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Queensland 2019
  • Michelle Creasy
september 2019

Queensland 2019

Travelling to Queensland and Northern NSW with my mum. Les mer
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  • Reisens start
    2. september 2019
    Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    View from our window
    Roma st ParklandsLizard at Roma st ParklandsRoma st ParklandsRoma st ParklandsRoma st ParklandsSpectacular garden at Roma st ParklandRoma st ParklandRoma st ParklandView from our window by night

    Roma St

    2. september 2019, Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    This year’s trip is southern Queensland and northern NSW. I’m travelling with mum and we intend to go and visit my sister next week.

    We got to experience the new security screening at the airport. It picked up the button on my right arm and back of my neck but not the one on my left arm.
    The flight itself was fine. We managed to navigate the Airtrain to Roma st Station and then to our hotel, Meriton suites. We’ve a two bedroom apartment so we are on the 72nd floor. There are only 74 floors.
    The view is lovely, the traffic noise isn’t noticeable if the windows are closed.

    After a rest and freshen up I visited the Roma Street Parkland. It is simply gorgeous. Unfortunately the Spectacular Garden on Colin Campbell Place is cloaks from dusk to dawn. I’d argue that it want dusk when I got there but nevertheless it was closed. I did walk around the outside and through other parts of the garden.
    I walked through the Queens st Mall on my search for a supermarket. What I saw was interesting but it was dark so I just did what I neede to do.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Bouganvillia avenue at Southbank
    Kangaroo Point cliffsStory BridgeCardamom plantThis vine with the maroon stem is apparently edibleMoreton bay bugsSeafood crepeCity ferry, similar to the City Hopper but different colourRiver cats (ferries)Harry and Ada ❤️Harry and Ada ❤️

    Ferries, Friends...and Failures?

    3. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    If my plan today was to show mum just how I can smoothly navigate around an unknown city I well and truly failed. We prefer different ways of travelling. I like to do it all myself, preferably using public transport, mum prefers an organised tour. Neither is better than the other although I suspect mum was wishing a tour bus would magically appear and take her straight to the next destination without any mucking around.

    We started the day by heading to Southbank. There was some discussion as to whether we catch the bus or walk. I wasn’t too confident of navigating from one side of the Pacific Motorway which was between us and Victoria Bridge and the river. So we took the bus. We’re using a combination of google maps and the translink app to get around.
    After apparently missing one bus and then walking to the next stop down the road where the expected bus didn’t arrive we managed to get to Southbank. Like Roma st Parkland the gardens at Southbank are lovely. It got quite hot in the sun but in the shade and amongst the lush greenery it was cool.
    We took a river cruise from Southbank to Breakfast creek and return. Brisbane doesn’t have a hop on hop off bus which is how I usually like to get to know about the city I am visiting so this was a good substitute. I enjoy hearing the commentary, learning about the history and the local jokes.
    The Brisbane river is used very differently to the Swan river. We saw a barge going upstream as well as countless ferries. Part of the reason is that the wharf used to be close to Brisbane but now it is much further down river.
    It’s funny how when I’ve done the sightseeing tours with commentary overseas I’ve quite enjoyed the traditional music they play between the commentary. Hearing the tune of Waltzing Matilda sounded corny although this was only at the beginning and end. Down the river was more relaxing music.

    As we got off the boat I asked a crew member if she could recommend a restaurant on Southbank for a good seafood lunch. She suggested instead we go to George Paragons on Eagle st Pier. We caught a city cat (ferry) down there and had a delicious lunch. My one culinary goal for this trip was to try Moreton bay bugs seeings they are local. I wasn’t disappointed. Smaller and more meatier than lobster they were delicious. Mum’s seafood crepe was also delicious.

    We took the city hopper (another type of ferry) back to Southbank. While waiting to get on the city hopper I couldn’t find my go (transport) card. Both mum and I searched my purse and bag before I realised I’d turned it around. We got on the city hopper to discover it was free! Back to Southbank and to the Epicurious Garden. It is a big veggie patch but with some interesting plants. I saw a cardamom plant for the first time. If I’d ever given it any thought I would have said cardamom pods come from a tree rather than an understory tropical plant related to ginger.

