Reflections After My Trip

After wrapping up my 2023 trip to Australia, I wanted to share four things that stood out the most. Beyond beautiful nature and cityscapes, Australia’s culture, lifestyle, and social systems offered many interesting insights that lingered long after I returned home.

1. Australia’s Unique Driver Licensing System

One of the first things I noticed on the road was the bright L and P plates attached to cars. Australia’s driver licensing system is highly structured and strictly managed depending on the driver’s experience.

L (Learner Licence)
Available at age 16. A learner must drive with a fully licensed driver (Open Licence holder) in the passenger seat.

P (Provisional Licence)
After completing 100 hours of supervised driving, learners take a test and move to a provisional licence.
P licences are divided into:

• P1 (Red P)
• P2 (Green P)
  Each comes with different restrictions.

Open Licence
The full licence, obtained after holding a P licence for the required period.

Unlike Korea, where drivers simply add a “Beginner” sticker at their discretion, Australia’s system officially displays and manages each driver’s experience level. A structured system that I found quite admirable.

2. Color-Coded Waste Bins Everywhere

Sydney enforces strict waste separation as part of its environmental protection efforts. Each home has multiple bins, and the color tells you exactly what goes where:

• Yellow: recyclable materials (plastic, metal, glass)
• Blue: paper and cardboard
• Green: organic waste (food scraps, leaves)
• Red: general waste

Unlike Korea, where residents sort recyclables by type, Australians can put all recyclables together in one bin, making it simpler for individuals.
It works so well thanks to the high environmental awareness among residents.

3. Cigarettes Cost $23–$31 USD per Pack

Yes, you read that right — a pack of cigarettes costs AUD 30–40.
Nearly 10 times more expensive than in Korea.

The guide explained that Australia views smokers as “future potential patients.”
Because the healthcare system is tax-funded, the government essentially collects future medical costs upfront through high cigarette taxes.

It’s a surprisingly clear and logical approach when you think about it.

Would raising Korea’s cigarette prices to Australian levels reduce smoking?
Probably yes — but the backlash would be massive.
The whole smoking issue feels like something only Solomon could resolve. ^^

4. Alcohol Is Not Sold in Regular Supermarkets

This one caught me off guard the most.

In Australia:

• Alcohol is not sold in regular grocery stores.
• You must visit a liquor store to buy alcohol.
• Restaurants and pubs can serve alcohol, but supermarkets cannot.

During my trip, the area around my hotel had no liquor shops, so I couldn’t buy anything to enjoy at the accommodation.
I unintentionally spent several days completely sober… except for a few drinks on the plane and one dinner out. ^^

According to the guide, Australia offers an excellent welfare system, but in exchange, citizens must follow strict rules.
Responsibility and privilege go hand in hand — a philosophy that shapes their social system.

Looking Back on My Australia Trip

Overall, Australia left a wonderful impression on me.

• The vast nature
• The clean, relaxed atmosphere
• A social system that values fairness, balance, and personal effort

It made me hope Korea can continue to grow in similar ways.

Travel always gives us two gifts:
the excitement before the journey, and the lingering nostalgia afterward.
Writing this, I felt like I traveled to Australia once more.

Thank you for reading my travel story.
Until the next journey to another corner of the world!

For Your Dream Life
by Dream Max