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Adventuring Down Under
2
JBR: The Ghan
April 3, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
Today we begin one of the great train journeys of the world … The Ghan … from Darwin to Adelaide … straight through the “Red Center” of Australia.
Traveler I travel by train from Chicago Illinois to Portland, Oregon. I always get my own sleeping compartment. The shower is down the hall and I share it with one other person. I love the train ride I go through beautiful parts of the country in Montana and I go through the boring parts of the country while I’m sleeping, I think train rides are the best way to see different parts of the land meet interesting people, and just all around. Enjoy your journey. Thank you for sharing yours with us. Such beautiful pictures.
4/6/24Reply
Two to TravelWe enjoy train journeys as well. Hope to do some in USA and Canada as well.
4/6/24Reply
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Darwin: RFDS to Parliament House
April 2, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F
Knowing that the heat and humidity grows worse as the day progresses, we had an early breakfast poolside at the hotel. Mui took a dip. Then we set out on a walk to Stokes Hill Wharf … via the Damoe-Ra Pathway.

Commemorating Northern Territory Women, the pathway starts out with a series of stairs — the railings painted a brilliant aqua — and goes through grounds filled with tropical plants. It wasn’t a long walk … or a difficult one. But the humidity was already such that we were soaked with sweat by the time we got to our destination at Stokes Hill Wharf … the RFDS Tourist Facility. A/C! Yay!

RFDS = Royal Flying Doctor Service. As one of the largest aeromedical organizations in the world, it provides emergency, primary care, and preventive health services for Australians living in rural and remote areas of the country. When it was founded by Reverend John Flynn back in 1928, it didn’t have the “royal” designation. That status was granted to the service by Queen Elizabeth II during her royal visit to Australia in 1954.

The RFDS Tourist Facility also has exhibits about the bombing of Darwin by Japanese aircraft on 19 February 1942. In fact, I’d say there was more about that infamous day than about the RFDS. Nonetheless, we enjoyed visiting the facility, watching two holographic documentaries in the theater before wandering around the exhibits.

From Stokes Hill Wharf, we Ubered back up into the city to visit the Northern Territory Parliament House. It is built on the site of the Palmerston Post Office, which was reduced to rubble during the aerial attack of Darwin. The materials used to construct the building were all sourced from within Australia.

After going through the security check point, we were handed a brochure and encouraged to explore at our own pace. Any of the rooms with open doors were available for us to visit, including the gallery from which we were able to view the unicameral parliamentary chamber.

We wrapped up our visit at the Speaker’s Corner, a café overlooking the terrace that has an expansive view of Darwin Harbor. It was uncomfortably warm and humid, so we sat inside for a simple but very tasty lunch.

We should have Ubered back to the hotel after lunch. But we went in search of ice cream instead. The highly-rated shop was an easy walk from Parliament House. Unfortunately, despite Google indicating it was open, the shop had a sign to the contrary. Darn. So, we continued on foot to the hotel. A mistake. We were both drained by the time we got back to our room.

Time to rest up. Tomorrow, we depart Darwin for another train journey.Read more
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Adventuring Down Under
Darwin: Lunch with Oceania Friends
April 1, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F
We were not supposed to be in Darwin today.

More accurately, we were supposed to be in Darwin. But we were supposed to be out for the day … on a flight-seeing trip to Kakadu National Park.

That was before I had my vertigo episode in Cairns. Suddenly, flying to a remote location on a small aircraft didn’t seem like a smart idea. So, we canceled the trip.

The good news? It gave us a chance to meet up with friends on Oceania’s Nautica, the sister ship to Insignia … on which we did the world cruise last year.

Nautica had called on Cairns while we were there. However, Chris (Executive Concierge) was port manning and Claudio (General Manager) had a previous engagement. Who knew we’d have another chance to plan a meet up … this time in Darwin.

We met up with Claudio and Chris at Shennanigans … a pub on Mitchell Street … the same place where we had dinner last night. Thankfully, it was quiet today … no live band performance … no happy-hour crowd.

