Travel Guides and Stories

I’ve never stopped moving forward

The first time I left everyday life, it felt like tasting the sweetest poison—we could no longer ignore the travel bug coursing through our veins.
The bigger the heart, the bigger the world...
Before I met you, I’d covered half of China, visited Thailand three times, the Maldives, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia...
Since you met my restless soul, we’ve walked through Greece, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, France, South Korea, Australia, Cambodia...
The journey continues. The world suddenly seems as small as a map, and I think we should explore every corner together.
Hence: “You take the photos, I’ll bring the smile.”
Let’s keep walking—over mountains, under the sun.
It’s been two months since we returned. Work kept me from writing, but now that the backlog is done, I’m missing those laid‑back Australian days. Here’s my travelogue—hope it shows you a different side of Australia...
Route: Sydney + Melbourne (Great Ocean Road self‑drive) + Cairns (Round‑the‑World Stop No. 10)
Crew: Maomao + Ruby
Dates: 2024.3.1–3.15
Gear: Olympus E300 + Zuiko 9–18mm F4.0–5.6 + Zuiko 40–150mm F3.5–5.6 & iPhone 5
Itinerary:
Day 1 03.01 Shanghai — Sydney
Day 2 03.02 Sydney — Manly Beach — Opera — Oxford St
Day 3 03.03 Taronga Zoo Day Trip — Opera
Day 4 03.04 Sydney — Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport — Geelong - Torquay - Anglesea - Aireys Inlet (Lighthouse / Eagle Rock) — Fairhaven — Lorne
Day 5 03.05 Lorne - Apollo Bay - Great Otway National Park - Lavers Hill - Princetown - Port Campbell
Day 6 03.06 Port Campbell - Colac - Geelong - Melbourne Tullamarine Airport — Melbourne — Cairns
Day 7 03.07 Sunlover Reef Cruises snorkel day trip
Day 8 03.08 Rainforest day tour
Day 9 03.09 Cairns — Sydney
Day 10 03.10 Sydney weekend markets, Harbour Bridge climb
Day 11 03.11 Sydney Fish Market, QVB
Day 12 03.12 Blue Mountains day tour
Day 13 03.13 Sydney family day
Day 14 03.14 Sydney — Shanghai

Detailed schedule:
D1 2024.3.1 Shanghai — Sydney QANTAS QF130
(Booked six months ahead on Qantas’ website, ¥6250 per person including tax—looked fair so we pulled the trigger.)

We chose Qantas for its service, food, and comfort. The main risk is occasional strikes.
But with Shiraz served onboard (Australia’s famed red), all doubts felt worth it!

D2 Sydney
Landed 9:50 a.m., about 40 minutes late. Cleared arrivals smoothly.
My brother asked Maggie to pick us up. We dropped luggage at the Sydney home.
(Relatives hustled early on and bought a house near Manly Beach—far from Chinatown—long integrated into the local scene.)

Lunch
We met at a German restaurant by Manly Beach, chatting about life in Shanghai vs. Sydney. Seabirds swooped by now and then, but many places post “Do not feed birds.” Aussie birds aren’t shy—sometimes feistier than people—so when in Rome… here’s a portrait of one :)

After lunch the weather stayed gloomy—no sun. Maggie said Australia is about sunshine; I felt overcast has its own charm. Maomao and I just wandered, grabbed a ferry from Manly, and rolled up to the Opera House—officially kicking off the trip! The light was flat, so photos came out moody.

Before we came, friends told us Sydney’s Mardi Gras falls on the first Sunday of March.
Sydney Mardi Gras is one of the world’s three most famous LGBTQ+ parades (with San Francisco and Amsterdam). In Australia, it’s a household event. Queer folks from around the world gather in Sydney for this giant celebration.
At 4 p.m., crowds flooded Oxford Street—ten deep. Maomao and I squeezed to the front—and stood there for five hours!

This year, for the first time in 35 years, serving Navy, Air Force, and Army personnel were approved to march in uniform. Police, MPs, political parties, community groups—over 100 floats—lit up Oxford Street. A 100,000-people party all night. My camera died at the key moment—here are some phone shots.

