Australia 2025: Discovering the 5th Continent

Hi everyone. Because that’s also what sparks the desire in every traveler (well, at least for me) to set foot on Australian soil: discovering a new continent.

Right now, I’ve got some time on my hands—those who follow me know that. A nasty muscle tear (which really doesn’t want to heal) is keeping me grounded for another week, so I’ve decided to open a new travel journal, recounting my recent trip from December 14, 2024, to January 12, 2025, in Australia.

The origins of this trip started last May in Crete, an island I chose for a 10-day break. It’s really lovely, by the way, but that’s not the point… It’s around this time every year that we decide on our next winter destination, and Argentina was at the top of the list—Sydney wasn’t even on the radar… I’d been looking at flights to Buenos Aires for a while, and the prices were shocking… But by the pool one lazy afternoon, scrolling on my iPhone, a promo from Geneva to Sydney caught my eye. The deal ticked two boxes on my traveler’s bucket list: a flight to Australia and a flight with Singapore Airlines, often ranked as the world’s best airline. A quick chat with the missus (well, of course!) and the decision was made: off to the land of kangaroos! Now, once you add luggage and Economy Plus, it still comes to 1600 € per person, but that’s a reasonable price. Either way, we already know what we’re in for—Australia is a budget commitment!



Thanks to 123rf for the image loan 😛

Once the flight is booked, the next question immediately follows: Australia, okay, but what’s there to see? Where should we go?

Back from Crete—because you shouldn’t mix things up—I’m getting to work. I’m asking for advice from a colleague who knows the continent a bit since she has a brother living there, as well as checking different forums, agencies, and tour operators... and pretty quickly, a conclusion becomes clear. Let’s see a little, but let’s see it chill.

So we’ll stick to the southeast, mainly for weather reasons—the north isn’t recommended at the end of the year. But also because we don’t want to spend our month of vacation in airports.

Sydney, of course, but Melbourne and Adelaide (my daughter lived there for a year on a Working Holiday Visa) are also catching our eye, with the legendary Great Ocean Road in between. The only detour in our chill plan is Ayers Rock, because for me, it was unthinkable to come back from Australia without experiencing the Bush.

The method was also up for discussion. At first, I’d considered—like in my dreams—exploring Australia in a camper van, or at least a van. But the rental prices, plus the fact that most of the campsites (mandatory for overnight parking) we’d planned were already fully booked (we’ll be there during peak summer vacation, and Australians are born campers) quickly made me change my mind and switch to a car + accommodations, which turned out to be more budget-friendly.

The only downside is that it’ll take away some spontaneity, since the timing means we’ll have to book all our accommodations in advance. But looking back—and because my colleague had warned me to pick places with kitchens—it was the right choice, both financially and logistically. And as we’ll see later, it doesn’t stop us from making last-minute changes, even if they’re forced.

Alright, enough chit-chat—I’ve already written way too much. Time to dive into the heart of the matter: off to our gateway, Sydney!

Awesome new travel journal! Thanks Bruno 🙂

But before I share our first steps, a little geography about the route we chose—and what better way to illustrate it than with a map: .



Three days in Sydney, then two in Jervis Bay to get a taste of the ocean. After that, back to Sydney to explore the Blue Mountains, because I’m a mountain lover at heart. Next up is our bush moment with two nights at Ayers Rock, then we’ll land in Melbourne for three nights. From there, we’ll drive to Phillip Island to see the penguins, then take a ferry to hit the Great Ocean Road—something we just couldn’t skip. We’ll spend four nights there, including ringing in the New Year, before heading up to Grampians National Park, another mountain spot north of Port Fairy. Three nights on Kangaroo Island to make absolutely sure we see some (kangaroos, that is), and three more nights in Adelaide. Finally, one last night in Sydney to be on time for our return A380 flight. .

I can already hear some of you saying, "Is this supposed to be cool?" But admit it—on the scale of this country, we could’ve been a thousand times more rushed... Anyway, let’s move on to the first glimpses of daylight and our arrival in the city.

To jump straight to the next part, click here: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10710730;a=10710730

Travel journals are piling up at a frantic pace in Haute-Savoie! 😉

Australia is on the plan, but only when we're both retired... (The flight duration and the sheer size of the country make me think we'll need a really long stay...)

Great itinerary, Bruno—I’m already excited! 😊

Travel journals are piling up at a frantic pace in Haute-Savoie! 😉

Australia is on the plan, but only when we’re both retired... (The flight duration and the sheer size of the country make me think we’ll need a really long stay...)

