Live to Experience ♥: Australia : Sydney

Travel Period:

8D8N

4.5 days in Sydney
3.5 days in Melbourne

Travel Mode, Time & Cost:

KL - AUS

-Flight: Air Asia X

-Time: 8 hours 10 mins

-Cost: RM 1K return if you book in advance

Sydney (You can get an Opal card for free)

- AUD 2.50 for unlimited rides on train, light rail, ferries and bus (Sunday only)

- Capped at AUD 15/day

SYD City - SYD Airport
-Train: Central - Airport
-Time: 15 mins
-Cost: AUD 16

SYD - MEL

-Flight : Tiger Air

-Time: 1 hour (although their boarding pass always states 1.5 hours, its always approximately 1 hour)

-Cost: AUD 60

Remarks: Be prepare to get your flight reschedule and ALWAYS check your booking email for rescheduled time.

MEL Airport - MEL City - MEL Airport
-Skybus: Airport - Southern Cross Station - Airport
-Time: 30 - 45 mins
-Cost: AUD 19/way
Remarks: Tickets can be purchase at airport upon exit or at Southern Cross station. Make sure you purchase your tickets in advance (valid for 6 months) if you are travelling at odd hours.

Melbourne (You can get a Myki card for AUD 6)

-Free tram zones available

-Capped at AUD 7.90/day

Accommodation:

Sydney

Eastwood (No expenses incurred as it is my friend's place)

Melbourne

Milano Suite, Franklin St (No expenses incurred as it is my friend's place). However, Milano Suite does serve as hotel at an approximately AUD 150/night). You will find an ALDI supermarket (equivalent to AEON Big) beside where you are staying.

Visa:

For Malaysians, all you need is to apply an ETA online for AUD 20.

You can apply your visa (valid for a year, 3 months per entry) here: https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAS3/etas

General Remarks:

-Food portion in Australia is relatively large compared to Asian countries as you would have expect.

-Meals are always cheaper if you buy raw materials and cook by yourself as minimum wage in Australia is high. You can expect an average of AUD 10/meal for eating out(and that is for ordinary, not-so-fancy meals).

-Check online for Coles and Woolworths 50% deals weekly. Huge difference even for chocolates.

Total Expenses:

AUD 1000 (including shopping)

Sydney: Day 1

My flight touches down in Sydney Airport at 8.20 PM. Don't worry, free WiFi available to 'report' back home (if necessary).

You can grab a train to the city (AUD 16) one way but I was fortunate enough to have my cousin picked me up from the express pick up zone.

My first dinner at Australia was hilariously, Asian food but it was good. You can view their menu here: https://www.zomato.com/sydney/its-time-for-thai-kingsford/menu#tabtop

We ordered the following:

- Pad Thai with Tamarind sauce

- Tomyam Fried Rice

- Red Curry Duck with Rice

All recommended. Their dishes are very appetising especially for hungry souls.

Sydney: Day 2

I started my daily routine at 8am.

Sydney Fish Market

Transport: Train to Central, Light Rail to Fish Market
Remarks: Seafood, raw or ready-to-eat.

If you would like to cook, you can buy fresh seafood here and cook it back home. It's also relatively cheaper.

But as tourists, try everything and care less about your hard-earned money cause the cheesy scallops are SO GOOD.

Sashimi (get them to cut thicker slices for you), fresh prawns and cheesy scallops (3 for AUD 10) are must try!

Don't bother trying the chewy, cold eel though.

Paddy's Market & Chinatown

Transport: Light Rail to Paddy Market

Remarks: Here is where you would like to grab your cheap souvenirs and fruits. Paddy Market consists of dry flea market(clothes, souvenirs, etc) and wet(still dry & clean) market (fruits & vegetables). At 2nd floor, you will find a mini outlet floor with Cotton On Body and various other local/foreign floors if you are not looking to visit Sydney's DFO. I was told Melbourne's DFO at South Wharf is the better option (rightfully). Moving to Chinatown, you will be able to find the famous nougats for AUD 28/kg. Also recommended is the Abalone Macadamia I bought in Melbourne's Chinatown merely by passing by for AUD 20.

