Things to do/see in Brisbane, Australia?

[Mickey]

This must be the first topic I've started here at SF. Heh.

I may get to visit Brisbane mid-December for about a week. Aside from a couple days to visit Townsville, I have very little idea of what to see while in Brisbane, aside from a visit to the Gold Coast, perhaps.

Ideas?

 

[Howell]

"Tourist Capital of Australia" makes me shake in my boots.

Are you looking for activity or relaxation?

 

[Mercutio]

Drive to Ballarat and find Tony for us.

 

[Buck]

At least go to Ballarat and take a picture of the shop for us. Snap a few photos of the employees too. Once Tony gets back early next year, Kristi will have turned that place into her shop, and he won't be needed anymore.

 

[Pradeep]

Umm, driving distance from Brisbane to Ballarat is about 1800kms, and approx 20 hours drive time. Probably a bit too much to ask of Mickey on his week down under. I would suggest Cairns and the Barrier Reef but unless you fly up it's about the same distance as Ballarat. Basically a week is not enough!

I really can't say I've seen much of Brisbane apart from the Belmont Shooting range. That and a couple of the local RSL clubs, great value for money.

Beers to sample:

James Boags Premium
Cascade Premium
Hahn Premium
and you will no doubt be forced to drink the swill that is XXXX.

Bottoms up!

 

[Mercutio]

Excuses, excuses.

blah blah 20 hour blah.

Don't they have buses and cell phones in Australia?

Here's my suggestion.

1. Take several good books, possibly pillow and lap blanket.
2. Arrive in less important part of Australia.
3. Buy cell phone and several batteries.
4. Immediately board bus
5. While enjoying the serenity and comfort of Aussie coach travel, discuss business with business-type people on cell phone, enjoying the reduced rates of non-international phone calls.
6. Read.
7. Read some more, or possibly sleep (remember that there's a 22-hour time difference for West Coast-types like Mickey. He'll have about 16 hours of sleep to catch up on!)
8. Arrive in Ballarat, refreshed and relaxed.
9. Find and propose to Kristi, who is obviously some kind of geek queen, and also a saint, for putting up with sock-puppet-ness.
10. Find and bitch-slap Tannin, for not checking in. This might be followed by a pint of whatever the hell Aussies drink (motor oil? Sweat?), a spot of some incomprehensible Aussie sport, or perhaps bird watching.
11. If it's bird-watching, slap him again. Ask him about World War II or Statistics or HP or something. That'll keep him talking until at least 2007.
12. Wed Kristi. Tea can be the ring-bearer.
13. Experience a night of <censored censored censored censored censored censored> in which she <censored censored> spatula <censored> and you <censored censored> until morning, whereupon <censored censored censored censored censored censored> day and night.
14. Give Tannin a hand in the shop until it's time to get back on the bus.
15. Return to less important part of Australia, followed by returning to noisy metal tube that brought you 22 hours into the future.
16. Sleep, read and recover from <censored censored censored> chafing.

 

[Mickey]

Wow, 20 hours of driving? Or riding (if someone else drives). I already have the books and stationery lined up for the plane flight(s). Laptop, too, but unless I can figure out how to keep it powered whilst in the air, I'll have very limited usage.

So far, because it's so close to Christmas and tickets are scarce, I'll only have 5 days in Aus.

Guess I'm more of a sightseer rather than active recreationalist, if you will. So far, I've heard mention of visiting a koala park, the zoo in Brisbane, ride the ferries up the river, and seeing the botanical gardens.

And Merc, I somehow doubt even if I took that long bus ride to Ballarat that I'd convince Kristi to wed me.

 

[The JoJo]

And Merc, I somehow doubt even if I took that long bus ride to Ballarat that I'd convince Kristi to wed me.

You don't know that if you don't try! Go for it! Otherwise the thought about it might haunt you for the rest of your life

Heck, I thought Merc's plan was good! LOL!

 

[blakerwry]

woo her with your technical knowledge

 

[timwhit]

Umm, driving distance from Brisbane to Ballarat is about 1800kms, and approx 20 hours drive time. Probably a bit too much to ask of Mickey on his week down under. I would suggest Cairns and the Barrier Reef but unless you fly up it's about the same distance as Ballarat. Basically a week is not enough!

