We left Boston on Sunday afternoon and spent the next day and a half making our way down under by way of New York, LA, and Sydney, before ultimately arriving in Brisbane (called Brissie by the Aussies). This entailed flights of one hour, six hours, fifteen hours and two hours separated by layovers of various lengths. Fortunately, we lucked out and were able to cash in some of our frequent flier miles toward business class seats, which made this a much nicer experience!
Cash in your frequent flier miles when it matters most. For example, when your long-legged husband is on a fifteen hour flight.
We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon and spent the next three days exploring the city and completing our online SCUBA lessons in advance of the certification course we had booked for that weekend (more on that in the next post). Here are some of the highlights from our time in Brissie:
Cream Gables
We stayed in a great little B&B in the New Farm neighborhood of Brissie called Cream Gables. While I don't care for the name, I highly recommend the B&B. It's run by a hilarious lady named Anne and I'm pretty sure the name of the B&B is based on the book Anne of Green Gables. Anne has spent the last decade renovating the house into a very comfortable B&B. It was really convenient, with parking in front, a grocery around the corner and a nice stroll to the downtown area or the water taxi. Anne serves a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, toast, fruit & cereal on her backyard terrace each morning. She was incredibly helpful providing us with tips on places to visit and Aussie culture. She was quite funny, especially when she came around the breakfast table and did a little cha cha dance while putting fresh pepper on our eggs.
River Walk and South Bank
On our first afternoon in town we were tired, but we forced ourselves to stay active till nightfall. We took a walk through town, down Brisbane's beautiful riverfront and across the river into the South Bank neighborhood, completing a big loop and heading back through the main downtown area.
Cream Gables
We stayed in a great little B&B in the New Farm neighborhood of Brissie called Cream Gables. While I don't care for the name, I highly recommend the B&B. It's run by a hilarious lady named Anne and I'm pretty sure the name of the B&B is based on the book Anne of Green Gables. Anne has spent the last decade renovating the house into a very comfortable B&B. It was really convenient, with parking in front, a grocery around the corner and a nice stroll to the downtown area or the water taxi. Anne serves a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, toast, fruit & cereal on her backyard terrace each morning. She was incredibly helpful providing us with tips on places to visit and Aussie culture. She was quite funny, especially when she came around the breakfast table and did a little cha cha dance while putting fresh pepper on our eggs.
River Walk and South Bank
On our first afternoon in town we were tired, but we forced ourselves to stay active till nightfall. We took a walk through town, down Brisbane's beautiful riverfront and across the river into the South Bank neighborhood, completing a big loop and heading back through the main downtown area.
Sailboats along the Brisbane River
Springtime in Brisbane
View of the Brisbane skyline from South Bank beach. South Bank is full of cute restaurants, cafes, parks and this man-made beach.
Nepalese Pagoda in South Bank
Bulimba
The next day, after a few hours of online SCUBA lessons, we walked over to a neighborhood called Bulimba located across the river just east of New Farm. While small, this neighborhood is full of cute boutiques and cafes. We had a great coffee at Mugged.
The next day, after a few hours of online SCUBA lessons, we walked over to a neighborhood called Bulimba located across the river just east of New Farm. While small, this neighborhood is full of cute boutiques and cafes. We had a great coffee at Mugged.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
South of Brisbane is one of Australia's most famous Koala habitats, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. While it's called a sanctuary, it's really more of a zoo focused on animals native to Australia. In particular, they have over a hundred koalas and even more kangaroos. You can walk through the kangaroo area, petting, feeding and chilling out with kangaroos and wallabies to your heart's content. But the best part was the koalas. This is one of the few places where you can pet, hold and hug koalas. Other local animals on offer included dingoes, wombats, platypus (platypi?), Tasmanian devils, and lots of colorful birds.
South of Brisbane is one of Australia's most famous Koala habitats, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. While it's called a sanctuary, it's really more of a zoo focused on animals native to Australia. In particular, they have over a hundred koalas and even more kangaroos. You can walk through the kangaroo area, petting, feeding and chilling out with kangaroos and wallabies to your heart's content. But the best part was the koalas. This is one of the few places where you can pet, hold and hug koalas. Other local animals on offer included dingoes, wombats, platypus (platypi?), Tasmanian devils, and lots of colorful birds.
