We ate at Julius Pizzeria, an affordable and well-loved spot in Brisbane.
Day 6: Koalas, Kangaroos & A Massive Brewery
The next day, I went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Seeing those cute furry animals was delightful. Sadly, the ticket price didn’t cover getting up close. I did, however, manage to see some lazy kangaroos. They looked stoned! Patting one on the back was surreal. This experience was fairly short; you’ll only need 90 minutes maximum.
In the evening, I headed to Felons Brewing Co. This place was massive; I could barely find a table. I don’t think I have ever been to a place so big. The lager was top-notch here. I also got to see a friend I haven’t seen in years. A good night out!
Day 7: A Rain-Soaked Day at The Gabba
The time had come for my first cricket game in Australia. It was time for The Gabba! A bastion of invincibility cloaked the Gabba for years, but this is no longer the case after India’s special victory in 2021. The stadium itself reminds me of stadiums in the UK. It is in the middle of a residential area with no parking. Inside, the stadium isn’t anything fancy, but the views of the pitch were good all round. It was a spine-tingling moment listening to the Indian national anthem. Also, seeing Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling motion is always unique. Sadly, after 90 minutes, torrential rain hit us. It covered the whole ground, and the organisers eventually called the match off. Luckily my friend was nearby to rescue me. It sucks that the game was cancelled, but I’ll savour seeing India in such an iconic place.
Day 8: Hiking Queensland & A Surfers Paradise Arrival
A weird quirk of Australian culture is their use of the word ‘thongs’ to describe flip-flops. That confused the hell out of me when I first heard it! I also went to the supermarket, and the British section was dire. I also noticed they had whacked in a lot of Irish goods, which aren’t British last time I checked.
Staying with friends who knew Queensland well meant that they took me to all the amazing hiking spots. We started with Cedar Creek, though sadly you are unable to access large parts of it (the reason was unclear to me).
Following that disappointment, we headed to Springbrook National Park, specifically Purling Brook Falls. I stupidly didn’t have any of the right gear for proper hiking, which meant I had to wear my Havaianas. The flip-flops got caught in the mud, and it made traversal tough because I had no grip. Despite this, I managed to see the incredible waterfalls. The walk back up was more manageable. Be prepared to get wet and muddy, especially if it rains.
A beautiful waterfall.
After the hike, we went to Burleigh Heads Beach. It’s less intense and less touristy than Surfers Paradise Beach.
Sadly, it was time to leave my friends. They were superstars and took me to all the cool places that only locals would know. They put in a lot of effort to ensure I’d have the best experience. I’ll miss them. I hope one day I can reciprocate the kindness they showed me.
Accommodation:
I checked into my hostel, Bunk Surfers Paradise. All the Brits seem to be here, and it feels like we’re going to launch an invasion of Australia from this hostel. This hostel is in a good location and right next to the bus station. Apart from that, it didn’t have much going for it.
Day 9: A Lazy Gold Coast Day
I was feeling lazy the next day, so I went for a late coffee at Bumbles Cafe. Australia has many of these cute coffee places dotted around. The food was superb. I then took a stroll alongside the main beach. The waves were sadly rough. I had planned to visit the Soak Bathhouse but I couldn’t be bothered. It does seem like a good recommendation for the future. I went to Sura, a budget Thai place. It was the best Thai food I’ve had in a while. Whilst the Gold Coast hasn’t been my favourite place, this meal lifted my spirits.
A view of the beach along the Gold Coast.
Day 10: The Byron Bay Lighthouse & A Taste of the Good Life
I took a rickety old bus through Byron Bay Express to Byron Bay. Byron is in another time zone, so you lose one hour when you enter the area due to Daylight Saving Time.
Accommodation:
I stayed at The Surf House. I liked the relaxed ambience of this hostel. Most importantly, it was close to the beach.