D3 Sydney Taronga Zoo Day
I’m a pure animal lover. In a wildlife haven, close encounters are a must.
Taronga Zoo, closest to Maggie’s, was my first pick.
Founded in 1916, Taronga is a world‑class zoo over 75 acres, with 400+ species including Aussie icons: koalas, kangaroos, wombats, platypus, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, native birds—and chimps, penguins, otters, rhinos, seals, raccoons, reptiles, and more.
It’s just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay, and offers great Opera House views. In Oct/Apr/May/Jun the zoo sometimes extends into the evening for skyline views.
Enough talk—photos time. Meet my favorites…

We left Taronga around 3 p.m., ferried to the Opera House, and just wandered—no agenda, no rush. Sun on our faces, breathing that “luxury import” called fresh air.
A street magician performed an escape act.

Compared to Europe, Aussie cityscapes feel much more modern. For a nation just over a century old, it’s no surprise. But for everyday living, Australia is wonderfully easygoing and livable.

Sydney Harbour Bridge—we came back later in the trip and did the climb. See below for that part of the story.

We chatted with an elderly fisherman. When he heard I was from Shanghai, he said he has a girlfriend there and sees her once a year—must be more of a “situationship,” haha. His take on Shanghai: “Crowded, so crowded.”

D4 Sydney — Melbourne TT523 9:00–10:35
We booked TIGER, one of Australia’s three budget airlines. Cheaper than the others but with fewer frequencies—sometimes only one flight per day or every few days. Paid online with a Chinese bank card (service fee applies). Price for 2:
FARE 99.9 AUD
GST 10 AUD
Services Fee 34.5 AUD
Total Paid: 144.4 AUD (≈ USD 156.43)

Car: Nissan Sunny (just the two of us—front seats for people, back seats for luggage).
Rental charges are per 24 hours; we paid four days:
4 days 140 AUD
CDW Silver 60 AUD
Police & age surcharge 60 AUD
Additional driver 10 AUD
GST 27 AUD
Total 297 AUD
Definitely rent a GPS—some roads are brutal without it!
Pick up full, return full.

[Australia Car Rental Price Comparison]
vroomvroomvroom
Website: ***
Notes: Compares AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, thrifty, etc.

And with the sun on our faces—we hit the road. Great Ocean Road, here we come!
GREAT OCEAN ROAD
DAY 1
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (M80 to M1) — Geelong — Torquay (B100 GOR) — Anglesea — Aireys Inlet (Split Point Lighthouse / Eagle Rock) — Fairhaven — Lorne (sunrise/sunset/jetty)
DAY 2
Lorne — Apollo Bay — Great Otway National Park (through farmland/forest) — Lavers Hill — Princetown — Port Campbell (Gibson Steps, Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge)
DAY 3
Port Campbell (The Arch, London Bridge at sunrise) — Colac — Geelong — Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
Self‑drive tips: Set your GPS to “avoid tolls.” Don’t take CityLink Tollway out of Melbourne—it’s pricey and camera‑tolled; you need to buy a pass on their site (***). If you pass without paying, you must pay within a time limit—or get a hefty bill back home. Head south out of the CBD to West Gate Freeway, then west to Geelong—no tolls if set correctly.
Traffic is light but fast. Australia drives on the left with right‑hand drive. Burn “right wheel, left lane” into your brain or you’ll risk an accident.
A diversion had us lost—mooed with a cow—then found our route again.

First stop: Torquay—start of the GOR, a famous surf town with Bells Beach.

The GOR is often called Australia’s most beautiful coastal drive—some say top‑5 in the world. To your right: the vast blue Southern Ocean; to your left: cliffs and winding hills. Every few hundred meters: another beach. Each one better than Sanya’s—and almost empty. Signs clearly show where to BBQ, swim, camp, fish, or launch boats (many locals tow their boats and launch where allowed). All free beaches.
At first, everything stuns you—so you stop at every lookout. The road is narrow—mostly two lanes—with periodic overtaking lanes. Don’t stop randomly; every scenic spot has a “Lookout” parking bay. We hit nearly all of them—30 km in over two hours—before reaching Anglesea.

On the way to the lighthouse and at the lookout, Eagle Rock is worth a stop—its layered green‑to‑blue waters are gorgeous. As the sun came out, the hills and the white lighthouse popped with life. By the time we circled back—blue skies, bright white tower—stunning.

