Taking My Dad to Australia: A Father-Daughter Adventure in the Sky and Sea

Meta Description: Planning a father-daughter trip to Australia? From visa tips and flight mistakes to Sydney's Opera House and Fish Market, learn how to avoid common pitfalls and create unforgettable memories Down Under.

Introduction

As a typical science student, writing has never been my strong suit. In years past, I couldn't even be bothered to write travelogues—I figured a few photos would suffice. But as you get older, especially after losing my mom, I've come to realize more and more: happy moments need to be captured in words and images. Otherwise, when we're old, what will we have to look back on?

When my mom was still with us, I planned to take both her and my dad to Australia. Sadly, the trip ended up being just my dad and me. On the day we left, Shenyang was hit with heavy snow. Standing at the airport, I felt a swirl of emotions. But I knew my mom would want us to go on without her.

This father-daughter Australia travel guide shares everything we learned—from visa applications and flight booking mistakes to navigating Sydney on a budget. If you're planning a trip to Australia with elderly parents, keep reading for honest advice and practical tips.

Pre-Departure Pitfalls: Visas, Plane Tickets, and Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup

How to Apply for an Australian Visa Yourself (Save Money and Stress)

I applied for the visa directly on the Australian immigration website. A lot of people ask if it's easy to get approved—there's really no standard answer. Everyone's situation is different. Both my dad and I got approved on the first try.

My advice: Applying on your own is more reliable than going through a travel agency, and it saves you a good chunk of money.

[Link: Australian visa application tips for Chinese travelers]

The Lesson on Plane Tickets: Don't Just Look at the Price

I bought discounted round-trip tickets on China Eastern from Shenyang to Sydney—under 3,000 RMB including tax, which was a great deal. But here's the problem: they were round-trip tickets, not an open-jaw itinerary.

Later I realized I should have bought an "enter in Sydney, exit in Melbourne" open-jaw ticket. It would have been a bit more expensive, but it would have saved us a domestic flight. I got carried away by the price and made the decision on impulse.

Hard lesson learned: If you're visiting multiple cities, always buy an open-jaw ticket!

[Link: Best flight booking strategies for multi-city Australia trips]

Almost Missed the Flight, and Got Done in by Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup

On departure day, Shenyang was hit by a blizzard. We barely made it to the plane on time. Luckily, the flight was also delayed—so we kind of "helped each other out." I had originally planned to meet a friend in downtown Nanjing during the layover, but it turned out our luggage couldn't be checked through to Sydney—we had to pick it up and recheck it. Combined with the flight delay, those plans went straight out the window.

At Nanjing Airport, my dad and I ordered a bowl of "回味" duck blood vermicelli soup (a famous local chain). It was terrible—really, truly awful. Compared to the version my friend used to take me to eat, it wasn't even in the same league. To make matters worse, the airline handed out meal vouchers due to the delay, and the food looked pretty decent—but I had just downed a bowl of "disaster-level" soup and couldn't eat a bite. At that moment, I wanted to cry.

First Arrival in Sydney: SIM Cards, Uber, and Getting Lost

Buy Your SIM Card at the Airport—No Exceptions

After an overnight flight, we finally landed in the Southern Hemisphere. First thing off the plane: get a SIM card. This is crucial: buy your SIM card at the airport!

I got an Optus card, thinking I could just hotspot my dad. Later, when we were in the city and found it inconvenient to share, I tried to buy another one—same card, double the price. The Optus signal was solid throughout the trip, including on the Great Ocean Road. There was only one short stretch with no signal, but since the drive was mostly along a single road, it wasn't a big deal.

[Link: Best SIM cards for tourists in Australia]

An Uber Driver Became My "Lifesaver"

After sorting out the SIM card, I called an Uber and headed straight to our first stop. We booked Airbnb-style apartments for the entire trip. The key to the first place was a nightmare to find—the host was at work and had left it at a café two streets away. I had just gotten off the plane and hadn't used my English listening skills in nearly a decade. Face-to-face, slow conversation was fine. But trying to understand a string of street names over the phone? I felt like all those years of studying English had been a complete waste.

Thankfully, the Uber driver was incredibly helpful. He helped me find the café, then drove us back to find the apartment. He deserves a big shout-out! (The Black guy on the right in the photo is him.) My dad was actually standing in front of our apartment when I took that picture—but the building number was hidden around the back. None of the three of us noticed it, and we walked up and down the street several times before finding it.

Sydney transportation costs: An Uber ride of less than 8 kilometers cost us nearly 60 Australian dollars. My heart was bleeding.

