The Australia Saga: Joy, Friendship, & Adventure

The Australia Saga: Joy, Friendship, & Adventure

The Countdown to an Unforgettable Trip

Since April, I have eagerly anticipated December 2024. We booked our tickets to Australia early in the year. This trip promised not just a vacation but also the joy of Rhea’s wedding. My calendar overflowed with plans, but life had other ideas. A sudden illness in July threw everything off course, and I regained my strength only by late November. What seemed like a mere stomach infection turned into an exhausting battle—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But I refuse to dwell on that darkness. Instead, I cherish the fact that I recovered just in time to embark on The Australia Saga: Joy, Friendship, & Adventure.

The Packing Challenge

With only five days to prepare for an 18-day adventure, packing felt like a puzzle. The challenge? Balancing five days of wedding festivities with a baggage limit of 15+7 kg. We ( Sunita, Tajinder, Varu from Vijayawada, Geeta & Sharmila from Bangalore and me from Hyderabad) mapped out our itinerary—Melbourne, Cairns, the Gold Coast, and finally, Sydney.

Like any woman, I filled my list with outfits, accessories, jewelry, shoes, bags, and makeup. And, of course, I packed an extra set of everything, just in case. Somehow, I squeezed it all into my cabin stroller and vowed to keep it sealed until we reached Sydney for the wedding.

Travel Preparations and the Journey Begins

As a vegetarian, a picky eater and having a delicate gut, I stocked up on snacks, ready-to-cook meals, and pickles. My medicine bag alone filled an entire suitcase! My friends stayed over the night before our departure, and together, we buzzed with excitement as we set off for the airport.

We arrived three hours early, checked in, and wandered into the lounge for breakfast. The spread disappointed us, but my trusty Kashmiri kahwa, tucked in my handbag, saved the day. That first sip brought pure comfort.

Flying never fails to excite me. I always choose a window seat—the joy of soaring through the clouds, the thrill of takeoff and landing, and the promise of a new adventure make it magical.

The Australia Saga: Joy, Friendship, & Adventure

A Rocky Start at Changi Airport

We departed Hyderabad on Singapore Airlines, running about 20 minutes behind schedule. As we descended toward Singapore, the view mesmerized me—ships dotted the glistening sea, skyscrapers rose like giants, and the shoreline stretched invitingly.

Despite the delay, we hoped to catch our connecting flight. But reality had other plans. A grumpy ground staff member handed us new boarding passes—for a flight five hours later.

After a long journey, four senior citizens, exhausted and hungry, received $20 meal vouchers instead of lounge access. No one guided us to a proper dining space. To make matters worse, our original flight remained at the terminal for nearly an hour, yet we weren’t allowed to board. Meanwhile, my friend Geeta, who was already on that flight, stayed on call with us.

Changi Airport usually excites me, but this unexpected hiccup drained my enthusiasm. We shuffled from one eatery to another, searching for a place that accepted our vouchers. No luck.

The Hunt for a Vegetarian Meal

Sharmila joined us from Bangalore at Changi Airport. Together, we wandered past glittering storefronts, our stomachs growling, hoping to find an Indian kitchen. It remained closed. Then, we spotted a Burger King with a giant green poster announcing a “Plant-Based Whopper.”

Relieved, I ordered four. Just as I prepared to celebrate, I noticed the fine print—the patties cooked on the same broiler as the meat ones. Disappointed, we settled for fries and Coke.

As we strolled past the food kiosks, my eyes caught a neon-lit sign: “Tray Return.” Two separate sections—halal and non-halal—stood in bold letters. It spoke volumes!

Determined not to let hunger ruin our mood, we used our $60 vouchers at a supermarket. We filled our bags with Christmas goodies for the kids. Finally, we boarded our flight to Melbourne.

Melbourne: A City of Lights and Trams

We landed in Melbourne and hailed cabs to Beckett Street in Central Melbourne. Our Airbnb, perched on the 51st floor, offered breathtaking city views. After a quick meal, we set off to explore Melbourne Central Mall. A huge thanks to Ankita and Salina for meticulously planning the perfect itinerary! Your effort and thoughtfulness made this journey truly unforgettable.

The mall felt like a labyrinth of shops and alleys. We wandered through, losing and finding each other in the crowd. The best part? The city’s trams ran free within a 20 km radius. Like giddy children, we hopped on and off just for the fun of it.

Later, we stocked up on groceries, prepared a comforting homecooked meal, and gathered for a lively game of cards. This became our nightly tradition—our “Famous Five” soon became the “Feisty Six.”

That night, we drifted into sleep, dreaming of our next big adventure—the reverse Great Ocean Road drive and a visit to the iconic Twelve Apostles. The journey had only just begun!

How to Get An Australian Visa

You can apply online through the Australian High Commission’s website to get an Australian tourist visa from India. You can also apply through services like ACKO or a travel Agency

Application steps 

• Go to the Australian High Commission’s website
• Select the “Visitor” visa option
• Fill out the online application form
• Pay the visa fees online
• Upload the required documents
• Submit the application

Documents you’ll need

• A valid Indian passport with at least six months validity remaining from your travel date 
• Copies of old and new passports 
• Family register and composition form (if applicable) 
• Previous visa copies and stamp pages of arrival and departure (if any) 
• Bank statement showing a minimum balance of AUD 5,000 maintained consistently for 3 to 6 months 
• Cover letter detailing the purpose of travel, travel dates, and passport number 

Eligibility

You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for an Australian tourist visa, including: 

• Being a genuine visitor
• Having a genuine reason to visit
• Having sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay
• Not posing a health risk to Australia

Australian Custom Rules are quite strict. Do check up on the Customs Things you Can carry and Can’t website.

PS: For instance, you cannot carry any meat. You cannot carry raw, dry fruits, but you can take roasted nuts. It is better to declare that you have Indian food. They just check and let you pass.