Yep! We’ll have to wait a few more years too, since you really can’t go for less than a month

Thanks for stopping by, ladies!

Before clicking “buy” on the Singapore Airlines website, we were just like you—so big and so far away that we thought we’d wait until retirement 😅

But I just can’t resist a good deal 😕 and in the end, the overnight flights on the A380 were easier than we expected 😊 As for seeing ALL of Australia, we didn’t even think it was possible in a month.

As for seeing ALL of Australia, we didn’t even consider it in a month.

Yeah, I don’t doubt it. 😉

Even if I go someday, I’ll only see a small part of it.

But I think I’ll only go once. I remember talking to my neighbor on a Paris-Kuala Lumpur flight. She was heading straight to Australia for another flight just as long as the one we’d already taken. I was already exhausted!

I think if I’m gonna splurge on business class, it’ll be for Australia!

Hi Bruno So many travel journals from all over the planet right now! 🙂 Off to Australia with great excitement 😎

For me, what’s holding me back about this destination is the 🤪 budget—everything seems so expensive. But there’s so much beauty to see!

Since we’re in the planning phase, Bruno, is your next winter destination already set?

Well, travel journal fans can thank your injured calf, Bruno! 😄 But am I going crazy or have I already seen your Australian travel journal before? 🤔

For me, what’s holding me back about this destination is the budget—everything seems crazy expensive. But so many amazing things to see!

Let’s be real, this trip will be our biggest budget-wise, and not just because of the flights!

Since we’re in the planning phase, Bruno—have you already decided on next winter’s destination?

Well, this winter looks unlikely (but we’ll see) due to work stuff, but we’ve already locked in this summer’s plans 😎

Well, travel journal fans can thank your injured calf, Bruno! 😄 But am I going crazy or have I already seen your Australian travel journal somewhere? 🤔

It’s true that this period is prolific 😄

I don’t know what you brought back from Kenya to smoke, but it must be strong! Apart from a few scattered photos here and there, this travel journal is brand new!

Part 1: Days 1 to 8: Sydney, Jervis Bay, and the Blue Mountains Sydney Instead of recounting this trip chronologically, I’ve decided to break it down geographically, focusing on the highlights. We arrived at Sydney Airport at dawn, precisely 6:00 AM. It was Saturday, and we’d left Geneva on Thursday at 8:00 PM... Needless to say, despite the beauty and kindness of the Singapore Airlines staff—and the stunning butterfly garden at Singapore Airport—we weren’t exactly fresh after 20 hours of flying, a 3-hour layover, and an 8-hour time difference... .

.

My first mistake of the trip didn’t take long to happen. Besides leaving my phone (with *everything* on it), my papers, and my credit cards in my brother’s car in Geneva (luckily, he noticed quickly and turned back), I’d booked an RBNB described as a "shared room" in an effort to save money and stay close to the city center (north of Darlinghurst for the purists). A rooftop with a view was promised, the reviews were positive, communication seemed easy, the space looked huge—I booked our first three nights, plus an extra one to ensure we’d have a place at 7:00 AM.

That choice turned out to be a bad one. The photos must’ve been taken 20 years ago (including the one of our host!), to access the rooftop you had to go through their bedroom, the space was cramped, the AC was ancient, the bathroom was outdated, and communication was nonexistent—nothing was right! If it weren’t for the 100 €/night we’d already paid, we would’ve turned around and found somewhere else. But hey, you can’t nail the "wow" factor every time, so we made the best of it...

We woke our host at 8:00 AM after a quick Uber ride. A shower was a must, followed by a hearty breakfast at the bistro across the street and a short nap—then we were off to explore the city!

.

First observation: it was 1:00 PM, and it was *hot* in Sydney! Really hot. We’d left behind the frosty winter of Haute-Savoie, and the contrast was huge! Our first stop was a peaceful green oasis: the Royal Botanic Garden, where the number of birds surprised us. Next, we headed toward the city’s (and maybe the country’s) most iconic landmark: the Opera House! We spent the afternoon wandering the area, from Circular Quay to The Rocks, passing by the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Millers Point. The vibe was great, people were friendly. A quick glance at restaurant menus made me realize the month was going to be *long* financially, but we settled for a quick takeaway. Back to our place early—the travel was still catching up with us... .





.