First Impressions of Sydney: The Opera House, Fish Market, and 20,000 Steps

First Stop: Sydney Opera House

We dropped off our luggage, took a quick shower, grabbed a bite, and headed straight for the Opera House. We were staying near Darling Harbour, so it wasn't far to walk. When we got there, I asked my best friend to take a photo of me—but my dad secretly snapped a picture of me taking a selfie. I'll share a few handsome shots of my dad—he totally stole the spotlight. When I posted them on social media, everyone complimented him and completely ignored me.

Thirsty, I bought a big bottle of water and a chocolate-coated ice cream bar—12.5 Australian dollars. My dad asked how much it cost, and I said, "About 10 RMB." Smart move on my part—otherwise, he would have refused to drink the water.

I had planned to go to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair to shoot a time-lapse panorama, but we got caught in a heavy downpour before we even made it halfway. The phone photos don't show how low the clouds were, but the rain was relentless. We ran back to the Opera House to take shelter, waited for the rain to ease up, and then headed home. Day one ended in a hurry.

[Link: Sydney Opera House photography tips]

Day Two: University of Sydney and the Fish Market

The next morning, after breakfast, we set out for the University of Sydney. Our place was close to the Fish Market, so we stopped by on the way. The deep-sea seafood on display was mouthwatering, but we had already eaten breakfast, so we planned to come back after sightseeing.

Important note: Go to the Fish Market in the morning—by afternoon, it's pretty much deserted.

Following the GPS, we stumbled upon a building completely covered in greenery. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. I took a photo of my dad in front of it—he looked like a mob boss.

The big problem hit: my charging cable broke. With my phone dead, I had to ask for directions. A woman who looked like a government employee gave me detailed instructions on the most time-efficient route. It felt so heartwarming—Australians are really friendly.

Following her directions, we easily found the Harry Potter building at the University of Sydney. It's a perfect spot for photos! My dad took a bunch of pictures of me, and one of them is my absolute favorite—it has a totally artistic vibe. Kudos to my dad!

[Link: University of Sydney Harry Potter building tours]

The Fish Market Disappointment

After visiting the University of Sydney, I had planned to go to Chinatown—my dad doesn't like Western food. But since my charging cable was broken, I had to find an Apple Store first to buy a new one, which wasted time. Going to Chinatown would have meant a lot more walking, and we were already hungry. We decided to hurry back to the Fish Market for seafood. But when we got there, many stalls were closed, and the only things left were pre-made dishes that weren't very good.

Night Walk at Darling Harbour

It gets dark very late in Sydney—the sky was still bright at 8:30 PM. After eating at the Fish Market, we went home to rest and then came out at night to take photos. The sea breeze by the harbour was lovely, and I wanted to wait until it was completely dark. Unfortunately, my photography skills aren't great, and all the pictures I took of my dad look like generic tourist shots. Despite the glittering lights, almost all the photos came out blurry.

FAQ: Father-Daughter Australia Travel Tips

1. Is it easy to get an Australian visa for Chinese citizens?

It depends on your personal situation. Both my dad and I were approved on the first try. Applying directly on the Australian immigration website is more reliable and cheaper than using a travel agency.

2. What's the best SIM card for tourists in Australia?

Optus worked great for us throughout Sydney and the Great Ocean Road. Buy your SIM card at the airport—it's much cheaper than buying one in the city.

3. How much does Uber cost in Sydney?

Expect to pay around 60 Australian dollars for an 8-kilometer ride. Public transport or walking is more budget-friendly.

4. What's the best time to visit Sydney Fish Market?

Go in the morning. By afternoon, many stalls close and only pre-made dishes remain.

5. Should I buy open-jaw or round-trip tickets for multi-city Australia travel?

Always buy open-jaw tickets (e.g., enter in Sydney, exit in Melbourne) if you're visiting multiple cities. It saves you the cost of a domestic flight.

Final Thoughts: Why This Trip Mattered

This father-daughter trip to Australia wasn't perfect—we got lost, overspent on Uber, and ate terrible duck blood vermicelli soup. But standing at the Sydney Opera House with my dad, watching the sun set over Darling Harbour, I realized something important: the memories we created together are priceless.

If you're planning a trip with an elderly parent, here's my advice: plan ahead, but embrace the chaos. The broken charging cables, the missed turns, the overpriced water—they all become stories you'll laugh about later.

Ready to plan your own father-daughter Australia adventure? Start with these three steps:

Apply for your visa online (save money, avoid agencies)
Book open-jaw flights (enter Sydney, exit Melbourne)
Buy your SIM card at the airport (don't make my mistake)

Your mom would want you to go. So go. Create those memories. Take those photos. And when you're old, you'll have something beautiful to look back on.

[Link: Complete Australia travel itinerary for first-time visitors]