The food was delicious. The beer was cold. The conversation … well, that was the highlight. It was great to catch up with friends.Read more
TravelerFeel your pain with regard to vertigo. I use the Epley maneuver which I find helps.
4/1/24Reply
Two to TravelYes, I do the Epley, too. And I find staying away from caffeine helps as I recuperate. Luckily, the vertigo seems to have gone away.
4/1/24Reply
TravelerGlad your vertigo has resolved!
4/1/24Reply
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Adventuring Down Under
2
Darwin: The Esplanade
April 1, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Overlooking Darwin Harbor, the nearly two-mile long Esplanade runs through lush green lawns. There are plenty of trees that provide shade … something that is really important in Darwin any time … but even more so when the sun is shining … as it was today.

With plans to meet friends for lunch, we decided to have an easy morning. Leaving the Double Tree around 10:00a, we crossed the street to stroll the Esplanade … stopping to check out the memorials along the way … many of them dedicated to the attack on Darwin by the Japanese on 19 February 1942.Read more
Sonia GelmanWe walked this in 2020. Great walk.
4/1/24Reply
Traveler Such a beautiful ship!
4/4/24Reply
Two to TravelElegant
4/4/24Reply
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Darwin: Morning Swim
April 1, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
A good night’s rest.

A decent breakfast poolside, enjoying the low humidity before the day began to warm up.

Mui couldn’t resist the siren call of the empty pool. So, after breakfast, he donned his swim gear and went for a swim while I read for a bit poolside.

A relaxing start to our day.Read more
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In Darwin, NT
March 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
As is the case with Cairns, this is our third time visiting Darwin … only the first time flying in to the capital of the Northern Territory.

Our flight from Darwin was uneventful … and arrived 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Always a bonus. Fifteen minutes after that, we were in an Uber, heading into the city.

For our stay in Darwin, I had taken advantage of a sale and booked a junior suite at the Double Tree. As it turns out, they upgraded us to a King Suite. Always a bonus.

After settling into our room, we headed off to Shenanigans, a pub that is just a short walk from the Double Tree. We expected that it would be a quiet place on Easter Sunday. We were wrong. With happy hour in full swing, and a live band playing on the patio, it was anything but quiet. A table on the far side of the patio, around the corner from the band, provided a “quieter” dinner experience. The food was good. The beer cold.

A quiet night at the hotel is the order of the day. Looking forward to seeing friends tomorrow.Read more
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Onboard and Ready to Take Off
March 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
11:56a and we have pushed back.

Mui and I have the three seats in the exit row to ourselves.

Here’s to a safe flight.
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Adventuring Down Under
At the Cairns Airport
March 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Checked out of Cairns Harbourside Hotel.

Uber to Cairns Airport … a short 7-minute ride.

Smooth check in for JQ924 … scheduled for a noon departure.

Now we await boarding to be called for our Jet Star flight to Darwin.Read more
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Cairns: On the Mend
March 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
Woke up to more rain this morning! The wet season still has a month to go, so the rain is not surprising. The good news is that for at least part of the day, the temps were especially comfy. Until the sun made an appearance and the heat and humidity rose after noon.

I’m on the upswing. In fact, I felt good enough to keep my haircut and mani/pedi appointments this morning. The hairdresser with whom I made an appointment was a young woman from Türkiye; trained in Germany where she was born. She did an excellent job with the haircut … which should last me until we get home on 1 May.

Afterwards, we walked over to the Esplanade to get a bite to eat. Contrary to what we were told about restaurants over Easter weekend, there were plenty of places to choose from … though some are not open until dinner service.

We ended up at Splash … a seafood restaurant. It’s more expensive than some of the other restaurants in Cairns, but the food, we felt, is better than many places in the city … and compared well with our meals at Perrotta’s & Pist4cchi.

Instead of ordering an Uber, we walked back to the hotel for a quiet afternoon … and to prep for moving on to Darwin tomorrow.Read more
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Cairns: A Soaker of a Day
March 29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
It rained overnight. Quite heavy at times.

It rained most of the day. Quite heavy at times. Strong enough to obscure the horizon.

