Australia, the largest country in Oceania, boasts diverse natural landscapes including rainforests and deserts, and along with the United States, it is home to the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Beyond its vast land and abundant resources, Australia is synonymous with kangaroos and koalas. Thanks to its long-term rich ecological environment—ranging from highland heathlands to tropical rainforests—it is also one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries.
While natural landscapes are its hallmark, Australia also has many major cities serving as national financial and commercial hubs, such as Melbourne and Sydney. From the time Europeans discovered this new land to when it became a British colony, Sydney was their first stop. Sydney has a strong cultural flavor, encompassing Australia’s music, art, and literature, and is considered the starting point of modern Australian culture. Melbourne, on the other hand, features numerous skyscrapers, many parks, and Gothic architectural remnants scattered throughout the city. Whether you’re wandering around, it's known as a "city of parks."
The country is primarily divided into 6 states and 2 territories, among which the Northern Territory (Northern Territory) is the least developed. Here, you can experience a different side of Australia, immerse yourself in the life of the Indigenous people, and observe terrains such as deserts and canyons. Most importantly, you’ll reach the heart of the Red Centre—Uluru: explore this massive rock rich in Aboriginal culture and spirituality, which also served as a filming location for the Japanese movie “Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.”
This journey can be considered an adventure—from Melbourne to Alice Springs, then to Uluru, and finally back to Sydney. We spent 16 days exploring the face of Australia.
Sydney Opera House sunset
Transportation:
1. Because Australia is so vast, if you're traveling outside the cities, renting a car is the best option, and it’s even better if you have at least two people in your group who can drive. To book a car, consider reserving through Hertz, at about $1500 HKD per day;
2. The distance from Melbourne to the Northern Territory is too far, so you must take a domestic flight—each leg takes nearly three hours (driving would take over 24 hours!).
3. Within Melbourne, there are trains and trams, so you’ll first need to buy a Myki cardMykiat a train station or convenience store, similar to an Octopus card—you just top it up;
4. All trams within Melbourne are free (the City Circle Line is a must-use!), although we once encountered a tram breakdown and had to walk back to our hotel;
5. Once you arrive in Sydney, you’ll need to get another transport card: the Opal Card (Opal Card), which is also like an Octopus card, but you’ll need this version in Sydney;
6. When departing from the airports in Melbourne and Sydney, we took taxis. There will be staff at the taxi stands to help arrange one for you, as there are many types of taxis in Australia, and since we had a lot of luggage, we opted for a Maxi Taxi;
7. The best mode of transport: Uber, because transportation in Australia is quite expensive—a single train ride can easily cost 2 AUD, so for groups of 3–4 people, Uber is actually cheaper than a taxi.
Our SUV car
Food
1. Coming to Australia, many hope to eat seafood. Both Melbourne and Sydney have seafood markets—in Melbourne, you can visit Queen Victoria Market, and in Sydney, the Sydney Fish Market. At the Fish Market, we ordered oysters, salmon sashimi, sea urchin, and a type of New Zealand crayfish calledScampi. The seafood was very fresh, costing about 300 HKD per person, absolutely delicious.
2. Australian junk food is really huge in portion and variety. Just take chips and soda—there are way more options than in Hong Kong. Besides junk food, other meat portions are super large, no wonder Australians are generally bigger in size.
3. Since Australia’s major cities have many Chinese people, there are plenty of Chinese food options—you can basically find whatever you want to eat.
4. In Australia, the most commonly used supermarkets areColesandWoolworths—these are the two biggest supermarket chains where you can buy ingredients for cooking.
5. In Australia, the kitchen tap water is safe to drink directly.
Culture
1. As a multicultural society, Australia is home to white people, Black people, and, most importantly, Indigenous people. The Northern Territory has the highest population of Indigenous people, and in Alice Springs, you’ll see many of them. It’s said that when Europeans took over the land they had lived on for tens of thousands of years, the government compensated them with good welfare—even if they commit crimes, they aren’t always held legally accountable. As a result, they may not always be very friendly toward tourists.
2. Australian culture has a history of only a little over a hundred years, so much of it is modeled after the UK and Western countries. It’s not hard to find Fish & Chips on the streets.
3. The Northern Territory has many flies—even in winter we encountered some, and it’s hard to imagine how bad it is in summer.
4. There are many large birds on the streets of Australia. They fly out as soon as there's food and are quite huge in size.
5. Alcohol is cheaper than water in Australia, so the three most common sights here are drunkards, overweight women, and flies.
Shopping:
1. Many people come to Australia to buy medicine, so we also purchased quite a lot at Chemist Warehouse, including supplements from Swisse and Blackmores, as well as Blackmores Vitamin E Cream, Paw Paw Ointment, Emu Oil, and sheep milk soap, among other items.