As soon as I entered Byron, I knew I’d love it more than the Gold Coast. It’s smaller and cuter. Almost immediately, I headed to the main beach. As a single traveller, it’s annoying to go to the beach because you are not quite sure where to leave your stuff. Luckily, a kind lifeguard agreed to look after my bag. The sea was gentle but sandy, so I had to make sure I was thoroughly washed down once I came out.
After drying myself off, I walked around the main area. There are a lot of independent shops and eateries. I stumbled across a vegan cafe called Manna Haven. I had one of the best lasagnes I’ve ever had here. Even better? It’s a not-for-profit that does amazing charity work.
My favourite part of the day was hiking to the Cape Byron Lighthouse. It took about 45 minutes either way but it was completely worth it. I saw stunning views of the coastline. The defining moment was being on the most easterly point of Australia.
In the evening, I headed to the fancy and expensive Moonlight. I was able to sit right at the bar, which was awesome because I got to see the chefs hard at work. I even struck up a conversation with them. I then wandered the town at night with a gelato in hand. Buskers littered the street, and the sound of their voices permeated the air. Byron feels so picturesque and quaint in comparison to the Gold Coast. I wish I had spent more time here.
Day 11: Arrival in Cairns & A Night Market Stroll
I had to take a bus back to the Gold Coast airport, which I did through Byron Bay Express. The weather gods continued to pour their wrath onto Queensland. It rained so much it even delayed my plane, though not by much. Once I arrived at the airport, I took an Uber to my hostel. This is the first time I’ve done that, as public transport has been great here. The public transport option would have taken me at least an hour, whereas the Uber took me 15 minutes.
Accommodation:
I stayed at Gilligan’s. I’m not sure about this hostel. It contains a massive club complex, and the rooms are not great. I didn’t even have any plug sockets near me; it was literally just a bed. I may be getting too old for this.
Despite the heat being overbearing and oppressive, I decided to do some exploring at night. I headed straight for the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. It’s so cool that Australia has these open swimming areas for anyone to use without a fee. I can’t claim that they are the cleanest, but they sure are accessible. Apparently, it’s an Aussie rite of passage to visit when you are young. It’s somewhat frowned upon when you are older…
Nearby is the Night Market. I was expecting it to be outside, but it’s essentially a covered shopping area. It’s a mix of Aussie and Asian-owned businesses. The sad part about this area is the number of intoxicated people on the streets.
Day 12: An Underwater Education at the Aquarium
I had a free day, so I wanted to explore Cairns. I headed to the Cairns Aquarium first. This ended up being a great decision because I got to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef and its inhabitants. Did you know that sharks cause only five human-related deaths each year? The cartoons and films that vilify sharks feel unjustified.
After this, I visited any art gallery and museum I could find. There are a number dotted around the city. My favourites were the Cairns Museum and, randomly, a private Japanese art collection called Samurai Gallery Australia (paid entry).
To round off the night, I headed to Salt House for some modern Australian cuisine. I ordered some reef fish. Let’s hope that decision doesn’t come back to bite me in the backside. The fish was okay; I expected more for the price I paid.
Day 13: Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
Today, I went to the lung of the ocean, the Great Barrier Reef via GetYourGuide.com. It was a good thing I went to the aquarium yesterday, as I was able to understand how vital the coral is to sustain such brilliant wonders. I even took clear photos of the fish I would later see on the reef. On the morning of visiting the reef, I had to sign in to get on a huge boat. There were over 100 people on it! A bit surreal, but the crew handled those numbers with ease. Next time, I’d like something more intimate, as it felt overwhelming having those numbers on the boat. Getting out on the water was tough because the water was so choppy. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt seasick. I even had to take some travel sickness medicine to cope. We had two dives throughout the day. The water was so clear. Even better, the boat had prescription scuba masks, which meant it was the clearest I’ve ever seen on a reef. It will be a sad day when we lose the reef to bleaching and damage.