In other words, a good day to continue to recuperate. I still have some BPPV symptoms … much less intense than they were. Which means that I will continue the Epley Maneuver —the most common exercise used to move the crystals back into place — a couple of times per day until I am symptom-free for 24 hours. I found an excellent video by a vestibular doctor online to help ensure I am doing the maneuver the way it should be performed.

Mui’s “at home,” too. When he returned from his “A #1” GBR snorkel experience yesterday, I had suggested that he might want to snorkel today as well. His response? “I’ll leave the snorkeling on a high note.” Considering how hard it rained today, that was a good decision.

Now, at a little after 3:00p, the rain has seemingly stopped. But it is still overcast, so who knows if there is more wet stuff to fall from the sky before it is all said and done.

In the meantime, I think we’ll go out for an early dinner while it is dry outside.

That could fall under the “easier said than done” category, however. Today is Good Friday and most places here in Cairns are closed. Oh well. Worst case scenario we’ll eat here at the hotel.Read more
TravelerI was so excited to read that you were on the mend. Doubly excited to hear that the snorkeling adventure went really well so well, indeed, that today was not a necessary trip. No reason to ruin good memories. Looking forward to your next explanation of how your trip is going. I hope you found a good dinner on Good Friday Heidi .
3/29/24Reply
Two to TravelYes, we did … and that I could walk back to the hotel instead of Ubering was a good omen for today.
3/29/24Reply
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Cairns: Mui’s GBR Snorkel
March 28, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
While I spent the day resting following the BPPV episode, Mui reluctantly left me to my own devices to go snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef.

I’m glad I pushed him to go. “It was the best of my three times out there,” was the text message he sent me once the Divers Den reef boat was on its way back after two different snorkel sessions at two different locations at the GBR.

Mui uses a GoPro for his underwater videos. On this trip, we’re traveling light as far as technology goes. No laptops = no video processing. That will have to wait until we get home. But he did give me some screenshots to share from the raw footage. Not the quality I would prefer to share, but it will have to do for now.Read more
TravelerThe photos are amazing color.
3/28/24Reply
Two to TravelI think the video, when processed, is going to be even better.
3/28/24Reply
Sonia Gelmanwe had amazing snorkeling today, but no camera and no pictures to share.
3/28/24Reply
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Cairns: GBR Liveaboard … No Go
March 27, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
Actually, the liveaboard went ahead as planned. It just did so without us.

What is a liveaboard? In Cairns, it’s when you live on a reef boat for a period of time to snorkel or dive at the Great Barrier Reef [GBR]. In our case, this was going to be a two night/three day experience with Divers Den.

Well, late last night I got hit with a bout of vertigo — specifically, BPPV … Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. I took one of the pills the doctor prescribed when I had an episode last fall. Mui then helped me with the Epley Maneuver, designed to re-align the crystals in the ear canal. Neither helped this time.

With the symptoms worsening, in the wee hours of this morning, we walked over to the Cairns Hospital emergency room … just down the street from our hotel. Long story short, the doctor first confirmed that I was ailing from BPPV and not a more sinister neurological issue. He then induced the symptoms of vertigo — which is such a horrible sensation with the room spinning like crazy — to confirm the source was the crystals in the left ear. Finally, he performed a slightly different version of the Epley Maneuver … which’s seems to have done the trick … at least for now.

I had my first BPPV episode in 2017 when we were returning to the USA from a trip to Türkiye. Then it disappeared until the episode I had last fall. And now this third episode in Australia. No one really knows what sets off BPPV … other than a sudden head movement that throws the crystals in the ear canal out of alignment. It is more prevalent amongst the 60+ group. So, I’ve learned to slow down my head movements. The only sudden movement I can recall in the past few days is a big sneeze that had me jerking my head away from the table. If that was the cause … well, darn it.

Of course, there was no question of us going on the liveaboard … departure scheduled for 7:30a today. We canceled our reservation as soon as the Divers Den office opened this morning.