    We needed postcards to send back to nephews and niece so we checked bit the Maritime Museum and Queensland Museum and Science Centre gift shops for postcards. Neither had any. After another round of “that bus didn’t come so let’s get this one” we found some postcards in the Queen st Mall.

    Mum then got to relax while I caught the train to visit a friend. At the train station I reached for my purse only to discover my purse was missing. My heart sank thinking of it being stolen. I checked with mum before panicking too much and discovered that yes, I had left it on the kitchen bench. Purse retrieved I made the next train to spend a lovely evening with Lani and her two beagles.
    Those that know me know my breed of dog is a beagle. We took Harry and Ada for a walk, Ada taking full advantage of the fact that I was happy to let her sniff and sniff.
    After picking up some fish and chips (and potato scallops - how have I never had one of these before? They are delicious) we went back to her place for dinner, chat and beagle cuddles. Definitely the highlight of the day for me.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Brisbane from Mt Cooth-Tha
    Birds trying to keep coolBush turkey lifting his wing to try and cool downWaterfall in Botanic GardensBromeliadBonsai Port Jackson FigBonsai BougainvilleaArid region cactusAeid region cactusArid region plant - it was as hot as it looks

    Mt Coot-Tha on a warm day

    4. september 2019, Australia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Today was a warm one, it seems our trip has coincided with a heat wave.
    We caught the bus to Adelaide st. We had some time before the next bus to Mt Coot-Tha so we went down the Brisbane Arcade with not only has some stunning shops but had lots of floral arrangements to celebrate the coming of spring.
    We came back though H&M where I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a hat. I certainly needed it today.
    Mt Coot-Tha itself was a lovely view. We could see the ocean, North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island. It’s taken me a few years but I’ve finally realised why there are always cafes at places like this. It’s so you have something to do while you are waiting for public transport.
    We took the bus down to the Botanic Gardens. We had a lovely time trying to interpret the map to work out where we were and where we wanted to go. While in the shade the gardens were lovely and cool. We saw a lot of beautiful plants and flowers.
    It was warm enough however for the birds to be feeling it. I saw honeyeaters wallowing in the sand and a bush turkey lifting its wing to keep cool.
    We’d just stopped to appreciate the Japanese gardens when my sister rang. It was a lovely spot to sit and have a chat and organise ourselves for next week.
    We finished with a late lunch and then caught the bus back. I’d had enough by then so we were back in the hotel by 4:30pm.
    We are trying not to eat dinner out while in Brisbane (except me last night) so tonight I went around the corner to pick up a subway salad to have with the burgers I bought on Monday night.
    Tomorrow we head to Moreton Island.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    One f the Tangalooma wrecks
    Moreton IslandComnor the comorantConnor with his fishFishPelicansSunset

    Tangalooma Resort, Moreton Island

    5. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today we went out to Tangalooma resort on Moreton Island.
    We were originally booked to take the 7am boat which meant leaving the hotel at 5:30am, for a 6am check in. Fortunately mum pointed out that was an extremely long day so instead we caught the 10am boat out. There was quite a haze about, caused by bushfires south of here.

    Not long after we arrived we headed off on our marine discovery tour. It was on a pontoon style boat with a glass bottom, we headed out to the Tangalooma wrecks - 15 ships intentionally wrecked to provide an artificial reed from the 60s to the 80s. There is a wide variety of marine life in Moreton Bay. We saw sting rays, star fish, a huge variety of fish, green turtles, dolphins but sadly no dugong. Over by the wrecks we fed the fish which lead to them swarming. Connor the cormorant came over. Apparently he comes over everyday, he’s not interested in the fish food but instead catches a small fish. Apart from a young backpacker all the others on the boat were seniors from the same tour. One of them spotted quite a bit of wildlife. In hindsight I should have gone and stood by him! You needed to be looking in the right place at the right time. The man saw a shark (possibly a bull shark), all the rest of us just saw the fish almost skipping along the top of the water to escape from the shark.
    I was fortunate enough to see a turtle come up out of the water and go down again.

     We didn’t really have anything planned for the afternoon. We had a late lunch followed by a dolphin talk. That was really interesting and gave us a good background for the dolphin feeding as well as the history of the program. We were even able to see the “gifts” that the dolphins have presented to the staff over the years. These have all been sea animals. The first gift was a dead moray eel.
    A kookaburra feeding was followed by watching the sunset.

