Crossing the border at the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise we drove through the busy, touristy Miami style beach front as quickly as possible. This is the place of the Great Theme Parks like Sea World and Movie World, and we were glad not to have children with us who would have wanted to do all those gut wrenching rides. Instead we went to Mt Tambourine, a piece of the scenic rim which rises over 1000 meters from the coast and is very scenic and pretty. It is actually flat on top so there is a small, arty town on the top, lots of pretty walks and lookouts, and wonderful patches of rainforest. We did some hikes to waterfalls, visited craft shops and also went to a mine which had “thunder rocks”..those rough egg shaped rocks which reveal wonderful crystals and topaz when cut in half.
From there we went to my brother and his wife who live south of Brisbane. We spent Easter with them and their delightful children, fished in the Logan River, and went on some pretty walks along the creeks. The following week they moved house so we were able to help them pack and then unpack into their lovely new home..busy time! We found Brisbane to be a young, vibrant city and we were very lucky with the weather which was cool and pleasant. My other brother and his wife from the UK were visiting their daughter and stopped over in Brisbane ...we were so lucky to have been able to meet up with them and that our itineries coincided as we had not seen them for over 10 years. It was a great family reunion.
Brisbane itself is not big; the city is built around the winding Logan River with several bridges spanning the two banks. We took a bus into the city and the fare included the very efficient ferry service up and down the river so we took a ride up the river one day and down the next time we went in...that way we got a good view of the houses along the banks. We also managed to see the very good art gallery and Museum, and other sights in the city. One Sunday we met up with some friends of ours from Perth who were visiting their son, and together we went to Mt Coo-tha and Brisbane State Park for a picnic..the former giving views of the whole city and surrounds. A lovely day in very scenic surroundings ..even though it was misty and some of the views were guesswork!
Our stay lasted 3 weeks and it went very quickly..we were sorry to leave the dear family and continue the circumnavigation of Australia again. After hugs and goodbyes we set off for northern Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, and more adventures.
Photos:
Paul on Ferry in Brisbane
Fishing with family
Family reunion
New house
Brisbane Nat Park...Aboriginal Humpy
From there we went to my brother and his wife who live south of Brisbane. We spent Easter with them and their delightful children, fished in the Logan River, and went on some pretty walks along the creeks. The following week they moved house so we were able to help them pack and then unpack into their lovely new home..busy time! We found Brisbane to be a young, vibrant city and we were very lucky with the weather which was cool and pleasant. My other brother and his wife from the UK were visiting their daughter and stopped over in Brisbane ...we were so lucky to have been able to meet up with them and that our itineries coincided as we had not seen them for over 10 years. It was a great family reunion.
Brisbane itself is not big; the city is built around the winding Logan River with several bridges spanning the two banks. We took a bus into the city and the fare included the very efficient ferry service up and down the river so we took a ride up the river one day and down the next time we went in...that way we got a good view of the houses along the banks. We also managed to see the very good art gallery and Museum, and other sights in the city. One Sunday we met up with some friends of ours from Perth who were visiting their son, and together we went to Mt Coo-tha and Brisbane State Park for a picnic..the former giving views of the whole city and surrounds. A lovely day in very scenic surroundings ..even though it was misty and some of the views were guesswork!
Our stay lasted 3 weeks and it went very quickly..we were sorry to leave the dear family and continue the circumnavigation of Australia again. After hugs and goodbyes we set off for northern Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, and more adventures.
Photos:
Paul on Ferry in Brisbane
Fishing with family
Family reunion
New house
Brisbane Nat Park...Aboriginal Humpy
3 comments:
We are enjoying your wonderful tour. I can't see you ever getting back to a "normal" life. Love the commentary and look forward to the book.
Love
Frank & Janet - London
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