Day 14: Daintree Rainforest & A River Cruise for Crocs
We started early, so I grabbed some breakfast from Rusty’s Market. This is a sensible place to buy local ingredients at good value. Straight after, our tour visited the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree booked via GetYourGuide.com. We started with a smoking ceremony by the local Aboriginal community, which helps to ward away negative spirits. Next, we went to Mossman Gorge. Some people were able to swim in the clear water. Perhaps I should have done so too, but I was feeling lazy. Later, we went on a river cruise to see some crocodiles. Sadly, we only saw one. To cool down in the heat, I headed to the Daintree Ice Cream Company. I tried some local flavours, but it didn’t blow me away. Our last stop was Port Douglas. This is a resort town with some nice views but nothing spectacular. I was back at the hostel by 7 pm.
Day 15: Melbourne Calling & A Sri Lankan Welcome
It was now time for my last stop in Australia - Melbourne! Melbourne strikes me as a cross between New York and a major European city like Paris. It has art, culture, and sports. Oh, and you can’t forget about the coffee. The streets are wide, and trams run everywhere. If I did have a complaint, it takes an age to cross any street. Come on, Australia, sort that out!
When I landed from Cairns, I took the SkyBus. I was surprised that a city the size of Melbourne doesn’t have a train into the city, but the bus does a good job. It can be confusing getting a ticket or knowing where to stand, so I recommend just asking someone.
Accommodation:
First, I checked into YHA Melbourne Central. You know that when you stay in a YHA hostel, it will generally be good. Whilst it’s not as good as the one in Sydney, it’s in a good location, making it easy to get to popular places in the city.
I spent my first night in Melbourne with old family friends. I took the tram to the suburbs. Melbourne has sprawled out, and now the suburbs are destinations themselves with distinct identities. Living anywhere near the city is expensive, as there’s a major housing crisis. Australia is not building enough houses, and wages have not kept pace. It’s almost impossible for young people to get onto the housing ladder. Renting is tough too. Queues form outside any property being rented out. People now bid against each other. This crisis seems much worse here.
Seeing family friends thriving in a new city after travelling halfway across the world to start again is amazing. They treated me well by serving up hoppers and a spicy aubergine dish. Hoppers are such a fun way to eat food. Their house was huge and easily worth millions, a dream for so many Australians now.
I managed to do some much-needed clothes washing here. It’s not always easy in a hostel, so you need to grab every opportunity. Travelling so light can be tough.
Day 16: Melbourne’s Laneways, Art & Another Reunion
The next day, I decided to get my bearings and explore what was around me. The big thing to see is Chinatown. The size of Melbourne’s Chinatown humbles London’s. Asian food just hits differently in Australia. I walked around, visiting the obligatory nerd shops. Eventually, I found myself at the Chinese Museum. It’s interesting to learn why Australia has such a huge Chinese population, for example, the gold rush. In fact, Chinese people had roots here earlier than the English.
After this, I went to Lune Croissanterie. They supposedly make the best croissants here. They are certainly flaky. The best? I’m not so sure. That crown belongs to an old lady in Paris, who happened to serve the most delightful croissants at a bakery fair outside Notre Dame. I’ll never taste the likes of them again…
Lune Croissanterie.
Street art is everywhere in Melbourne. I made obligatory stops at Hosier Lane and Degraves Street. I wasn’t blown away by either. I wouldn’t necessarily go out of your way to see either place, but it’s just fun to see a city embrace street art rather than shy away from it. Funnily enough, people recommend having coffee at Degraves. I’d avoid that like the plague. Instead, take a local’s advice and have coffee at the nearby City Library. It’s less overwhelming.
I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time. He’s a huge inspiration to me and part of the reason why I became a product person. This trip has been good for the soul to see so many people important to me. For drinks, we went to Afloat, a cool bar near the riverfront. For dinner, we went to Cookie, a quirky Thai place located on the first floor of a building. A friend of mine tells me Melbourne’s best places are hidden in these areas; you just have to look hard enough. To digest the food we ate, we walked along the Southbank. You’ll find cool places to eat and a Casino. Also, if you’re partial to good photos and posing, this is a good spot.
