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Published: July 25th 2013
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I flew out of Alice Springs; destination Brisbane. I'd booked a cheap flight and fully expected a no-frills budget airline. You can imagine my excitement and glee when I boarded a Quantas flight, complete with in-flight entertainment and lunch included. Result! I watched a movie, tucked into a sandwich and stared with wonder out of the window at the red desert landscape below. I've never seen anything like that before.
I touched down in Brisbane and managed to find my way into the city pretty easily, and it took just 45 minutes. I lugged all my heavy bags to the nicest hostel I've ever stayed in. It has a rooftop pool, great views over the city and, best of all, I had a single bed and not a bunk bed! So unusual for hostels and I loved it! No-one was rocking me around as they climbed in or out of bed, and there was nothing to smash my head off when I woke up. I don't think every room there was this way, but this time my luck was in.
I spent 2 days wondering around Brisbane. Unlike other cities I'd explored so far in Australia, Brisbane has no
real tourist attractions. Nothing that really grabs the attention in the guidebook. But it is a great city, with lots of little districts, each with their unique vibe. I went to the Brisbane museum (most boring museum in the world), the Queensland museum (much better) and a photography exhibition. I strolled around the major malls, ate some Japanese food and then visited Anzac Square. Day 1 was pouring with rain, thus I spent most of my time in coffee shops and malls. Day 2 was loads better though and I explored an area called Southbank. It was then I wished I wasn't alone. It was full of trendy cafes and bars. I longed for someone to go there with. I sat down on a bench and thought about my boyfriend Paul, how much I missed him and how I so desperately wanted to share all of these experiences with him.
Other major cities in Australia are right on the coast and have some great beaches. Brisbane just has a river, no beach. So they built one. In Southbank, I suddenly came across a stretch of white sand and clear waters, complete with lifeguard, palm trees and everything. A beautiful
man-made beach right in the city. I had some lunch there and tried to imagine I was actually on the coast. Real or not, it was a pretty cool retreat from the city. A good place to stop and feel more 'holiday-ey' for a while.
On my 3rd day in Queensland I decided it was time for a trip. I packed up all my stuff and boarded a coach to Fraser Island - the largest sand island in the world- a few hours north of Brisbane. I set off for 4 nights on the island; night 1 was a real low point and highlighted the difficulties of being a solo traveller. I struggled with all my stuff to the coach station, took ages to figure out where I needed to go, spent 5 hours alone on a coach, got dumped in Hervey Bay where I was told I had to wait an hour for the next transfer and sat waiting on a bench in the rain and dark all by myself. Then the next bus came. I was met with surprise from the driver that I was on my own, I had to ask 3 different people at the
other end what happened next for getting over to the island, I boarded the ferry with about 30 school kids, I got off the ferry with no frigging idea where to go, I ended up on a bus transfer to a resort. The bus stopped so I got off. I had no idea what was happening. I felt like I'd been dumped alone on the island with no clue where I was staying or what was going on. I couldn't find my room, and by the time I did I'd missed dinner and was sat all alone in a cabin with nothing to do. I'm ashamed to say, but I ended up crying my eyes out. Coping with all this alone makes it feel much worse than it really is.
The next morning I gave myself a stern talking to. I'm more resilient than that. I pulled myself together. Besides, the next 3 days were a fully guided, all inclusive tour. That meant fellow travellers. I told myself it would all be fine and to stop being a pansy. And it was all fine; more than fine. I had a great 3 days! Fraser Island is very special; a
little touch of paradise. I met some great people on tour and we explored near enough the whole island.
Day 1 we went swimming in Lake McKenzie, went into the rainforest, drank water straight from a freshwater creek (the water filtered naturally over hundreds of years), learned about different types of trees (actually very interesting) and heard aboriginal tales of island life. The evening was spent in Dingo Bar getting to know each other better over cider and spaghetti bolognaise.
Day 2 we saw an old shipwreck washed up on the beach, trekked over sand dunes, watched whales, floated down sand hills with the current of Eli Creek, failed to dig a stuck bus out of deep sand, pushed a stuck bus out of the sand, had fresh made cookies and tea on the beach and drove in 4x4s down the islands 'highway' - aka the beach.
Day 3 we visited the stunning Lake Wabby, which was tucked away under a huge sand blow. It was just amazing. I got to try paddle boarding and I loved it. We also had an end of trip treat; we were take to the islands fancy hotel for lunch and
tucked into a gourmet buffet. Although we were in the islands budget cabin accommodation (bunk beds and shared bathrooms) we were still able to use resort facilities. I spent the evening in the hot tub jacuzzi. Now that's how backpacking should be done! After 4 days in paradise I felt completely chilled out and happy. And what's more, I wasn't attacked or eaten by the aggressive dingos that live on the island. So a successful trip!
I returned to Brisbane the day after my tour finished and had myself a little treat - 2 days in a hotel! No dorm, no bunk-beds, my very own bathroom, a TV, room service, on site gym and being able to shower bare foot. Luxury! There was a reason for the self-indulgence; my friend from work in Melbourne came to Brisbane for a weeks holiday, staying in the same hotel, and hang out with her pommy colleague. We had a great week - but all the action is to come in my next blog. Oh I do like to keep you wanting more :-)
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