I feel really bad for Mui because he’s the snorkeller in our family. He’s been out to the GBR twice before … on cruise ship calls on Cairns. Nonetheless, he was really looking forward to the liveaboard for some extended reef time. The good news? I convinced him to book a daytrip out to the GBR tomorrow … and maybe for the day after as well. No sense in him being stuck in a hotel room while I continue to rest up.Read more
TravelerSo sorry to read this footprint but glad you got the appropriate treatment. Hope Mui was able to enjoy his day trip.
3/28/24Reply
Two to TravelThanks, Karen. I just got a message saying it was the best of his three trips out to the GBR.
3/28/24Reply
Sonia GelmanI hope you will rest and recover completely.
3/28/24Reply
Two to TravelThanks … starting to feel better.
3/28/24Reply
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Cairns: Botanic Gardens
March 26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
Today we visited the Cairns Botanic Gardens … billed as a tropical paradise. It is considered to be one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in the country.

To make the most of the cooler hours, we took an Uber to the Botanic Gardens, arriving about ½-hour after the grounds opened at 7:30a. By 10:00a, the heat and humidity had risen … but was still bearable. Another hour saw us sweating buckets and seeking shade and breeze where we could.

The gardens consist of several collections that are grouped in smaller gardens that span both sides of the road that bisects the grounds.

To name a few of the areas where we strolled today … the Flecker Garden … featuring plants from steamy SE Asia jungles to Tropical North Queensland; the Gondwanan Heritage Garden … tracing the evolution of plants; the Watkins Munro Martin Conservatory … housing the most tender plants, including orchids, and a collection of local butterflies … the latter two had been removed, unfortunately; the Zhangjiang Chinese Friendship Garden … located at the Freshwater Centenary Lakes … reflecting the Chinese cultural heritage of Cairns.

Also on the grounds of the Botanic Gardens are three of the WWII era fuel storage tanks that were connected to the naval docks in Portsmith via 3.5 miles of pipeline under the streets of Cairns. These reinforced concrete tanks were excavated into the side of the mountain in order to make them less visible to enemy planes flying along the coastline. In 1991, the tanks were redeveloped into an arts center. Two of them are used for performing arts and were closed today. Tank 4 is primarily used for visual arts and was open today with a small art exhibit that we enjoyed in between our garden strolls.

We wrapped up our visit at Tank 64, the café at the visitor center … highly recommended by our Uber driver. He did not steer us wrong. The food was delicious, and the A/C seeping out from the café itself on to the terrace where we sat was most welcome.

Definitely a not-to-be-missed place in Cairns.Read more
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Cairns: Sunrise
March 26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
Woke up to a colorful sunrise and a cool morning that invited us to sit on the balcony before heading down to breakfast.
TravelerSpectacular
3/26/24Reply
Traveler I ❤️ this photo!
3/26/24Reply
Two to TravelSpeaks of serenity to me.
3/26/24Reply
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Cairns: Evening Stroll
March 25, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
Cairns is located in tropical Queensland. The heat and humidity this time of the year is, therefore, especially oppressive. Unless you are on the water, that is. After all Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

We’re here to do a liveaboard, so Mui opted not to take a daytrip out to the reef this time as he has done in the past. Instead, we took a page out of the book that the locals use to endure the daytime heat and humidity … we went out in the evening.

First up was a stop at the new St Monica’s Cathedral on Abbott Street. Dedicated as a memorial to the WWII Battle of the Coral Sea, the official name of the church is St Monica’s War Memorial Cathedral.

In addition to the Peace Windows, the cathedral is known for its Creation Windows. All of the windows are designed by Gerry Cummins and Jill Stehn. Installed in 1995, the Peace Windows celebrate 50 years of peace in the Pacific Region since the end of WWII. The 24 Creation Windows depict the story of creation taken from the Book of Genesis. They are so large that I had to photograph them in segments. Definitely worth a visit to the cathedral to see them.

From St Monica’s, we continued our stroll into the CBD. We had dinner reservations at Pist4cchi, an Italian restaurant opened by two Italian guys … one from Campania and the other from Puglia. The food was excellent (they even made me cacio e pepe (off-menu) … and Mui enjoyed chatting with Francesco in Italian. The website said that we would be greeted “… with genuine warmth and quintessential Italian charm.” Definitely the case last night. We had a “bellissima esperienza!.”

