Just got back to Doha from a 10-day trip to Australia. As someone who works a regular 9-to-5 here in Qatar, taking 10 days off is a big deal, so I spent most of my budget trying to eat my way through the country. Honestly? Some of it was amazing, some of it was just okay. Here is my practical, no-BS breakdown of the route and the food.
First, the route is a bit of a marathon. Flying from Melbourne to Cairns, then to Sydney, and back to Melbourne—you will spend a lot of time in airports. If you hate packing and unpacking, this might annoy you.
Now, let’s talk about the food, which is what I actually care about:
· In Cairns, we did the Kuranda Rainforest trip. The Aussie BBQ in the rainforest was decent—good, honest grilled meats, but nothing that blew my mind compared to the steaks we get back home in the Gulf. However, the seafood buffet near the Great Barrier Reef was actually worth the hype. Fresh, cold prawns and local fish. I definitely ate my money’s worth there.
· Sydney & Blue Mountains: They serve a 'Western-style steak' at the scenic restaurant in the Blue Mountains. The view of the mountains is great, but the steak itself? A bit overcooked for my liking. If you go, temper your expectations for the food and just enjoy the scenery.
· Melbourne was my favorite, mostly because I had a full free day on Day 9 to just wander around the city and find my own spots. The coffee culture there is real, and the food scene is incredibly diverse. Skip the tourist traps and just walk down the laneways to find local joints.
A few quick rants and tips for anyone planning to go:
1. The weather in July is freezing! Coming from Doha’s summer heat, landing in Melbourne's winter was a shock to the system. Pack a proper heavy jacket and thermal layers. Do not underestimate the wind.
2. The sun is deceptively strong even when it’s cold. I forgot my sunglasses on day one and my eyes were watering the whole day. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
3. Get a local SIM card immediately at the airport. Roaming is overpriced and you’ll need Google Maps to find the actually good restaurants, not just the ones tour guides push on you.
4. Don't forget a flat three-pin adaptor.
Overall, Australia has great ingredients, but you have to seek out the good spots yourself. Don't just rely on the standard group-tour meals if you actually care about what you eat!
“Just got back to Doha from a 10-day trip to Australia.”@ريان_الرياض · 4 months ago