    We could have fed the dolphins but instead chose to watch the feeding from the jetty. This was a wise choice as we had a great view of the dolphins frolicking while they waited for the feeding to commence. There was also a cheeky rescue pelican who really really wanted a fish as well. She missed out.

    We headed back on the ferry after the dolphin feeding. The plan had been to order a taxi once we got to the ferry terminal but as I was on the phone to the taxi company we were approached by a taxi driver with a maxi taxi. He said he could take us for $35. There were already two groups in the taxi and he told them as we got in $35 each. Then as we were leaving he found another couple and told us the price would be $30.
    We got back in time for mum to see the second half of the footy and see the Eagles beat Essendon.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Noosa Heads Beach
    Noosa HeadsNoosa SpitNoosa SpitKite Surfersat Noosa SpitNoosa SpitLaguna LookoutMt TibrogarganGlasshouse Mountains Eco Lodge

    To The Sunshine Coast

    6. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    I have to say I’m quite impressed with Brisbane’s public transport smart card. We had to buy the card and put a minimum amount on it. I topped mine up as well. When we got to Roma st Station this morning we were able to return the cards, get the cost of the card plus any remaining credit back. Much easier than trying to put just enough on to end up with as close to a zero balance as possible.

    We were originally going to head to Beerwah via Caboolture however with the hot weather plus talk of bushfire evacuations around Caloundra we decided we’d rather skip that area. Instead we headed to Noosa Heads. I was kept from deviating from the motorway by mum’s comment that she wasn’t too keen on eating lunch at 3pm as she usually wasn’t hungry by then. We got up to Noosa Heads for a 1:30pm lunch. We used the highly scientific method of choosing a restaurant by going into the first one that looked like it would have a toilet. That was the Noosa Beach House Bar. It turned out to be a good choice.
    Afterward we wandered through the town, along the beach and then the spit.
    We then headed back down south to our accommodation in Beerwah which is in the Glasshouse Mountains. A bit different to our Brisbane accommodation, very tranquil and relaxed.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Murray the crocodile
    MurrayMurrayMacawBrolgaAfrican areaRhinosWedge tail eagleAldebra tortoise

    Australia Zoo

    7. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    The title says it all. This was the main reason for coming north of Brisbane (plus family live up here). It didn’t disappoint although I think we are both ready for bed and it isn’t 8pm yet.
    We were lucky enough to see them cleaning Scrppa the croc’s enclosure so got to see him move about. A large area of the croc enclosures are being renovated in readiness for their 50th anniversary next year.

    We got to pat an eastern skink, snake and koala (well mum patted the koala, I did all three).
    We went out to the African area which had giraffes (10), zebras and rhinos. Working our way back we were in time for the tiger talk. They’ve three young adult tigers that they handle regularly and also take them up to watch the African animals when the zoo is closed.
    The highlight of the day for me was the performance in the crocoseum. They’ve put a lot of time and training into the birds that were performing.
    With all the animal performances and talks there was a big emphasis on natural behaviours of the animals.
    One animal who wasn’t very cooperative was the 13 week tiger cub who was in an area where he could be viewed as well as people could have a photo taken with him.
    He wasn’t in the mood to sit still and was more interested in chewing on the arm of the keeper with him.
    We were able to see the Aldabra tortoises feeding and heard about their endangerment. The message that humans have caused all the destruction of habitat and killed species to drive them to the brink of endangerment or extinction was definitely made but not as militantly as at Tangalooma resort. There they really drove home the message.
    We saw Scrappa being fed in the afternoon. In this talk we got a lot closer to both the keepers and crocodile. He put on a good performance for us.
    One more stop for the birds of prey and then we were done.

    We ate out last night but after realising there was a kitchen here where we are staying we picked up some simple ingredients to cook tea. The accommodation is really nice here, the rooms aren’t huge but there is a huge range of seating options all around the place. Last night I sat outside on a sofa to write my blog.
    Tonight it’s a bit cooler so I’m inside.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Strangler figGlasshouse mountains from Mary Cairncross ParkLake BarronLooking out towards the coast

    Sunshine Coast Hinterland

    8. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We started at the Glasshouse Mountains look out. I was most disappointing to find out the Captain Cook named the mountains after the glass furnaces in Yorkshire of which they reminded him. I was expecting something a bit more romantic like they look like glass when the dawn light reflects off them or something like that.

