Melbourne Travel Diary 2025: Chasing Adventures Down Under (Part 2)

I always wondered why Australia is called “The Land Down Under,” even though New Zealand is  actually geographically farther south. It turns out that the nickname refers to Australia specifically, since it’s the country literally “down under” the equator in the Southern Hemisphere. So there, you got it, or perhaps I'm the only one who got it this late😹

road trip scenery is the absolute best

🚗Day 1: Church service at Belgrave Heights Christian College

We touched down in Melbourne on a Sunday, picked up our car, and drove an hour to Ferny Creek to meet our Aunt Janet, Uncle Robert, Callum, and Mitchell (Broden isn't there yet). From there, we headed straight to our first church service in Australia.😍 It was truly an eye-opener, completely different from churches in Malaysia, even different from Presbyterian churches of the same denomination (my mum was Presbyterian). They sang traditional hymns from hymn books, and the pastor, who was from Korea, came to the pulpit to share a simple message—not even a full sermon. He quoted a Bible verse, explained it, there were more hymns, a prayer, we passed around the offering bag, and that was it. It was simple, yet the congregation was full of reverence. We moved to another room to share a meal. It was a potluck. Even though we were super shy and didn’t speak much, and Tony couldn’t understand half of the English being spoken, we still felt incredibly welcome. We even managed to grab a quick photo. 

Who would have thought that our first church service in Australia wouldn’t be the famous Hillsong, but rather, a small Presbyterian community holding service at a Christian college? They do not have a church building of their own, as the congregation consists of only ten members. They held a meeting that same day to discuss whether they should continue their service or just disband. It was a little sad to hear, especially coming from a Christian country. It felt strange to see churches here struggling to grow. But then I thought about places where Christians are a minority, like in the Middle East, China, or even Malaysia. Christians living as minorities face countless challenges and persecution, mockery or sarcasm, and being misunderstood, yet it’s under these pressures that their faith is refined and strengthened. Churches in these places are booming. It really made me realize that staying in our comfort zone can hold us back, but challenges and adversity push us to grow. God uses the adversities in our lives to prune and shape us.

After the church service, we wandered around nearby areas, simply strolling and taking in the new environment. It was a relaxing first day. We visited the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (free entrance), just a short distance from our house. The garden was massive and overflowing with flowers. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to visit Australia in spring. Crowded, yes, but absolutely worth it. If you're visiting Melbourne, this place is a MUST GO, I repeat, it's a MUST GO! (for more flower pictures, check my ig 😆)

Gum trees

🚗Day 2: Philip Island 

Albino kangaroo (Maru Koala & Animal Park)

This was a smaller park, with fewer close-range interactions with animals apart from the kangaroos. We had originally planned to visit Phillip Island Wildlife Park, but it was closed. Here, we got to watch sheep shearing, see the koalas, and have close interactions with the kangaroos. It was a pity that they did not offer close interactions with the koalas. Unfortunately, this was also where we lost 100 AUD due to carelessness. The counter staff had calculated our payment incorrectly, and we didn’t think to check it at the time. We only realized on the way back that we had overpaid. 😱Throughout the trip, we encountered the same problem over and over, where counter staff would accidentally overcharge us, even with the help of their machines. After the first few times, we learned to calculate the totals on our phones while they scanned our items using the machine. There was even one time Tony had to explain the actual amount to the staff, step by step, after a discount, by using his limited English. It was kinda hilarious. Even the boss of the shop came out and calculated together with us. Honestly, by the end of the trip, it gave us the impression that Aussies aren’t really good at maths. 😅

Driving through Phillip Island, the scenery was stunning. 

The black dots in the fields turned out to be cows scattered across the landscape.

Battling the wind to stop our plates from flying off!

