Department of Chinese Language & Literature
I would like to introduce five of the most impressive places that I visited throughout my trip to Sydney, Australia with my family.
Gap Park was the first destination of my trip that made me realize I was truly in Australia. Despite the thick fog obscuring the horizon that day, the cliffs and the crashing waves below were breathtaking. The scenery with cliffs, plants reminiscent of fantasy movies, and a charming village along the road was unforgettable. If I lived in Australia, it would indeed be a place I would want to visit every day.
Located in the beautiful Port Stephens, a two and a half hour drive north of Sydney, Oakvale Wildlife Park is a sanctuary for Australian native animals such as koalas, kangaroos, and wombats. Unlike other zoos where observation is from a distance, Oakvale Wildlife Park allows direct interaction with the animals.You can enter the koala enclosure for about 10 minutes, take photos up close, and even gently touch their backs. There is also an opportunity to feed kangaroos.
You can enjoy both a swimming pool and the sea simultaneously in Bondi beach. You may surf in the ocean and swim at the famous beachside pool called Icebergs. Occasionally, when the waves are high, seawater enters the pool, creating a spectacular sight. I observed many Korean honeymoon couples taking photos and enjoying themselves by the pool. While I swam alone as my family was not fond of swimming, it was still enjoyable. The only downside was that the seawater in the pool was too salty and stung the eyes. If swimming is one of the activities you have in mind, do not forget to bring goggles.
Though I planned to only visit it once, I ended up going to Paddy’s Market twice because it was so enjoyable. It is a market selling Australian souvenirs, including keychains, beauty products and phone accessories. I initially intended to buy only a set of koala dolls, but they were so cute that I also purchased a set of kangaroo dolls. The sets of dolls are AU$5 each here, but in other markets or duty-free shops, the price can be tripled. So if you plan to buy souvenir dolls, be sure to purchase them at Paddy’s Market. Also, the market is in Chinatown, with many Korean restaurants nearby, and street performances often happen during Chinese festivals, so be sure to check them out.
Rocks Market is a weekend-only market with beautiful handmade crafts and delicious food. Enjoying pizza and beer from the market while feeling the cool breeze and watching the Opera House was truly delightful. Despite the frequent fog throughout the trip, the last day at Rocks Market was so sunny that any lingering disappointments faded away.
However, as I conclude this article, I want to emphasize something other than great travel destinations. Even though my trip to Australia lasted only five days, it served as a significant opportunity for me to reflect on my past life. I have lived in Korea with little leisure, clearing dinner like homework and being overly obsessed with social media.
Yet, throughout my trip to Australia, I found myself sitting with family, enjoying a leisurely and delightful meal. On sunny days, I could lay on the grass in the park, feeling the breeze, reading a book, and realizing the reason for my occasional suffocation in my life in Korea - the lack of leisure.
It is true that as a short-term traveler, I do not fully understand the country. However, I got to learn how crucial a good rest is for one’s self. I wanted to share this insight with those reading this article. Everyone, have a wonderful trip to amazing Australia.