    We made our way to Maleny, went to Mary Cairncross park and did a rainforest walk. My favourite tree was the strangler fig. The seed germinates in the canopy, sends down roots that eventually strangle and kill the host tree.

    From there we went to have lunch with my uncle and aunt. They’ve a wonderful spot in Maleny and we had a very enjoyable afternoon.
    We took a while to decide on a route home but followed the Blackall Range Scenic drive to Nambour and then multiple roads to get back to Beerwah while avoiding motorways (because they are boring). The secenic drive was very scenic. We climbed quite high and had a good view of the coast and ocean.

    Yesterday we bought salad to have with our meals last night and tonight. I cooked the meat on the barbecue that is here and it’s a quick and simple meal. Much easier than going out. Unfortunately the mini fridge we have in our room must have the temperature set too low and the salad froze. So we had a pork steak, a bit of last night’s leftover chicken and some cheese for tea. If we get hungry a bit later on we can always have some muesli.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy

    Tamborine Mountain

    9. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We are on our way south. Today was always a bit of a flexible day, to be decided while we were in Queensland. Our choices were limited by the bushfires as I had always intended we skirt Brisbane and go inland. Instead we went through Brisbane, right through as I missed a crucial turn due to not understanding which lane to be in. It did mean we drove over the Story Bridge so that was something.
    We also took a detour as I saw a sign saying “Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive”. What I didn’t realise was we were ar the south end of it and it was going north.
    Eventually we got to Tamborine Mountain. We did the skywalk amount the rainforest. That was really interesting.

    We later went to the glow worm cave. This is a man made cave that enables us to see them during the day. Unfortunately I couldn’t take any photos. The worms are quite small, the make long sticky threads to capture their prey, a bit like spiders. The cave really did look like stars in the sky.

    We finished with a walk down the long gallery, a street with an eclectic range of shops.

    Due to the fires we decided to stay in the Gold Coast rather than the mountains. We are very close to Movie World.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Gold Coast
    Gold CoastCoolangattaCoolangattaHastings PointHastings PointHastings PointLillian RockBlie Knob

    Meandering South

    10. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today our plan was to drive to Nimbin. Due to the fires we wanted to stay close to the coast. We had plenty of time so wherever possible we drove along the beach. We were a bit frustrated by some of it being one way in the opposite direction to which we were going.
    We followed the coast down to Pottsville before heading inland to Nimbin.
    We checked in to our accommodation and later in the afternoon went out to my sister’s place at Blue Knob. It was lovely to catch up with her and my nephews.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Geoff Hannah and the Hannah Cabinet
    Hannah CabinetDyed yarnsJenny discussing yarnsNimbin RocksNimbin RocksFree range rooster in NimbinFarmer's marketFarmer's marketFarmer's market

    This and That

    11. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Today we fell in with my sister’s plans and accompanied her as she went about her day. The boys has classes in Lismore so we started there. Mum and I visited the Art Gallery and were lucky enough to catch the end of a talk given by Geoff Hannah who crafted the Hannah Cabinet. I’d never heard of Geoff Hannah or his cabinetry but if you are interested google him. The cabinet is opened once a week so we were able to get some idea of the intricacies of it. It’s made up so many compartments and all finely decorated.

    After we finished at the Art Gallery we went with Jenny to watch her being filmed for a TAFE project. She was explaining the dyes Vikings used. Her wool is such incredible colours, all from insect or vegetable dyes.

    After lunch we returned to Nimbin for the afternoon Farmer’s Market. It’s a small market but with a lot of variety. We aren’t preparing evening meals here otherwise there was so much I could have bought (and eaten). We are planning a picnic lunch tomorrow so I did get some cheese and pickled mushrooms.