Today was Sunday, and Sunday means swimming! 😎 Thanks to the jet lag, we were up early and headed back to the Quay to catch a ferry to Manly. This famous beach spot is a 30-minute ride to the end of Sydney Harbour, facing the Tasman Sea. For just a few Canadian dollars, we crossed the bay and got a sense of the city’s vastness and diversity.

We were greeted by a free distribution of Coca-Cola cans at the ferry exit (not exactly healthy!), then made our way to Shelly Beach, another spot in the area, for our first safe swim. I say "safe" because here, everything is done by the book—no one dares swim outside the limits set by the Coast Guard! We still took a (well-marked, of course!) trail that led us to a viewpoint over this beach in Sydney Harbour National Park. .





After a good shower by the beach, we returned by ferry and spent the late afternoon exploring more of the city. We took another ferry line to Lavender Bay, Barangaroo, and Balmain. The weather was overcast, the temperatures bearable, and we ended the day in the pedestrian streets, Queen Victoria Building, Westfield, and St. Mary’s Cathedral, which was hosting a Christmas event with a public gathering, concert, and food trucks. Today’s total: 22 km of walking!

But no worries—we’d do it all again the next day... Today was all about Sydney’s beaches. We started with Bondi Beach, the iconic spot with its ultra-Instagrammable pool, which we reached by bus. It was early, and the beach was empty. Our goal was to reach Coogee Beach via the "Coastal Walk," a (very) well-maintained seaside path. But we underestimated the heat, and the 8 km walk turned into a challenge by the end—thankfully, we cooled off with dips in the stunning coves along the way.







After resting at our place, we tried an evening out in the city center, but one thing was clear: Australian nights end early! Today’s total: 24 km of walking. The rest of the trip is going to be *interesting*!

And since each post is limited to 10 photos, Here are a few more for you:

Botanical Gardens

Not easy to park that one!

Balmain East

Queen Victoria Building





Bondi Beach The pool!

Jervis Bay

A rest day for our calves today—we’re picking up our first vehicle! Booked through Booking.com for 6 days, it’ll let us do the Jervis Bay, Blue Mountains, Sydney loop completely independently. Cheaper than the vehicles on offer (153 €), I’d chosen a “Secret Car” for this first trip. Basically, they give you whatever they have in stock in that category, which saves them transfer costs. Originally, I was supposed to get a Renault Arkana, but since I had the choice, I went for a VW Troc instead—I didn’t want to explore Australia in a Renault; it’d ruin the myth! .



A little aside about driving here. The way people drive in a country says a lot about how they live (a little shout-out to our friends in Naples!). Of course, they drive on the left here, but that’s something I’m used to and not worried about. Driving in Australia is pretty easy—the roads are great, and Australians, like with everything, are very respectful of the rules. But rules are rules, and if the speed limit is 110 km/h, you don’t drive at 90, nor at 115, or you’ll get flashed (at the very least!). And if the limit is 100 on a road you’d call a country road in France, you still drive at 100, even if the next sign warns you to watch out for wildlife! Wildlife that, by the way, we saw plenty of—judging by the number of kangaroos squashed on the side of the road... My theory isn’t that there are a lot of accidents (though maybe there are), but that they don’t clean up the carcasses. So if you see a lot of dead animals at every stage of decomposition, it’s pretty shocking in the end... .

No, Santa doesn’t use reindeer anymore... .

But the Grand Pacific Drive, which we’ll take today, is a beautiful highway that runs along the coast to Huskisson, a small seaside resort in the bay, right at the gates of Booderee National Park.



.

Once settled into our no-frills but efficient motel, it’s time to explore the park the next day. I’ll let my guide sing its praises: “Crystal-clear waters meet beautiful white-sand beaches, while towering cliffs overlook the majestic Pacific Ocean. The national park is home to extraordinary native wildlife and adorned with vast botanical gardens. Did you know? These botanical gardens are the only ones in Australia owned by Aboriginal people!” And it’s true—the two days we spent visiting the park, sometimes on foot, sometimes by car, let us meet our first kangaroo families, as well as lots of birds, snakes (well, their sheds), and magnificent, huge, deserted beaches. A beautiful getaway that was hardly crowded but lived up to all its promises.





Oh yes, they’re really here!!!

