Buzzing Brisbane

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Our last day in the camper van took us up the coast to Byron Bay and Stuart decided it would be a good idea to go up to the lighthouse which was the most easterly point of Australia. This sounded all well and good until the road got narrower and narrower. Eventually when we reached the top it was well worth the risky drive as the views were amazing.

After ten days in a camper van, three of them wet and grey, we were delighted to reach Brisbane, pick up a car and check in to our apartment with real beds and bathrooms- absolute bliss!

This trip was always intended to be a learning experience; we have definitely learnt never to go anywhere near a camper van ever again!

Brisbane is fantastic, a really buzzing vibrant city, and incredibly hot.

Our hotel is situated right in the centre of the city which is great. The first night we walked to the river to catch the cityhopper ferry along the river and over to the south bank where we discovered an enormous man-made beach and pool in the middle of the city! We ate in a lovely restaurant overlooking the river, then as we were walking towards the Christmas market (in 35 degree heat) they began to play a Christmas film on a huge screen on the beach! There were people sat in the water watching the film, very strange! The Christmas market was beautiful; Freya brought a bikini and we all ate ice cream, not something we usually do in Christmas markets! The evening ended with a spectacular firework display.

?????? On Thursday we woke up nice and early to go and visit Australia Zoo which has always been on the list of things to do. Once again it was scorching hot, so covered in factor 50 and all wearing hats we set off to explore with our bottles of water.

Mum and I soon grabbed the chance to hold the koala and give it a hug! We couldn't believe how thick their fur is. After having a cuddle with the koala we went straight to the crocs and watched an amazing show of very brave keepers feeding the crocodiles, just as Steve Irwin used to do.

Next we made our way over to the tigers. There were two beautiful young Sumatran tigers, both boys with lots of energy! We noticed that one of them had a bad eye and couldn't see very well which reminded us of watching several TV programmes about them when they were young cubs and learning how to swim! It was fantastic to see them fully grown and so full of life. It was great to hear how the work done by Australia Zoo has funded patrols in Sumatra to catch poachers and as a result of this protection the numbers of tigers in this area has already increased by 25%

On Friday we decided to spend the day at Wet and Wild water park. Once again it was a very hot day so luckily we could spend it in the water. There were some great rides; Mum's favourite was the Mammoth Fall where we all sat in a circular inflatable boat which span around then twisted and turned its way down a water chute to emerge in the pool at the bottom-partly because she always ended up going down backwards! But it was the wrong decision to try and change position half way down as she nearly fell out of the boat. We spent the day at the park and managed to eat a whole bucket of ice cream with a spade (no joke!!)

For our final evening in Brisbane we are going to join the locals and take our picnic down to city beach, so we can spend the evening swimming in the pool whilst watching the Christmas movie Elf on the massive outdoor screen, then end the night by watching the Christmas firework display over the river. Certainly going to be a different, very hot Christmas!???

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Photos

Byron Bay
At the Lighthouse point

Steve Irwin's Place
Crikey it was hot but what a great day.

Catch a Koala!
Freya caught this one as it fell out of a tree!

Feeding Time.
I'll have a crocodile sandwich & make it snappy!

Brisbane
Southbank Christmas Market

Comments

[margaret]

Brisbane
You have now brought reality to the tv programme about Steve Irwins zoo.Fascinating. Can imagine the water park tumble. Bet Abby was screaming.RU bringing the Koala home Freya? love Mum and Dadxx r