Tag tourism

Visiting South Bank, Brisbane and musings…

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Botanic Gardens in Mount Coot-tha and musings

Yesterday, we visited the Botanic Gardens in Mount Coot-tha and it was very hot. Lots of water was drunk as we wandered around the woodlands, lakes and Japanese garden. For some reason, probably because of the heat, couldn’t really enjoy the area as much as the gardens in Brisbane (centre). However, did appreciate the picnic areas by the lake which are truly beautiful.

After this, we went home to our flat and enjoyed some relaxation by the pool. Felt very tired, which annoys me because one shouldn’t be tired on holiday or ‘travelling’, as I’ve labelled it. Travel and sightseeing can make you weary with all the planning, walking and seeing stuff. Wonderful though, and I am thoroughly enjoying the whole experience.

Back to the City…

We decided to visit the city centre as we needed some advice about travelling north and the Great Barrier Reef. One thing that we realised is it is as quick to walk, rather than catch a train for one stop.

Brisbane has become very hot, which apparently is unexpected. Usually the temperatures soar in January and February. The walk towards the river is hot and luckily, quite breezy. We booked our visit up North with accommodation after taking advice in the very ornate Brisbane Tourist Office on Queen’s Street.

After this visit, we walked across the bridge towards South Bank and went in the Queensland Art Gallery. This is an innovative facility full of ancient and modern art of Australia, Asia and the Pacific. The focus is on indigenous art and an extraordinary light and airy WaterMall. Yes, it is water (above)! This fosters a historical impression with paintings, sculpture, film, photography and obscure installations using materials of Australian fibre art to indicate old and new stories, themes and traditions.

Then we visited the Gallery of Modern Art which has a contemporary take relating to current themes and some colourful art on a larger scale. This isn’t as prolific as the Queensland Art Gallery and couldn’t help wondering if the best things about this gallery, are the spectacular views out of the window.

We strolled along and consumed an over large ice cream, admired views of the parkland, Brisbane Wheel and city vistas. Then, for me, surprise, surprise we turn a corner and there is the most beautifully landscaped pool with beach. Flipping heck, is this the Utopian City or what? Absolutely, unprecedented sight and quite phenomenal. The area is well used by the community and even the childrens’ pool is beautifully landscaped with a pebble type stream with crane/wheel-like toys in. The sparkling lagoon is surrounded by tropical plants, sandy beaches and picnic areas. Truly wonderful.

Final thoughts on Brisbane…

We loved Brisbane. Well designed and presented, clean, tidy, attractive, vibrant and lots to do. Also, it is worth making a point that a lot of the things are FREE, including the galleries, live music venues and the wide variety of cultural activities on offer.

The CityHopper is a great way to discover the city, parks and outdoor areas whilst observing the city metropolis, skyscrapers and busy workers. You can also enjoy a variety of performing arts, internationally acclaimed cultural exhilbitions and events. The bars are friendly with a wide variety of craft beers, gins, whiskies and wines. Queen Street is fabulous for shopping and basically you have everything you need here. I can highly recommend it as a place to visit and discover all that it has to offer.

 

 

Outdoor living…

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I’d been hankering after a visit to the beach since arriving in Australia. Yes, after visiting Dubai and then Singapore, we finally arrived. Hooray.

As mentioned in my previous blog post, we’ve extensively explored Brisbane and now wish to see some coastal places. The nearest seaside spots, are Manly and Wynnum.

We arrived after about a 20 minute drive and parked. Walked along the Waterloo Esplanade, around the bay, to Manly Yacht Club, wandered around the bay area then went on the hunt for a supermarket so we could precure some sort of lunch. We eventually found a supermarket, after much searching (we walked past it) and had a delicious veggie pasty and crisps. Not a health day then.

Back around the bay, to the car and then onwards to Wynnum. The seaside views are lovely and although the beach is only a small one, there are many facilities to keep you busy. Outdoor sea water pools, fountain play showers, recreational parks, wind surfing, and the bbqs open bbq/picnic huts. It was like looking at one of those 1960s architecture plans/drawings for family outside spaces, we had to examine during geography, at school. I quickly realised that this is what the whole space reminds me of. The ultimate outdoor living for family life and thoroughly used by the community.

Australia has the best facilities for outdoor living. We’ve all heard this, but it isn’t until you see it, you realise how true this is. The facilities are truly splendid. Australians have built in bbqs and they are abundant along this coast. Families congregate, bbq, have picnics, go in the pool and generally have fun. There are water sports (fishing, wind surfing, kayaking), a fishing pier, shops, sailing or you can just hang out on the small beach. The place is vibrant and packed with families and this is great to see. Oh, and you can arrive and park. There’s a novelty. No stupid yellow lines or resident parking only signs everywhere.

Oddly enough, it probably isn’t the greatest area because it only has a small beach called Pandanus Beach. The shoreline is covered with mangroves and aromatic mudflats which makes it unsuitable for sunbathing or swimming. However, the views and family facilities are marvellous and the bay path is great for a stroll to see all the yachts sailing around the bay.

What impressed me, was how everything is set out for the purpose of encouraging families to relax and have fun. The area started to be popular in the 1930s and still has the old fashioned charm about it. Lucky Australians having this wonderful outdoor life.