I really can't say I've seen much of Brisbane apart from the Belmont Shooting range. That and a couple of the local RSL clubs, great value for money.

Beers to sample:

James Boags Premium
Cascade Premium
Hahn Premium
and you will no doubt be forced to drink the swill that is XXXX.

Bottoms up!

Everywhere in London has XXXX on tap. I thought it was good.

 

[Pradeep]

Wow, 20 hours of driving? Or riding (if someone else drives). I already have the books and stationery lined up for the plane flight(s). Laptop, too, but unless I can figure out how to keep it powered whilst in the air, I'll have very limited usage.

If you were flying United on an H fare or higher, I have a couple of upgrade certs that could get you into Business class, and therefore in-seat powa for your lappie. Are you flying Qantas?

 

[Mickey]

So far, it looks like I'll be on Malaysian Airlines from KL, flying business class (unless a miracle happens and I can find a cheaper ticket).

blakerwry, what technical knowledge? :mrgrn:

"Under the hood" know-how for disk drives doesn't impress folks; I am reminded of that each time I go to a family gathering.

"And what do you do, Mickey?"

"I design disk drive parts."

*blank look*

"They go inside computers."

"Oh, you design computers then. Are you a EE?"

"Er, no."

 

[Mercutio]

Exactly what education do you have, Mickey?

 

[Pradeep]

Looks like Malysian Airlines "Golden Club Class" has in-seat power - tho you may need an air adaptor for your lappie. However with a 10" touch-screen already in the seat I wouldn't bother getting it out

http://www.malaysiaairlines.com.my/products/?menu=is&mode=mas08

 

[Mickey]

Exactly what education do you have, Mickey?

BSME, minored in Humanities (though the dratted school lost my paperwork, so it's not on record :evil: ). Working on a thesis, which is all I need to get my MSME. I actually have my PE license, just in case I ever want to work for a government entity again. I don't plan on designing drive parts for the rest of my career.

Thanks for the info on the in-seat power, Pradeep. I rarely travel for business, so this is all a bit strange and new for me.

 

[Tannin]

Brisbane is a nice city, possibly the nicest large city in Australia. But it's bloody steamy at that time of year, and still a city.

Hire a car and drive out to Toowoomba - that's about 2 hours, a little less. In the evening, go to the Weiss restraunt on the hill on the edge of town. Order Moreton Bay bugs (a sort of crab/crayfish thing that is absolutely the best seafood you will ever eat). Drink some of the second-best beer in the universe (i.e., XXXX, which is pronounced "four-ex" because Queenslanders can't spell "beer"). Eat some more bugs.

If you can still walk, go back to your motel and sleep it off.

In the morning, continue to the Bunya Mountains. Delight in the cool mountain breezes and the astonishingly peaceful scenery.

This fellow will eat out of your hand:

As will various of his friends of many different species, and the lush green lawns of Bunya are alive with wallabies. You'll stay there all day, delighting in the relative cool and the peaceful atmosphere, maby stay there that night too.

Next day, you can return the way you came, or (better) continue north, travelling through the rich, rolling peanut country around Kingaroy, and veering right to head eastwards to meet the sea. That brings you to the Sunshine Coast, which is vastly nicer than the horrible neon-ridden Gold Coast south of Brisbane, and will give you the chance for a swim. (Can you swim there in summer? I think so. Further north you can't swim in the summer months because of the deadly Box Jellyfish, but I don't think they come as far south as that. Don't worry about it: if there is any danger at all, there will be signs and thingsa all over the place. Queenslanders take water safety seriously.