Blue Mountains

250 km of national highways today to reach Katoomba, a major hiking tourism spot in the Blue Mountains, at 1,000 meters altitude. The road is beautiful, dotted with stops like Cascades and lookouts, and it’s in the late afternoon that we’ll reach our youth hostel (with private rooms and bathrooms!) booked for 2 nights. The hostel is very clean and friendly, with large common areas, which will let us prepare our meals—the (way) overpriced restaurant bills are starting to get on our nerves a bit... The Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are named that way because of the predominance of eucalyptus in their vast forests, which release bluish vapors in the morning and evening.





.



Over 140 km of marked trails crisscross the area, but we’ll stick to the most beautiful ones: the Three Sisters, of course, accessible from a promontory, but also—and especially—the Grand Canyon, an iconic 5+ hour hike in the region, plunging over 200 meters into the twists and turns of the rainforest. .





.

We’ll cover over 30 km of trails in 3 days on one of the most stunning sites we’ll encounter in Australia (though my mountain-loving DNA might be talking here)... I did (kind of) regret how "developed" the sites were—every path we took was ultra-marked, ultra-bordered, ultra-protected... It’s far from our mountain trails back home, but it does allow everyone to hike safely, and we’re, after all, in a country with "Anglo-Saxon" rules and ultra-busy paths.

.

Return to Sydney through the mountains, with a stop in Bilpin, a picturesque little town on the way to Mount Wilson, where—according to my guide—the best pies (savory and sweet, a country staple) in all of Australia are served! And I agree!



No ambiguity here—the photo is misleading; those are individual portions! 😉

We arrived at 9 PM at a hotel near the airport, and we won’t be staying up late—tomorrow, we’re off to Ayers Rock, with a 3.5-hour flight for another highlight of our trip: Uluru.

Part 2: Uluru and Ayers Rock



Although short (2 nights), our stay at Uluru was memorable in every way.

Climatically first, because that’s where we encountered the most intense heat, with peaks of 45°C in the middle of the day.

Ethnologically, because due to its sacred nature, Uluru is considered the cradle of the Aboriginal world. The site is actually managed by the Aboriginal community—well, on paper at least...

Financially, finally (we’ve got to talk about it!), because at every moment in this site in the middle of nowhere, you’re captive to the local infrastructure, and they know it...

The peak season at Uluru is in winter, from June to August, when temperatures are milder. But I couldn’t imagine discovering Australia without experiencing the red earth. So, I booked in advance on the dedicated site for our two nights plus a series of mandatory activities in this place steeped in history and spirituality. .

For the Anangu Aboriginal people, Uluru is a deeply sacred site, imbued with the stories of the Dreamtime, which tell of the creation of the world and their ancestors. Human history here dates back tens of thousands of years, as evidenced by the numerous rock paintings discovered.

Our three days there were timeless. We arrived around noon, and it wasn’t until late afternoon that the crushing heat gave us a little respite, despite the pool.

Our first activity was artistic: after a magical sunset over the bush sky, we visited the nighttime "Field of Light," a spectacular installation created in 2016 by a British artist (Bruce Munro). It’s made up of 50,000 stems topped with illuminated glass spheres, creating a landscape of soft, undulating lights across the desert. The piece, meant to be temporary, was extended due to its popularity.





After this magical experience for our five senses, we had an early wake-up call since a minibus picked us up at 4 AM to witness the rock at sunrise—another sensory shock that ended with breakfast in the desert.





The day continued at a fast pace, as the ranger assigned to us took us on a tour around the rock with plenty of stops and explanations about the site. We returned to the hotel at 1 PM, and the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing by the pool.











The next morning, we explored on foot by ourselves, had a didgeridoo demonstration and lesson—this iconic instrument of Aboriginal culture—and prepared for our return. Our flight was at 2 PM.

Part 3: December 24–29: Melbourne and Phillip Island

Melbourne

Back to civilization—our Virgin Australia flight VA1682 will drop us off in Melbourne at 6:40 PM. We’ve booked three nights in an apartment-hotel right in the city center.

Melbourne is a shock to the system. While Sydney felt polished, Melbourne—a megacity of over 5 million people (just like Sydney)—is a true ethnic melting pot. You notice it the moment you arrive: Indians, Chinese, Slavs, Greeks, Italians—the streets are a vibrant ode to diversity!

Especially since it’s December 24, and it seems like all of Australia has gathered here for New Year’s Eve. But Aussies don’t celebrate the way we do—no big feast, just admiring the lights along the Yarra River. The atmosphere is electric, almost overwhelming, with massive crowds… until midnight. Then, like someone rang the bell for the end of recess, the whole area empties in half an hour. And we’re swept along with it! .