We had lunch in the car at some random car park. Our dear mothers had prepared spaghetti early in the morning, and we mixed it with canned tuna. Trying to eat and prepare lunch at the boot of the car while battling winds strong enough to send our plates flying was a first for us! At one point, the wind even managed to slam our car door into the car parked next to us. You really had to hold the door tightly while opening it—or else… bang! Then another car pulled up beside us, and as the owner opened his door, it accidentally banged against our car too. Suddenly, it felt like everyone’s cars were hitting each other. And yet, all they did was wave a hand, say a casual “sorry” and walked off—like it was completely normal for car doors to get banged in Melbourne, and that it was okay. This wouldn't have happened in Malaysia, right?😅

Boardwalk (the Nobbies)

Turquoise water (the Nobbies)

At The Nobbies, the raw beauty of nature just takes your breath away. Jagged cliffs rise above the foaming sea. Waves dance and crash against the rocks, and the salty, strong breeze brushes your face, not gently, but violently. The wind was so strong that I literally felt like I could be blown away. We had to hold hands and walk together, also holding on to the boardwalk for dear life. 

People often say that “the universe is spectacular,” and there’s a recent trend where people quote things like, “Do your best and the universe will bend for you.” But I’ve always found that saying a bit contradictory. The universe—and everything in it—isn’t a conscious force that grants favours; it is itself a creation. This spectacular universe, with its mountains, seas, and every living creature, was created by a spectacular God. So I don’t think the universe should get the credit. The credit belongs to the Creator. And when people consistently give all the credit to the universe instead of God, aren’t we, in a way, drifting back toward a form of animism?

Romans 1:20

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

🚗Day 3: Melbourne City

the car park at the train station

We had to reach Upper Ferntree Gully train station before 7 a.m. from our home (Ferny Creek), a 20 minute's drive, to secure a parking spot, otherwise, there would be none available. I love the free on-site parking everywhere we travelled. But not in the CBD, of course. We knew it would be hard to navigate there with the high parking rates, so we took the train instead. We used our Myki card to ride the train, but our cousins later told us we could download it from Google Wallet, making it more convenient and allowing us to top up directly from there, without needing to purchase physical cards. 

Just Simon posing in front of the famous Flinders Street Station 🚂

Just Tony 😚

Fresh flowers, every day, everywhere. Melbourne knows how to bloom 🌷

The work by Yayoi Kusama, known as Dancing Pumpkin (2020)

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Victoria State Library- where history, knowledge and architecture meet.

Amid the bustle of wandering tourists and the flash of cameras, a calm persisted. Though tourists wandered the corridors and huddled along the walkways, people still read quietly, as if the library itself demanded reverence. It was a shared devotion. A culture lived and honoured by all who crossed the library’s doors.

🚗Day 4: Tesselaar Tulip Festival, Pigs & Whistle, City Lights

A tapestry of colour

Tulips...lots and lots of them. Vibrant red, pristine white, sunny yellow and soft pink, all nodding their heads gently under the spring sun, as if saying hello, hello and hello. All of us felt truly grateful for having the chance to visit a tulip festival. Since all of us are government teachers (except my youngest sister), it’s perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (while we’re working), because ever since the school term started in March, we only had long school holidays in September. Now that KPM has rescheduled our school term to start in January again, I guess there will be fewer chances for us to experience spring in Australia.

Tulips and love in full bloom 😆

We didn’t know him, but he just decided to join the picture, haha.

Moments like this really show how sporting non-Asians can be. Friendly, spontaneous, and confident. For many of us Asians, we tend to be more reserved or polite about personal space or about sharing our opinions. Sometimes being outspoken can be seen as “rude” or “inconsiderate” in Chinese culture. Back home, people usually wait to be invited or worry about being seen as intrusive. But there, that easygoing, carefree attitude is simply part of the culture. It’s moments like these that remind us how beautifully different cultures can be. One more reserved, one more spontaneous, and how these contrasts make travel all the more meaningful.

We had dinner at Pigs & Whistle. 

Our first meal out, and we’re so grateful—thank you, Mitchell, for treating us! 🥰

Just a random corner of the restaurant. I love its antique design. 

The mix of green and brown gives the whole space a warm, vintage, antique vibe.

Traditional Chicken Parmigana, layered with napolitana sauce $32.90

Irish Parma, lathered with curry sauce (this is the best) $32.90

Butterhead (?)  Fish and Chips
Fish and chips in Melbourne are unbelievably good

This is both Tony’s and my hand, just to show how big the portion is. The two of us shared only one plate, and even though Tony can usually eat a mountain of rice, we still couldn’t really finish it.

