Live Your Best Lives
"The joy of instant cashing in is the regret that cannot be made up by expired compensation" - Viva La Vida, set off now
With its glorious sunshine in the south, its endless coastline in the east, its desert ocean in the west, and its pristine nature in the north—this is Australia! From the majestic Great Barrier Reef to the crimson deserts of central Australia and the delightful harbor cities of Australia, this is a continent full of surprises.
Melbourne is a city where architecture and art intertwine. Modern skyscrapers intersect with 19th-century Victorian buildings, creating a unique cityscape.
Melbourne's scenery unfolds like a picture scroll, with city parks and riverside walks. The aroma of coffee permeates every street and alley, and the city's coffee culture has fostered a leisurely and unique urban lifestyle.
"The orange sunlight soothes every piece of sea surface, and the blue sky dances with the notes of freedom."
We reserved two days for the Great Ocean Road, starting from Melbourne and heading east along the coastline.
Geelong, a harbor town in Victoria, is a shining pearl on the outskirts of Melbourne.
It is located on the shores of College Bay and has charming coastal scenery and ancient wharf buildings. In Geelong, strolling along the coastal promenade, admiring the blue waters and leisurely fishing boats, is a great way to experience the charm of this small town.
There are many lookouts along the Great Ocean Road, which is where the benefits of self-driving come into play. When you see a nice lookout, you can stop at any time and improvise a snap. A lookcut whose name I forgot. Walk down the beach and run towards the sea.
We agreed to stay at the Little Red Riding Hood Lighthouse for only 15 minutes, but we ended up taking photos for an hour and a half in the strong wind. Don't take anything a woman says when she's taking photos seriously!
Arriving at the small town of Lorne, the starting point of the Great Ocean Road, was much later than planned. I didn't get to eat the gelato I had planned, but I did get to see the rainbow after the rain. I've seen it many times, but this was the most recent one.
We booked a B&B in Apollo Bay for our Great Ocean Road trip. Since there were quite a few of us, we split up into two separate properties. By the time we arrived near our accommodation, it was already dark. The address on the platform was a bit of a bummer; we couldn't find the property we'd booked.
During this time, I even asked for help from a passing police officer. He said he would help me find an apartment. Then I called the landlord. Finally, after some twists and turns, I successfully found a place to stay.
The landlord was a silver-haired old lady who lived nearby. She took us to her house very enthusiastically. Coincidentally, the policeman also came back and told us that he had found the house.
The B&B was incredibly convenient, especially for a group of three or five friends traveling independently. In the morning, you can even cook something in the kitchen. Just an egg and some milk are all you need for breakfast. We took so many photos that day that everyone was still editing them until 1-2 a.m. It seemed like from that day on, we all started going to bed on Chinese time and waking up on Australian time.
A highly recommended filming location is Gibson Steps, which has steps leading down to the beach. The plants along the way are also very unique.
The Twelve Apostles are a series of limestone columns rising vertically from the sea. Formed by waves, weathering, and erosion, they form a magnificent coastal landscape. Their unique geological structure and breathtaking sea views attract thousands of tourists each year. Due to natural factors and erosion, the number of rocks is gradually decreasing. Currently, only seven remain.
Melbourne is a city where time flows slowly, its streets brimming with the aroma of coffee and its buildings radiating an artistic atmosphere. In this southern hemisphere city, time seems to quietly slow down, leaving a deep impression on people.
Tasmania, on the other hand, is nature's magical kingdom, with lush mountains and deep lakes. Here, we feel the pulse of the earth and explore its wonders. Our journey here will also bring endless adventures.
Launceston Airport is very small, with only one terminal. While you're waiting for your luggage, a police dog patrols the area, checking for prohibited items (such as fresh fruit and vegetables). Our friend brought a tomato to eat on the plane but forgot to eat it. The police dog quickly responded and captured the tomato.
Our first stop in Tasmania was Woolworths. At Woolworths in Launceston, we bought the best apples and blueberries of our trip. Tasmania's unique climate and soil conditions are ideal for agriculture, so here, the fruit is yours!
Family! Who knows! Tasmanian apples, blueberries, and cherries are truly delicious! It's a shame we arrived before the cherries were ripe, otherwise we could have picked the entire orchard.