.

The next two days (and nights) are all about exploring the city, thanks to its free tram system. We check out the stunning botanical garden and countless landmarks—but skip the museums since all public buildings are closed on Christmas Day and the day after. Instead, we wander the streets in search of street art, which Melbourne proudly claims as its specialty. A little shopping too, including the amazing Queen Victoria Market, packed with incredible food finds.











Melbourne is alive, buzzing, and we’re totally in love with it! .

When I see your surfers, no wonder sharks have a healthy appetite! 😛

Wow Bruno! You’re putting together a travel journal Speedy Gonzales style 😄

Yep, they're really there!!

I’d love to photograph the kangaroos :$

And since it looks like I’m the only one reading this travel journal, I’m gonna start a little Street Art series that I love!













More to come live: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10711005;a=10711005

Wow Bruno! You're putting together a travel journal Speedy Gonzales style 😄

Hey, everyone! Hi there! I’ve got one week to sum up a whole month—no more time!

When I see your surfers, no wonder sharks have a good appetite! 😛

I knew that photo would get a reaction … 😉

And since it seems I’m the only one reading this travel journal,

No, but you just posted almost 15 days of road trip in less than half a day... and just a reminder, some of us still have to work 😅

I’m gonna make myself a little street art series—I love that!













I love it too... hey, that’d be a great theme! !

Wow Bruno! You’re giving us a travel journal Speedy Gonzales style 😄

Hey there, world! Hi, you! I’ve got a week to sum up a month—no more time!

No stress! You didn’t say your injury lasted longer than expected ;)

I knew that photo would get a reaction ... 😉

It also reminded me that this nation is one of the (if not *the*) most athletic on the planet. By the way, I wonder if there’s a direct link to how empty the streets get by midnight, just like you noticed.

This travel journal might just be the fastest one I’ve ever written! 😄

While I love the mountain and desert vibes, I think I’ll skip the urban/beach city scene if I ever make it there.

When you say food is expensive, what do you mean exactly? Like 50 € for a dish in a proper restaurant and 25 € for junk food?

And since it seems I’m the only one reading this travel journal,

No, but you just posted almost 15 days of road trip in less than half a day... and just a reminder, some of us still work 😄

Well, I work too—on writing my travel journal!

I think I’ll do a little Street Art series—I love it!

I love it too... hey, that’d be a great theme!

I think the idea’s probably already been done...

What’s interesting about some streets in Melbourne is that the Street Art isn’t static. Some pieces can get covered up, which keeps the art scene dynamic. Though, maybe it’s like that everywhere—I’m no expert 😅

Wow Bruno! You’re putting together a travel journal Speedy Gonzales style! 😄

Hey, world! Hi there! I’ve got a week to sum up a month—no more time!

No stress! You didn’t say your injury lasted longer than expected ;)

I don’t plan on going any further than next Monday, or things are gonna get messy! …

I knew that photo would get a reaction... 😉

It also reminded me that this nation is one of the (if not *the*) most athletic on the planet. By the way, I wonder if there’s a direct link to the empty streets after midnight, like you noticed.

Okay, Joël, I’m gonna have to drop some truths that’ll shatter the myth, but we definitely saw it there:

According to the National Health Survey, a government agency, in 2022: 66% of Australian adults (13 million people) are overweight or obese. 34% overweight and 47% obese. That jumps to 71% for men over 18! Back in 2017, the OECD ranked Australia among the top 10 countries with the highest obesity rates...

And that’s not even factoring in that junk food reigns supreme there. Fruits and veggies are crazy expensive, and Aussies love their food greasy, salty, and sweet (sometimes all three at once...).

Well, you might say, 66% overweight means 34% of hot surfers and surfer girls! 😉

As for the hours, I asked locals multiple times—usually expats who speak French because their English is indescribably untranslatable—why the cities are quiet in the morning and empty at night, and why shops close at 5 PM and restaurants at 9 PM (we’ll come back to that). Their answer: Because Aussies don’t like working, so either they delegate or they close up shop. 😄.

This travel journal might be the fastest one I’ve ever written! 😄

While I really love the mountain and desert vibes, I think I’d skip the urban/beach city scene if I ever go there.