Paddy's Market (Image credit to Google Images)

(Image credit to Google Images)

Queen Victoria Building

Transport: Walk from Paddy's Market and you'll pass by various significant architectures such as the Town Hall building.

Remarks: The classier version of Sydney. Find Zumbo (Famous for its macarons) and HAIG chocolate here. You can find Woolworths supermarket opposite QVB.

QVB.

For the sweet-tooths. I tried the nutella one and it's actually quite good. #notTHAToverrated

St Mary Cathedral

Transport: Train to Kingston / Walk from city

Remarks: I did not visit the cathedral, it's merely a pass-by.

Introducing my bff of 11 years. (:

Sydney Botanical Garden
Transport: Walk from city

Remarks: If you've never had the opportunity to just chill by a piece of lustrous green land while munching away fresh cherries, just drop by here for a break from all the walks. (Bought from Paddy's Market at AUD 20/kg)

Bondi Beach
Transport:Bus to Bondi. (Route 88 or any other bus that states Bondi. You can grab the bus from St Mary Cathedral)
Remarks: The beach is just ordinary but another highlight of Bondi is the less-packed Hurricanes!

Bondi Beach with my gor.

A music festival was held when I was there.

Hurricanes, Bondi
Transport:Walk from Bondi Beach
Remarks: We had one full rack of ribs and scallops as appetizer. The ribs is to scream for! So good you have to try. It costs AUD 52/rack. It is also available in half rack if you are in a small group but it's so good that 3 of us finished one full rack.

Photo credit to Google Images. (I didn't save mine from Instagram Story. Tragic.)

Darling Harbour
Transport: Train to Town Hall and walk.
Remarks: Just merely for the night walk. Lots of classy restaurants and pubs here.

Oliver Brown, World Square
Transport: Walk from Darling Harbour.

Remarks: As compared to Lindt Cafe, I was recommended to this by my brother which did not disappoint in terms of hot chocolate. The brownies wasn't as great compared to the brownies I had in New Zealand. You can search up for my New Zealand post(s) if you are visiting the neighbouring country. You can also find Coles supermarket at World Square.

Coconut Dark Chocolate - A tinge of coconut with your chocolate. Good blend, I must say. Photo credit to Google Images.

Sydney: Day 3

Newtown
Transport: Train to Newtown

Remarks: Hipster town where you find brunch places and the infamous Blackstar cafe.

Brunch at Newton's Cuckoo Callay which is located just right outside Newtown station.

Highly recommended is the Bacon Mac Daddy.

Blackstar's Watermelon Cake - Well, it's not a bad cake. Personally, it's just overrated.

Blue Moutain
Transport: Train to Katoomba, Bus 686 to Lookout Point for Three Sisters

Remarks: This is where you go to witness the yet again, overrated Three Sisters rock. It was a good walk but it's not worthy of the 2 hours train ride ONE WAY if you are only visiting Sydney for a bit.

Pancake on The Rocks
Transport: Train to Wynyard

Remarks: I love the pancakes so much that I bought its pancake mix home. Just another recommendation if you are around The Rocks to try this scones place my friend recommended called The Tea Cosy. I didn't have the chance to try as I missed the operation hours then.

Sweet vs Savoury.

Filled tummy is happy to walk to Sydney Opera House and witness the Harbour Bridge.

Sydney: Day 4

La Renaissance, The Rocks

Transport: Train to Wynyard

Remarks: This patisserie/dessert place is not to be missed if you are ever at The Rocks.

Only the best pastries and desserts (not for coffee though)

Taronga Zoo
Transport: Train to Wynyard, Ferry to Taronga Zoo

Remarks: Ferry is not inclusive in your tickets and it is by Opal unless you take a tour package. Upon arrival, cable car is already inclusive in your zoo tickets. Do try your luck in using your international student card to be entitled for the concession fare.

I went there on a weekday and sadly, it is disappointing. Limited shows available. The only show I manage to catch was the sea lion show which was good. No touching and closer experience with koalas (It's a pay only service). The wallabies and kangaroos at the free range area were not only just far from the pathway, they are also weak and dirty. The only luck with getting close with the animals are the meerkats (still, no touching)

Aqua S, Regent Place
Transport: Walk from city

Remarks: NOT RECOMMENDED. I didn't even finish mine. Trust me, there are way better gelato / ice creams around.

