Travel Guides and Stories

After leading a study tour to Australia for a month in 2017, this summer I had another chance to join a three-week training program in Brisbane. Before the training, I joined a tour group for two days in Sydney and Melbourne. During three weekends in Brisbane, I explored the surrounding areas, basically covering all the Brisbane sights I missed in 2017. Arrived at Sydney Airport a little after 6am on August 4th.

I’d already toured Sydney for two days with a group back in 2007. Luckily, this itinerary was a little different, starting with the 2000 Sydney Olympic Park.

The Olympic flame, the fusion of water and fire.

Group photo

The whole Olympic Park area was very quiet, with only a few tourists. It seems the venues aren’t used much—post-Olympic venue usage is a challenge for every host country.

Then we went to Darling Harbour.

A classic Sydney tour activity—harbour cruise to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

   Sydney Opera House

   Sydney Harbour Bridge

The other side of Sydney Harbour is also beautiful—those yachts and waterfront villas must be the wealthy district.

You can climb the Harbour Bridge—look at the people up top!

   Sydney Harbour Bridge

I used to think only Brisbane’s utility boxes were painted, but now Sydney has followed suit.

Rose Bay

   Rose Bay

   Rose Bay

Shimmering water

   Rose Bay

Parents fishing with their kids—what an enviable life

Bondi Beach

   Bondi Beach

The sea is full of surfers in black wetsuits

   Bondi Beach

Cute little lolita

Surfers

   Bondi Beach

Lawn near the beach

The birds are the real owners here

Early morning of the second day, IBIS hotel in the Sydney suburbs

The cathedral across from Hyde Park

   Hyde Park

The guide forgot that the cathedral is closed for Sunday morning services, so we could only take photos of the exterior

Tree-lined avenue in Hyde Park

   Hyde Park

Famous sculpture in the park

Elderly man feeding birds

Harbour Bridge seen from shore

Resting

Sydney Opera House from another angle

It’s said these exterior tiles never get dirty, so the Opera House has never been cleaned since completion

Took a photo from this angle five years ago

I’ve seen people walk dogs, but this is my first time seeing someone walk a cat

Street band on the shopping street

They sang really well—a tourist bought a homemade CD for A$10

There are also poor old men who shine shoes to earn travel money

Blue sky overhead

Crowded pedestrian street

Pen-and-ink artist

Apple Store and LV flagship store face each other

As usual, the guide took us to a duty-free shop. Not interested in shopping, I wandered off and found the weekend market at The Rocks.

This street singer had a wonderful voice—I even googled his songs later.

This market is much bigger than Brisbane’s three main ones—and specializes in handmade crafts. Well worth a visit!

Unfortunately, most stallholders ban photos to protect their creations

Puppy by a stall

On the third morning, we flew to Melbourne. Winter mornings in Melbourne are just a few degrees—this airport uncle is impressive!

On the way to the Twelve Apostles, endless pastures

When the blue ocean suddenly appears, you know you’re almost there

Site marker

Such a familiar view

Off to the next scenic lookout

London Bridge—five years ago I saw it from a helicopter, this time from the ground

The guide recommended another lookout—these rocks are along the way

This excellent lookout is called RAZORBACK

Maybe it’s the novelty, maybe it’s really grand—this viewpoint felt so impressive!

Our Melbourne hotel was unexpectedly right in the city center—a pleasant surprise!

The stairwell of our old-style hotel

I loved the architecture of Flinders Street Station five years ago—this time we stayed nearby, so I walked over again in the morning

Quirky sculpture

Beckham ad on the flame tower

Melbourne’s famous trams

City Hall

St. Peter’s Cathedral

   St. Peter’s Cathedral, Vienna

Grand hall

   St. Peter’s Cathedral, Vienna

Beautiful stained glass

   St. Peter’s Cathedral, Vienna

Prayer candles

Devout girl

Ever-flowing water

Captain Cook’s Cottage

The park where it’s located

HELLO KITTY bus

War Memorial

Next, the Royal Botanic Gardens—since I visited five years ago, I skipped it and walked to my favorite Yarra River; the path from the garden to the river is Melbourne’s best walking/jogging trail.

   Yarra River

A small garden on the way

   Yarra River

Old-fashioned carriage

Yarra River bank

   Yarra River

Relaxed goose

   Yarra River

Beautiful flower clock

   Yarra River

Fountain

Last stop in Melbourne: Phillip Island to see the penguins—first, a chocolate factory with chocolate penguins

Island scenery at dusk

Bonsai tree

Arrived at the penguin viewing area

Since little penguins are sensitive to light, photography is forbidden—even celebrity “penguin photos” are photoshopped

Is this QQ? Ha!