After dinner, we made our way to the Esplanade. We passed the saltwater swimming lagoon on the foreshore … built to give people a place to swim since the beaches around here have dangerous critters swimming around. Can you say crocodiles and stingers? Then we continued along the foreshore back to the hotel.

A great way to wrap up what was an otherwise relaxing day. But I must say that by the time we got back, the A/C in our room was most welcome.Read more
TravelerWhat a gorgeous evening
3/26/24Reply
Two to TravelStill hot and humid but doable.
3/26/24Reply
TravelerWhat is a "liveaboard"?
3/26/24Reply
Two to TravelIt’s where you go out to the reef and overnight on board instead of doing the two-hour boat ride each way as a day trip.
3/26/24Reply
TravelerOh that sounds like a great option. Can't wait for the story on that one.
3/26/24Reply
Two to TravelUnfortunately, we had to cancel. I had a vertigo episode last night. I’m encouraging Mui to do a couple of day trips while I rest up.
3/26/24Reply
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New Tower … New Room
March 25, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
Plop! Plop! Plop

No … it wasn’t the sound of rain on the roof. Rather, it was a slow drip from the ceiling onto the carpet in the bedroom. In an out of the way corner. Nonetheless, it was a water leak.

Nothing to do about it late at night … except wait until this morning.

This morning, on our way to breakfast, we stopped to talk to the front desk manager about changing our room. She immediately looked up available options and offered us a choice of three rooms. After breakfast, we joined her for a quick look-see.

Two of the rooms were sea view … the suite looked inland, facing the tower where our room was located. Mui left the choice to me. I opted for the corner sea view room in the waterfront tower … bright and cheery and with an expansive view of the foreshore promenade.

The bonus? The room seems to have undergone that facelift I mentioned our first room needed.Read more
TravelerSuch a gorgeous view
3/25/24Reply
Two to TravelAll the more so I think at sunrise.
3/25/24Reply
TravelerGorgeous view!!
3/25/24Reply
Two to TravelIsn’t it though? We lucked out.
3/26/24Reply
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Welcome to Cairns
March 24, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
A restful night on the Spirit of Queensland.

Around 6:30a, the car attendants came around and restored the RailBeds to their daytime position. Breakfast service began at 7:00a. Why so early? Because we were due into Townsville — a turnaround station for crew and a good number of passengers — before 8:30a. No problem for us … both Mui and I were already up … Mui having taken advantage of the onboard shower facilities.

Most of the stops the Spirit of Queensland makes are short … just long enough to embark/disembark passengers. Townsville was a longer stop, giving everyone a chance to disembark onto the platform to stretch their legs during the crew changeover. Just 10 minutes, but it was nice to walk around and get some fresh air.

Once we were rolling again, the crew came around to take our lunch orders. And then it was time to relax again … reading, writing, watching a movie. The further north we went the more it rained … light and steady. But before the scenery was completely masked by the raindrops on the window, I saw a couple of kangaroos in the fields. Always fun to see wildlife out in nature.

By lunch time, the engine crew had made up all but five minutes of the delay. Excellent. Airline quality food for our midday repast, and then it was time to get ready for our arrival in Cairns.

We came into Cairns Station to continued rain … the wet season’s not entirely over up here. Making our way through the mall attached to the station, we ordered an Uber and got to our hotel without getting too wet. In the humid tropical heat, the slightly cooler rain was actually welcome.

The Cairns Harbourside is a hotel on the Esplanade … the foreshore promenade. The reviews I had read when I booked this hotel are spot on. The facilities — a Holiday Inn until February of this year — are a little tired and could use a facelift. Clean, nonetheless. The staff are the stars. Everyone from the front desk clerk to the hospitality staff and the cleaners are exceptionally friendly and helpful. “No” does not seem to be part of their vocabulary.

