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In the hinterland between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is Mt Tamborine. Driving South from Brisbane, take the turn off to Mt Tamborine. It is a steep climb so best done in a well maintained car. It is steep, narrow and winding, and there is the evidence along the way of shrines to those whose life ended on the road. Eagle Heights is the first settlement - and it is here that you get stunning views right over the Gold Coast to the Pacific Ocean. Eagle Heights has a few places to see - so a wander around is worthwhile, but the treasures abound when you reach Mt Tamborine itself.
You should be able to pick up a map at the many tourist information spots but you can also find one here with more information.
When you reach this spot - it is easy to see the many tourist venues - restaurants, wineries, accommodation, shops and more shops. Cuckoo Clock shops, Art Galleries, Crystal Shops, hotel, Australiana shops and lots more. Here on the Mountain you can almost get anything! There's quite an artistic colony on the mountain - so you can buy their wares.
It is a great venue for hang gliding (not something I am likely to do) - but it is amazing watching them jump from top of the mountain and glide down to the flat lands below. There are a number of rain forest walks - some taking only 20 minutes, others up to two hours and they wander through thick rain forest, beside creeks and waterfalls, national parks, and lots more. In fact, I'd recommend staying on the mountain for a few days to try and get to all the wonderful places for visitors.
Our destination was the Rain Forest Skywalk (get a map to this venue as it is not easy to find), but well worth the visit. There is an admission fee - but it is worth it. Take the camera, some good walking shoes. The walk is suitable for pram, but take care if you have someone with a walking stick as it can get caught in the flooring of the sky walk. There's an eco-centre adjacent to the entrance, and a lovely cafeteria, and ablutions block. We did the walk comfortably in around an hour and found it enjoyable. So much to see.
The skywalk is a must see!!!!
Once upon a time it was a daggy old port area. Wrecked wharfs and old buildings
It was during the 1980's that things started to change and various wonderful new buildings were opened. The Queensland Art Gallery, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and then the Museum.
In recent years the Queensland State Library, and the Gallery of Modern Art were opened - all along the river side opposite the city.
Now this whole cultural precinct is a mecca for locals and tourists alike.
In 1988 part of the area was alive with Expo 88, when, they say, Queensland became of age.
Southbank was developed on the Expo site, and the whole area has undergone transformation. There are parklands, things to see, things to do, a beach, restaurants and cafe's, and lots more. All within walking distance of the city proper and with easy access by public and private transport.
wharf area - but that all changed quite a few years ago.
Read more about the cultural precinct here.
I wandered around the Roma Street Parklands yesterday. Armed with my new Canon camera. I'm still getting used to it - after my Nikon point ant shoot the SLR digital is a little more challenging as I have to lenses to use and I can do more exciting things with the camera.
I like flowers so enjoy taking photos of the spring blooms that are about right now.
The Parklands are easy to get to - especially if you are a train traveller, though buses also can make it easier to access the parklands. There are great gardens, wonderful walks, trees, flowers, playgrounds for children, a lake, and lots of ducks, lizards and other small wildlife.
You really could spend all day there.
There are a number of cafe's too - and it is very close to the CBD.
If you have a car there us plenty of car parking too.
It has been many years since I was last in Redcliffe - I used to work near there many years ago and was a frequent visitor, but times change, and for one reason or another we've not been there.
Today we took a drive across the Gateway Bridge which transverses the Brisbane River, and headed north to Redcliffe.
We were surprised to see how much progress has been made on all the roadworks from the Gateway bridge and further along the motor way to Sandgate and the new bridge across to Redcliffe. Once there was an old rickety wooden bridge and around 35 years ago, a new bridge was built, which quickly became very busy and now the third bridge spanning the waterway will be completed, probably next year.
The first old bridge is now a haven for amateur fisher folk and so man were there "wetting a line" today as we passed.
We went via Woody Point with it's new jetty, and new highrise buildings, and along the esplanade to Scarborough.
We stopped and walked along the new jetty - I say new, but it has been there for quite few years. Again there was an old jetty, but replaced, and a rock wall was built to give protection to the big tour boats that come in to the jetty.
There was one there today - a whale watcher, that was moored at the end of the jetty. (see photo above).
Near the jetty were several plaques, celebrating the fact that it was at Redcliffe that the first European settlement of Brisbane was created. It was a year or two later that the settlement was moved closer to the Brisbane river. Click here for more information.
It was interesting to read the plaques and see the ground plan of the original settlement which was adjacent to where the jetty is.
It was quite a cold windy day, but not unpleasant but we did retreat to the warmth of the car without walking along the shopping precints.
