Farewell to Western Australia

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Travel days – hours of excitement, anticipation, and a touch of goodbye

Travel days are often long hours full of excitement, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness. Packing suitcases, checking the rental car, waiting at the gate – all routine by now, yet saying goodbye still feels like a lump in the throat.

We’re leaving Western Australia with a suitcase full of memories – and yes, this was probably our last time here. We’ve been twice, and with this trip, we’ve filled the final blank spots on our internal map of Australia.

Time to turn the page and start a new chapter.

Arrival in Sydney – Welcome to the East Coast

Distance: 3,290 km | Flight time: 4h15 | Time difference: +3 hours

After circling what felt like three times through towering cloud formations, we finally touch down in Sydney. Reinhold shines with foresight – his international driver’s license is actually required here, unlike in Perth.

Then the classic moment at the counter: while filling out the form, he turns to me and asks over his shoulder: “What’s our home address again?”

Welcome back to vacation mode.

For our first night, we booked a room at the “Meriton Suites” near the airport. The surroundings? Urban hustle: cafés, restaurants, shops – everything buzzing. We end up in a small Italian place that sets the perfect mood for the East Coast: charm, pasta, and good wine.

Road Trip South – From Sydney to Jervis Bay

Sydney is just a launch pad for us this time. We’re heading out – to the sea, to the road! The Grand Pacific Drive is made for it: 140 kilometers of coastal romance with unforgettable stops.

Sea Cliff Bridge

665 meters of steel and concrete elegance hugging the coast like a ribbon.

Otford Lookout

We let our gaze wander, watch paragliders soar over the cliffs and suddenly understand why this place takes your breath away – in the best sense.

Berry – A Gem with Character

Small cafés, big croissants, charming shops – Berry is the anti-city in the best way. After breakfast, we stroll through boutiques selling vintage dresses, handmade goods, and Christmas ornaments – in February. Slow living at its finest.

Jervis Bay – White Sand, Deep Breaths

Even on arrival we notice: everything is just a bit more relaxed here. The beaches – like powdered sugar. The water – a promise.

Hyams Beach – A Beauty with a Reputation

We stay in an old fisherman’s cottage right on the beach. Number 7 – ours.

Ah yes, that squeaky white sand (it really squeaks, thanks to the high quartz content), water as blue as Bradley Cooper’s eyes, and nature that reminds you how wonderful life can be.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the “whitest beach in the world.” Beautiful? Definitely. But not more beautiful than Esperance or the Caribbean. And on weekends? Crowded. Sydney folks come here to unwind – and do so within sight of each other.

Dining at the Edge of Paradise

Hyams Beach is stunning, but culinary options are sparse. Thankfully, the lovely town of Vincentia is just five minutes away – offering everything from pizza to pad Thai. Our stomachs are saved.

Booderee National Park – Nature & Cultural Heritage

This park is a place to linger – not just for its dreamlike beaches and hiking trails, but for the deep-rooted history of the Aboriginal people. You feel it here: Australia is more than clichés. It’s land, story, and presence all at once.

 

Next stop: ➡️ Sydney – Saving the Best for Last