2. Besides going to pharmacies, we also shopped at various supermarkets. Among them, Tim-tam biscuits are very popular and come in a wide variety of flavors.
3. One of the most famous local Australian brands is undoubtedly UGG. You can bring a pair back when you visit Australia!
4. In Sydney,Birkenhead Point Outletthere are many well-known brands, and of course we went on a shopping spree here—buying things like UGG, Victoria’s Secret, Calvin Klein, and Ray-Ban, which were especially affordable.
5. Shopping at supermarkets in the Northern Territory is generally more expensive than in big cities, especially after entering Yulara.
Travel Tips:
1. Hong Kong residents need to apply for an electronic visa to enter AustraliaETA, which can be applied for online at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/:
2. Since our trip lasted 16 days, a friend had already bought us phone SIM cards (Kogan Mobile) in advance. For just a few dozen dollars, we got 10GB of 4G data—it was really inexpensive—but be aware that reception can sometimes be poor in national parks.
3. As for currency exchange, this time a friend recommended a place in Sham Shui Po (in Hong Kong) where I exchanged money. The rate wasn’t too bad (https://www.facebook.com/richbirdhk/).
4. Many people say that summer is the best time to travel to Australia, but I think since Australia is so large, any season is suitable. This time we went to the Northern Territory, and winter was actually the best travel period—the weather was just right without heavy rain.
5. The UV index in Australia is extremely high, and it’s also very dry, so it's essential to use sun protection and moisturize. Otherwise, your skin can easily crack. When there's sun, be sure to wear a sun hat and sunglasses.
6. In the desert climate of the Northern Territory, the temperature difference is truly significant. Mornings can be just a few degrees, while afternoons reach twenty degrees. Basically, you should prepare clothing for both autumn and winter.
7. If you’re not driving yourself, you might want to consider joining a tour to reach some remote areas, such as the Great Ocean Road or Phillip Island—you can check options on KKDay.
At Yarra Valley
Photography:
1. On this trip to Australia, I brought three lenses and two cameras (Canon 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 77D): the #Canon 16-35 f/2.8 II, #Tamron 24-70 f/2.8, and #Canon 70-200 f/4 IS. I also brought the Gitzo 1544T tripod, Fgears GND, and Fgears ND4-400. So far, these have been sufficient.
2. Please note that when taking photos along the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne, the waves are really strong—be careful as your camera could get swept away.
3. In the national parks of the Northern Territory, drones are not allowed, so keep that in mind.
4. Also, the national parks in the Northern Territory close at 7:30 pm in winter, so if you want to take starry sky photos, you’ll need to do it in Yulara.
5. If you want to photograph stars, it’s best to come around the new moon (we came during the full moon!!).
Uluru from the plane
Itinerary:
Day 1: Hong Kong (Hong Kong) -> Melbourne (Melbourne)
Accommodation: Winston Apartments
Our apartment
Day 2:
Great Ocean Road: Twelve Apostles
Lunch: Apollo Bay Seafood Cafe
Dinner: Pier 35 Bar & Grill
Accommodation: Winston Apartments
The Twelve Apostles
Day 3:
Yarra Valley
Lunch: Giant Steps
Dinner: Self-cooked
Accommodation: Winston Apartments
Yarra Valley
Day 4:
St Paul's Cathedral
State Library of Victoria
Yarra River Night View
Lunch: Yong Ji Vietnamese Pho
Dinner: Self-cooked
Accommodation: Winston Apartments
State Library of Victoria
Day 5:
Brighton Beach Bathing Box (Colorful Cottages)
Princes Pier Sunset
Victoria Night Market
Lunch: Kebab Nearby Apartment
Dinner: Crystal Jade Restaurant
Accommodation: Winston Apartments
Brighton Beach Bathing Box
Day 6:
Victoria Market lunch
Puffing Billy
Lunch: Victoria Market - Bratwurst Shop & Co
Dinner: Self-cooked
Accommodation: Winston Apartments
Bratwurst Shop & Co at Victoria Market
Day 7:
Melbourne → Alice Springs → Anzac Hill
Lunch: Alice Pizza
Dinner: Epilogue Lounge
Accommodation: Alice Lodge Backpackers
Anzac Hill sunset
Day 8:
Alice Springs → Yulara
Lunch: The Goods Coffee Shop
Dinner: Self-cooked
Accommodation: Outback Pioneer Lodge
On the way to Yulara
Day 9:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Sunrise at Uluru → Kata Tjuta → Valley of the Winds Walk
-> Walpa Gorge -> Sunset Kata Tjuta -> Star at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Lunch: Self-cooked
Dinner: Self-cooked
Accommodation: Outback Pioneer Lodge
Kata Tjuta sunset
Day 10:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru Base Walk -> Sunset Uluru -> Star at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Lunch: Self-cooked
Dinner: Gecko's Cafe
Accommodation: Outback Pioneer Lodge
Uluru Base Walk -> Sunset Uluru -> Star at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Lunch: Self-cooked