Don’t miss the Memorial Arch—the “Great Ocean Road” gateway. Blink and you’ll pass it! The arch and the workers’ statue honor those who built the road. Without them, we wouldn’t have these views.

Arrived at the Lorne jetty—life in the small town is wonderfully slow.

Dinner was a “full day breakfast”—I’d OD’d on fish and chips by then.

Common Aussie sight: sulphur‑crested cockatoos.

By 7 p.m. we reached Best Western Lorne Coachman Inn—booked on Booking—130 AUD/night. Simple, clean, comfy.

Evening beach stroll—watched a pup endlessly fetching sticks—pure joy.

Your turn—did I throw it high enough?

Haha—yep, that’s me!

Up early for sunrise at Lorne Beach.

As the sun rose, it was time to leave lovely Lorne. Maybe I’ll be back; either way, you’re etched in my heart.

“When spring warms the river, the ducks know first.”

Opening the door to check out, we found a little “morning drill” of cuties.

At reception, the host was feeding kookaburras with raw beef—too cute! They queued politely—no fighting—cool as cucumbers.

Even red parrots—back home these would be in cages.

Goodbye, tranquil Lorne—back on the road.

Lookout after lookout—each stop telling you, “It just gets better.”

First glimpse of the “12 Apostles”—our excitement spiked.

Gibson Steps tip: do go down—it’s the only beach access near the Apostles for a close‑up view.

Step onto the sand—cool shade by the cliffs, warm sun by the shore. Waves roll over your feet like milk foam—pure bliss.

We arrived in the afternoon—heat and surf kicked up a mist—instant dreamscape.

The Southern Ocean keeps eroding the stacks at ~2 cm/year. It’s a disappearing landscape.

Souvenir shot with two “apostles.”

It’s not just cars and campers—plenty of bikes too, many ridden by badass women.

Heavy cruisers everywhere.

“Till the sea runs dry and rocks crumble”—feels like it here.

Art‑car vibes—if I painted ours like this, Maomao would kill me!

Next up: the legendary Twelve Apostles—a cluster of limestone stacks once numbering twelve. Four have already collapsed; eight remain—for now.

Golden hour over the Apostles—jaw‑dropping.

Overnight: Port Campbell
Summer’s Rest Units
1 Mccue Street, Port Campbell VIC 3269
03 5598 6346
Standalone houses; park at your door. 100 AUD/night.
Rest up—sunrise at the Apostles is another world.

Quiet little town.

I send postcards everywhere I go—couldn’t resist this adorable koala card.

Day 6 03.06
Up before dawn for the Apostles sunrise.

At sunrise, the stacks shed shadows and glow gold.

Morning mist drifts in the sea breeze—now you see them, now you don’t—otherworldly.

Sunrise paints them in shifting hues—unforgettable.

No words for the power of waves slamming rock—you have to feel it.

Rare chance to get a photo with the photographer!

On the drive back we saw several kangaroos killed on the road—heartbreaking.
You’ll see warning signs for kangaroos. They hop alongside you, then dash across—accidents happen fast. Many crashes are caused by roos; even full insurance won’t help. This is why I avoid driving the GOR at night—darkness excites them and they bolt into headlights. One slip and it’s tragedy.

About 5 km east of Port Campbell: The Arch (small but elegant; endlessly wave‑carved). There’s also a lookout over Port Campbell township.

London Bridge—not the original nursery‑rhyme one, but named because it “fell down.” It used to have two spans carved by the sea; one collapsed in 1988, stranding two tourists until a helicopter rescue. One day, the remaining arch may go too. Nothing is forever.

Farewell, Great Ocean Road—and that wraps Melbourne for us. Our first overseas self‑drive delivered views for days and the pure joy of the open road. One day, we’ll be back for the memories.
On the way to the airport, herds and pastures—happy cows!