Caffe Tiamo, Pitt Street
Transport: Walk from city

Remarks: Their various flavours of latte are really interesting and surprisingly, good. Do try their soy black sesame latte for a mild and less sweet flavour.

Quarrymans Hotel, Harris Street

Transport: Train to Town Hall and walk

Remarks: For an outdoor bar & rather reasonable price food. Check them out here: http://www.quarrymanshotel.com.au/

Melbourne: Day 1

Thanks to Tiger Air, I remained stuck at Sydney Airport for the first half of the day. I also had less time in Melbourne which is sad.

Papa Gino, Lygon St

Transport: Tram to Lygon St
Remarks: Everything Italian! (Pizza and pasta)

Pidapipo Gelateria, Lygon St
Transport: Tram to Lygon St
Remarks: This gelato is so good that I would go back for it anytime!

Pistachio and Chocolate. Also recommended by my friend is Hazelnut.

Max Brenner, Queen Victoria

Transport: Tram to Melbourne Central

Remarks: I ordered Suckao where you can make your own, thick hot chocolate! It's so darn good with choices of dark, milk or white chocolate.

Curtin House, Rooftop Bar

Transport: Tram to Melbourne Central

Remarks: Walk up the flight of stairs to 7 floor and enjoy your drink in a pleasant environment. Great for gatherings or simply for chilling.

Melbourne: Day 2

Great Ocean Road (Tour)

Transport: Go West tour for AUD 130/pax including morning tea and lunch

Remarks: While the lunch prepared was terrible, I must say this tour was worthy of the whole day. The whole journey only keeps getting better and it was amazing at the final & my personal favourite stop, Loch Ard Gorge. (Yes, 12 Apostles lost!) You may be able to get cheaper tours but according to my friend, other tours do not stop as much hence, if you are only here once, make the experience counts.

I was the first one on board hence, I get to pick the seat. Always pick the seats on the left for the best view(if you can).

Koala and native birds pit-stop. (We did see wild koalas but they are high up on the tree)

12 Apostles.

Loch Ard Gorge.

Loch Ard Gorge - Divided to several walkways. Explore.

Gami Chicken

Transport: Delivery to Milano Suite for AUD 5

Remarks: Dinner was hot and ready. The crisp of the chicken is so good. I ordered with garlic sauce but my friend recommended sweet chili as well. Pick your favourite!

Melbourne: Day 3 - As always, my finale is more often than not,food and shop till you drop! (cause you got everything else covered by then)

Hardware Societe, 120 Hardware St

Transport: Tram to Queen St/ La Trobe Street

Remarks: We were there as early as 8.30am and there was already a queue. Fortunately, it was just 2 of us and we got served almost immediately. (Lucky!) Even if you have to queue, you'll have to come because this place has such good food and finally, A GOOD MOCHA.

Their infamous baked eggs.

Pork belly was legit.

Espresso in one, hot choc in another. Blend so well. The best Mocha I had in Aussie.

Queen Victoria Market

Transport: Tram to Melbourne Central

Remarks: Recommended is the american doughnuts which I don't fancy cause I'm never a fan of jam.

Chemist Warehouse

Transport: Anywhere convenient for you

Remarks: Always, and I mean, ALWAYS check the stuffs you want from this place first (before proceeding to Priceline) as their price is always wayyyy lower. Stuffs they sell are pretty much what you would expect from Watsons or Guardians in Malaysia. Supplements and perfumes are really cheap here. Cosmetics though, are limited as compared to Priceline. I bought a set of Sukin products here (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, facial cleanser and make-up remover) for less than AUD 50.

Sephora, Melbourne Central

Transport: Tram to Melbourne Central

Remarks: Certain Sephora products are relatively cheaper as compared to Malaysia. Apparently, there is a long queue here so do come early. I bought a Christmas pack of Sephora nail polish (which is really good as expected) for AUD 31. That's a great buy!

Brighton Beach

Transport: Train to Brighton Beach from Flinders Street Railway Station

Remarks: The tourist spot you wouldn't want to miss. It's nothing spectacular, just a row of colourful houses by the not-so-magnificent beach. (Just being a tourist)