We settled into the sea view suite we had booked and took care of a few things while we waited for the sun that had come out at some point to descend on the horizon. The plan was to walk into town once things cooled off a bit. With the humidity and heat breaking a bit, the walk wasn’t too bad … about ½-hour to the CBD.

When we were here in December 2023, I had an enjoyable lunch at Perottas. That’s where we went for dinner … good food, cold drinks, friendly serving staff.

Even though the humidity was on the rise, we decided to walk back to the hotel instead of taking an Uber. The foreshore promenade was crowded … the locals doing what they usually do … coming out to enjoy the cooler evening hours. A good plan.Read more
TravelerYou should write travel guides. I really enjoyed reading the account of your journey.
3/25/24Reply
Two to TravelThanks for the compliment. Maybe someday if I sit still somewhere.
3/25/24Reply
TravelerI’ve been thinking about your comment about if you sit still somewhere I hope that doesn’t happen then you won’t have these interesting things to write about. After all reading about your journey is the interesting part.
3/29/24Reply
Two to TravelTrue … sort of a damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenario.
3/29/24Reply
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Spirit of Queensland to Cairns
March 23, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
After Cyclone Megan came ashore in the Northern Territory early last week, it left a lot of rain in its wake. Rain that caused flooding in some places across the Top End.

Suddenly, our plans to head from Brisbane to Cairns came into question. We had a few days of worry when the Queensland Rail website posted service updates mentioning things like delays and recommending that those heading north of Townsville — which we would be — reconsider their plans.

The good news? All was back on schedule by the 22nd and we did not have to jiggle our plans to go to Cairns … which would have impacted onward travels as well.

This afternoon, our bags in tow, we crossed Roma Street from the Meriton to the train station for the overnight train from Brisbane to Cairns … a journey of nearly 1,050 miles over a period of 25 hours 🤞🏻.

Our checked bags loaded into the luggage car, we found our seats in Car C … one of the two with RailBed service on this train. What is a RailBed? Think lie-flat seats … like in premium cabins on airplanes. With one difference. These beds fold out from the back of the seat instead of just reclining into the lie-flat position.

The train departed Roma Street Station on time at 1:45p. As we watched the cityscape change to lush green ruralscape, we were served welcome aboard drinks. The car attendants took our dinner and breakfast orders as well.

Somehow the time flew by. I didn’t take any photos … the train was moving too fast for any decent images … and when it stopped in stations along the way, there really was nothing interesting on the platforms. Plus there was occasional rain speckling the windows. Instead, I passed the time with a couple of movies from the in-seat entertainment system … and wrote and uploaded some Brisbane catch-up footprints.

At 6:00p, dinner was served … airline-quality is the way I would describe the food. We then had a couple more hours before the attendants came around to convert our seats into beds. Very comfy. Lights out at 9:30p.

Thanks to the gently rolling motion of the train, I am ready to call it a night … but first, a bit of reading.

By the way, the train is apparently 35 minutes behind schedule. But the train manager said they hope to make that up overnight.Read more
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Brisbane: Around the City
March 23, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
With our train departure from Brisbane scheduled for 1:45p, we decided to head out for a stroll this morning.

We left our bags at the front desk and went off to stroll the Brisbane River promenade, following a meandering path through the city. The plan was to walk back towards the CBD, following the north bank of the river. Except that when we got to the head of the promenade, it was closed in that direction due to construction.

So, we walked in the opposite direction … and ended up at the base of Story Bridge. Who knew that today we’d be again seeing the scenery we enjoyed on the KittyCat cruise a few days ago … from a different perspective.

When we got to the Felons — a brewery/restaurant — we stopped to enjoy an early lunch, before meandering our way back to the Meriton to collect our bags and begin the next phase of our adventures Down Under!Read more
TravelerAmazing
3/27/24Reply
Two to TravelIt’s a great city … if only the weather was less tropical.
3/27/24Reply
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Brisbane: Skyline at Night
March 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
We‘ll be leaving Brisbane tomorrow. So, after dinner we went out to the Kurilpa Bridge to take a look at the skyline twinkling against the night sky.