Dinner: Gecko's Cafe
Accommodation: Outback Pioneer Lodge
Uluru sunset
Day 11:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park -> Sydney
Dinner: Pancake On The Rocks
Accommodation: Airbnb
Uluru sunrise
Day 12:
Featherdale Wildlife Park -> Kiribilli Night view
Lunch: Blacktown Shopping Mall food court
Dinner: Street Market Asian Tapas Restaurant
Accommodation: Airbnb
Kiribilli Night view
Day 13:
Blue Mountain
Dinner: Jimmy's Recipe Malaysia
Accommodation: Airbnb
Day 14:
Sydney Fish Market -> Birkenhead Point Outlet -> St. Mary's Catherdral
Lunch: Sydney Fish Market
Dinner: Criniti's Darling Harbour
Accommodation: Glenferrie Lodge
St. Mary's Catherdral
Day 15:
Sydney Opera House -> Mrs Macquaries Point -> Darling Harbor
Dinner: Thai Foon Restaurant
Accommodation: Glenferrie Lodge
Darling Harbour fireworks - Vivid Sydney
Day 16: Sydney -> Hong Kong
Summary of Melbourne:
Melbourne is a city with a large Chinese population, so you’ll often see Chinese people around. If you don’t feel like eating Western food, there are definitely plenty of alternatives. I spent six days in Melbourne and still felt there were many places I didn’t get to. Major attractions, like the Great Ocean Road, take a full day because of the long journey—by the time you watch the sunset and return to Melbourne, it’s already 8:30 pm. Other spots such as Puffing Billy and Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes also take up half a day, making time fly. There are many places I didn’t visit, like Phillip Island and Lake Tyrrell !
Princes Pier
For some city attractions, you can easily get there using the free tram, so they’re relatively accessible. One thing to note: if you’re short on time, skip Puffing Billy—it’s really not that special !
As for accommodation, we opted for an apartment: Winston Apartments. We stayed on the 63rd floor with an incredible view, even seeing the sea of clouds !
Lastly, regarding the restaurants I mentioned earlier, I’d like to sincerely recommend a few: ．Definitely spend half a day in Yarra Valley for wine tasting and gourmet meals—the wineries use grapes they grow themselves, so it’s a must-try;
．Pier 35 Bar & Grill: This is also a great Western restaurant option, offering generous portions at good value;
．Crystal Jade Restaurant: Go here if you want to try Antarctic crab !
．Pier 35 Bar & Grill: This is also a great Western restaurant option, offering generous portions at good value;
．Crystal Jade Restaurant: Go here if you want to try Antarctic crab !
Antatacia Crab
If you’re looking for an in-depth trip, one week is about the right amount of time !
Summary of Alice Springs:
Most travelers to Alice Springs are there en route to Uluru, and we were no exception, so we only stayed one night before leaving. During our short stay, we only visited a place called Anzac Hill, which offers a view of the entire Alice Springs area. Coming to this small town, it really feels much less vibrant than a big city. After 8 pm, it practically becomes a ghost town, so if you want to eat out, do it earlier. Also, there are many Indigenous people here who aren’t very friendly toward tourists, so remember not to take photos of them.
From here to Uluru, it’s another 5–6 hours of driving. Since you’re heading to a remote area, there’s basically no signal along the way, so it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a proper road trip !
Finally, I have to mention the lodge: Alice Lodge Backpackers. That night, we actually found mice !!! Ah !!! And no one was around to help deal with it—we had to handle it ourselves. It was absolutely terrifying. Everyone staying here, please be careful !! !
Uluru Summary:
This, clearly, was the highlight of the trip. Coming to Australia was largely about embarking on an adventure in the Northern Territory. The NT has a small population, vast land, the highest number of Indigenous Australians, rich Aboriginal culture, and the iconic red earth landscape. Honestly, even a week isn’t enough to explore the Northern Territory because it’s just so expansive. We only had four days and three nights this time—way too short. Originally, we planned to join a local tour, but ended up doing a road trip instead, so the schedule couldn’t be changed.
For accommodation, we stayed at the most budget-friendly Outback Pioneer Lodge—just two bunk beds, with the lower one so low you can’t even sit properly. It was super tiny, but fine for a few days. Plus, the lodge had a kitchen. We’d pre-purchased all the ingredients in Alice Springs for the duration of our stay.
As for attractions, no need to elaborate much—we visited Uluru and Kata Tjuta. We went hiking on both days, and I highly recommend the Valley of the Winds walk at Kata Tjuta. It’s absolutely worth it, with breathtaking scenery.
Valley of the Winds
Of course, we also witnessed the sunrise and sunset at Uluru, the sunset at Kata Tjuta, and even stargazed. These views were all truly stunning.