We stopped by Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe for lunch along the way. They have the freshest raspberry desserts and delicious Gold Label ice cream.
I accidentally ate a kangaroo burger! It was so chewy!
Cradle Mountain accommodations are at Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat, a log cabin resort hidden in the rainforest.
In the evening, there will be an activity to feed wild kangaroos. Please ask the hotel front desk for the time in advance and go directly to the place on the hillside next to the hotel restaurant.
Staying here, the most surprising thing was looking up at night to see a sky full of stars. I really want to stay here again when it snows. Outside, there's a fairytale forest covered in falling snow, and inside the cabin, there's a warm fireplace burning grass wood. No city noise, just the sound of falling snow outside the window. Just thinking about it makes me feel so beautiful.
There are also many hiking trails near the resort, the most famous being the one to Champagne Falls. It's about 5 kilometers long and takes about 2 hours round trip. If you're short on time, you can also do what we did the next morning and enjoy a stroll through the forest near the hotel.
There's a lot of interesting wild plants here, and it's said that mushrooms grow abundantly in the spring during the rainy season. Although I didn't find any mushrooms, I did see a lot of tree ganoderma and ferns. The air here is clearly exceptionally good, with an explosively high concentration of negative oxygen ions.
Cradle Mountain, synonymous with nature, wilderness and everything primitive, is located in the central-western part of Tasmania. It is a mountain range composed of multiple peaks with a unique shape and the peak is often shrouded in clouds and mist.
The mountainous terrain here is diverse, including alpine meadows, forests, lakes and waterfalls. You may also encounter Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypuses, echidnas, wombats and the inquisitive black cuckoo.
This is also a paradise for hikers, with short hikes ranging from 5- to 6-day treks, totaling 80 kilometers, stretching from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to plan a longer hike this time, so we opted for a light hike (or rather, a leisurely stroll) around Dove Lake. We even encountered a very adorable wombat.
After leaving Cradle Mountain, we drove to our accommodation for the day, Diamond Island Resort near Wineglass Bay.
A special evening activity at the hotel is watching the Little Penguins return to their nests. The hotel is located near the beach, home to Tasmania's endemic Little Penguins—Bicheno Tasmania penguins. These blue penguins are unique to Tasmania and the smallest penguins in the world, barely the size of two palms. At dusk, they return from the sea to their roosts on land, only to swim back out to sea before dawn.
Little blue penguins are very timid and won't come ashore unless there's any noise. Therefore, please remain silent when watching them, and avoid using flash cameras. The hotel has prepared red flashlights, so if you keep at least three meters away, you can watch the little penguins make their way home.
Wineglass Bay gets its name from its unique semicircular shape, resembling a wine glass. This naturally curved bay is framed by white sand beaches and clear waters. The waters here are a blend of deep blue, turquoise, and light blue, forming a stark contrast with the lush greenery and white sand surrounding them.
The beautiful natural scenery also has its cruel side. This story has to start from the beginning...
In the mid-19th century, this area was the center of the Southern Ocean whaling industry. Before electricity became a common energy source, homes here were illuminated by whale oil. Many species of whales were hunted for their blubber and meat. Wineglass Bay is also known for the fact that the waters along the bay were dyed red by the whales they hauled in, resembling a glass of bright red wine.
Fortunately, Australians quickly became more aware of environmental protection and animal protection, and history did not repeat itself. Locals are now at the forefront of whale protection, establishing an "Australian Whale Sanctuary" that extends to Antarctica.
The small town of Ross boasts a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. It boasts many well-preserved historic buildings, including stone streets, ancient churches, and historic structures. The town is renowned for its unique stone architecture, the most famous of which is the Ross Bridge. Built in 1836, it is one of the oldest stone arch bridges in Australia.
The main street of Ross is called Queen Street, which has many well-preserved 19th-century buildings, including old shops, bars and cafes.
Ross Village Bakery is said to be the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's manga, "Kiki's Delivery Service." Beyond its history and architecture, the area also boasts tranquil natural scenery.
It only takes 10 minutes to reach Bruny Island from Hobart's wharf. This island is particularly convenient for those traveling by car. Cars can take the ferry directly to the island.