You’re wrong about that—the Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and especially Adelaide (my favorite!) are true reflections of the Australian way of life. From what I’ve seen, they’re pretty pleasant, laid-back, and clean, with a really cool, zen atmosphere. No one honks, people respect traffic lights (but don’t dawdle when crossing, and *definitely* not on the red man!!), and I think it’s a great place to live.

When you say food is expensive, what do you mean exactly? Like 50 € for a dish in a proper restaurant and 25 € for junk food?

We didn’t try any proper restaurants. But even a basic pizzeria—if you add a glass of white wine (and we *love* Australian wine!)—will easily cost over 100 € for two, without dessert. A pasta dish can be 35 or 40 € without batting an eye. Over a month, imagine the budget!

The worst part? They *advertise* it at the entrance of their establishments—during "Christmas Holidays," they add a 15% surcharge to all their prices, justified by "increased workload!"

Honestly, it wasn’t just the prices that got to us—it was the hours too. Sitting down for dinner at 6 PM isn’t my idea of a vacation vibe... So, since we had accommodations with kitchens, we’d stop by Woolworths or Coles (supermarket chains sometimes open until 10 PM) after the evening to grab prepared meals, fruit, salads...

Ugh, I had so much to say but didn’t get the time with Bruno the Rapido 😩. I’ll admit this destination isn’t on my "must-see before I die" list because I’m not a fan of modernity when traveling—but apparently, that works out since I can’t afford it anyway 😅 (I knew it was expensive, but not *that* expensive!). Still, I always enjoy your funny and realistic travel journals, so I’ll be following along! 👀

You're not alone, Bruno... but you're going way too fast!!! Plus, I'm in the Cyclades right now, and I'd rather look at your amazing photos on a computer screen than on a phone. But the photos are tempting, even if, like Christelle, I'm not a huge fan of modernity (when traveling), and it's far (and expensive). Traveling through images (and a pleasant story 😉), is already pretty great! 😎

Ugh, I had so much to say but didn’t get the time with Bruno the Rapido 😩.

Don’t worry, take five minutes and just let it out. ;) Funny, Bruno the Rapido—that’s what they called me during my stay in Marrakech! I love the pace, the movement—it’s not my fault!

I’ll admit this destination isn’t on my “must-see before I die” list because I don’t like modernity when traveling, but apparently, that works out since I can’t afford it anyway 😅 (I knew it was expensive, but not *that* expensive!). Still, I always enjoy your funny and realistic travel journals, so I’ll be following along 👀

We’ll do a little financial recap at the end, but I’ll admit the gap between Laos/Cambodia last winter and Australia is just insane!

You're not alone, Bruno... but you're going way too fast!!! Plus, I'm in the Cyclades right now, and I'd rather look at your amazing photos on a computer screen than on a phone. But the photos are tempting, even if, like Christelle, I'm not a huge fan of modernity (when traveling), and it's also far (and expensive). Traveling through images (and a pleasant story ;)) is already pretty great! 😎

Alright, the Cyclades aren’t bad—apology accepted

Okay, Joël, I’m gonna have to drop some truths here that might shatter the myth, but we definitely noticed this over there:

According to the National Health Survey, a government agency, in 2022: 66% of Australian adults (13 million people) are overweight or obese. 34% overweight and 47% obese. That rises to 71% among men over 18! The OECD ranked Australia among the top 10 countries with the highest obesity rates back in 2017...

And that’s not even counting the fact that junk food reigns supreme there. Fruits and vegetables are ridiculously expensive, and Australians love eating fatty, salty, and sweet foods (sometimes all three at once...).

But hey, you might say, 66% overweight means 34% of hot surfers and surfer girls! 😉

About the schedules—I asked locals multiple times, usually expats who speak French because their English is indescribably untranslatable, why the cities are so quiet in the morning and empty at night, and why shops close at 5 PM and restaurants at 9 PM (we’ll come back to that). Their answer: Because Australians don’t like working, so either they delegate or they just close up shop .

So I’m guessing all the non-obese Australians are super athletic. Just look at their Olympic medal count relative to their population. Obviously, they’re strong swimmers. An African friend told me they run fast because they’re always being chased by lions on savanna paths—same with Australians swimming fast because of sharks. I should’ve figured that out myself ages ago.

Anyway, don’t you have any more photos of beaches or surfer girls?

But honestly, even the smallest pizzeria—if you add a glass of white wine (and we love Australian wine!)—will easily set you back 100 € for two, without dessert... A pasta dish will run you 35 or 40 € without batting an eye.