Evening flight to Cairns
This leg was on JETSTAR—two segments (Melbourne–Cairns and Cairns–Sydney):
5 Melbourne — Cairns JQ946 20:00–22:20 (Cairns is 1 hour behind Melbourne)
5/9 Cairns — Sydney JQ687 13:25–17:20
For 2 pax:
FARE 325.46 AUD
GST 32.54 AUD
Luggage Fee 20 AUD
Service charges 17 AUD
Total Paid: 395 AUD (≈ USD 422.73)

DAY 7
Cairns Day 1—pre‑booked Sunlover outer reef trip.
Checked in at 9 a.m. The wind was strong—worried they’d cancel snorkeling, but we got lucky.
Sunlover includes lunch (don’t miss the prawns—sweet and unforgettable) + afternoon tea; glass‑bottom boat; snorkeling gear; fish feeding; a large underwater viewing area (closed the day we went); kids’ pool, etc. Optional: Sea Walker (AU$140—we did it; 3.5 m underwater walk—fun—big fish for sure, sea turtle if lucky); scuba intro (AU$125—kind of regret skipping); helicopter (≈ AU$200+); guided snorkel (AU$35).
Note: Some staff are from Hong Kong, so there’s Chinese commentary.
Big twin‑hull catamaran—lots of passengers—berths inside.

Long lens from the deck:

Crew lined up to welcome us.

We shoved off at 10—Great Barrier Reef, here we come!
The world’s largest coral reef system; one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature; the only living structure visible from the Moon; 1981 UNESCO World Heritage; home to 6600+ species (400 corals, 1500 fish, 4000 mollusks).
For safety, a Taiwanese guide and Eddie from Malaysia demoed lifejackets, masks, snorkels, fins—turning dry briefings into a hilarious talk show.
About an hour in, Green Island came into view—some guests disembark there. After reef time we’d return to Green Island to stay.
Moore Reef pontoon is a large shaded platform anchored over the reef, with zones for each activity. Stairs lead straight into the sea for diving and Sea Walker. The boat is big but can still pitch—bring seasickness meds.

Snorkeling with Maomao—surprisingly tiring. Tip: swim farther from the pontoon to find colorful coral; closer areas are more damaged.

Meeting the locals—forgot this little guy’s name…

This one I know—starfish!

Back on board, you can pick your coolest underwater shots and print them. After 4.5 hours—dives, snorkel, glass‑bottom boat, semi‑sub—we’d had our fill of reef magic.

DAY 8 Kuranda Rainforest Day Tour
Kuranda sits 25 km north of Cairns in World Heritage rainforest. Nature lovers can drive, take the 120‑year‑old scenic railway, or the Southern Hemisphere’s longest rainforest cableway—seeing history and canopy from different angles. The village itself has modern bars/cafes, shops, restaurants, and markets with Aboriginal and global crafts.

Spear throwing—traditional Aboriginal hunting. Bare‑hand throws go far; add a Woomera (throwing aid) and it flies much farther—records up to 147.75 m. Accuracy was impressive—straight through a distant wooden post.

Great outfit on our Aboriginal host—though I wonder when the last shower was!

In a hippo’s mouth!

Next: amphibious “Army Duck” through the rainforest. Ancient, dense canopies block the sun; multiple understories teem with life. In a single hectare: ~400 tons of plants; a meter of soil holds ~200 tons of roots and matter. 200+ bird species and over 60% of Australia’s butterflies live here.

Kuranda Rainforest Park opened in 1976; the Army Duck tour is the classic. They have 12 WWII DUKWs—propeller, rudder, six‑wheel drive—each seats ~30. Roads get muddy, steep, and tight; these beasts climb like champs. Top: 85 km/h on road, 16 km/h on water. Tire pressure is adjustable. Our driver was a lovely lady and great guide.

Flora and fauna rolled by: Jurassic plants, strangler figs, rare orchids, ferns, stinging trees; musky rat‑kangaroos, blue butterflies, turtles, chameleons.

Time to cuddle a koala—one of my top goals. It’s a paid experience: AU$18 per photo; no personal cameras—collect the printed shot at the exit. Strict holding posture—no petting—follow staff directions. NSW law (Sydney) doesn’t allow koala holds; Cairns (QLD) does—so I was thrilled. They’re so chonky, soft, and mellow—with a faint eucalyptus scent. I even snuck a little kiss… wanted to take one home!

Cairns is compact—walk the whole CBD easily. There are also pedicabs. Streets are clean, shops plentiful. You’ll hear Mandarin from Taiwanese staff on working holidays.
A roadside taxidermy kangaroo—the mitt I’m holding is a kangaroo oven glove, haha.

Public lagoon—free for all ages—people lounge all day. Aussies don’t grind for money alone; the healthy, natural lifestyle is enviable.

Those aren’t fruit in the trees—they’re bats!