    We then headed back to Jenny’s and just hung out for what was left of the afternoon. She made us a delicious bacon soup before she headed back to get the boys and we came back to our accommodation.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Fruits I sampled
    All the fruitsVarities of avocadoCustard apple relative and canistelAvocado treeNative bee hives. They rely on bees to pollinate the fruitDonkeysBlack sapoteOriginal avocado tree

    Tropical Fruit World

    12. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today started out slowly with washing. We then collected Jenny and the boys and headed to Tropical Fruit World. This is an old avocado research station that now has thousands of varieties of fruit.

    We had a picnic lunch before we started the tour with fruit tasting. There were some familiar fruits such as bananas, oranges, kiwi fruit, avocado, pineapple and strawberries. There were familiar fruits that I have either rarely eaten such as papaya and black sapote, and those I haven’t tried before such as Davidson’s plum, star fruit, a fruit related to the custard apple that I can’t remember the name of, and canistel.
    The Davidson’s plum is so astringent it is almost salty. I only took a very small piece. Star fruit was okay if a bit watery. The custard apple relative was nice but I didn’t care for the canistel.
    After the tastings we went on a tractor tour of the property. It wasn’t a great time fruitwise to go as it is really in between fruiting seasons. The tour including a boat ride, tasting lemon myrtle water, banana and macadamias as well as feeding the farm animals.
    We finished up with a fruit ice cream- mine was black sapote which is also known as the chocolate pudding fruit as that is what it tastes like.

    My nephew had training in Lismore so we dropped him off and then went to the Lismore farmers market. Back then to watch my nephew at his MMA training. It gave mum and I an idea of what he does. He’s only a teen but holds his own against older guys.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Boys on bikes
    Stem Punk in UkiSteam punk in UkiWall artThe books I boughtGoatsBananasSabannah in thw wheel well

    Uki

    13. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    A slower day today. We spent the morning at my sister’s just chatting and catching up with each other’s lives as it been 7 years since we were last together. Talking on the phone and messaging isn’t the same. We went into Uki this afternoon while my sister went to an appointment. Mum and I looked in every shop in the town. For a small town there is a lot of cafes in Uki. The have a couple of steam punk (or funk I’m not sure) shops there. When I was last here 8 years ago I found one of my type of books at a little bookshop here. Today I found three.
    Once back at Blue Knob the boys got their dirt bikes out, we went for a walk and more talking.
    The Nimbin Roots festival started tonight. We are at the edge of town but still hear it. Mum’s watching the footy but given the quarter time score I’ve gone to bed.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Brunswick Heads
    Brunswick HeadsBrunswick HeadsLego repair in Brunswick HeadsCape ByronByron LighthouseByron LighthouseSpaghetti MarinaraWood Fired Pozza

    Family Time

    14. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today we collected my oldest nephew and we all went to Brunswick Heads for lunch. We had a lovely leisurely lunch of hand made pasta and then went for a walk to the river mouth. The others saw a whale, I saw the splash of the whale. After ice cream we went up to the Cape Byron lighthouse. It was coming in hazy so the visibility wasn’t great but there was at least one whale there. I saw at least a flipper of a whale.
    The boys were hungry again so we headed back to Brunswick Heads for wood fired pizza. While there we called both my sister and sister in law so we could all chat.
    By this time it was dark at well after 6pm. We separated with Jenny and the boys returning via Burringbar and mum and I looked for the straightest route back to Nimbin. I’m not sure we chose the best route as it was quite twisted in places. We ended up going down to Clunes and then through The Channon.
    We got back safely.    Les mer

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  • Michelle CreasyQueensland 2019Michelle Creasy
    Pecan trees
    Lismore car boot marketsLismore car boot marketsPecan and spinach rollPecan sundaePecan treesPecan treesLast night at Blue Knob

    Sunday Drive

    15. september 2019, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    A nice gentle Sunday today. We went into Lismore to the car boot market. It was large with a good mix of different items for sale. From vintage and second hand goods to veggies, plants and food. We had a happy hour wandering through it.
    Afterwards we headed to Eltham to the Eltham Valley Pantry for lunch/afternoon tea. It’s owned by friends of Jenny and is a pecan orchard as well as a restaurant. Both mum and I had pecan meals - mum a pecan sundae and me a pecan and spinach roll.
    We then took a leisurely drive home.
    I got to tick something else off my bucket list - I saw a firefly this evening.    Les mer

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    Reisens slutt
    15. september 2019
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