Had we known better, we would have delayed our outing. No sooner were we back in our suite that we were alerted to fireworks over the river by the reflections on the building across the street from us. Oh well … you win some, you lose some.Read more
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Brisbane: City Hall & MoB
March 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
When we were here in December 2023, we were unable to get tickets to go up the clock tower at City Hall. They were all sold out. This time, we managed to get tickets, opting for mid-afternoon to make sure we had no conflict with our visit to the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

Since we had time before our tour, we went to the Shingle Inn for lunch … a café that was founded in 1936 … in the midst of the Great Depression. It was relocated to City Hall in 2010. We had lunch here in December … reprised that experience today.

Brisbane City Hall was built between 1920-1930. The design is a combination of the Roman Pantheon and the St Mark’s Campanile in Venice. The clock tower is just over 300 feet tall, making City Hall the tallest building in Brisbane at one time. With the changes to the skyline over the past 90 years that is no longer the case of course.

Max group size for the tour is 7 … there were only four of us on the 3:00p tour. One of the visitor experience officers took us up in the caged elevator … billed as one of the oldest in the city. He told us about the construction of the clock tower, explaining that back in the day the clock was the largest public clock and the most modern time-keeping piece in Australia. Each opal clock face is about 15 feet in diameter.

The tours take place every 15 minutes to ensure no one is on the observation platform — just below the bells … one large and four smaller ones — when they chime. The chimes are known as Westminster or Cambridge. The smaller four bells — weighing 3 tons — chime every 15 minutes, and the 4.3-ton big bell marks the hour.

We got to see the CBD skyline from the observation platform. And then, on the way down, we stopped at the clock level to see them and learn more about them. Unfortunately, we could not get out at that level … nor open the elevator door. That was a bit disappointing. But it is what it is.

Before leaving city hall, we stopped in at the MoB — Museum of Brisbane — on the third floor. I was expecting that the exhibits would be more about the history of the city. And there was a bit of that. But the majority of the exhibits were art-related. One was a collection of paintings … the other was entitled “ReArranged … art of the flower” … colorful and beautiful pieces.Read more
Sonia GelmanWe managed to get tickets day before our visit online.
3/25/24Reply
Two to TravelWe got ours the same day this time. In December, going up the clock tower wasn’t on my mind, so I hadn’t thought about doing it online.
3/25/24Reply
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Adventuring Down Under
Brisbane: Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
March 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
With the promise of sunshine and blue skies, this morning we Ubered to Mt Coot-tha. I think we saw maybe 5 minutes of those conditions. Instead, it was overcast all day … but no rain, so that was a good thing.

As the name indicates, Coot-tha is a mountain … a popular bushland tourist destination. There’s a lot to do here. One can go bush walking on the mountain trails (not on our agenda today); visit the planetarium (overrun by kids attending the World Science Festival); or stroll around the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the base of the mountain (our destination).

The botanic gardens cover some 56 hectares. There are six different trails within the boundaries. The volunteer we spoke with suggested the Gardens Explorer Trail since this was our first time visiting here. She did not steer us wrong.

Colorful blooms were infrequent. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the meandering stroll that took us from the Cacti & Bromeliad House, to the Arid Region, to the Lagoon, and then up to the Tropical Display Dome and Fern House. The highlight for us was the Japanese Garden and the Bonsai House.Read more
TravelerWhat a treasure! Love a beautiful garden especially with all those amazing plants.
3/24/24Reply
Two to TravelIt really is a great place. And no admission.
3/24/24Reply
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Adventuring Down Under
Brisbane: QAG of QAGOMA
March 21, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
With rain in the forecast, we set today as a museum day. One of them worked out … the other one didn’t.

After breakfast, we used the Kurilpa Bridge to once again cross the Brisbane River to South Bank. Our walk was a short one as the museums are close to the South Bank end of the bridge.

Our first stop was the Queensland Art Gallery … aka QAG. It is the other part of QAGOMA, which stands for “Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.” Owned by the state, the museum was founded in 1895 as the Queensland National Art Gallery.

