Brisbane and around

We stayed here for only a few nights but had really nice time. Visited Australia zoo, home  to the crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. We all loved it and it was probably the best zoo we have ever been to, highly recommended. We were there all day but still didn’t get to see everything, the shows we saw were excellent and you got very close to the animals. They seemed well looked after and had lots of space around them. It was great to see Steve’s legacy continuing. There was lots of information and a museum about Steve and his work helping to protect many animals including crocodiles, tigers, Tasmanian devils, elephants and cheetahs.

We also spent a day in Brisbane city which we really enjoyed too. Again not too big so we could walk to most places with the children, trying to find as much shade on our way as possible as it must have been closer to 35’C that day!

We walked to the Botanical gardens which was huge and so interesting as one end you could see the city workers enjoying their lunch on the beautiful river bank amongst the number of cyclists, runners, walkers. We had to stop for a play park so that the girls could run out some of their energy!!! 

As we carried on walking through the park we came in to the rainforest and then walked up to the little hill to find a most beautiful little wooden coffee place you could imagine. In fact it reminded me of some old finnish buildings which have been converted into a coffee shops.

After having lunch there we walked across the river by the Maritime museum and then to Kings park which was just another wow! That just shows how Aussies can turn some old railway yards into the amazing outdoor living mecca! The river bank was full of restaurants, coffee shops, shops, park areas, bbq and picnic areas, yet again another play park we had to stop!!! Not to mention the Art galleries, theatres, ‘Brisbane Eye’ and a massive free lagoon pool to cool down. There is often bands playing on stage and as we were there was a Christmas market. 

As we walked back to the bus stop there happened to be a Christmas parade that Myer’s department store staff create every Christmas… something you are unlikely to see in England. They were all dressed up in this huge parade in the theme of ‘Nativity’ which they would play after the parade! The girls loved it! Then had a most pleasant bus journey back to the campsite. Our bus driver was friendly not just for us but everyone that came aboard or jumped off, polite and cheerful. For the girls he slowed down when we passed the houses that were covered in Christmas lights for them to watch them in the dark and the best of all we had a free bus ride! Result!