If you have an extra day or two to spare, at the northern-most extremity of your trip, you are only 80-odd kilometres from Hervey Bay, and from Hervey Bay (or Bundaberg) you can take a short trip by twin-engined light aircraft to one of the most wonderful places on the entire Great Barrier Reef: Lady Elliot Island. You can day-trip there, but much, much better to stay a night or two. As these things go, it's not expensive, and you can spend your days in a wonderland of warm, crystal-clear water getting as close to the coral and the fish as you like (no need for scuba gear at Lady Elliot, the schnorkelling is superb), and the early mornings and the evenings eating tropical fruit and fresh-caught fish (all provided for you) while you watch the thousands upon thousands of stunningly beautiful pelagic seabirds coming in to their nests to feed their youngsters.

 

[Pradeep]

If you do get on the beach remember to swim between the red and yellow flags.

 

[Mickey]

Figured I'd let the folks here know that I had a great time visiting Brisbane. It was a little warm and humid, but cooler than Malaysia, so it was manageable for me.

Never did make it to Townsville, as my friend had to go out of the country the same day I arrived. Instead, I did the day tour thing from Brisbane for three days, visiting the Australia Zoo, Brisbane tour, and Byron Bay. That last one had absolutely gorgeous water.

Too little time, really. I definitely need to visit Australia again for three weeks or so. Being on medication (ear problems) limited my beer intake, though I did get to try XXXX and VB. :mrgrn:

And what's the proper way to pronounce "Queensland?" Rhymes with "band" or more of a short a?

 

[Tannin]

"Band" already has a short "a". :wink:

 

[Mickey]

Sorry about that. My ears are still bothering me and it has made it hard to hear much of anything for the past two weeks. *sigh*

Let me try again. Is it more like "band" or the first syllable in "London?"

 

[Tannin]

I was taking advantage of your confusion, Mickey.

It seems to vary a bit, but on average it's half-way between: neither the over-formal "queensLAND" not the over-terse "QUEENSlnd". So your ears didn't deceive you, it's a bit of both.

Glad to hear you liked the place, and hurry on back.

If you get tired of the steamy atmosphere and pine for a bit of good old two-sided weather (i.e., too bloody hot or too bloody cold), slip on down here to Ballarat.

 

[Howell]

Pictures, Pictures
We want pictures!

 

[Mickey]

I still need to sort through my pics, but I will try to post a few when I have access to broadband again. Visiting the folks at the moment, so it's just dialup for me.

Thanks for the clarification, Tannin. I wasn't sure if it was just my bad ears playing tricks on me.

 

[Mickey]

Here are some pics. I still have a lot of them to sort through, but these were interesting.

1. Grey kangaroo. Got to pet a few and can confirm they have very soft fur.

2. Couple of pics of Byron Bay: pic 1 and pic 2. Beautiful water.

3. Warning sign at Australia Zoo near croc enclosures.

4. Didn't expect to see ibis in the middle of Brisbane, but they're apparently as common as pigeons in the US.

5. Every single koala I saw was sleeping, except for the one I got to pet, and he was getting ready for a nap, too.

6. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Australian Woolshed and seeing sheep dogs in action.

 

[Pradeep]

Here are some pics. I still have a lot of them to sort through, but these were interesting.

5. Every single koala I saw was sleeping, except for the one I got to pet, and he was getting ready for a nap, too.

Yeah, lazy bastards. Mostly infected with gonorrhea. Glad to hear you had a good time. That XXXX will do strange things to your hearing.

 

[Mickey]

It wasn't the XXXX that messed up my ears. (I think :mrgrn It was having a cold shortly before flying to Aus. Nothing like ear pain upon descent to make one want to curl up in the fetal position and whimper like a little kid.

Maybe on my next trip I'll get to visit Ballarat?

 

[time]

It's bloody Queens - l - a - n - d, mate, as in fan. Swallowing the 'a' would turn you into a New Zealander - they have a chronic aversion to vowels.

And pronouncing the 'a' as 'ar' is something that only the British aristocracy - and a certain percentage of New South Welshmen - can manage.

Everyday Australians (not media types like Steve Irwin) neither shorten nor lengthen vowels. So it's not drawled out over three seconds as would befit a stereotypical southerner from the good 'ol USA.

Sorry, I couldn't think of any other tourist destinations - at least not that you could have managed in three days. Brisbane really doesn't have anything that you wouldn't find in the US (except Lone Pine Sanctuary, and you already cuddled a koala). The interesting stuff is outside the city, and it depends on your definition of interesting - see Tannin's suggestions.