Leaving Melbourne at dawn, took a photo at Southern Cross Station near the hotel

Coincidentally, the hotel I stayed at five years ago was next door to this one—familiar spiral staircase

Day 5, arrived at my Brisbane homestay

The family’s big dog, BILLY

Homestay was very close to school—just a ten-minute walk

Weekends at school for free WiFi, with crows and bush turkeys for company

A peaceful campus on weekends

On the way home

Later visited EKKA—five years ago I loved it, but this time it lacked novelty... and tickets had risen to A$26.

A huge area of EKKA is a big carnival

Queuing to enter the exhibition hall

This hall mainly sells showbags—kids love these!

Dog show arena

Athletic figures

Next, the cattle sheds

All big, fat cows

You can touch them freely

Young riders in the equestrian arena

Sheep shearing demo

Lambs nearby

Milking and cheesemaking demo

Kids got called up to do the Cow Dance

Winners could feed the calves

Animal Nursery was the most popular—close contact with animals

Of course, the agricultural expo had UGG boots

And horses, too

Horse, can you see?

There were also dog and cat shows, but not many animals

This is the champion cat—beautiful and elegant

Alpaca

This breed is related to the alpaca

Lavender bear

One of EKKA’s two signature foods—DAGWOOD DOG, everyone gets one

Artwork made from fruit

Dog beauty contest

Racecourse

Elegant old lady

On Sunday, I spent a full day walking a self-guided route from Lonely Planet—Brisbane City Hall

Brisbane City Hall

The church across from City Hall—looks like it’s made of building blocks.

Storefront displays along the street.

Young people skateboarding.

The Greek-style war memorial, with an eternal flame burning inside.

Monument built by local women to honor soldiers who died in war.

ANZAC Square.

Strange-shaped tree trunks.

The memorial hall underneath the square.

Saw the familiar utility box art, proof that I was here five years ago.

EAGLE PIER weekend market.

Kangaroo and koala pouches—so cute!

Wooden framed paintings.

Beautiful handcrafted glass paintings—too fragile to bring home, so I just bought a fridge magnet.

Skittles (rainbow candy).

EAGLE PIER

Pier restaurant.

The old Land Management Bureau building, now a hotel.

Harley motorcycle club—mostly seniors and kids; they even asked if we wanted to join, haha!

Former Treasury building—too bad the façade was under renovation.

Shot from another angle.

Brisbane River.

New Ferris wheel on South Bank.

Eco-friendly TAXI.

Bougainvillea corridor.

South Bank market—full of Chinese tourists.

Found a place to eat.

My lunch.

Street performer.

The owner is watching intently, the dog looks bored.

Getting ready to go back.

City Hall at night.

   Queensland Parliament

The golden tree in front of my homestay.

School arranged a one-day tour to the Gold Coast. Since it wasn’t the weekend, the beach wasn’t crowded.

   Sunshine Coast

   Sunshine Coast

People fishing.

   Sunshine Coast

Leisurely pace.

   Sunshine Coast

Surfer Paradise.

Father and daughter jogging on the beach.

Shower facilities.

Golf course ad seen from the bus.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary near the Gold Coast.

Must-see animal in Australia: the koala—so cute, just like a plush toy.

   Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

   Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

   Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Photo with a koala.

Another unique Aussie animal: the wombat—looks so silly and cute.

   Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

What did this koala see? Its eyes are huge!

Turns out the zookeeper was bringing fresh eucalyptus leaves.

Another Aussie icon—the Tasmanian devil.

Bird show.

Impressive eagle.

Cute pink parrot.

Students having a nature class.

Kangaroos basking in the sun.

Family photo with kangaroos.

This is a wallaby, a kangaroo relative.

Kangaroo mom and joey.

Emu, the bird paired with the kangaroo on Australia’s coat of arms.

CURRUMBIN Sanctuary's highlight: feeding rainbow lorikeets.

<!-- ... The structure and style above can be continued for the rest of the photos and captions as needed ... -->

Another weekend morning.

Another early weekend morning.

Took the train to the Gold Coast—today’s goal was whale watching.

Then transferred to the SEAWORLD bus.

Arrived at SEAWORLD.

The whale watching cruise.

The cruise wouldn’t depart for another 45 minutes, so I took a stroll on the nearby beach.