Day 17: A Cultural Tour of Melbourne’s Museums
Whenever I am in a city for a long time, I spend a day touring the museums. It gives me a good sense of what makes the city and its people special. Melbourne, being the cultural heart of Australia, didn’t disappoint. I started with the National Gallery of Victoria. This was one of my favourite museums. They have a rich and varied collection of artefacts spanning European and Asian history. It reminded me of the V&A in London, which is a good thing because that’s by far my favourite museum. As a self-proclaimed movie buff, I then visited the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. I loved the free exhibition on how film played a vital role in Australia’s history. They have fun, interactive areas to show how sound engineers add sound to moving pictures. I grabbed a bite to eat here as I was flagging. I did visit a nearby Aboriginal exhibit too, though it was quite small. I then trudged all the way to the Melbourne Museum. On the way, I stopped off at the State Library Victoria to take an epic photo of the reading room. Once I arrived at Melbourne Museum, I realised it is the perfect place for children. The explanations are easy to understand, and they have made it easy for kids to interact with the exhibits.
State Library Victoria.
For dinner, I headed to Paik’s BBQ. The best thing about Korean food is that it is so social, and you get a million yummy side dishes. For dessert, I went to a nearby Tanghulu place. I’ve never had a dessert where fruit is glazed in sugar. It was the perfect ending to Christmas Eve.
Day 18: A Very Warm Christmas Day
It’s CHRISTMAS! The most special time of year. It’s also the hottest it’s ever been for me during Christmas. Imagine, 30 degrees in the UK! Luckily for me, the Royal Botanic Gardens were open. Before you head in, check out the Shrine of Remembrance. The garden felt much better than Sydney’s. I loved walking the long, winding paths and finding myself beside some breathtaking fauna. Regrettably, I did order some questionable food here. Strawberries with chocolate and a slice of pizza did not help the beer belly. After that, I headed to the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. This is more for children than adults. I enjoyed seeing the exhibit on seahorses; I’ve never seen so many. The Happy Feet 3D film is a nice addition, as is seeing penguins on Christmas Day! That cheered me up.
I ended Christmas at a Chinese restaurant called Red Cliff. I loved this place. I finally ended the night with some yummy ice cream at Kori.
Day 19: The Legendary Boxing Day Test at the MCG
It was time for the Boxing Day Test. This is the big one, the iconic one. The stage was set: the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a capacity of 100,000, hosting India vs. Australia. People dream of this moment, and I can’t believe I’m living it. I walked all the way to the stadium, only stopping for the obligatory picture. I grabbed myself a memento from the gift store and made my way up those hallowed stairs to my seat. To my utter delight, the view was sensational. I was closer to the action than I had anticipated, as I was worried I’d bought some average tickets. When the Indian anthem played, my blood was pumping. Even sweeter was sharing the moment with close friends. The only things that dampened the mood were a stubborn Aussie defence and the blistering heat of almost 40 degrees. The stadium was different from The Gabba; it didn’t have many food, drink, or water options. That was a huge shame, especially with the heat. I stood firm throughout the game and lasted until the last ball—no mean feat with the stifling heat. Eventually, I made my way out of the stadium to Chin Chin. Here, I grabbed some prawns in chilli oil to close a perfect night.
Day 20: A Farewell Food Tour of the Suburbs
On my last day, I explored the suburbs with another friend I hadn’t seen in over 10 years! This holiday has been all about reconnection. The first place we headed to was Nico’s Sandwich Deli in Fitzroy. This is a local hot spot, and these sandwiches were so yummy. After that, we headed to Carlton Gardens to relax in the park. We walked to the Italian heart of the city on Lygon Street for a coffee break. My friend kindly took me to Maribyrnong to relax before we took a tram to Footscray. The Vietnamese food here is incredible due to Vietnamese people initially settling in the area. However, I was feeling Ethiopian food, so we went to Ras Dashen, as it had been years since I’d tried it. It didn’t disappoint.
A big thank you to everyone who made my trip so special: Mike, Shri, Shobha, Mel, Lauren, James, Dermot, David, Harry and Matt.