The salads at Pigs and Whistle are truly something else. It was my first time tasting such an amazing salad, and I’m not even exaggerating. We even wanted to ask the chef for the recipe so we could make it back home in Malaysia, but unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance. Back in Malaysia, our salads are usually simpler, often just cucumber, lettuce, or tomato.  The Australian versions feel more abundant, with a wide variety of greens, and seem much healthier compared to the Malaysian ones. The dressing was INCREDIBLE as well!!!

All of us😽

City lights

After dinner, we hiked up a hill together to watch the city lights from atop. It was pitch black on the way up, but that didn’t stop many others from hiking as well. I truly love that the country feels safe enough for people to go hiking at night. People here choose to spend time outdoors, like walking, hiking, playing with their dogs, enjoying the fresh air, the scenery, and each other’s company. No phones, no spending money, no distractions. It's just life as it should be.

Watching this made me reflect on back home. It’s not that Asians can’t enjoy this lifestyle, but our environment and culture make it less common. The heat and humidity, crowded cities, and endless malls mean we often spend afternoons inside, scrolling on our phones or drifting through shopping malls, with a quiet emptiness inside. Safety concerns and rushed schedules also make spontaneous outdoor activities unusual. I guess Australians tend to have a more laid-back lifestyle. They do not work until late, and being a workaholic isn’t admired. They value balance, prioritizing time outdoors, with family and friends, and simply enjoying life. Watching them reminded me how, in pursuing work and productivity, many Asians have strayed from the real meaning of life. It’s a lesson in reclaiming the simple joys of life. What truly makes life fulfilling?

Day 5: Relaxing Day

Op Shop, my favourite shop 😍😂

We spent the day wandering around everywhere near our stay, with no rush and no schedule, but somehow ended up rushing from shop to shop and market to market for shopping. It was a torturous day for the guys.😂 We also went from op shop to op shop. An op shop is a charity thrift store where second-hand goods such as clothes, books, homewares, furniture, and sometimes electronics are sold at low prices. The proceeds usually go to charities or community organizations such as the Salvation Army or Red Cross. Even though the items were second-hand, everything looked practically new, which made our shopping experience so so satisfying. I never thought I would go on a shopping spree in Melbourne, but with the low prices and the amazingly good quality of the clothing and winter wear, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I ended up purchasing a few knitted jumpsuits and a winter jacket, each priced around $3–9, which is still EXTREMELY cheap when converted to MYR. 

Groceries in Melbourne were also surprisingly cheap. If you don’t convert but spend dollar for dollar, it’s amazing how affordable everything feels. Milk, strawberries, raspberries, avocados and chocolate are also incredibly cheap compared to prices in Malaysia. Between op shops and supermarkets, all of a sudden Melbourne felt like a shopper’s paradise!

Tim Tam, famous choc in Australia. My favourite is the mint flavour!

Chemist Warehouse 

(photo taken from the internet cuz we went crazy here and forgot to take a picture)

Chemist Warehouse is a hugely popular chain of discount pharmacies in Australia where you can find a wide range of affordable items. They stock everything from prescription medicines and over-the-counter remedies like painkillers, to vitamins and supplements, even health and beauty products like skincare and cosmetics. It really is a one-stop shop for everyday essentials. We compared prices with Malaysia, and ended up stocking up on some of our favourites: Lucas’ Papaw Ointment (perfect for dry lips, dry skin, insect bites, usually used for travels in winter countries),  pure goat soap and pure goat lotion in different variants like Manuka honey, lavender, lemon myrtle, and coconut oil. They also carry big brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Cetaphil, Swisse, and more, but the prices were almost the same as in Malaysia, so we decided not to buy them.

Goat lotion (lemon myrtle). 

Truly regretted just buying 1 😣 gonna stock up on a few the next round I come back.

Sandown Greyhound Racing

At night, Uncle Robert took us to watch a show at Sandown Greyhound Racing Club. Entry is free, and it was a first-time experience for all of us. Watching the greyhounds sprint across the Sandown track is absolutely exhilarating. The greyhounds bolt out of the starting boxes with incredible speed, chasing a mechanical “hare” that races ahead of them. It’s a blur of energy, and the crowd cheers wildly as everyone places their bets on their favourite greyhounds.

