Navigating Aussie Banks and Taking a Leap of Faith on a 260,000km Pajero (Day 2)
Our second day in Victoria was an absolute whirlwind. We woke up with two massive missions to tick off: open a local bank account in the morning, and inspect a potential 4WD in the afternoon.
Leaving our Airbnb, we walked to Deer Park station to experience our very first public transport ride. For those familiar with Melbourne, buying a Myki card, topping it up, and tapping on/off is just basic daily life. But as newcomers, we were watching every step carefully, especially seeing transit officers board the train to check cards. In Japan, train ticketing and gates are incredibly rigid, so navigating a new system always comes with a small, nervous thrill of wondering, “Am I doing this right?”
The train pulled into Southern Cross Station, and stepping out, we were blown away by the Melbourne CBD. The towering skyscrapers, the relentless energy, and the crowds felt incredibly premium—giving us instant vibes of Tokyo’s high-end districts like Omotesando or Ginza. The dramatic contrast from the quiet streets of Deer Park made us realize just how vibrant this city is.
- Opening Our NAB Account: The “Branch Hold” Solution and First Taste of Coffee Culture
We navigated the bustling streets to our designated NAB (National Australia Bank) branch to get our local banking sorted. The staff were fantastic, making the process straightforward and shifting us into an appointment room right away to set up our accounts.
However, a unique logistical puzzle popped up at the very end: “Where should we mail your physical debit cards?”
As working holiday makers planning to head out to regional areas for farm work, we didn’t have a permanent address yet. Sensing our dilemma, the bank teller offered a brilliant solution: “No worries, we can just hold the cards right here at this CBD branch, and you can come pick them up once they arrive.” We gladly accepted this convenient arrangement and wrapped up our session, feeling relieved to have our first Aussie bank account. (As a side note, due to a hilarious system mix-up, the cards ended up being mailed to an old address anyway after we left—but that’s a chaotic story for a later chapter!)
After leaving the bank, we realized how hungry we were and decided to drop into a local cafe. This was where I ordered my very first Flat White. Even though it didn’t have any fancy latte art, the flavor was absolutely delicious. The cafe itself had a beautiful, bright atmosphere with large glass windows. We also ordered some banana bread, which tasted amazing.
Following our coffee break, we wandered around the city and stumbled into a narrow lane filled with vibrant wall art. Seeing the artwork so seamlessly integrated into the city grid made me feel that, unlike in Japan, art and daily life are beautifully fused together here in Melbourne. We spent the rest of the morning admiring the iconic laneways before heading out for our next mission.
- The Marketplace Inspection: The 260,000km Shock and a Critical Caravan Feature
The afternoon brought us to the most nerve-wracking part of our day: our very first car inspection via Facebook Marketplace. We took the train out to Cranbourne Station to meet the seller. Buying a car directly from an individual through social media in a foreign country was definitely a bit intimidating.
Thanks to the seller, who turned out to be incredibly polite and professional, we were instantly put at ease.
Since this vehicle was destined to tow a heavy caravan trailer for our future mobile life, I carefully checked the mechanical vitals. I inspected the engine bay to ensure there were absolutely no active fluid leaks, verified the RWC (Roadworthy Certificate) and REGO, and ran a check to ensure it had no stolen history. Crucially, I also checked if the car was equipped with an Electric Brake Controller—a vital system used to electronically manage the caravan’s brakes. Although the car didn’t have one installed, I knew it could be fitted later as an aftermarket upgrade. Even when factoring in that extra cost, the price of the vehicle was incredibly reasonable, so we decided to buy it on the spot.
The interior showed honest wear and tear consistent with its age. But mechanically, it was sound. However, the biggest surprise for us was the odometer: 260,000 kilometers.
A Quick Culture Shock:
To Australians, 260,000 km on a well-maintained diesel engine is just getting warmed up. But in Japan, the car market is completely different. A car with 100,000 km is generally considered “ancient” and heavily depreciated, often seen as ready for retirement. Seeing a car running beautifully at 260k was our first real taste of how vast Australia is and how tough vehicles need to be here!
The seller handed over a clean service history, and we wrapped up the transaction feeling confident in our new choice.
- Owning My First Car: A Raining CBD Drive, Roundabouts, and a 2kg Feast
I processed a direct bank transfer on my phone, received the keys, and immediately hopped online to secure comprehensive car insurance with AAMI, choosing them for their budget-friendly rates.
With that, it was official. At 29 years old, this rugged 2006/2007 Mitsubishi Pajero became the very first car I have ever owned in my life.
The initial rush of excitement was instantly replaced by pure adrenaline. My first ever drive in Australia was behind the wheel of a massive, heavy SUV, cutting directly through the heavy traffic of the Melbourne CBD—all while it was absolutely pouring rain.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, I pulled into a petrol station to fill up the tank. That’s when we encountered another major surprise regarding fuel prices. In Japan, diesel (light oil) is heavily subsidized and significantly cheaper than regular unleaded petrol. Watching the diesel prices sit higher than petrol at the pump was a surprising twist to our budget planning!
On the long drive back, I faced my very first Roundabout—and it happened to be a challenging two-lane one. Even though I had researched the rules beforehand, like when to enter and how to indicate when exiting, my nerves were through the roof. I also noticed that the gap between cars here is incredibly tight—often less than half the distance people keep in Japan. While my driving certainly wasn’t perfect, the surrounding drivers were incredibly skilled, smoothly moving around me and adjusting their distance with perfect control. Because of this, I didn’t feel scared of the other cars at all. Furthermore, unlike in Japan, everyone strictly adheres to the speed limits, meaning there was no one tailgating or trying to rush me, which made the experience much less intimidating.
On our way home, we stopped by Coles for the first time. We ended up buying a massive 2kg pack of Australian beef mince for just $24! Thrilled by how cheap it was, we headed back to our Airbnb, excited at the thought of cooking up a big batch of homemade hamburger patties.
The journey back to Deer Park took about two agonizing hours under the blinding storm, and my shoulders were completely stiff from gripping the wheel so hard. One thing we noticed immediately is that Australian roads are much rougher and more uneven compared to the smooth, perfectly flat asphalt of Japan—the Pajero was shaking and rolling the whole way.
We finally parked our new beast safe and sound at our Airbnb, feeling a massive sense of relief. But the vehicle mission isn’t completely over just yet. Tomorrow, we have to tackle the official paperwork: heading straight to VicRoads to officially transfer the Pajero’s ownership into my name! Stay tuned for Day 3!
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