The three amigos
Koalas are very picky eaters, inspecting each leaf before eating it.
This next one was so cool that he may replace SLOTHS as my favorite rock & roll animal.
Hands down, my favorite koala
I think the zoo keeper is trying to woo Chris with the koala.
One of many sleeping kangroos
He is so over it. No more curious Americans, please!
Finally found one to pet!
This one was behind the fence to the kangaroo resting area where humans are not allowed. Judging from the expression on her face, I think she knows we can't get in :)
Wombat
Emu vs. Eva
Tasmanian Devil
Bush Thick-Knee bird giving me the stink eye
Mount Coot-tha
This is the main lookout point over the city of Brisbane. If you know nothing more about us from reading our blog posts thus far, you know we can never resist a good lookout point shot.
This is the main lookout point over the city of Brisbane. If you know nothing more about us from reading our blog posts thus far, you know we can never resist a good lookout point shot.
On top of Mount Coot-tha, overlooking Brisbane.
Gold Coast
One day, we drove down to the Gold Coast, which starts about an hour south of Brissie. The area is anchored by the city of Surfer's Paradise, which is, obviously, the epicenter of the surfer coastline. This town boasts numerous glitzy beachfront high-rises slightly reminiscent of Miami Beach.
One day, we drove down to the Gold Coast, which starts about an hour south of Brissie. The area is anchored by the city of Surfer's Paradise, which is, obviously, the epicenter of the surfer coastline. This town boasts numerous glitzy beachfront high-rises slightly reminiscent of Miami Beach.
Surfer's Paradise
Squeaky Sand
A short drive further down the coast brings you to the small town of Currumbin, where we stopped to admire the beautiful beach, featuring sand that squeaks when you walk on it!
A short drive further down the coast brings you to the small town of Currumbin, where we stopped to admire the beautiful beach, featuring sand that squeaks when you walk on it!
Currumbin beach with Surfer's Paradise skyline in the background
Currumbin
Paddle boarders & kayakers in Currumbin
Currumbin
Commie Vans
We next headed a bit inland through a scenic bit of Australian countryside, passing through the hippie enclave of Nimbin. Anne, our B&B hostess, thought we'd get a kick out of this town with its 'old hippies' and 'commie vans'. Nimbin consists of one main drag with lots of hemp-themed shops and a host of inhabitants who seem to have been forgotten by time. And of course, commie vans.
We next headed a bit inland through a scenic bit of Australian countryside, passing through the hippie enclave of Nimbin. Anne, our B&B hostess, thought we'd get a kick out of this town with its 'old hippies' and 'commie vans'. Nimbin consists of one main drag with lots of hemp-themed shops and a host of inhabitants who seem to have been forgotten by time. And of course, commie vans.
The only bus stop in Nimbin
Nimbin
Shoppers outside of the Nimbin Hemp Embassy
Byron Bay
Our last stop was Byron Bay, where we arrived in time to watch the sunset. This was a really cool little beach town with a laid back culture and lots of fun looking little shops and restaurants. We wish we could have spent a night or two here. As an added bonus, Anne told us that Paul Hogan (that's Crocodile Dundee to you and me) now lives here 'with his mates and his facelift'. Good ol' Anne. Nevertheless, Mr. Dundee chose a nice place to hang it up.
Our last stop was Byron Bay, where we arrived in time to watch the sunset. This was a really cool little beach town with a laid back culture and lots of fun looking little shops and restaurants. We wish we could have spent a night or two here. As an added bonus, Anne told us that Paul Hogan (that's Crocodile Dundee to you and me) now lives here 'with his mates and his facelift'. Good ol' Anne. Nevertheless, Mr. Dundee chose a nice place to hang it up.
Byron Bay
Byron's lighthouse - A great place to watch the sunset!
Everyone gathers here to watch the sun go down over the hills.
Gold Cost Driving Route:
Click here to see the day drive we took along the Gold Coast & through the countryside.
Click here to see the day drive we took along the Gold Coast & through the countryside.
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