I declare Australia the most expensive country in the world!

Even the US and Iceland seem almost cheap in comparison...

Phillip Island . We need to pick up a vehicle for the rest of our stay. Again, booked through Booking, another "secret vehicle" for 15 days at 36 €/day. Well, a bit less luck this time—it’s a Honda CX3, a small SUV with quite a few miles on it. I’ll try to swap it, but "Rules are Rules," and honestly, the car will do the job...

Back on the Australian roads, we’re between Christmas and New Year’s, peak holiday rush, and you can really feel it in the traffic...

Heading to Cowes, a small seaside town of 3,000 residents (in winter) and a base just 2 hours from Melbourne for those wanting to visit Phillip Island National Park. Three goals for our 3 days and two nights on this island, mostly wildlife-focused: the Penguins, the Seals, and the Koalas. And that’s already not bad!

The little motel we booked for these two nights will do just fine—the room is spacious, has everything we need for breakfast, and there’s even an outdoor kitchen/barbecue area. We settle in quickly and take advantage of this late afternoon for a walk along the coast, on some well-known lookouts. We spot a colony of wallabies, part of the kangaroo family but smaller. We also come across a few not-so-inviting reptiles, luckily napping, and our first echidna, a short-nosed mammal that looks like a hedgehog. The light is beautiful at this time of day, the animals ignore us, and we enjoy the sound of the waves by the seaside.







.

The penguins are a bit more complicated. In fact, it was a total bust! The best and pretty much only way to see them is at Summerland Bay, on the south of the island, when they come back for the night. But access is paid, highly sought-after, and requires advance booking due to visitor quotas. And of course, I missed that—no tickets, no penguins! No big deal, we spent the evening on the Cowes promenade, where, thanks to high peak season, plenty of food trucks had set up around a local music stage. For the seals, same story: the rock where they lounge is at the end of the penguin beach, so again, paid and limited access! We made the right call coming here after all! .

.

The next day, another highlight of our visit—we head to the Koala Conservation Center, a park entirely dedicated to the animal, with about fifteen specimens. We arrive right at opening and have the place almost to ourselves to admire these magical and adorable creatures. Our first koalas of the trip, not the last, but we got to see these ones up close thanks to the center’s setup. .





A relaxed afternoon, then another evening in the village for a craft and culinary gathering near the Heritage Farm, which prides itself on raising and preserving heritage breeds. .



.

We really enjoyed the island—human-sized (100 km²), it had the tranquility of island life but also a genuine local tourist vibe. During our two evenings, we met and chatted with quite a few locals on vacation, who were just as surprised to run into "Frenchies" on their little patch of land. From what we gathered here and there, the island is a weekend getaway spot for Melbourne residents.

But we have to leave this little paradise the next day, and instead of driving around the island and going back through Melbourne, we take a ferry we booked well in advance, which drops us off in Queenscliff, at the gates of the Great Ocean Road, in just half an hour!

Part 4: December 29 to January 2: Great Ocean Road

"The Great Ocean Road (GOR) is a 243-kilometer coastal route along Australia’s southeast coast. It winds through diverse landscapes, from sheer cliffs and famous surf beaches to lush rainforests and charming coastal towns. Built in memory of World War I soldiers, it offers stunning views of the Southern Ocean, including the iconic Twelve Apostles—impressive limestone rock formations." That’s how my guide pitched this legendary route in southern Australia. And we decided to take its advice, dedicating no less than four nights to it: two in Apollo Bay, a small tourist village at its heart, and two in Port Fairy, at the end of the road. From Queenscliff, where we enjoyed a breakfast break after getting off the ferry, it takes about an hour to reach Torquay, the official start of the GOR, then another two hours to Apollo Bay, where we’d set down our bags. .





But the road is packed with spots to stop and admire—whether it’s a pristine nature reserve, a preserved rainforest, a must-see viewpoint, an incredible waterfall, or a breathtaking cliff... We had to make choices, some of which I’m sharing in photos, and it was nearly 8 PM by the time we arrived at the youth hostel in Apollo Bay—one of the few affordable and available accommodations I’d found. Turns out it was a great pick: clean, friendly, and full of interesting conversations with other travelers—not all young backpackers smoking weed... .





.