If you’re coming to Uluru, I strongly recommend renting a car for more flexibility.
Uluru starry night
Sydney Summary:
Sydney was actually my least favorite part of this trip because it felt so similar to Hong Kong.
When you walk around the Sydney Opera House area, it feels just like Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade—the entire design is too similar. During our stay in Sydney, we lived in the Kirribilli district, a neighborhood typically inhabited by the middle class. The houses there are really beautiful, and you can see the Sydney Opera House right from your building. However, it gets very quiet at night, so we mostly used Uber to get around.
Kirribilli district
Naturally, we visited the Blue Mountains while in Sydney. Though it’s quite far from the city center, it took up an entire day of our trip—but the sea of clouds we saw there was absolutely mind-blowing.
Blue Mountain
Besides the Blue Mountains, we also explored the city itself. We visited the zoo to pet koalas and kangaroos, and coincidentally, we experienced the annual Vivid Sydney festival with lots of spectacular light shows. So, we also watched the fireworks at Darling Harbour.
Kangaroo at park
For food, we tried Pancake On The Rocks, but it was nothing special—definitely not worth going out of your way for. The best meal, hands down, was at Sydney Fish Market. Seafood there is amazing. If you can splurge, try the lobster. But remember not to eat outside because the seagulls will steal your food!!
Sydney Opera House at night
Total Expenses:
Flights (round-trip to Australia, round-trip to Uluru): $8500HKD
Accommodation: approx. $6000HKD
Other transportation, food, and miscellaneous shopping: approx. $8500HKD
Total: around $23000HKD
Accommodation: approx. $6000HKD
Other transportation, food, and miscellaneous shopping: approx. $8500HKD
Total: around $23000HKD
Postscript:
At Bathing boxes of Melbourne
Above, I’ve shared various travel tips and a detailed itinerary. Now, let me conclude with some personal reflections.
This 16-day trip was the longest vacation I’ve taken since starting work. Ever since middle school, I’d been telling friends we should go to Australia together. I never imagined I’d fulfill this dream by the age of 29+1.
Looking back at this journey, we visited many places, and the memories will take time to settle and fully sink in. Even as I write this travelogue, it’s been a while since we got back, but it still feels like it hasn’t fully sunk in. To put it simply, we went to four places: Melbourne, Alice Springs, Uluru, and Sydney. My absolute favorite was the heart of the world—Uluru. I first learned about Uluru from the movie *Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World*. I remember at the time, Ekin Cheng sang the theme song, and it kept playing throughout this trip, bringing back scenes from the movie. Uluru is truly a world-class destination with outstanding conservation efforts. It lets you slowly soak in the presence of this ancient rock. You can ride camels, take helicopter rides, enjoy buffet meals, and even sip wine while watching the sunrise and sunset. The first time I saw Uluru at sunrise, it was deeply moving—the rock constantly changes colors under the sunlight, leaving an unforgettable impression. At night in Uluru, I saw the most stars I’ve ever seen in my life. The Milky Way felt like it was wrapping around us, and I could even see the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. One of my life bucket list items was finally checked off.
list total.
Uluru star with moonrise
Beyond the landscapes of the Northern Territory, Melbourne and Sydney also have plenty of attractions worth visiting. But with so little time and so many places, it’s impossible to see everything. If I really had to recommend something, I’d wholeheartedly suggest visiting the Northern Territory and exploring it thoroughly—especially by road trip—so you can drive through the red earth landscapes. It’s an experience you just can’t get in Hong Kong.
Uluru starry night
Of course, Australia also has a lot of delicious food to savor, like wine from vineyards, various cheeses, meats, and cakes. But because the portions and fat content are so high, you can’t eat like that all the time—which probably explains why there are so many overweight people in Australia.
In this developed country, I didn’t feel as close to the locals as I did in places like Cambodia or Myanmar. There wasn’t as much interaction with the local people, which is a slight regret from this trip.
Lastly, I want to thank the various people and entities that made this trip possible—
．My travel companions. On such a long trip, mutual care and teamwork were essential to making it all work.
．A big thank-you to our local friend, without whom we wouldn’t have gotten to enjoy so much great food or accomplished the Northern Territory road trip. Thank you for being both our driver and our chef!
．And of course, I’m grateful for the great weather, which allowed us to witness the sea of clouds, starry skies, sunrises, sunsets, and nighttime vistas.
．My travel companions. On such a long trip, mutual care and teamwork were essential to making it all work.
．A big thank-you to our local friend, without whom we wouldn’t have gotten to enjoy so much great food or accomplished the Northern Territory road trip. Thank you for being both our driver and our chef!
．And of course, I’m grateful for the great weather, which allowed us to witness the sea of clouds, starry skies, sunrises, sunsets, and nighttime vistas.
Full photo album: http://bit.ly/2v2kHAD