I know I’ve said this before. But it bears repeating. Australia knows how to do museums. We loved the collection at QAG … from fabric art, to statuary, to paintings. I had read that two of the most significant works at the museum belonged to Pablo Picasso and Richard Godfrey Rivers … we saw both of them. As well as works by Degas, Tintoretto, Pisarro, and many more whose names we did not recognize. Aboriginal art was also prominently displayed … once again catching our eye.

After lunch at the cafe at QAG — the only time when we experienced a bit of rain — we headed to the nearby Queensland Museum, which is billed as the “… state’s foremost collecting institution.” Exhibits range from prehistoric giants to modern achievements and scientific discovery. We walked in. We walked out. I’m sure the museum is interesting. But today it was overrun by kids of all ages … in town for the World Science Festival. The event continues through the end of the week, so it looks like we’re going to have to take a pass on this one.Read more
TravelerYup. Nope. Bunches of kids overrunning a museum isn't my kind of fun. But isn't it nice that the kids have access to culture?
3/23/24Reply
Two to TravelDefinitely…but in this case more to science than culture as the focus of the Queensland Museum is on the latter.
3/23/24Reply
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Adventuring Down Under
Brisbane: KittyCat Cruise
March 20, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
There are a variety of vessels that ply the Brisbane River. Some are ferries. Some are tour boats. Even cruise ships come up the river … up to a point. At least they used to. (In 2017, Insignia docked at Port Side Wharf in Hamilton … just 5 miles from the Brisbane CBD.)

When we called on Brisbane in 2017, we took the touring vessel Miramar II from the Lone Pine Koala Center back to the CBD … enjoying a cruise along the northern section of the river.

Today, we took the KittyCat … operated by the Brisbane City Council. Along with the larger CityCat vessels, these catamarans service a network of 21 cross river terminals that cover the area from the University of Queensland St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton.

Our KittyCat was flagged as a CityHopper today. Meaning that it was a free inner-city ferry … running the seven stops between North Quay and Sydney Street.

Technically, we just needed to go from the South Bank to North Quay … to save our weary feet from having to retrace our steps across one of the bridges to get back to the Meriton. Instead, we hopped on the KittyCat headed in the opposite direction and got a free cruise of the Brisbane River. From what I could tell, most of the people on the catamaran with us were also on a joyride.

A fun and relaxing way to do a bit of exploring before calling it a day.Read more
TravelerThat sounds like a fun way to see the city!
3/23/24Reply
Two to TravelIt was … and easier on the feet, too 😁
3/23/24Reply
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Adventuring Down Under
2
Brisbane: GOMA of QAGOMA
March 20, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
QAGOMA stands for “Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.” It’s two art galleries under one umbrella … both located within the Queensland Cultural Centre in the South Bank precinct.

At one point today, we got tired of feeling hot and sweaty and went in search of somewhere cool. That place turned out to be GOMA. That it was free — like all of the other state galleries we’ve visited around Australia — was a bonus. That the art on exhibit was right up our alley — with plenty of colorful Aboriginal art that pleased our eye — well, that was a double bonus.Read more
Traveler Oh I love that!
3/22/24Reply
Two to TravelThere is something about this Dreaming art that is very appealing.
3/22/24Reply
TravelerWhat a wonderful museum
3/22/24Reply
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Adventuring Down Under
Brisbane: Nepalese Peace Pagoda
March 20, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
In South Bank, overlooking the Brisbane River, is the Nepalese Peace Pagoda … moved here in 1991 from its original location near Vulture Street.

This beautifully hand-carved building was commissioned and installed for Expo ‘88. A close replica of Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple, the purpose of the pagoda was to showcase Nepal’s woodcarving heritage.

According to signage near the pagoda, it took 160 craftsmen from the Kathmandu Valley two years to complete the hand carvings … which include intricate symbols of gods and goddesses and mythical animals. Scenes on the ceiling portray the enlightenment of Buddha. The roof is brass-clad, and out front is a Peace Bell.

A place of tranquil meditation, it was a peaceful stop for us on our stroll along the Brisbane River.Read more
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