Travel Guides and Stories

It’s been almost two years since our Christmas trip from Sydney to Melbourne, and only now do I finally have the time to sit down and reflect on what we saw and experienced in Sydney and Melbourne. The idea for this trip was born more than six months before, during a road trip when my Taiwanese friend Kitty said she wanted to spend Christmas in Sydney and see the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Sydney Harbour Bridge. As a travel enthusiast, I was completely tempted, and my “travel bug” meant I agreed immediately to join her on an East Coast adventure.      Airfares were cheap and hostels in Sydney and Melbourne were not yet fully booked, so we wasted no time: quickly picked our flights and accommodations in both cities.      Admiring the carefree spirit of backpacker travel, we chose the full backpacker style for this trip: flying with budget airlines, carrying nearly back-breaking backpacks plus a small crossbody bag, staying at cheap youth hostels, and eating at street-side diners and with instant noodles. After months of waiting, we finally took a Virgin Blue flight to Sydney on Christmas Eve. The flight left Perth at midnight (there’s a three-hour time difference between Perth and Sydney), so we arrived in Sydney at what was actually 4 AM Perth time. My Taiwanese friend and I were both exhausted. Carrying all our bags, we each spent 15 AUD on a train ticket from the airport to our first accommodation, YHA Railway Square (only later did we realize a taxi would have cost just 10 AUD per person!).

Perth Domestic Airport

The train ticket from Sydney Airport to Central Station. Since the hostel was right next to Central Station, its design and decor felt like an old but modern train station. Our room was an eight-bed dorm with shared bathrooms and toilets, simply and tidily arranged. Seeing the four bunk beds reminded me of my days living in school dorms. The other girls in our room were all from Taiwan, and they kindly told us where to eat cheaply and what to pay attention to in Sydney.

           Railway Square YHA Hostel

Our youth hostel in Sydney — YHA

           Railway Square YHA Hostel

This is why I love staying at backpacker hostels: I always get lots of local information and hear legendary travel stories from other backpackers. Since we’re all a similar age, even if we’re from different countries and backgrounds, it’s easy to sit together and chat. Rather than spending a lot on a fancy but closed-off hotel, I much prefer this cheap, open backpacker lifestyle.      After freshening up, we decided to explore the city centre. Compared to Perth’s two pedestrian shopping streets, Sydney’s city centre is huge. But with so many tall buildings and narrow streets, it feels a bit claustrophobic. We headed along Pitt Street toward the Opera House. The streets here reminded me of Hong Kong’s shopping areas: small storefronts, bustling crowds, busy traffic. With so many Chinese residents in Sydney, you see Chinese-run shops everywhere. The only Tong Ren Tang (Beijing’s famous pharmacy) in Australia is in Sydney. There’s also Bank of China and even ICBC.      Sydney brings together people from all over the world, speaking every language and blending their cultures into a unique Sydney vibe. There are Korean-run internet cafes, Japanese sushi shops, Chinese hotels, and Italian restaurants. Sydney’s residents are from every corner of the globe, and the city welcomes thousands of visitors every year. Thanks to this multiculturalism, no matter where you’re from, you can find a taste of home here.

The giant Christmas tree in the city centre

After about half an hour walking along Pitt Street, we finally reached the harbour. Strolling down Pitt Street, we watched the crowds hurrying by — the quintessential big city scene, with everyone rushing and living a fast-paced life. Maybe that’s what gives a big city its energy. After half an hour, we reached Circular Quay and saw the towering Sydney Opera House.      Completed in 1973 at a cost of 12 million AUD, the Opera House took over 20 years from conception to completion, and together with Sydney Harbour Bridge, is now the city’s icon. The Opera House sits on Bennelong Point like a shy but elegant girl.

           Sydney Opera House

           Sydney Opera House

After so many years, the shell-like top has yellowed a little, but its unique charm remains. This world-famous building welcomes visitors from across the globe with its beautiful, graceful form — everyone is drawn to its beauty, eager for a photo, and amazed by its special aura.      Standing across the water from this “shy girl” is the imposing Sydney Harbour Bridge. On postcards, the bridge is often the backdrop to the Opera House, like a vibrant young man guarding his beloved. The bridge itself has a legendary history — made entirely of steel, it’s the world’s largest (though not longest) steel-arch bridge. It took over a hundred years from initial proposal to final completion, and now connects the north and south sides of the harbour. The bridge has eight traffic lanes and two train tracks, crossed daily by thousands of vehicles, and there are pedestrian walkways on both sides.      Walking on the bridge, looking up at its giant frame, you can’t help but feel small and awed.

           Sydney Harbour Bridge

           Sydney Harbour Bridge

After the fireworks, a Taiji (Yin-Yang) symbol appeared at the centre of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

We wanted to buy one, but didn’t know where.

           Sydney Harbour Bridge

Crowds waiting for the New Year’s Eve fireworks

           Sydney Opera House

           Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House at night

Ferris wheel near Darling Harbour

On New Year’s Eve, before 10am, people were already gathering in front of the Opera House to wait for the midnight fireworks.

An interesting cafe

Australian police keeping the peace

After the fireworks, getting back to our accommodation was a challenge — the streets were packed with people.

Mounted police maintaining order

Never seen so many people in Sydney before