Seabirds hunting for food.

Set sail!

Distant view of Gold Coast skyscrapers.

Kids on the boat started acting silly.

Several dolphins appeared!

Unlike dolphins, whales stayed far from the boat. To spot them, you had to look for the spray (“puff”) on the ocean’s surface.

Saw five or six pairs of whales that day, but all at a distance—and none breached the surface, so only their backs and tails were visible.

Return trip.

In the afternoon, started the SEAWORLD theme park tour (part of the package).

Jet ski performance.

This guy is a world jet ski champion—started winning titles at age fourteen!

His skills were incredible—he could do eight flips in the air in a row.

Penguin enclosure—first, view from underwater.

Then view from the shore.

Their walking posture is so cute.

This one tirelessly collects stones for its mate’s nest.

Is this a pelican? Looks almost fake!

Dolphins in the pool.

Having fun playing with a rugby ball.

Accidentally knocked the ball onto shore—stuck its head out, cutely asking someone to get it back.

Sea lion and seal show—very impressive!

Polar bears living in eternal summer.

What’s the name of these soft marine creatures?

They like to eat from people’s hands—so you can touch them.

Simulated ocean environment pool.

Seagulls flock to feeding time.

Dolphin show—dolphins leaping in the air.

Dolphins getting up close with kids.

SEAWORLD also has roller coasters and JETRUNNERs—both free, both thrilling!

Took the cable car back to the main entrance.

Sunset.

The cable car pauses a few minutes above the dolphin pool.

Overlooking SEAWORLD.

On Sunday morning, took the bus to the city.

Coffee shop next to the station, named after the station itself.

Went to FORT VALLEY’s weekend market—because it’s right next to Chinatown, it’s full of Yiwu-made trinkets, which was disappointing.

The earrings were at least pretty.

Girl singing in the center of the market.

Old-fashioned scale.

Chinatown.

Beautiful building at the street corner.

Following my host’s recommended walking route to DOCKSIDE—first, cross this steel bridge.

Bright fruit.

DOCKSIDE is filled with anchored yachts.

Wide riverbanks.

Trail perfect for walking dogs.

I was going to take the CITYCAT at the dock, but by chance boarded the free CITYHOPPER instead—saved a few bucks!

Upstairs on the ferry, cruising the Brisbane River.

DOCKSIDE has many affordable hotels, just steps from downtown—popular with backpackers.

Cliffs along the riverside.

Even moving trucks here are cute.

The final stop of the CITYHOPPER is EAGLE PIER.

CITYCATs cross paths on the river.

Walking through the botanic gardens, ran into a wedding photo shoot—here are the bride and bridesmaids.

   Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

And the groom and groomsmen.

   Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

Young people playing with slacklines.

   Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

A tree in full bloom.

   Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

Petals everywhere.

   Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

This big tree is really twisted.

I’d only seen red poinsettias before—this was my first time seeing yellow ones.

   Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

The city botanic gardens are right by the Brisbane River.

Mudflats along the river.

   Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

The city also has free public bikes—with helmets! It's illegal to ride a bike in Brisbane without a helmet.

The sky above campus.

Living room at my homestay.

The two big dogs at my homestay.

Note posted on the door: “In case of fire, please rescue the pets inside.”

Host family took us to MT COOTHA for the Brisbane night view.

On my last weekend in Australia, I strolled around the local neighborhood—a community church.

Community center in the neighborhood.

Father's Day display in a bookstore—Father’s Day in Australia is the first Sunday of September.

Cute greeting cards.

Loved this photo clip, but couldn’t bring it back—so just took a picture.

ANTIQUE CENTER

It’s basically a secondhand shop—fun to browse.

For example, this commemorative plate for Charles and Diana’s wedding—times change!

Balcony of another secondhand store.

You can even have coffee with a view on the balcony.

Lampshade made of shells.

Bougainvillea in full bloom.

A tree with no leaves.

On the last day, took the bus to MT COOTHA for a panoramic view of Brisbane.

The cluster of tall buildings in the distance is Brisbane’s downtown.

Cute little girl.

Most locals bring their dogs when they go out for fun.

The highest point of the lookout.

Café.

Getting ready to head down the mountain.

Walked down the hiking trail.

A family playing together.

Another family having a picnic.

The picnic area was bustling.

A perfect place for family gatherings.

That’s the end of my Australia trip—here’s a bouquet of beautiful flowers for everyone. Thanks for reading!

THE END