Brisbane!
We escaped NYC winter to Australian summer in February. It was one of the most adventurous trips we’ve taken. We visited Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, and Sydney.
We took the 6 pm flight from JFK on Qantas Airlines. The aircrew, were great and they gave a full meal, snacks, and a light breakfast (not that airline food is great, but it was OK). We transferred in LA (2 hour connection) to the plane that would ultimately fly us to Brisbane. The secret to arriving refreshed to Australia is to at least sleep half of the 14 hour flight. The other half can be spent of movies, meals, snacks, drinks (alcohol included, they give a menu on each flight to show what is provided during the flight, including which alcoholic beverages). The seats are a bit tight and there is very little space to stretch in economy (the premium economy and business looked very comfortable).
The land of the marsupials, what everyone thinks it looks like, but the first picture is a more accurate picture. Picture taken in the Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.
Our plane landed in Brisbane at 6 am on Sunday Morning, we lost a day, but on the way back we gained it back. Our rental car was booked though Priceline and we choose Avis (we always have a good experience with Avis). We got the insurance with Priceline, so we elected not to get it with Avis in the airport. It was a Toyota RAV4. We actually really liked the rental. It was roomy, but not overly big. Since Australia was a British Colony and is still “under” British rule, the driving is a bit tricky, it’s on the opposite side. It took a bit to fully adjust to driving on the “wrong side,” but if you start driving (learning) from the right its actually slightly easier. Australia also has roundabouts in the European fashion (not like Madrid which seems to have a roundabout on each intersection).
You can feed the kangaroos, they are so gentle, in the Koala Sanctuary
Our first stop was the Koala Sanctuary, it is not far from the city (about a 20 minute drive). We arrived there at 9:30 and already there was a line of natives and tourists. It is a great park with many native Australian animal species. We took pictures with Koalas (one where I’m holding one and another where my husband is holding one). I actually did not like my first picture, so I asked to retake it and they had no problem. The second picture came out much better (other parks are not so accommodating). We bought kangaroo food to feed them in their enclosure. Kangaroos are actually very sweet animals and even the alpha kangaroo will lightly nibble on the food offered. They have birds of prey shows, information on Koalas, sheep herding shows, sheep shearing shows, and other shows that I have forgotten. We really enjoyed our day, we saw all of the grounds and animals and were done with the park at 3:30 pm.
Holding a koala is a incredibly surreal experience
Next stop was checking into our hotel the Hilton Brisbane. Which was great and very centrally located. We had the Queen Street Mall around the block . The Brisbane botanical garden a short walk away.
My sheep, mine! In the Koala Sanctuary.
Sunday was Valentine’s Day, so we went on the Brisbane Wheel, which is a very nice experience. They take a picture before the ride in front of a green screen and then fill your image with backdrops of the Brisbane the wheel, etc. (it’s in a book that has the history of Brisbane, and is a very nice souvenir). The carts in the wheel are air-conditioned and it takes a few loops, and while you ride the wheel you hear the history of Brisbane. We walked near the bank on the way back to our side and ate at the outdoor semi-self-service café with live music. Overall, the food was decent the atmosphere was fantastic. Semi-self-service is very popular in Australia, its when you order at the counter and sit, then a “waiter” brings you the food and drink. We noticed and were warned not to tip in Australia, which should be the norm in the US as well, but we are not on the right system. The only staff that seemed to expect a tip were from American companies, but Australians did not care or want.
Next to the Brisbane wheel
The next morning we ate at our hotel, our breakfast was included. We really enjoyed our breakfast, they even had a to go cup of fruit. We both took one of the fruit cups to eat later.
Brisbane botanic garden, lily pond
Our main stop was the Brisbane Botanic garden. It is a free park, that has fantastic trees from around the world. When new species of trees were brought to Australia they first came here to see if they will thrive and grow. It is a nice walk and a sort of museum of trees and plants, most are labeled. They have a very nice lily pond.
In the Brisbane botanic garden
Before we left Brisbane for the Gold Coast, I stopped by the Chanel “boutique” (its very small). They did not have anything I wanted (such as a key pouch or a pearl brooch). They did have the sneakers that I wanted, and I thought I could get them at one of the other Chanel boutiques. Not so.
My constant companion during the trip, the Chanel 2.55 Reissue, was perfect and fit everything!
Til my next post! Enjoy some more pictures of Brisbane below.
The Land Down Under! Australia Part 2: Gold Coast
The Land Down Under! Australia Part 3: Cairns
The Land Down Under! Australia Part 4: Melbourne
The Land Down Under! Australia part 5: Sydney
Brisbane botanic garden
Brisbane botanic garden
The interesting design in the mall behind our hotel, metals and butterflies
Brisbane really is a great place! It has to be one of the best places in Australia. Its friendly and there’s so much to do. You looked as though you had fun in the lone pine koala sanctuary, i’ve been a couple of times and I think its awesome! Hope you return to Brisbane City Soon!