Day 6: Great Ocean Road 

It’s a four-hour drive from our home to GOR. We made the trip back on the same day, making sure to leave before 5 pm for safety reasons, since the roads are very winding and there are no streetlights along the way. I suggest putting a night at Port Campbell for a more thorough and relaxing GOR trip. 

Coastal road

A good sense of art is needed to enjoy this masterpiece (taken by me✌)

Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Ard Gorge was named after a famous shipwreck that took place in 1878. The Loch Ard ship crashed into Mutton Bird Island and killed all passengers on the boat besides two people. This stretch of coast is renowned for multiple shipwrecks, where boats have washed up on the shores over the centuries due to the rough waves.

The twelve apostles (this green knitted sweater from op shop is just $6😆)

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars… 

what is mankind that you are mindful of them?” Psalm 8:3–4

Cutie mummy 

The Razorback

For dinner, we had barbecue chicken from Coles with some home-made mashed potatoes😋

 

Day 6 was mostly spent packing and cleaning the house and the car in preparation for our trip back home to Malaysia. We still managed to squeeze in a morning walk at Alfred Nicholas Gardens. It’s a tourist spot highly recommended on XHS, but personally, I think the Dandenong Botanic Ranges is much better. Anyway, the highlight of the day was enjoying yummylicious pies at "Pies in the Sky." We ordered Beef Burgundy pie ($8.20),  Beef & Mushroom pie ($ 8.50) and Curry Beef pie ($8.20). The curry beef pie is by far the best! Typing this now makes me salivate, I can still recall the taste in my mouth 😋 And I miss the pie so, so much 😭

Alfred Nicholas Garden

Just the ladies

Pie in the Sky

Apple Strudel (I love this, but both my sis insisted that the ones back in KL tastes better)

Surprisingly, the cost of living in Melbourne — from renting or owning a house to eating out — felt quite similar to Malaysia for day-to-day life (I’m comparing it to my life in JB; other parts of Malaysia may be cheaper, as JB is known to be one of the most expensive cities in the country). Groceries, casual meals, and even local transport didn’t feel too different from what I’m used to back home. Of course, certain things like city-center housing or fancy restaurants can be pricier, but overall, living in Melbourne wasn’t as expensive as I had expected. The major differences, however, are the currency and some utility costs. The Australian dollar is definitely stronger, and bills like water and electricity tend to be higher than in Malaysia. That's why I kept saying I feel like migrating 😀(refer to part 1 of my Melbourne Travel Diary) 

So that's the end of our trip! Thank you, Melbourne, for the wonderful memories. You've been unforgettable. 😘

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FAQ:

1. Where's your dad?
   
   He decided to stay home in the end because he had too many doubts about travelling without a tour group, and he couldn’t bear to leave his dogs behind.
   
   
2. Why only 7 days?
   
   We could have taken a longer holiday if we travelled in December, as the school holidays are longer then. But December is summer in Australia, so we chose September instead to enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
   
   
3.  Which is better, Perth or Melbourne?
   
   According to the only person in our family who’s been to both (my mum), it’s Melbourne. If you're financially tight, just save your money and skip Perth. Perth, as a tourist spot, is a bit overhyped. But if you can afford it, do both lor hahaha!
   
   
4. Is it easy to drive in Melbourne?
   
   "If you can drive in Malaysia, you can drive anywehere in the world (third world countries excluded)"
   - Tony, 2025 
   According to friends and relatives, driving in the CBD can be extremely tricky, so we avoided it and took the train instead. For other destinations, we drove ourselves. On the road, traffic was light, and strict speed limits kept everyone driving safely. The speed limits change every few kilometres, with neon lights flashing to remind you. Our rental car even had sensors that beeped if the speed limit changed, if the driver yawned, or if someone in the backseat unbuckled their seatbelt. Tailgating is a serious offence in Australia, seatbelts are compulsory, and using a phone while driving can get you fined (even checking Google Maps is not allowed). Cameras are installed at almost every traffic light.