Most of Australia's real tourist attractions require effort to reach and enjoy. Byron Bay is not even in Queensland, let alone part of Brisbane! Great place, but nowhere near as good culturally as it used to be (it's about 3 hours drive from Brisbane).

Glad you enjoyed your lightning visit, though. So when are we going to receive proper recognition as the 52nd state, anyway? :wink:

 

[Mickey]

It's bloody Queens - l - a - n - d, mate, as in fan. Swallowing the 'a' would turn you into a New Zealander - they have a chronic aversion to vowels.

Sorry, I couldn't think of any other tourist destinations - at least not that you could have managed in three days. Brisbane really doesn't have anything that you wouldn't find in the US (except Lone Pine Sanctuary, and you already cuddled a koala). The interesting stuff is outside the city, and it depends on your definition of interesting - see Tannin's suggestions.

Most of Australia's real tourist attractions require effort to reach and enjoy. Byron Bay is not even in Queensland, let alone part of Brisbane! Great place, but nowhere near as good culturally as it used to be (it's about 3 hours drive from Brisbane).

Glad you enjoyed your lightning visit, though. So when are we going to receive proper recognition as the 52nd state, anyway? :wink:

I think Puerto Rico wants to be the 52nd state, behind Washington, DC as #51.

It was rather odd to go between two states via car in the span of one day, but still have to change time zones due to the differences in DST. That only happens here when I travel by plane. Thank heavens I don't wear a watch, so it was actually a little less confusing.

And no, I didn't actually cuddle a koala. I pet one, but didn't fork out the money to cuddle one and snap a picture with it.

BTW, I didn't know it, but QLD and South Carolina are sister states. I saw a sign stating that at the Brisbane Transit Center. Didn't realize the two states had so much in common (weather?).

 

[time]

And no, I didn't actually cuddle a koala. I pet one, but didn't fork out the money to cuddle one and snap a picture with it.

Just as well - vicious little bastards.

BTW, I didn't know it, but QLD and South Carolina are sister states. I saw a sign stating that at the Brisbane Transit Center. Didn't realize the two states had so much in common (weather?).

Tourism, apparently. :roll:

Perhaps this fits with the new license plate slogan, "Smart State"? Based on the old slogan, "Sunshine State", Queensland should probably be sister state to Florida. :-?

Still better than Western Australia though. They used to have "State of Excitement" on the front and rear of each car.

 

[Mickey]

Just as well - vicious little bastards.

That's what my Aussie friend said, too, something like "I never did understand why anyone would want to cuddle something so mean."

Perhaps this fits with the new license plate slogan, "Smart State"? Based on the old slogan, "Sunshine State", Queensland should probably be sister state to Florida. :-?

Still better than Western Australia though. They used to have "State of Excitement" on the front and rear of each car.

:lol: That's a good one.

Did QLD have problems with the latest national election, like hanging chads and the like? :wink:

 

[Tannin]

Not exactly, Mickey. Queenslnd did have some problems a little like that in the bad old days (which perhaps Time will be kind enough to remind us of) when Joh was premier. Joh (and various of his friends and enemies) divided the state up into electorates based not on the population in each but on their geographical size. In consequence, if you lived in the bush, your vote was worth six or eight times as much as if you lived in the city, and in those days, country people were ultra-conservative. Your chances of getting a vote at all were poor if you were Aboriginal. At one stage, he held government on 17% of the vote! There was graft everywhere, massive corruption, and Queensland was the laughing stock of the entire nation.

Florida? Hmmm .... More like Louisiana in the early 1960s, or New York City between the wars.

But that's not what I meant to post about. What I was going to recount was our own time of national shame, when Jeff Kennet was premier of Victoria and people with brains were voting with their feet. Kennett changed the traditional (and rather boring) number plate words Victoria - garden state to a new slogan: Victoria - on the move.

Indeed, Kennet was correct. We Victorians were on the move: to Queensland, to New South Wales, to Western Australia, all over the place!