Apollo Bay started as a fishing village, with a population of 1,700. During this ultra-touristy period, it’s transformed into a charming seaside town—four streets, two of them pedestrian, a few seafood restaurants, a Coles, a gas station, and a small amusement park by the beach for kids. We spent two pleasant evenings there, soaking up the holiday vibe. Oh, and that’s also where I confirmed I’d made the right call not renting a campervan—the village’s only campground was *overflowing* with vehicles, even having a line of people waiting for a spot (practically on top of each other!). The next day, we explored the area to dive deeper into the sights and the wildlife that calls it home—Shelly Beach, Cape Otway and its lighthouse, the adjacent reserve, Wyelangta, a primary forest with countless hiking trails. Every stop was a surprise, with such varied and unexpected landscapes. .









Well, sometimes you’ve gotta watch out...

Taking the opportunity for a technical aside: how do you spot koalas in the parks when they're in the trees along the roads? Well, it's like an African safari: there's the animal being photographed... and the photographers! .

.

.

In the evening, it's rosé aperitif on the hostel terrace, shared with a few other travelers, followed by a homemade meal cooked in the communal kitchen. I wanted homemade spaghetti bolognese—is that allowed?

And since it seems I’m the only one reading this travel journal

I’ve also been following this travel journal with great interest from the start! I’m hoping to make a trip to Australia in the next few years with some of the same stops, so I’m eagerly waiting for each new post. Thanks for sharing!

You definitely won’t miss those! 😄

Twelve Apostles . The days pass, it's Tuesday, December 31st, and New Year's Eve awaits us in Port Fairy. Before painting the town red in this festive hotspot of 2,600 residents 🤪, we need to cover the 180 kilometers to get there and, most importantly, visit THE must-see site of the Great Ocean Road: the Twelve Apostles, known as "Twelve Apostles" in the original version. There are actually 3 sites to visit within this "Port Campbell National Park." Yes, we encountered our highest concentration of Asians per square meter on the entire trip, and yes, it was packed, but the flow was smooth, and the facilities are scaled accordingly.

Rather than words, I’ll let a series of photos of this magical place speak for themselves in the next post. . To the right of the photo, the promontory set up for visitors.

Exploring the area took us (leisurely) the whole day, and it was around 5 PM when we picked up our keys at the guesthouse in Port Fairy. What we didn’t know was that this peaceful historic coastal village, with its many intact 19th-century buildings and lively fishing port, is famous for its annual folk festival held in March.

What we also didn’t know was that tonight, Port Fairy was celebrating with a street parade, commercial events, food trucks, and two massive fireworks displays—rivals to Sydney’s 😄—one at 9 PM for the kids and another at midnight for the adults. Our guesthouse faced the main street, so we settled on the sidewalk to watch the parade with great interest before enjoying a New Year’s Eve sausage and fries (ketchup and mustard, of course!) and then catching the kids' fireworks. The day’s fatigue meant we couldn’t wait until midnight.

Can you recognize this animal? (Ten points for the correct answer!)





Sydney can eat its heart out... . January 1st was all about taking it easy. The car stayed parked, and we enjoyed the town, its port, and the attached Griffiths Island, where we strolled among birds and were accompanied by plenty of wallabies. .



.

We spent two days living in the heart of rural Australia—deep, white Australia, to be precise. But tomorrow, a long drive awaits us. Current events force us to change our plans, and we’re heading to Adelaide, 600 kilometers to the west. But why Adelaide, you ask?

Are these spaghetti bolognese given an Australian twist with kangaroo meat in the sauce? 😛 (I know they export it to Réunion—it’s where I tried it as a steak. So I guess it’s on the menu there and at the butcher’s?)

The "French" bread and cheese at the world food stand were a letdown...

Can you recognize this animal?

The platypus?

Are these spaghetti bolognese revamped Australian-style with kangaroo meat in the sauce? 😛 ( They export it to Réunion, that's where I tried this meat as a steak. So I guess it's on the menu there and at the butcher's?)

We don’t joke about Bolognese here—nope, 100% beef. Even the Parmesan was Australian 🏴‍☠️ Yeah, you can find kangaroo meat pretty easily, but it was clearly a divorce-level issue if I got too close to it …

The French bread and cheese at the world food stand were pitiful...

What do you think of the Chinese Duck?

This travel journal smells like vacation! 🙂

I totally agree with the hostel concept: cheaper, and great encounters. At first, I thought I’d be surrounded by young people and feel out of place, but honestly, I didn’t see many young travelers!

Can’t wait to read the rest since Adelaide seems to be your favorite city!