American tourist reveals why she did not like Australia – labelling her experience as bland, underwhelming and inconvenient
An American tourist has revealed the reasons why she didn't like Australia, labeling her entire two-week experience as 'bland'.
American travel blogger Grace Cheng visited Australia for two weeks in May last year, visiting Melbourne, Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Sydney.
Ms Cheng, who has almost 70,000 followers between them on Instagram and TikTok, shared a video on December 29 detailing the reasons why she didn't like Australia.
She described her trip to Australia as “boring” because the country is so far away from everything and has “mediocre” beaches and towns.
However, she admitted that her experience might have been different if she had organized a better itinerary.
American travel blogger Gracie Cheng (pictured in Purling Brook Falls, Queensland) branded her entire two weeks of travel in Australia as 'bland'
“If you watched my previous video, I said it was lame. If I'm honest, none of the cities really stood out to me.' said Mrs. Cheng.
'I know it's probably just me because I don't have the best itinerary, but if you compare it to world standards, the cities aren't that interesting.
'Australia is best known for its nature. Much of the trip consisted of mediocre beaches and city life.”
Ms Cheng added that Sydney was “a bit disappointing” and that traveling to Australia is a hassle because it is far from other countries.
'Australia is also so far away from the rest of the world. The travel time alone will probably take more than 24 hours.
“It can be a bit difficult and a hassle if you don't get the most out of this country.”
Despite not loving the trip, Ms. Cheng shared some positive points about her trip Down Under.
The travel blogger traveled to Melbourne, Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Sydney for two weeks in May 2023 (Mrs Chneg at Point Ormond Lookout on Elwood Beach, Melbourne)
Ms Cheng described Australia's beaches and cities as 'mediocre', claimed Sydney was 'disappointing' and that traveling to the country was a 'hassle' (Ms Cheng at Tallebudgera Creek, Gold Coast)
She said while many complain that Australia is expensive, the overall cost is cheaper than cities such as Paris and London.
“I don't just want to talk about the negatives, I had a nice time here,” Ms Cheng said.
“I know a lot of people say that traveling here is expensive and that while it is expensive, it doesn't compare to places like Paris or London.”
Ms Cheng added that there was no major culture shock between Australia and the United States and while there was no language barrier, some Aussie slang was difficult to understand.
“It was obviously super easy to get around because there was no language barrier,” Ms Cheng said.
'The culture shock from the United States is not that big either. I will say that the lingo is different and it was sometimes difficult to understand what the locals were saying.”
However, one thing that struck the seasoned traveler – who has visited 36 different countries – was the quality of the food in Australian restaurants.
“I'm impressed to say that every restaurant we went to was so good – this was a pattern across the four cities we visited,” Ms Cheng said.
staff.
However, the seasoned traveler said she had a “good trip” overall, which she attributed to the ease of getting around, the fact there was no language barrier and the impressive food at restaurants around the country (Ms Cheng visits the Light House, Byron Bay)
Ms Cheng ended the video by asking her followers to make recommendations for her next trip to Australia.
“Although my experience here was not what I expected, I can't really say I dislike the country as a whole,” Ms Cheng said.
'There are so many beautiful places that I have missed and that just wouldn't be fair. So if you have any recommendations for my next trip here… feel free to leave them below.”
The video divided social media users, with many outraged by Ms Cheng's labeling of Australian beaches as 'mediocre'.
'They have the best beaches in the world. Like you said, it's up to you not to go to the best places,” one person wrote.
“Mediocre beaches… you've got to be kidding me,” wrote another, while a third added: “Mediocre beaches. Show me a place with better surfing beaches?'
Ms. Cheng is an experienced traveler and has visited 36 different countries. She asked her social media followers for recommendations for her next trip to Australia
A fourth wrote: 'Nowhere in the US does the bondi run to Coogee, or to Manly Ferry or Parsley Bay. If you're not on a harbor beach, why come?'
Another person wrote sarcastically: 'Australia is terrible. Please don't ever come back again.'
However, others agreed with Ms Cheng's assessment of Australia, with many agreeing that the country can be boring.
'As an Australian I very much agree with you. Compared to other major global cities, especially for a seasoned traveler, we simply do NOT compare,” one person wrote.
“I found Australian cities boring, it's great when you just want to get mad and lie on the beach,” another person commented.
A third said: 'As a European, Australia is the most depressing place I've been, not much to see or do, the weather gets old quickly as do the views.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Gracie Cheng for comment.