Aerials of beautiful Sydney…

3.09 JQ687 Cairns — Sydney 17:20 arrival.
Next morning: perfect weather. We bussed from Manly to The Rocks early.

The Rocks Markets
Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.–5 p.m., streets close to cars. Under white tents: artisanal homewares, stylish clothes, handmade jewelry, and tasty bites—each stall unique. No cash? Most take cards.

Mask stall—customer trying one on—terrifying reflection—and the owner is cracking up.

Hand‑crafted pop‑up cards—gorgeous but pricey at AU$20 each. Regret not buying one.

Lunch at a German spot in The Rocks—snapped the cutie at the next table.

Sydney city architecture.

Adorable vintage car on the street.

From Circular Quay we strolled along the waterfront to the Harbour Bridge.

Take the lift near Circular Quay up to the bridge approach. Signs: left to Royal Botanic Garden, right to The Rocks. You can also walk up the Bridge Stairs to the deck for sweeping harbour views.

If time and budget allow, the BridgeClimb is a blast—though over AU$200. See them up there?

On foot you can cross from The Rocks via Bridge Stairs to Milsons Point in about 30 minutes. The views: Opera House, The Rocks, cruise terminals, the harbour—chef’s kiss.

Opera House from the Harbour Bridge.

Sailboats dot the blue—ferries weave through—picture‑perfect Sydney Harbour.

For foodies, Sydney Fish Market is unmissable. The lure of seafood had me up before the alarm, haha.
It’s Australia’s biggest seafood hub—wholesale, retail, dining. Great value and super fresh. Order in a restaurant, grab a bottle of wine nearby, and feast al fresco by the water.

Lobsters priced per kg. Ask vendors to prepare dishes your way—like Shanghai’s Tongchuan Road, but spotless and honest on weight.

So many reef fish.

These big sweet prawns are incredible—firm, bouncy—don’t miss them.

Oysters are sold by the dozen—watch the pro shuck them.

He’s the market’s celebrity—had to get a photo together.

Our “triple sashimi” (yellowfin, albacore, salmon)—Peter’s staff prepping it for us.

Sea gulls outside the market.

Tihi, you’ve got a brother in Greece—Peter III!

Fed and happy, we left the market for Darling Harbour.

Sydney Fish Market

Kids’ adventure course by the road—Aussie kids are fearless. I had to try it too.

Beautiful Darling Harbour—too bad the giant Rubber Duck had left—missed it by days.

Sydney’s Monorail
Old Lulu told me it was removed on June 30, 2013 due to losses, space usage, and poor economics. One train even carried “Farewell Sydney.” It opened in 1988; after 25 years it was dismantled. I bought a commemorative coin for the memory.

Queen Victoria Building (QVB)—Australian pride. Designed by George McRae, opened 1898. Romanesque style with a central glass dome and stained glass windows—intricate woodwork and royal art inside. Pierre Cardin called it “the most beautiful shopping centre in the world.”

Tomorrow we fly home. We’ve seen most of Sydney—except the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains are 104 km west of Sydney. The eucalyptus oil mist refracts light blue—hence the name. Resorts and villages dot the park—scenic and serene.
Three Sisters are the main draw—Echo Point is the prime lookout. Legend says three Katoomba sisters were turned to stone by a wizard to protect them during an inter‑tribal conflict; the wizard died, leaving them as sentinels of the valley.
Hot take: the views are nice, but compared with China’s Huangshan/Huashan, it’s underwhelming—four hours round‑trip is a lot. Still worth the experience once.

What I love most about Sydney: wild, public parks and reservoirs right outside your door. Truly, “every home backs onto a zoo.”
These were shot at the big reservoir near my brother’s place.

Elegant black swans.

Feeding ducklings with my brother (with cow feed!).

Quacking in the sun—pure happiness. If you’re in the mood, splash around with them.

Check out this big lizard.

What’s your name, little one?

Closing with this photo. Writing was hard but sweet—each line pulled back a memory. Thanks for coming along and for all your love and support.
Final thought: While you’re young, go travel. Travel’s meaning is to seek and enrich life’s experiences—the road underfoot and the path within. The destination matters less than whether it stirs something deep inside.
We’re already plotting the next trip. Restless feet, a lifetime to measure all of the world.
— Ending —