Contrasting costs over 14 years
Flying low‑cost Jetstar from Bangkok to Melbourne sounded harmless enough… until they confiscated our water at the gate and then charged $3 for a tiny bottle on board. Nine hours later, I’m convinced some form of human rights violation occurred at 35,000 feet.
It had been fourteen years since I last visited Australia’s east coast, so I was excited to see what had changed. Answer: the prices. Back in 2000, I was getting AUD $3 to £1. Now it’s about AUD $1.80 to £1, which means it’s now the Aussies travelling like kings. A beer that once cost £3 is now £6. Progress, apparently.
The second thing that hit me was how ridiculously friendly Aussies are. Shop assistants, bus inspectors, random strangers — everyone is upbeat, helpful, and chilled. Must be the weather.
Melbourne: Four Seasons in One Hour
We first stayed with a mate, his wife, and their two kids — aquarium trips, zoo visits, and a crash course in what life with children looks like. We weren’t put off… though we did get to hand them back at the end of the day, which probably helped.
Next, we stayed with another friend right in the city centre, overlooking the river and skyscrapers. And then Melbourne reminded us of its famous slogan: “Four seasons in one day.” We experienced rain, hail, freezing wind, and 25‑degree sunshine — all before lunch. Our jackets went on, off, on, off… like we were doing some sort of dance. And this was late spring.
Sydney: Iconic, Expensive, and Full of Teenagers
Sydney is one of the world’s great cities — the harbour, the bridge, the Opera House. The first time you see it, your stomach does a little flip, and you realise it’s one of those moments that ‘I’ve arrived’.
Accommodation, however, is extortionate. We reluctantly booked a hostel for the first night before moving to an Airbnb. It reminded us why we don’t stay in hostels anymore:
- They messed up our booking
- The walls were thin enough to hear the 18‑year‑olds next door getting hammered
- We got invited to a pub for free drinks and a wet T‑shirt competition
Feeling old and tired, we declined. A decade ago, we’d have been first in line.
Bondi Beach was next — one of the world’s most famous beaches, up there with Waikiki, Copacabana, and… Pakefield in Lowestoft (obviously). In peak season, up to 10,000 people pack onto its golden sands. We spent a day soaking up the laid‑back vibe and pretending we were locals.
I’m a sucker for a good view, so we headed up the Sydney Tower Eye at sunset. At 304 metres, it gives you a 360‑degree panorama of the city — the perfect final sunset before moving on.
A Short but Sweet Aussie Return
It was a brief stop in Australia, but a great one — catching up with mates, revisiting old haunts from fourteen years ago (which somehow feels like yesterday), and soaking up the Aussie friendliness.
Next stop: the end of the road… our new home — New Zealand.