⏰Departure time: every 20 minutes
🎫Ferry ticket: $48.5 per car, can be purchased on site
Our first stop on the island was Get Shuncked 🦪 Oyster Shop. They serve freshly-caught oysters, freshly opened and served fresh. 100% delicious. So good, we ended up going back for another visit on our way back, hahaha.
The second stop was the 🍯 Honey Factory, where we had delicious honey ice cream and took some check-in photos.
The third stop where the wind blew me crazy - The Neck Game Reserve Lookout
The fourth stop for complete release - 🏖 White Sand Beach
Australian Animal Class is now open! Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! 80% of Australia's wildlife is unique here and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
①🦘Kangaroo: road killer, boxing master, national treasure animal sent to the table, the leader of the embarrassing world
②🐨Koala: Sleepyhead, foodie, cute
③🐻Wombats: The animals that need love the most, the producers of magical square poop
⑤😊Smiling Kangaroo: A healing species, the happiest animal in the world
⑥❄White Kangaroo: unique to Tasmania, as white as a snowball
⑦😈Tasmanian Devil: The devil and tyrant of the carnivorous world
⑧🐧Penguin: The youngest of the penguin family, a fickle penguin who changes his partner once a year
⑨🐦 Pelican: Big mouth quack quack
We have left behind our footprints of exploration in this unfamiliar land, and now the time to say goodbye has quietly arrived. This city, this landscape, and the unfamiliar faces we once passed on the streets will all become part of our travel memories.
A farewell to travel and a farewell to the Chinese people, how can we miss a hot pot meal! After the excitement, let’s say goodbye properly!
The itinerary was actually planned in mid-to-late October, with some hotels booked and a car rented in advance. However, the final details of the entire trip were not finalized until the last week before the trip.
Let’s talk about in detail what needs to be done in advance for this self-driving trip in Australia.
In late November, Sino-US relations eased, and as everyone knows, Australia's visa policy has become more friendly. Prepare the required documents and the visa approval rate is still very high, so go for it. Of course, the sooner you apply, the sooner you can get your visa, and you won't have to worry about booking flights and hotels later.
There were 14 of us on this trip, split up into three departure ports: Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. The lowest airfare was just over 2,500 yuan round-trip from Melbourne, which is comparable to flights to Southeast Asia.
Important accommodations must be booked well in advance. Places like Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road and Wineglass Bay in Tasmania have limited accommodations to begin with, and with Australia's peak tourist season fast approaching, planning ahead is crucial.
First, choose a reliable car rental platform. Decide on a model for a test drive. When choosing a car, be sure to check if it can accommodate all the luggage. Then, prepare for your driver's license translation.
The most important thing about renting a car abroad is that the person picking up the car must have a Visa or Mastercard without a UnionPay logo. Most international rental companies require an international credit card as a pre-authorization guarantee; if you don't have one, you'll be denied. Rental companies that don't require an international credit card often have higher prices and a limited selection.
Another thing to note is that when renting a car, you must choose full vehicle insurance. Driving habits and traffic regulations in Australia are different from those in China, so you may not be used to it when you first start. Minor scratches and bumps are normal, so insurance will give you peace of mind.
Before our trip, worried about not being able to accept credit cards somewhere, we went to the bank and exchanged 1,000 Australian dollars. This became a minor annoyance during our trip. Fearing we wouldn't be able to spend all our cash, we used cash the first few days, earning a handful of coins every day. As we all know, foreigners are not good at math (or just too lazy to calculate). If the bill was 8.5 yuan and I gave them 13.5 yuan, they wouldn't get back a 5 yuan note. They'd just give you 1.5 yuan + 3.5 yuan in coins. Thank you so much! I saved up another big bag of Australian dollars to take home.
As it turned out, 99.9% of the stores we visited on this trip accepted credit cards. If you have an international credit card with no fees, exchanging currency isn't necessary. Alternatively, you can exchange a small amount just in case.
I think planning a trip is the most important and exciting part of any trip (just my personal opinion, hahaha). A high-quality travel experience is inseparable from thorough and detailed research and preparation upfront. Planning is essential, but executing it depends on fate. If you can accomplish it, then do it, and if you can't, don't force yourself. Our main goal is this: I can avoid doing it, but I can't ignore it.
However, there's one important point about self-driving: For unfamiliar destinations, it's essential to map out your destination and check parking options in advance. This can help reduce unnecessary driving and missed stops during your trip.
